Ella smiled at Hamish, tucked under his arm was McCartney looking smart wearing a red velvet bow-tie. As soon as the artists were settled at their table, the rest of the guests began to file through the door. The whole community of Heartcross was out in full force and each and every one of them looked stunning, their dresses extravagant, their make-up perfect and all the men suited and booted. They were all out to support The Lakehouse and, of course, Dolores.

‘I feel like I’m floating on air,’ whispered Ella.

‘And so you should be, you did all this.’ Roman kissed her on her cheek and held her hand tightly.

‘With a little help from some friends,’ she replied.

Inside The Lakehouse, Ella was completely blown away. There were clusters of guests drinking from champagne flutes, sitting around their tables and an army of staff circulating with more glasses of fizz. The TV were set up along the back of the restaurant with a smaller camera positioned near the front. The whole room was bubbling with excitement. Roman had checked and double-checked the sound, which was all working correctly, and he placed a microphone on top of the piano. The whole room was decorated with fairy lights and white roses filled every spare space in the room. Ella was completely lost for words at the extravagance of it all. She weaved a way through the guests and accepted a drink from a passing waiter before she sat down at the table alongside Roman and Callie. Everything was running like clockwork. Dolores was in her element, working the room and chatting with everyone. Gianni appeared at the side of the table and Ella noticed him slip his arm around Callie’s waist before disappearing back in the kitchen.

Within the next ten minutes a pianist came out to play whilst everyone enjoyed the delicious delights of the extravagant three-course meal that Gianni had prepared. Even Tiffany Down looked impressed as she shared a table with Nancy alongside some of the press photographers.

Once the food had been completely devoured, Flynn stepped onto the stage and Ella noticed how proud Julia looked from the table at the side of the stage. As he took the microphone, silence fell over the room. ‘Welcome to each and every one of you for joining us tonight.’

Ella’s heart was beating in double time, so goodness knew how Dolores was feeling, but she appeared to be taking it all in her stride.