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‘I feel like I’ve just escaped a life sentence of misery. And I owe it to you, Emmie.’
In response, Max barks happily, his tail wagging.
‘So, shall we jump in?’ he says, taking my hand. ‘Shall we risk the plunge?’
‘Let’s,’ I agree, closing my eyes, bracing myself.
It’s not the first time that Jago and I have faced cold waters together, and we always made it out safe.
Underneath I’m wearing a black pair of knickers and a cotton bra. They’re not swimwear, but they’ll have to do. Jago’s eyes follow my every move as I strip before him and the rest of Cornwall gathered here on the beach. Today is a baptism of sorts. A new start.
‘You’re the most beautiful woman in the world, Emmie,’ he murmurs into my ear as he takes my clothes and holds me close.
‘Liar,’ I chuckle as I wrap my arms around him.
He lifts me and all around applause explodes like in Hollywood films. He holds me against him, acknowledging the crowd with a big lopsided, shy grin. He’s not used to positive attention. Then he looks down at me and kisses me in front of everyone as if his life depends on it. I know mine certainly does. Because if I can’t have Jago Moon, I don’t want anyone.
‘Congratulations, Jago and Emmie! Glad we finally got that sorted!’ a voice calls over the megaphone.
It’s Dr Janice Miller, standing on a podium, ready for the countdown.
In the crowd, I can see my Coastal Girls with their men and children, and all the other friends I’ve made here in Starry Cove, from Penny to Laura and Alex to Calvin and Nettie to Martin and the owner of The Rolling Scones, all cheering us on. They’re happy for us. Who knew that we could be happy again?
‘Is everyone ready now for our annual New Year’s Day plunge?’ Janice calls.
‘Nooo!’ everyone calls back.
She laughs. ‘Come on, you slackers! And three… two… one!’
And with that, the citizens of Little Kettering, Penworth Ford, Perrancoombe, Wyllow Cove and Starry Cove rush into the waters in one huge wave. Jago does too, pulling me along, and I squeal as our bodies hit the freezing water.
Side by side, we dive in and swim out to the breakwater and back, shouting from the cold and laughing hysterically.
As we climb back to the shore, Jago puts his arms around me.
‘You saved me, Emmie, from my own miserable self. But I promise you this. From now on, you’re looking at a new and improved man in love with a city slicker.’
‘Oh, Jago!’ is all I can say as new tears threaten to spill.
But I’m not going to cry. Life is too beautiful to waste any more tears.
‘Let’s go home and have a nice long, hot bath, sweetheart,’ he says.
I wrap my arms around him, rubbing my nose against his. ‘Yes. Let’s go home.’
And then, like a tiny miracle just for us, a million soft white kisses of snow begin to fall, floating through the universe, over the beach and over Starry Cove.
