Page 87 of A Summer of New Beginnings

Epilogue

Ten months later

Zara sat at the table in the prestigious Gladstone Library in London’s Whitehall Place. Lachy clutched her hand and bounced his knee up and down.

‘I think you’re more nervous than I am,’ she whispered.

Lachy squeezed her hand. ‘I think I am. You look far too chilled out. What’s going on?’

‘Oh, I think the champers you had delivered to the hotel room this afternoonhelped a little. And what happenedafterthe champagne helped even more.’ She nibbled her lip and gave him a knowing look.

He leaned forward and kissed her tenderly. ‘I don’t think it had the same effect on me. Maybe we should try again when we get back.’

‘You’re incorrigible, Mr Grant.’

‘I certainly am where you’re concerned, Miss Bailey.’

It was strange to be at the OFAL awards again. Butit was even stranger to be in London for them. This year they were being hosted by London-based Bench Publishing. The setting for the ceremony was stunning. The shelved walls were filled, floor to ceiling, with books, some of them pretty ancient. The ceiling above was a painted, carved, relief plasterwork and in the centre of each panel was an ornate brass chandelier with opaque glass shades. Thetable centrepieces were tall candelabras with fresh flowers decorating the stands. It was a truly elegant affair.

The lights dimmed and a hush fell on the room. From what Zara had read of the nominees, the evening was set to be fantastic and very diverse. Zara was shortlisted in the overall Novel of the Year for her debut,New Beginnings, and only when the introduction music played did her nervesreallykick in.

Her mum and dad grinned at her from across the table and Shelley, Jake, Marco and Toby held up crossed fingers as she glanced their way. She was, as always, grateful to them all for being there; especially Shelley, considering her pregnancy announcement the previous week and the fact that she was suffering from what was evidentlyall daysickness. At least they hadn’t had to travelfar this time.

Award after award was announced and everyone applauded and cheered for both shortlist candidates and winners. The Best Unpublished Newcomer award was won by a young woman of nineteen and she trembled like a jelly whilst up on the stage. Zara wanted to go up and hug her.

The evening floated by and finally it was time for the Novel of the Year award. Zara’s heart rate increased,Lachy’s knee bounced faster and it looked as if the whole of her table were holding their breath. The list of books was a combination of the people she was shortlisted with the year before and a few other, more established authors. Her favourite author, Ruby Oates, was presenting the award and Shelley had said it was a sign. Zara didn’t think she believed in signs, but the jury was still out.

Ruby stood on stage and chatted about her own journey as a writer and Zara listened intently, fascinated, but she heard Lachy chuntering, just above a whisper, for Ruby to get on with announcing the winner. She stifled a giggle.

‘So without further ado, ladies and gentleman… I’m pleased to announce that the Original Fiction Association Literature Awards Novel of the Year goes to…’ A thrummingvibration of anticipation could be felt and Lachy’s hold became tighter on her hand. Her heart pounded and her stomach somersaulted. There was an overly long dramatic pause… and then, ‘Zara Bailey forNew Beginnings!’

Her table erupted, everyone was up on their feet, cheers rang round the room, but Zara sat there stunned, staring straight ahead, surrounded by people jumping and applauding her.

Lachy crouched before her and cupped her face in his palm. His smile was warm and so incredibly handsome and for a moment she forgot why she was so nervous. ‘Zara, my love, you need to go and collect your award. You did it. Youwon.’ He kissed her and drew her from her trance-like state. She stood, and as applause echoed round her she made her way to the stage.

Once up there, Ruby kissed heron both cheeks and whispered, ‘You look a little more shell-shocked than when I met you last year. I’ve read the book and I have to say it’s wonderful.’ Zara’s eyes were wide. Not only had Ruby remembered her, but she’d loved her book too. And Zara had thought last year’s awards were a dream come true. She took the crystal trophy from Ruby and thanked her. When she lifted it a little she saw her nameengraved at the bottom on a silver plaque.Bloody hell, this is real.

She realised a hush had settled over the room. They were waiting for her to speak.Oh, dammit… maybe I should’ve actually written something.If only she’d listened to everyone who had insisted she would win.

She cleared her throat. ‘Ahem… thank you so, so much. This is a bit surreal. If someone had told me a year ago thatI would be up on this stage collecting an award for a bookI’dwritten, I’d have said they were delusional. But… here I am.’ She paused and tried to look for Lachy, but the lights were too bright. ‘Now… I hadn’t prepared a speech… I think my family and friends have more faith in me than I do in myself, so I’ll start by saying thank you tothemfor their undying love and support.’ More applauseand a whistle from her dad. ‘And my wonderful publisher and agent, who put up with my neurotic emails filled with self-doubt. But there’s one person in particular that I want to thank and that’s my partner, Lachy. He grounds me; he lifts me up when I’m low. He keeps me fed and watered when I’m writing. And he reads every single thing I write and gives me his honest opinion.’

Emotion bubbled upfrom deep within her and she fought to keep her composure. ‘I once told him I was a strong, independent woman, even though I was covered in mud and struggling at the time. I think I still am… although Lachy would probably just say I’m stubborn. But even a strong, independent woman needs someone to share her life with.’ She placed her trophy on the podium. ‘So… instead of a long, drawn-out speechI just have one question to ask.’ She turned to face the direction of the table of her family and friends, hoping Lachy could see her. ‘Lachlan Grant… will you marry me?’

The room erupted once more and, from somewhere, music began to play. A spotlight pointed to her table and her friends and parents were clapping, her mum and Shelley were sobbing, but Lachy wasn’t there. Panic set in as her eyesdarted round the room. She spotted Shelley gesturing and pointing for her to look to her right and when she did, her gaze fell on Lachy. He was kneeling on the stage a few feet away.

The applause died down and Zara looked at him with confusion. He grinned and wiped at his eyes. ‘You kind of stole my thunder there, Bailey.’

She smiled down at him. ‘What are you doing down there?’

‘Well… As youwere proposing to me over the microphone, I was sneaking up here to propose to you.’ Laughter and applause rang round the room.

She gasped and covered her mouth with her hands as tears escaped and Lachy held aloft a small red velvet box. ‘This one isn’t a key, by the way,’ he said so only she could hear. He opened the lid and inside was the most beautiful diamond ring Zara had ever seen.

‘Somy question to you is, willyoumarryme, Zara Bailey?’

‘Yes, 100 per cent, yes!’ She launched herself at him and kissed him as the audience stood and applauded the happy couple.

He whispered, ‘I think we might need to buy a cabinet for your awards. In fact, I should probably tell you I have builders booked to start next week on the barn closest to the house. You’re getting your own writingstudio. Complete with your favourite view. I think every successful, strong, independent author needs one.’

‘Oh, I love you, Lachlan Grant.’

‘And I love you too, soon-to-be Mrs Zara Bailey-Grant.’