As he got out of the car, she did the same, watching him shyly, as if this was their first meeting. Out of the boot he took a large blanket; he must have taken it off his bed, as she had one on hers exactly the same, a sort of cotton, woven fabric that kept you cool and yet warm, once the temperature dropped.

‘Spread that out, darling, and I’ll get out the box they packed for us. I have no idea what is in it.’

After lifting out the small box, Alex bent over his boot again, and this time he brought out a bottle of champagne and two glasses. Daisy wanted to make a joke and ask what they were celebrating, but the moment didn’t call for triviality.

Once she’d laid out the blanket, she sat on it and looked around her. They were high up on a hill surrounded by other hills, all lush with greenery and trees. In the distance she could see the sea shimmering in the heat, a deep blue against the white sand. I’d like heaven to be like this, please, God. A shudder went through her at this thought.

‘Are you all right, darling?’

The sentence had slipped off Alex’s tongue as if he’d always spoken in this serious way, instead of his usual jokey manner.

‘Yes, someone walked over my grave, as they say.’

‘You’re not going to be in a grave for a very long time.’ He lowered himself down beside her. She could see that he was holding something clenched tightly in his hand. ‘And I hope you will spend that time with me, my darling Daisy. Will you marry me?’

This second proposal of the day was heartfelt, his look so sincere and full of love for her that Daisy’s spirits soared, and she realized she was truly in heaven now – this very minute.

‘Yes, yes, I will. Oh, Alex, I love you.’

A tear glistened in his eye and his lips came down on hers, his body pressing her until she was lying beneath him, looking up into his beautiful face, with the sun forming a halo around it.

‘I love you, Daisy. Will you do me the honour of wearing my mother’s ring, to bind us together in the legacy of love that she left with it, and had with my father?’

Daisy could only nod as Alex took her hand and slipped a diamond ring on her left finger. Her own tears of joy matched his.

‘Oh, Daisy, my Daisy. I love you.’

‘Alex . . . Alex. I can’t believe you’re me fiancé. Ta, ta ever so much. I’ll love you forever.’

His lips kissed the ring, then came down on hers. Her heart beat so loudly and swelled in her chest as she accepted his love. ‘Daisy, I want to make love to you. I want to make you mine.’