‘Without a doubt you can. Think about how you turned your own little business around. You tripled those profits with your browse-and-biscuit mornings, and the wreath-making classes, and I even remember your furniture-painting mornings were a huge success. When you put your mind to something you make things a success. You are amazing, and this is going to be amazing.’

‘Yes, I did do that, didn’t I?’ Ella felt proud, thinking how she’d turned her own business around to make a profit. ‘It’s all about believing in yourself.’

‘Exactly that! And I believe in you and Flynn believes in you.’

Ella was smiling. ‘Eek, let’s hope Dolores agrees. I wonder what names she has in her little black book?’

An hour later, they set off to work. It took a little over ten minutes to reach The Boathouse along the riverbank under the wide dark sky, but thankfully for the time being the rain had stopped and the buffeting winds had calmed down a little. This was the perfect walk to work for Ella, the view of the cliffs and the river tumbling over the rocks beat fighting for a seat on a hot and over-packed bus that took twenty minutes to ride into the city centre each day. There was something enchanting about travelling to work by a boat.

‘There’s Bette.’ Ella pointed to the Land Rover parked at the side of The Boathouse. ‘And there’s Roman.’

They witnessed Roman stepping out of the driver’s side of the car whilst buttoning up his shirt. He thrust his arms into his jacket then checked his hair in the wing mirror before pulling his cap on his head. Then he hurried down the jetty to the water taxi that had just docked, and stepped on board. For a moment he was in conversation with Wilbur before taking the helm behind the wheel.

‘Good morning,’ Ella chirped as they stepped on board, looking towards Wilbur and Roman.

‘Good morning,’ replied Roman with a smile, quickly tucking his shirt into his trousers.

Ella noticed that he looked exhausted, not to mention a little dishevelled. His tie was wayward, his shirt wasn’t pressed and he didn’t quite look his usual immaculate self.

Hearing voices in the distance, Ella turned around to see Isla and Felicity leading the gang to help support Flynn and put bums on the seats. Isla waved over towards the boat and within seconds they were joining them on the deck.

‘The cavalry has arrived!’ trilled Felicity.

Callie had a big smile on her face. ‘You lot are stars, Flynn will really appreciate this.’

‘I hope so,’ replied Drew. ‘I should be over at the markets, but,’ he said, straightening his tie, ‘you never know when your fifteen minutes of fame is going to happen!’