‘Charlie wouldn’t be bothered if I turned up on the back of a donkey,’ replied Dolores, who looked over her shoulder and touched Ella’s hand with hers.

‘This is it. Good luck, Dolores.’

‘Thank you, dear girl. I’m more nervous now than when I met the Queen.’

‘You’ve got this.’

Roman and Ella held their breaths as Dolores got out of the car and shut the door behind her.

‘It’s like a love scene out of a movie.’ Ella slid into the front seat next to Roman and placed her hand on his knee. He leant across and kissed her on her cheek.

‘I have to say, I’m as nervous as hell and have everything crossed for a happy ending,’ he said. ‘It’s all happening today, isn’t it? How are you feeling about tonight?’

‘I’m so excited to see it all come together, but I think I’m most excited about watching Dolores light up every face inside The Lakehouse when she sings.’

‘It’s going to be a magical night.’

In silence, they watched as Dolores walked forward but stopped halfway between Bette and the Bentley. Ella’s heart was beating so fast, goodness knows how Dolores was holding up, meeting the love of her life after all these years. ‘I wonder what he looks like?’ asked Ella, her eyes fixed forward.

Roman put his hand up to his shoulder and took hold of Ella’s hand. ‘We are about to find out.’ They watched in anticipation for the first glimpse of Charlie Love. The Bentley’s car door was opened by the chauffeur and Ella let out a sigh. ‘He’s not come, he’s sent someone else, she must be his assistant.’ Feeling the crushing disappointment, Ella was about to climb out of the car and rush to Dolores’ side, but Roman stopped her.

‘Look.’

Ella saw a tall, slim Indian woman dressed in an exquisitely cut blue trouser suit with red ballet shoes, walking towards Dolores, who was smiling. They began to walk faster towards each other and within seconds their arms were flung open and they fell into each other’s embrace.

‘What’s going on?’ asked Roman, looking at Ella, then back towards Dolores. They watched from afar as the two women hugged and kissed.

‘My guess is, Charlie Love is not a man.’ Wide-eyed, she looked towards Roman.

For a second, they watched the women embrace, before Dolores turned around and waved her hand in Ella’s direction.

‘That’s our cue. Come on, let’s go and meet Charlie.’

Hand in hand, Ella and Roman walked over towards them, and Ella noticed Dolores was physically shaking. ‘Ella, Roman – let me introduce you to Charlie… Charlotte Love.’

Chapter Seventeen