‘I want to go to every single place that Zo has ever written about and see it for myself. I want to learn to surf where Malie taught in Hawaii and I want to visit every shop that sells V’s clothes. And I want all that,’ she said, running out of breath, ‘because you showed me that I could. You showed me that I can leave home because my family and friends and community will always be here waiting for me when I come back. But also because …’ Lily took a deep breath, hands twisting in front of her, ‘because I was hoping that you might be there with me. And it’s something I really want to do. And I’d hate to think that you’d chosen not to sell the estate and—’

Henry stopped her words with a kiss, which almost infuriated her, but his words that followed soothed her heart a moment later.

‘What if we could have them both?’ he asked. ‘What if we could keep the estate while we travelled the world?

‘Do you think we could?’ she asked, half terrified that this man had just offered her her heart’s desire.

‘I would do anything for you, Lily,’ he said, and the love shining in his eyes filled her heart so deeply she thought she might burst. The wave of love almost rocked her foundations, but like the tide, gentled back and forth, settling a feeling of rightness about her shoulders and her heart. She reached for him then and their kiss was one that she would cherish for the rest of their lives.

Her hands framed his gorgeous face, fingers threaded through already dishevelled hair and she pressed against him, wanting no more barriers between them, not even air.

Any further thought was cut through by a chorus of chaotic screams, cheers and squeals and she closed her eyes against the smile forming against Henry’s lips as she knew those voices as well as her own heartbeat.

She turned in his firm arms, as if he didn’t want to let her go either, to see Zoe, Malie and Victoria, arms wrapped around each other, still screaming and crying and celebrating for her. They rushed towards the bench and surrounded her and Henry, arms and smiles and hugs and kisses all mingling together.

‘I’m sorry, Victoria, I hadn’t meant to propose today, your wedding should be perfect and I didn’t want to take away—’

‘Oh pssht. It is perfect. This makes it perfect, Henry Hawkesbury,’ Victoria interrupted.

Over Zoe’s shoulder, Lily could see Ollie, Todd and Finn leaning back against the house casting what looked to be sympathetic glances at Henry, who was smack bang in the middle of the happiest bridal party ever known.

‘Oh God, your dress,’ Lily cried, fearing the grass and mud that was dangerously close to being trampled underfoot.

‘Forget the dress, what about my—’