‘We’re all here,’ Lily exclaimed, fisting her hands so she didn’t grab them all into a massive hug.

‘You’re wearing it!’ Victoria cried with delight.

‘Of course I am, it’s a beautiful dress made by a very talented, soon to be utterly famous and completely sold out designer!’ Lily replied, giving the girls a little twirl and loving the way the fabric swirled around her legs.

‘Show-off,’ Zoe replied with a smile so wide it made Lily’s heart soar.

‘Jealous?’ Malie joked.

‘Utterly,’ Zoe replied without malice and suffered a smacking great kiss on her cheek from Malie.

‘Right. So what’s the plan? You’ve kept us in the dark long enough, Lily Atwell,’ Victoria said.

‘And not just about the hen do,’ Zoe replied under her breath, her emerald eyes still twinkling.

‘What’s that?’ Malie asked.

‘Nothing,’ Lily replied, brightly enough for everyone to know it was most definitely something.

‘Oh come on, Lils, what gives?’

‘I’m not saying a word until I have a glass of Hawkesbury Reserve in my hands.’

‘Ohhh, you tease.’

‘Yes.’ Lily smiled at the slightly bemused faces of her friends. ‘I am,’ she replied confidently. ‘Come on.’

‘Where are we going? Aren’t we having it at the restaurant?’

‘Nope,’ Lily said, shaking her head and leading them all down the street towards the harbour.

‘What’s got into her?’ she heard Malie ask Victoria.

‘My money’s on Henry Hawkesbury,’ Zoe answered.

Lily choked, Malie screamed, Victoria laughed and Zoe smiled.

‘Really?’ demanded Malie. ‘Seriously?!’

‘Sparkling Reserve, Malie. Sparkling Reserve,’ Lily said, smiling and feeling a well of something incredibly like glee rising within her. Her friends were all home, and Henry was … well. She didn’t really know what he – or they – were, but right now, Lily felt as if she could conquer the world. And it was a feeling she could most definitely get used to.

As they reached the harbour, Zoe began to slow. ‘Lils, I’m not sure—’

‘It’ll be fine, Zo, honestly.’

‘Well, unless you guys know where I can chain up the wheelchair and are prepared to carry me for the rest of the evening … because there’s no way Mr Michaels’ old rowboat will fit all of us and my wheels.’

As they reached the row of boats moored up at the harbour’s jetty, Zoe was beginning to look a little less than excited. And Victoria was looking at Lily as if she were a little mad.

‘Where’s the trust?’ she asked as she pulled up to the sleek white boat that, as promised, Henry had brought back to the harbour last night.

Ignoring the confused faces of her friends, she hopped over the side of the boat, opened the small gate-like door in the side, retrieved the ramp and placed it between the jetty and the boat.

‘Mr Michaels upgraded?’ Malie asked, clearly flabbergasted.