Page 87 of The Forbidden Fling

Molly’s eyes flicked to the envelope resting on the dresser. “Did you finish writing the letter?”

Diana’s gaze followed, feeling the weight of her words penned inside it. “I did. Late last night.”

Sleep had eluded her for many reasons. Yet this overwhelming urge to see this through had caused her to rise from her bed and put the pen to paper. A tired hand and six sheets later—front and back—she’d fallen to sleep in a matter of minutes.

“I’m proud of you.” Molly crushed her in a hug. The gesture took Diana by surprise, but she wrapped her arms around her, breathing in her strawberry shampoo and planting a kiss on her head.

“Thank you. I’m proud of you, too.” She pulled back, keeping her hands on her shoulders. “Proud of you for really trying with this trip and spending time with me. I know you didn’t want to, but I’m glad you did.”

“I am too. I’ve seen a different side to you. More fun, less robot.” Molly shrugged, laughing, as she laid her hand on the door handle. “Now let’s end this thing in style.”

Dusk fell over Sandy Springs in purples and blues, the last of the sun’s rays streaking orange streamers across the sky. The steady beat of a drum carried on the sea breeze as they neared the courtyard, and the sound of clapping grew louder.

The courtyard, lit by blazing torches, had been completely transformed. Huge garlands of purple, orange, and white flowers hung from the wooden beams and lined the pathway into the centre, where a large stone firepit awaited lighting. Intricate carved logs ringed the fire for seating, each with a basket filled with bundles of herbs and plants on either side. A band played a steady beat under a canopy of flowers at the back as locals gathered across the stone flags, smiling and greeting the arrivals.

“Wow,” Molly breathed. “This is amazing.”

And it was. But Diana’s pulse kicked up, overwhelmed by the sights and sounds, and all the hungry eyes. Her gaze passed over the crowd of strangers, faces dancing in the flickering light. She wished then that she’d invited someone she knew.

But then she saw her.

A beacon in green and gold, like someone had turned up all the lights and shone them on her.

Faye laughed at something Quin said next to her, then her gaze lifted and locked with hers.

Everything else fell away. Like the courtyard had opened up for Faye to lead them in the Portuguese dance. Like it was just the two of them alone in Diana’s room. Like the crowd had disappeared, and it was that first night again in the bar.

So much had changed. She felt so much weaker. She felt so much stronger. Her emotions continued to wrestle each other as she joined the others waiting by the fountain, where Senhor Arenoso took centre stage. A beautiful owl headpiece, with intricate beading, sat atop his head.

The drum continued to beat, hands clapping in time to the rhythm. Anticipation ate at her. These few weeks all boiled down to this moment. The mark of a new start, the end of an old one. Diana didn’t know if she was ready, but time had officially run out.

Senhor Arenoso brought his palms together and bowed, and the music and clapping fell into a silence that hung too loudly in the space.

“Welcome, everyone!” he greeted, in a booming voice that echoed through the courtyard. “Thank you for joining us. Today marks the crossing of our latest group as we award them with their familiars and guide them into their next phase of life.” He led the way through the parted crowd, commanding all the attention in the courtyard as he approached the firepit.

“Every second of this life is precious. Some people forget this. Some wish the seconds away or waste them on things that don’t bring them happiness. When we find the things that make our soul happy, we let fear take the reins. Fear of judgement, fear of change, fear of failure—but do you know what I say to that?” He received a flaming torch from Riley and beamed. “Live!”

He lowered the torch to the base of the fire, and flames burst skywards, drawing a collective gasp from the crowd. The fire burned bright and fast, popping and crackling and sending wisps of smoke into the darkening sky. Enthusiastic applause and cheers filled the courtyard.

Instinctively, Diana found Faye again. They smiled at each other, their own fire flowing between them, then Faye mouthed, “You look beautiful.”

She let her gaze lower over Faye, dark hair long and straight past her shoulders, a beautiful green dress hanging on her tall frame, then mouthed back, “So do you.”

A burst of adrenaline licked up her spine, and she wished then that she could tell her everything. How she made her feel—the good, the brilliant, and the terrifying.

But Senhor Arenoso’s voice captured everyone’s attention. “Fear is natural. But we can’t let fear of life stand in our way. We have to have faith, take back control, make space for the changes in our lives.” He gestured to the fire, his features darkened by shadows. “I invite each of you to give a gift to the flames. Fire is cleansing. It clears the old and makes way for the new. Say goodbye to something that doesn’t serve you anymore. Anything you’ve been holding onto.” He lifted his hands. “Let go and live life with love in your heart and peace in your mind. Let’s celebrate this new step together!”

The crowd roared with applause, and the group lined up to take turns giving their offerings. The weight of the letter was heavy in Diana’s pocket. She knew it was time.

She pulled it out, tracing the smooth paper with her fingers. The words inside flowed back to her like water running downstream.

Mum,

I miss saying that. Even at forty-one. I’ve been trying to write this letter for weeks. It’s ironic how I had so many things I wanted to say to you, but trying to express them in words feels like an impossible task. Nothing is important enough, but every detail is important too. In a way, we’re strangers now. I suppose I should at least reintroduce myself.

The group moved forward as Louis and Charles threw their offerings into the fire, the flames roaring. Diana thumbed the envelope. Once she’d started writing, she couldn’t stop. She’d told her mum about Jason, her pregnancy with Molly, the disagreements with her dad, and how lonely she’d felt once her mum died.

There was so much of herself in these pages. So much she’d never said.