‘I asked Dolores if she wanted us to cancel Charlie’s invite but she said no, she’d hoped one day they would get to see each other one last time. I’m actually feeling quite emotional about it all, but she wants to meet him in private before the event. Maybe in the afternoon, if we can arrange that?’

Roman jotted it down on his list. ‘I’ll see to that.’

Ella was pensive for a second. ‘Can you imagine putting your life on hold and never falling in love again because you still loved that one person?’

‘I can relate to that in a way,’ admitted Roman, suddenly sounding sad.

‘Oh, Roman, I didn’t…’

‘I know you didn’t mean anything by it, but for years I threw myself into fatherhood, Megan always came first and…’ He took a breath. ‘I always felt guilty, that I wasn’t good enough for anyone else. I blamed myself for Hattie’s death. If only I hadn’t encouraged her to go out that night, if only I’d slept in the same room that night, things would have been okay. But over time I’ve begun to see things in a different light.’

‘Time is a good healer.’ Ella gave a quick thought to Alex. With all the planning for the event at The Lakehouse, she hadn’t given him much thought just lately.

‘Right, let’s get to work,’ he said. ‘I have the rest of the day and evening to work on this event as much as possible, and then it’s back to sailing the boat tomorrow.’

Ella thought it was a good idea that Dolores would introduce each act herself, then spend a couple of minutes reminiscing about the past – how they met, with a short amusing anecdote thrown in for good measure, followed by the artist’s song, which they would sing together.

Twenty-four hours ago ringing an artist would have scared the life out of Ella but now, Roman and Flynn had boosted her confidence. They believed she was capable of organising this event and Ella was taking everything in her stride and proving them right.

She was scribbling on the pad in front of her, when she glanced up to see Roman smiling warmly at her. ‘Why are you smiling at me?’

‘Because you are really good at this, it’s like you’ve found your calling. You have an amazing way with people, Ella. And you have great organisational skills.’

‘Aww thanks, I’m learning from the best.’ She smiled back warmly, tapping her pen on the table then pointing to Roman’s phone, which had just started to ring.

‘It’s Callie,’ he said, taking the call. ‘Yes, she’s right here with me.’ He held his phone out towards Ella. ‘It’s Callie for you, your phone was constantly engaged so she tried mine.’