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‘Sorry Henry, we didn’t even know you were here today.’ Helen took Ish’s hands and they respectfully shuffled back a few feet. ‘Don’t let us interrupt you, just carry on like we’re not here!’ Of course, Helen, because that’s entirely possible.
Henry furrowed his eyebrows, took a deep breath, and looked at the ground:
‘Vanessa Elizabeth Curly, since the moment we decided to make up a cover story about matching on Connex, I knew you were the woman I wanted to be with. You are so much fun to be around, and I know I need more of that in my life …’
Helen nodded along solemnly. Henry took a deep breath into his barrel chest.
‘… you’re an excellent mum to Sticky and Fudge, look after me, and are also totally out of my league. In fact, there are a million reasons why I want you to be my wife …’
Henry produced a ring box from his jeans, and opened it to reveal a simple, beautiful, solitaire diamond.
‘… so will you marry me?’
‘Of course!’ Nessy bounded over to Henry, who quickly stood up and swung her around in his arms.
Henry had gone the same shade of beetroot that Helen did whenever she was overwhelmed. Was he actually crying? Helen didn’t think she’d ever seen Henry show that much emotion. Nessy was of course near hysterical, as was Helen, and Ish was wiping his eyes furiously with the corner of his sleeve.
‘Mum is going to go crazy when she hears the news!’ Helen grabbed Nessy and brought her in for a hug, as Ish patted Henry on the back, ‘… imagine a wedding next year …!’
‘… and grandbabies!’ Nessy squealed, and Henry shrugged. ‘I mean not that life is all about getting married and having babies …’
‘But it’s still fun to plan,’ nodded Helen.
‘Here guys get in for a photo?’ Ish pulled his phone out and kneeled down to get the best picture of them arm in arm, with the sea behind them. ‘Gotta remember a day like this!’
Henry looked both deeply uncomfortable with so much attention, but also deeply happy. The way he looked at Nessy …
‘Okay this is too much … we have to go and tell Nanny G!’ Helen was doing a little dance on the spot now to warm up in the cold sea breeze.
‘And get some drinks in.’ Nessy clapped her hands together, and Henry nodded.
‘See that wasn’t that awkward, was it?’ Helen smiled and gave Henry a big hug.
‘Just how I imagined it.’ Henry rolled his eyes and gave Helen an unprompted kiss on the forehead.
‘So what are we thinking … red, white, bubbly?’ Ish was shivering.
‘Oh definitely bubbly,’ said Nessy and linked arms with Henry for support as they set off back down the side of the cliffs.
Ish and Helen also linked arms and followed them down.
‘A bit uncanny that …’ ventured Ish.
‘I know right, almost as if someone had planned it.’ Helen gave a little shake of her head.
‘Well when you’re ninety I suppose you have to do something for a laugh.’
‘I think Nanny G probably has more fun than we think,’ Helen smiled at Ish, who took an unusually long pause before speaking again, his eyes set straight ahead of him.
‘So ya know yer nan, and yer mum, and yer dad of course …’ Ish dropped his voice now, as Henry and Nessy broke out ahead on the path.
‘Yes?’
‘They like weddings, and all that kinda thing?’
‘Yes …’ Helen smiled coyly into her coat collar, also looking straight ahead. ‘… any special reason you’re asking?’
‘Nope none at all.’ Ish took Helen’s hand firmly now, as they walked back down to the beach.
