‘Cora also says that, subject to contract, it’s going to be rushed through over the summer recess, if she can swing it, which means the first tranche of medications should reach patients by September.’

Rachel shook her head. ‘That’s amazing. It’s going to make such a difference, Charlie. I can’t think you enough.’ She started. ‘Can I tell Mum and Dad?’

‘Of course, but try not to put it on Twitter until it’s officially public.’

‘Thank you,’ Rachel said. ‘I’d better go.’

Charlie smiled a little shakily. ‘I’m so glad I could help.’ Then, he was nearly knocked sideways as Holly careered into him, wrapping her arms around him again so tightly he gasped for a breath he wasn’t sure he could draw without breaking down and crying himself. When she released him, she drew back so she could look into his eyes.

‘You once told me that in order to make a difference, you had to have the support and backup of the donors and those with the economic power. That whatever I did was fine, but it didn’t really make a difference.’ She paused, and he felt as though she was looking into his soul with her unnerving, direct gaze. ‘Do you still believe that?’

Charlie brushed a teardrop from Holly’s lower lashes. ‘We did this together,’ he said softly. ‘And that’s the way I always want to do things.’ He glanced around him at the punters in the pub, who, drawn by the drama unfolding in front of them, were all gazing in their direction, holding their drinks. Suddenly, he knew exactly what he wanted to do. There was a small voice telling him that it was too soon, that there was no way Holly would respond in the way he wanted, but a far bigger one was shouting at him to seize the day. If getting to know Holly, Rachel and Harry had taught him anything over the past couple of months, it was that he needed to seize the day: to make each one count.

‘You once told me you could never imagine being a politician’s wife,’ he said carefully. ‘That it would be too much, having to hold your tongue and toe the party line.’

‘Yes, I remember saying that,’ Holly replied wryly. ‘But then I say a lot of things.’

‘So, if I asked you, now, in front of all of these good people of Willowbury, to reconsider that opinion, and instead of holding your tongue, to give me your uncensored opinion on all things, do you think you might see your way to becoming a politician’s wife after all?’

‘Well,’ Holly replied, a teasing note in her voice. ‘That depends…’

‘On what?’ Charlie’s heart thumped.