At each new plate of food the girls oohed and aahed.

‘I can’t wait for the wedding breakfast,’ Malie said. ‘Obviously the ceremony is important, V, but Lily, the menu was incredible. Have you thought of doing more catering for weddings?’

‘Is that you angling?’ Zoe cut in with a smile.

‘The only weddings I’ll cater for are yours,’ Lily insisted, laughing.

‘Well, we’ll just have to return the favour,’ Malie said absently, not noticing the look of horror across Lily’s features until Victoria descended into giggles.

‘I. Am. Not. Letting. You. Near. My. Wedding. Food.’

‘Oh, so there’s going to be a wedding? That Hawkesbury better be ready.’

‘Lily and Henry, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N—’

‘Will you just stop,’ Lily said through the laughter. ‘When did you get so childish?’

‘When was I ever not?!’

The evening drifted on with much laughter, love, gossip and giggles, and when the stars were shining and the bottles empty, a very sensible, if slightly inebriated Victoria suggested that they should head back. Malie had heroically volunteered to remain sober enough to drive them back in the boat and was helping Victoria into her coat.

As Lily began to pack up the cool boxes and bring them towards the boat, Zoe stopped.

‘Where do you think you’re going?’ she demanded.

‘To the boat?’ Lily replied.

‘Na ah. Put those boxes down. Malie? A little help here?’

‘Yeah?’

‘She’s trying to get back in the boat.’

‘Oh no, that won’t do. Rookie error,’ replied Malie.

‘What on earth are you guys talking about?’

‘They’re talking about the fact that yes, the boat might be this way, but Henry, is that way,’ Victoria interjected, pointing up at the path cutting through the forest to the estate.

‘I can’t just turn up—’

‘Of course you can. You can do anything that you want to do, my love,’ Victoria insisted. ‘In the meantime, we’re going home,’ she replied, the smile on her face showing just how much she knew Lily would love to hear that.

Lily drew all the girls into a massive hug. They were closer than sisters and she was so happy to have them back. But at that moment, all she could think about was Henry. Seeing him. Thanking him for the amazing things he did for the hen party … Kissing him … Losing herself in his arms again. A thrill shot through her and she turned to leave.

‘Love you guys,’ she called over her shoulder. The responding shouts – You go get your man, and catcalls from Malie about orgasms – followed her as she raced up the pathway, giddy excitement driving her forward.

She crested the hill slightly out of breath and jogged up the gravel drive, thankful to see a few lights on. She checked her watch; it wasn’t too late, surely. She knocked on the door and was about to speak when Annabelle opened the door.

‘Oh, hi, Annabelle.’