Page 150 of My Kind of Happy

Epilogue

The Enchanted Spa knew how to do Christmas, I thought happily, as I flumped down onto a comfy sofa, waiting for Laura. The foyer looked like a scene from Narnia: there were snow-tipped Christmas trees, fat fragrant candles giving off a festive scent of juniper and pine and miles of fresh evergreen garlands intertwined with tiny white lights which sparkled all day long.

The latter had been made by me and my students. I had a weekly slot here teaching mindful flower arranging and we’d been making Christmas wreaths and swags for the last six weeks. It was a wonderful environment and made a nice change from working at home. Plus, I could only get four students comfortably around my kitchen table and so being here gave me a chance to teach larger groups. The autumn had been fine because when the weather had been warm enough, we’d worked in the garden under a canvas sail which Sam had put up for me.

Next year would be different. In all sorts of ways, and I couldn’t wait. Sam and I were looking at properties together, with bedrooms each for the children, space for a workshop in the garden for my flower courses and a big enough kitchen for him to be able to expand his business.

He’d set up Diamond Spices, his new barbeque marinade venture to sit alongside his hog-roast business. I’d sent some to Nina in Australia, where she was waitressing in a restaurant in Melbourne at the moment and it had gone down a storm with the chef. Today Derbyshire, tomorrow the world! Both of us had exciting work plans. But not today; today was all about relaxing.

I was having a spa day with my best friend, the first time we’d both been here together since that fiasco in the spring.

A movement outside caught my eye; she was here. I waved and then I jumped off the sofa to greet her as she huffed and puffed her way through the revolving doors.

‘Sorry I’m late.’ She kissed my cheek, her hand on her bump. A honeymoon baby, she told everyone who asked proudly. ‘I think Baby McNamee played football all night and then I overslept.’

Her cheeks were plumper since the last time I’d seen her, but the happiness which shone from her eyes was unmistakable and I was so pleased to see it. Terry had passed away only a few weeks after her and Hamish’s wedding, which had taken the shine off their honeymoon glow for a while.

‘No problem.’ I looped my arm through hers and led her towards the ladies’ changing rooms. ‘There’s still time.’

We put our bags into lockers and left again. I pointed along the corridor towards the dance studios.

‘This way.’

She gasped in horror and stopped in her tracks. ‘I know I promised to do hula hooping next time we came but …’

We both looked at her rounded tummy and giggled.

‘Don’t worry, I think you’d freak the instructor out if you turned up to her class.’

She breathed a sigh of relief. ‘Thank heavens for that.’

‘Besides,’ I added, ‘I think you’d probably get stuck in the hoop.’

‘Oi.’ She nudged me. ‘I’m not immune to comments about my size, as Hamish will confirm with the bruise on his arm sustained from a marital pinch.’

‘What did he say?’ I probed, my eyes twinkling.

‘He’s started to call me Laa Laa.’

I frowned. ‘Sounds like a cute nickname for Laura, to me.’

‘It’s also the yellow Teletubby,’ she said drily. ‘Not so cute. Anyway, enough about me, how are you, how was the christening?’

‘Christenings, plural,’ I reminded her. ‘First it was Rosie and Gabe’s little girl, Eleanor-Mae. She entertained us by laughing all through hers, even when the vicar tipped cold water on her head. The whole congregation ended up giggling along with her. Noah looked so proud of his little sister and Rosie and Gabe seem to have adapted to life with a new baby without turning a hair.’

‘Are you listening?’ Laura said to her tummy. ‘That’s what we’re aiming for: a happy, fuss-free baby. Did you all go back to the café afterwards?’

I shook my head. ‘We went back to Stanley and Maria’s bungalow for champagne and cake.’ I winced. ‘Maria got the limoncello out and Stanley insisted on everyone trying his pickled walnuts. Never again.’

Yasmin had asked me to be Inca’s godmother and when Sam and I and the children had arrived at Inca’s christening, she’d sprung a surprise request on me.

I smiled proudly. ‘My goddaughter is a delight and it was a wonderful day. If a little emotional. And guess what? Her middle name is Frederica after Freddie, as if I didn’t adore her already.’

‘Congratulations!’ Laura squeezed my arm. ‘And what a lovely tribute to him.’

I stopped at the door to the dance studio and grinned at my friend. ‘Ready?’

‘Really?’ she stared at me blankly.