Page 100 of Be More Capybara

She could feel the ground under her feet change to something squidgy. ‘Are we heading back to the cliff path?’

‘Not quite.’

‘How much further?’

‘About twenty more steps, then we turn left.’

‘If this is some prank where you lead me around the garden and we end up back in the house, I will not be pleased.’

‘I know you well enough not to do that.’

Helen was trying to work out where exactly they were on the lawn. Had the sound of the wind rustling the trees got louder? It was impossible to be sure.

‘We’re here.’

‘Where’s here?’

‘Patience, woman. You’re about to find out. Stand still.’

She sensed him move so that he was standing behind her, untying the blindfold.

‘Surprise!’ Not Nigel’s voice but loads of voices.

The blindfold fell away, and when she focused her eyes, she could see all their friends and family, lined up at the bottom of the garden with Carrie standing front and centre and Harry and Callum on either side.

But it was what was behind them that really grabbed Helen’s attention.

The tennis court looked like a proper court again. She stared for a moment, taking it all in.

‘Nigel! When did you sort all this out?’

‘They finished a couple of days ago. I wasn’t sure it was all going to come together in time after last week’s rain.’

‘But I thought you were building a padel court?’

‘I am, when I finally get planning permission. But this is for you. Happy Birthday, darling.’

NIGEL

Nigel grinned. It had been worth all the hassle to see the massive smile on Helen’s face. She looked just as delighted as she had when they’d first played tennis here all those years ago.

‘You have to declare it formally open,’ Nigel said.

‘I’m not the Queen.’

‘You are as far as I’m concerned.’

‘Smooth,’ Mark turned to Harry. ‘Watch and learn.’

Nigel gave him a hard stare.

‘What?’ Mark pulled his most sweet and innocent face. ‘I was paying you a compliment.’

Nigel pointed Helen to a blue piece of cloth hanging by the tennis court door.

‘That looks just like one of your mother’s tea towels,’ she said.

‘It is. I couldn’t get proper curtains. You’ll need to make an announcement and remove the tea towel to reveal the plaque.’