Everyone’s heads turned towards the piano, the glow from the candles revealing a magnitude of warmth and love in Roman’s eyes, He turned his head slightly towards Ella and the smile he gave her melted her heart. As his fingers began to glide effortlessly over the keys, she closed her eyes. She felt breathless, as Roman played the notes, weaving a story – their story. As soon as Dolores began to sing, everyone gasped. She was still a superstar, and no one could take their eyes off her. Ella held up her arm towards Charlie. ‘Goose bumps.’

Charlie mirrored her actions. ‘Snap.’

There wasn’t a dry eye in the place. Even Gianni was dabbing his eyes with a napkin as he joined Callie at their table.

No one uttered a word through the performance, the whole room watching Dolores Henderson perform the last song all by herself, this magical moment capturing everyone’s heart.

Just as Ella knew Roman had completely captured hers.

As soon as the song came to an end everyone was up on their feet. Roman joined Dolores centre stage and they both looked towards Ella and Charlie as they took a bow together before gesturing for them both to come up on the stage. They all hugged each other, before Dolores put the microphone to her mouth. ‘Hamish, my son, as much as you don’t like the limelight, please come up and join me for one very last song.’

Hamish didn’t object and proudly took his mother’s hand.

As the band took their places, Dolores announced, ‘Please welcome back on stage all my special guests tonight for one last song. Next month it’s Christmas…’

Everyone filed back on to the stage holding hands. As the band struck up the melody for ‘Last Christmas’, snow began to fall all over The Lakehouse. The whole audience were up on their feet embracing the artificial snow. This was a magical end to Dolores’ last ever performance and she deserved nothing less than a standing ovation.

‘I think we both have our happy ever afters,’ Charlie whispered to Ella.

‘I think we do.’ Ella smiled. ‘And when did you learn to play the piano? That blew me away,’ she whispered to Roman.

‘I’ve been playing since I was five years old,’ he replied as he slipped his arm around Ella’s waist. As the song came to an end the scene in front of them was like a magical winter wonderland. As the applause rang out Dolores was emotional, tears streaming down her face. ‘Thank you all for letting me sing one last time. Tonight it was me and you, and our “Trip Down Memory Lane”. And if it’s okay with you, I’m officially announcing my retirement!’

The applause never stopped as everyone still stood on stage, hanging on to this special moment.