‘As he should be.’
‘Charlotte’s been to see him, too, and laid his future on the line. If he wants to marry her then he comes to live here because Iluka’s full of people who care. That’s what she said. And he’s desperately worried about how you’ll take it, but…’
‘But?’
‘Well, the man is a decent accountant, even if he is a dope where relationships and boats are concerned. In fact,’ Joss said grudgingly, ‘despite his dopiness where boats are concerned, he’s really quite clever. He worked out all the financial stuff. We do need a competent accountant, and he’s incredibly excited about the project. So if you think you can bear seeing him again…’
‘Why could I not bear to see him?’ She was breathing again, but the joy within was threatening to overwhelm her. ‘Why on earth not?’
‘He betrayed you.’
‘He betrayed Charlotte and she loves him. If she can forgive him, who am I to be judgemental?’
‘You don’t still love him-just a little bit?’ He was looking anxious. That was crazy, Amy thought jubilantly. Crazy.
‘How on earth can I love Malcolm-when I love you?’
‘You love me?’
‘I’d better,’ she said. ‘If you’re going to be Medical Director and cut ribbons then I don’t see that I’ve got a choice but to stick around.’
‘You’re going to be Director-In-Chief, and you can cut ribbons, too.’
‘I thought I got to hold the handbags.’
‘I’ll leave my handbag at home,’ he said magnanimously. ‘If that’s what it takes.’
‘Gee, thanks.’
‘But it could work.’ He was still anxious, she thought. He was gazing at her with all the hope in the world. Like Bertram asking for someone to give him a ball.
No.
Not like Bertram.
Like Joss, asking her to give him a future.
She closed her eyes, and when she opened them he was still looking at her with hope.
‘Amy?’
‘Mmm?’
‘Will you marry me?’
There was a long indrawn collection of breath and Amy glanced toward the doorway. How many heads could fit around one door?
‘Can I have a puppy?’ she asked.
‘Ten.’
‘Can I have a baby?’
‘Ten.’
And she was laughing, joy and love and wonder all struggling for supremacy.
Love won. It always did.
‘Of course I’ll marry you,’ she told him as he gathered her into his arms and held her close. ‘Of course I’ll marry you. Oh, my love… Now and for ever.’
The entire population of the Iluka nursing home broke into applause-and Amy and Joss didn’t even notice.
Iluka was as it should be.
Almost as soon as the new bridge was built people started drifting toward Iluka. There were things going on here. Jobs were being advertised. Construction was starting on the new hospital.
People came and saw and fell in love.
The day had been sun-soaked and beautiful. Families were packing up on the beaches. The ice-cream van had closed for the day. There were elderly couples walking on the beach, catching the last of the sun’s rays.
It was the end of another glorious day in paradise, as a cluster of Iluka’s long-term residents stood on the sand to watch Joss Braden and Amy Freye exchange their vows.
‘Come prepared for wet feet,’ the wedding invitation had stated, because Joss and Amy knew where they wanted to be married. So this motley assortment of wedding guests hoisted their skirts and rolled up their trousers. Their bare toes were soaking in the shallows.
Amy and Joss stood on their rock above the waves, and the last of the sun fell on their faces as they faced each other with love. And certainty.
And joy.
‘Do you take this woman…?’
‘I do.’
‘And you, Amy. Do you take this man…?’
‘I do.’
There was such love here. Who could not wish this couple all the joy in the world?
In the last few months they’d transformed Iluka into the paradise it had always promised to be. There were a few disgruntled millionaires, but even they had been known to wander down when no one was watching and buy an ice cream from Mr Whippy. Their children played with Lionel’s kites on the beach.
One of Lionel’s kites was flying now.
No. Not one. Two of Lionel’s kites. Huge box kites, being manoeuvred by children on the beach. They must have been primed by Lionel, because Lionel himself was knee deep in water, holding hands with Marigold, and beaming and beaming.
Everyone was there.
Daisy and David. Charlotte and Malcolm and tiny Ilona- Charlotte holding tight to Malcolm with a proprietorial air that said Malcolm had better not put another foot wrong if he knew what was good for him.
The look on his face said he knew very well what was good for him and he’d found it right here.
Bertram was here, though he wasn’t venturing out into the water. He had enough to contend with-a brand-new springer spaniel puppy was trying to chase his tail and the dogs were spinning in circles of delight in the sand.
Who else? So many. Mary, Sue-Ellen, Marie, Thelma, old Robbie who’d been installed as head gardener-all the people they loved were here. It was just perfect.
The ceremony was over.
‘I now pronounce you man and wife.’ The celebrant beamed as Joss lifted Amy into his arms and kissed her.
‘My wife,’ he whispered. ‘My love.’ The whole world seemed to hold its breath as their kiss sealed their vows.
Above their heads the kites intertwined-only now there were three. Three box kites spun against the sunset, each painted crimson with huge white lettering. They’d been painted in an act of love from all the residents of Iluka Nursing Home.
One spelled JOSS.
The second spelled AMY.
The final kite spelled FOR EVER.
Marion Lennox
