‘Me four,’ Lily added softly.

Victoria shook her head.

‘What?’ Lily asked cocking her head to one side.

‘It’s just that … well. Look at us. Ten years on and living our best lives.’

‘Long may it continue,’ said Zoe raising her glass, Malie leaning her head on Zoe’s shoulder, and humming her agreement. Victoria and Lily clinked their glasses to Zoe’s and each took a sip.

For a moment they were lost in their own thoughts, each unknowingly almost exactly the same. Thinking on how much life had thrown at them, how they’d survived it and how their friendship was stronger than ever. How the bonds of love had expanded to include friends, lovers and children. The joy they shared as their children played and dreamed – as they had done all those years ago on this very same beach – had lit their eyes as much as their hearts.

‘So when are you off to Tahiti?’ Zoe asked Lily.

‘About three weeks? We’ll have to figure out the time difference for a Lost Hours call.’

Malie snorted. ‘I still can’t believe you have three whole hours you can’t remember.’

Zoe pulled a face and shrugged.

‘Wait … what’s that look for?’ Malie demanded.

‘No idea what you’re talking about,’ Zoe replied, not meeting anyone’s gaze.

‘Zoe!’ Victoria cried. ‘I don’t believe it.’

‘What?’ she responded innocently.

‘No way,’ Lily said. ‘No, no, no.’

‘Oh, come on,’ cried Malie. ‘Seriously? All this time and you actually remember what happened in Ibiza?’

‘So you’ve just pretended not to know what happened when you went missing in the foam party? The very event that created the Lost Hours! And you knew? This whole time?’ Lily demanded.

‘Ahh …’ Zoe hedged and all the girls descended into a fit of giggles that would have done their teenage selves proud.

‘You can’t leave us hanging,’ Victoria demanded. ‘Spill. Now!’

‘OK, OK,’ Zoe said, raising her hands in surrender and groaning out loud. ‘I’m not sure you’re ready for it, though.’

‘Of course we are,’ Malie replied indignantly.

‘Out with it,’ ordered Lily, unable to take the smile from her face.

Zoe looked at each of the girls in turn. ‘OK, so what happened was …’

Acknowledgements

All acknowledgements are special and important, but none as significant as the ones I am penning now. I never thought I would publish a novel, never mind four with such astounding unexpected success. The stories of my four girls have touched so many, and significantly changed my life too. I’ve found a passion that I hope will stay with me forever. Whilst Meet Me at the Wedding is the final hurrah for this series it certainly isn’t the end of my love affair with Mills & Boon romantic fiction.