‘Are you cold?’
‘No.’ She smiled.
The sun had all but set, its final flourish creating streaks of red and purple in the late evening sky.
‘I wanted to take you to the lake, but perhaps another time.’ Henry motioned to her dress.
‘No, I want to go. Please.’ Ava leaned against him and slipped off the high-heeled satin shoes Mary chose for her. ‘To be honest, these were killing me.’ She laughed.
‘OK, but you have to wear this. The warmth from inside won’t last all the way.’ Henry slipped off his jacket and placedit around her shoulders before opening a gate that looked like it should take them to a secret garden.
Walking hand in hand, they made their way towards the lake. The sound of music and laughter floated on the breeze until being replaced by the evening bird song as they drew near the woods.
‘Thank you for tonight. I really do appreciate it.’ Ava smiled.
‘I was concerned you wouldn’t come.’
‘I wasn’t sure I was going to. I was worried.’
‘Why?’
‘Worried about our families, the past and if I’d be able to move on from that and—’
‘Can you move on from that?’
‘I have to. I can’t stop my feelings for you and, if I’m honest, I don’t want to.’
Henry tried not to respond so she could go on talking, but couldn’t help the slight increase on his grip of her hand as he gave it an affectionate squeeze.
Ava continued, ‘You’re not responsible for your mum’s actions, and I can’t live to please my parents. I’ve tried and it doesn’t work.’
Henry couldn’t help the smile that played with his lips but knew he had to control his feelings until he’d heard her out. ‘There was something else. I thought you were going to say something else before I interrupted you.’
‘It’s silly, I know it is, but part of me was worried you thought I needed help with the charity. Moving the charity here, and throwing a ball is a big deal . . . like a fairytale. But I’m not looking for fairytales. I don’t need rescuing, and neither does the charity. I almost let that stop me.’
‘But it didn’t.’
‘No, because . . . I realised it was a nice thing you were doing and that’s OK. ’
Henry stopped and she turned to face him. A hint of colour had crept across her cheeks from the evening air.
‘If you hadn’t have come, I would have come to find you.’
‘I’m pleased to hear it.’ She smiled before they continued to make their way to the lake.
As they drew near, the sound of the fountain could be heard. Ava turned to Henry, the look in her eyes making the effort worth it.
‘It’s working again, isn’t it?’ Lifting her dress with one hand and holding on to Henry’s jacket with the other, she ran the rest of the way, Henry following.
‘It’s beautiful.’
‘It’s a work in progress, but I wanted you to see it.’
Henry watched as she moved her hand over the stone edge before she touched the water — the reflection of the last of the sunset rippled across the surface in response.
‘It must be cold.’
She flicked a little water at him. ‘It is.’
