Page 14

‘Well, it was nearly a decade ago. And you’re not the same person any more.’

Rather than responding, Giles hummed. ‘I hated being him, you know. I hated hurting people. I just thought that was who I had to be to get ahead.’ He paused again, but before Holly could respond, he turned to face her. ‘It just took you to get it out of me. We both know I wouldn’t be who I am.’

Holly sighed. Yet another silence was going to form, but before it did, Giles continued.

‘I’ve been thinking these last couple of days about the wedding and everything, and I know it might be difficult for you, but there’s no one else I’d rather ask. But you can say no, if you want.’

‘Ask what?’ Holly replied, her stomach churning as she tried to imagine what could be coming.

‘I was hoping you’d be my best man. Well, best woman.’

‘Your best woman?’

Holly wasn’t sure how to respond. Giles wanted her to be there, standing by his side, when he got married. When he said his vows to Sienna.

A lump formed in her throat, and she wasn’t entirely sure why. But before she could respond, Giles was on his feet.

‘Sorry, it’s too much to put this on you right now… but think about it, will you? There’s honestly no one else I’d want with me. After all, I don’t think I’d have become marriage material without your help. You will think about it though, won’t you?’

Holly nodded, not sure what else she could do.

‘Of course,’ she said. ‘Of course I will.’

14

Holly couldn’t have been truer to her word when it came to thinking about Giles’s offer. She thought about it as she walked back to the table with yet another bottle of champagne, and as everyone lavished their congratulations on Sienna and Giles. She thought about it as she made her way home and as she checked on Hope, fast asleep in Jamie’s house. And when she headed back to hers alone, it was the same thought rolling over and over in her head.

‘It’s really not that big a deal,’ she said, looking at Rhubarb as she spoke. The kitten had been sound asleep when Holly came home, but as soon as she had turned on the tap to get herself a glass of water, she had woken up and bounded across to her. Several minutes of fuss and strokes had followed, but now she was wrestling with one of Holly’s shoelaces. ‘It’s good news. It shows he’s grown up. Now, enough about that. What do you say we do some baking together? Not that you can eat any of it.’

While the cat continued to writhe about on the floor, Holly opened up the cupboards and scoured the contents. There was flour and sugar and she was bound to have some eggs somewhere. Baking felt like a natural thing to do, even though it was nearly midnight. For whatever reason, she was wide awake and the last thing she wanted was to lie in bed, staring up at the ceiling in an empty house with her mind on overdrive. And nothing calmed her mind like baking.

Ten minutes later, Holly slipped a batch of blueberry muffins into the oven. Now all she had to do was wait for them to bake, and given how late it was in the UK, she knew the perfect way to pass the time.

‘Hey, you,’ Holly said, as her video call was answered in one ring. ‘Is now a good time?’

‘Sure thing, sis. How are you doing?’

Erin wasn’t actually Holly’s sister-in-law, or related to her in any way. But had Evan still been alive, and the pair of them married the way they hoped, then she would’ve been one of the four sisters-in-law that Holly gained, two of whom were identical triplets.

Holly and Erin’s relationship didn’t get off to the best start, although if you’re meeting someone for the first time after a mutually beloved person’s death, it’s hardly likely to be the best situation. While Holly was refusing to admit grief, Erin had been wanting to find blame wherever she could, and so directed it straight at Holly. Somehow, though, the pair had made it through those times and come out the other side as firm friends. In fact, Holly had now reached the point where she spoke to Erin even more than she did Evan’s parents, who continued to view Hope as one of their own grandchildren and made sure they rang for a minimum of weekly updates.

‘Where’s my favourite English niece?’ Erin said, before shaking her head. ‘Sorry, I forgot about the time. I’m guessing she’s in bed, right?’

‘She is,’ Holly replied, ‘though she’s staying at Jamie’s tonight. I’ve got the house to myself.’

‘Great, let me guess, you’re on a late-night television binge, right?’ Erin grinned.

‘Not exactly.’ Holly tried to smile back, but her muscles were unusually slow to reciprocate the action. When she finally managed, it was too late.

‘What’s going on?’ Erin said. ‘Something’s up.’

‘No, no, not at all,’ Holly said. ‘Just a busy evening, that’s all. Busy and unexpected.’

Erin arched an eyebrow. ‘Is that right? Why? What happened? Spill all the goss.’

‘Well, it’s not goss, really.’ The knot that formed in the pit of her stomach earlier in the evening was now reforming. ‘It’s just that – I don’t know – it’s good news, I guess. Giles proposed to his girlfriend Sienna. Giles is getting married.’

Erin’s face was a picture. Her jaw dropped so far, Holly could almost see the back of her throat.