As Ella ran up the jetty and jumped on to the boat, she turned back and waved at Callie then sat down and looked out across the bay. She hoped they made it across the water before the rain started to fall again. For the next few days the weather was meant to be on the turn, with heavy rain predicted with storms. Ella was quite relieved she’d be working at home for most of that time, organising the event. Hearing her phone ping, she read a text from Roman. He seemed upbeat in his message, which Ella hoped meant it had gone as well as it could have with Megan this morning. He was meeting her at the flat in twenty minutes’ time to discuss the songs each guest would be singing, as well as a conversation about what Dolores meant to them.

PS, I’ll pick us up some lunch, came the second text before Ella had a chance to reply to the first.

After last night, Ella knew that she had a hundred and one conflicted feelings about Roman. She knew his life was still unsettled and she would never put any pressure on him, but she knew her feelings were growing deeper for him every day.

Oh, and Charlie Love has also confirmed, add him to the list.

Will do, Ella replied quickly. She had spent some time googling the name that was in Dolores’ black book but couldn’t find out anything about Charlie Love. Was he a singer, musician or manager? Ella had no idea.

Ella thanked Wilbur as the boat docked, then hurried along the coastal path and up through the village. She dodged the huge dollops of rain that were now falling from the sky and even though the wind was blustery, she felt like she was floating on cloud nine. She couldn’t wait to see Dolores and hoped she’d done her proud.

Within five minutes, and now soaked to the core, Ella was knocking on Dolores’ door and was greeted by her friend who had a huge beam on her face. ‘You, my girl, have excelled yourself. This is going to be the best night of my career.’ She helped to peel the sodden coat off Ella’s back. ‘The storms are coming; go and get warm by the fire whilst I make you a hot drink.’

Ella was thankful as she cupped her hands in front of the fire and was careful not to sit on McCartney who was stretched out on the rug, hogging the warmest spot in the flat right in front of the heat.

‘So, you are happy?’ shouted Ella above the whistle of the kettle.

‘Happy? I feel like I’ve won the lottery… reunited with all my old friends – this is just going to be sensational.’

‘The news team are coming to film on the night and there’s a possibility they are going to produce a documentary all about your life.’