Ella stopped dead in her tracks and stared at Dolores who was standing in front of her. She didn’t recognise her at all and had to look twice, she looked so beautiful. Dolores looked down to the floor then back up towards Ella, looking like a frightened rabbit in the headlights. Immediately Ella recognised her vulnerability, and understood that this was an important moment in her personal life. After all these years, and everything she had accomplished in her career, Dolores was still in love.

She was beautifully dressed, in a long flowing polka-dot dress with ruffles around the collar and wrists. Her flamboyant make-up had been toned down and her brunette hair hung straight down her back – there wasn’t a long blonde curl in sight. Ella’s mouth had dropped wide open as she looked between Dolores and the wig that was hanging over the arm of the chair. Ella gasped. ‘Dolores, you look… stunning.’ Ella stepped forward and kissed Dolores on the cheek. ‘You look ten years younger.’

‘I thought I’d ditch the bright-blue eye-shadow and the lashes. This is how I used to look: elegant, long flowing dresses, and I’ve hidden behind false eyelashes for years, when look…’ Dolores fluttered her eyelashes. ‘I covered myself up for years, hiding behind the façade that I’m an eccentric old lady, which was a good show, because I could usually get away with anything, but that was because I wasn’t happy. Today I feel happy again.’

‘Because you’re meeting Charlie?’

‘Yes, because I am meeting Charlie. I’ve loved Charlie with all my heart for all these years, and if it wasn’t for you Ella, this would never be happening.’

Ella held out her hands. ‘I’m so excited for you. What’s the plan? Where are we meeting Charlie?’

‘At The Boathouse, and then we are sailing across to The Lakehouse for lunch. I’ve booked our old favourite table, the one we always sat at, and Flynn has seen to it that we have our favourite cocktails waiting. I have to admit, in the whole of my career, singing in front of royalty, performing in front of thousands of people… I have never felt… so nervous – it’s terrifying!’

‘Don’t be nervous, enjoy your time, and Roman and I are right behind you, all the way.’

Ella picked up Dolores’ small suitcase. ‘Come on, let’s go and meet Charlie, and drop you both off at The Boathouse. This is where your real trip down memory lane begins.’

Dolores gently cupped her hands around Ella’s face. ‘You deserve every bit of happiness in your lifetime. My career was amazing, but I didn’t get my happiness in my personal life until now. Just seeing Charlie for one last time is all I ever wished for, and now my heart is thumping so fast, it had better not bloody give way before I get there!’ Dolores laughed.