Page 108 of The Sunrise Sisterhood

‘Remember how shy you were when you arrived?’ he shouted over the music.

I laughed, recalling being mortified as someone had pulled me to my feet and forced me to dance, my stiff, self-conscious body refusing to unwind. ‘You helped me to step out of my comfort zone. Now I’m the first up to dance. Although I’ll never be as good at it as those two.’

I pointed to our friends Aster and Apolo. They were in the middle of the circle, showing the new arrivals how to twerk.

‘But you’re the most beautiful woman in the whole of Africa, especially in that dress.’

‘Thank you.’ I kissed his cheek before giving him a twirl.

I didn’t normally change out of my T-shirt and shorts in the evening, but Dembe had suggested wearing my new dress. It was a traditional batik print, bold bright colours and a tight bodice which did wonders for my meagre cleavage.

‘You look like a princess,’ Dembe had said, tucking a flower behind my ear.

Was Jesse my prince? I wondered now, as he kissed me and went to fetch a drink. He was my best friend and probably my favourite human.

We had a lot in common, both of us from privileged backgrounds, unremarkable grades at school and neither of us had had a clear idea of what we wanted to do for a career. His parents had assumed he’d follow his father’s footsteps into the financial sector, but Jesse hadn’t wanted to be tied down to a desk, he wanted to be physically active. Running the Hope Foundation, as we now did together, suited us both.

We’d been happy as just friends. But one day he’d kissed me, and everything had changed. He’d confessed that he’d wanted to kiss me since the moment we met. I hadn’t known what to say; I loved him, but not in that way. Somehow I got swept along with the excitement of it all. As time had gone on and his love had become more passionate, I felt more and more like a fraud.

I knew at some point I would have to be honest with him about my feelings. But not yet. Why rock the boat? We were both happy and I wasn’t hurting anyone. For now, life was happy and fulfilling and I didn’t want to do anything to spoil it.

I pushed away my worries and lost myself in the music once more. I was a different person now. Free and relaxed. I caught sight of Jesse through the dancers. He’d moved to the outer edge of the crowd and was sipping from a beer bottle, just watching me. His eyes soft with love. I grinned at him and turned away to dance with one of the new volunteers.

Suddenly, Jesse raised a hand and gestured to Apolo to pause the music.

‘What’s the matter?’ I said, as he caught my hand and drew me into his side. ‘Is something wrong?’

‘Everything’s fine,’ he said and then yelled to the group. ‘Can I have your attention, for just one minute?’

‘Quiet!’ Someone rattled a spoon against a beer bottle and gradually the noise level lowered.

I caught Dembe’s eye and frowned. ‘What’s going on?’

We’d already done the induction speeches to welcome the new volunteers. Why was he interrupting the party?

She shrugged and then grinned mischievously. Aster joined her and they started to giggle. I didn’t know what was coming, but a sixth sense sent a shudder of fear through me.

‘Skye,’ Jesse began.

He stepped away from me, holding my hand at arm’s-length. I felt exposed, with all eyes on me, and my heart, already racing from the dancing, felt too big for my chest. I stared from Jesse to my friends, wondering what this was all about.

‘Since you walked into this camp five years ago, you have brought sunshine into the lives of hundreds of volunteers and over a thousand children and their families here at the Hope Foundation. But, most of all, you’ve brought joy, happiness and love into mine.’

He turned to face me, taking hold of both of my hands.

‘That’s so sweet, thank you,’ I said, my face burning with embarrassment. Jesse knew I didn’t like the limelight. What was he playing at? ‘I’m very grateful to be here, let’s dance again, shall we?’

‘Skye, I can’t imagine my life without you. And I hope, if you feel the same, that I won’t have to.’

Suddenly, Jesse went down onto one knee and pulled a square box from the pocket of his shorts. His eyes were locked on mine as he lifted the lid of the box to reveal a diamond set into a white-gold band. I registered the mix of exhilaration and love and total confidence – on his face. And then time slowed down to a grinding pace as my brain processed what was happening right in front of me and adrenaline coursed through my veins. Please, no.

‘Skye Marriott, I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?’

Keep smiling, I urged myself, don’t ruin this for him.

I was hyperaware of my surroundings. Above us, a jet-black moonless sky sparkled with stars. Twists of smoke and tiny embers like fireflies filled the night air. Around us, our friends were holding their breath, their faces alight with excitement. Even the new volunteers had given up trying to connect to the Wi-Fi and put their phones down for a second. And kneeling in front of me, his face wreathed in smiles, was the man I loved. And I truly did love him.

‘Oh Jesse!’ I gasped, pressing my hands to my face. My cheeks were wet with tears.