‘Instructions? What did you say? “Empty the contents of the garden centre and bring it indoors, then turn the outside into a beautifully manicured setting for a garden party?” Which, give them their due, is exactly what they’ve done!’
Originally, I assumed it was going to be a rather more intimate party, but our extended family, friends and neighbours are still filtering in. There are three large circular buffet tables and tall metal planters filled with flowers everywhere you look.
Outside, just beyond the decking area, small bistro tables and chairs are set out within a large rectangular area, bordered by a line of potted bay trees. There is a central island with a collection of hollies, a multitude of shaped Buxus, neatly pruned fir trees and tall rosemary bushes; the smell is wonderful. They must have emptied the greenhouses and the nursery to turn a bland, although beautiful, expanse of grass into a classical little garden setting.
Behind me, the groaning buffet tables are covered in the most delightful array of canapés and the biggest cheeseboard I have ever seen. In the centre of each is a large, tiered, Perspex cake stand in the shape of a tree. It’s so cleverly designed and on each tier is an assortment of little cupcakes, tarts and choux buns. Pretty, tempting and utterly gorgeous.
‘I love the bunting and the bows. And the twinkly little—’
I stop talking and realise Mum hasn’t moved a muscle. She’s staring at me rather awkwardly.
‘You were only passing on the instructions, weren’t you?’ I mutter, my heart fluttering in my chest.
‘Yes,’ the solitary word comes from behind me, and I don’t give Ronan a chance to utter another syllable before I spin around and launch myself into his arms. My lips hungrily seek out his as I hug him fiercely to me. I can hardly believe he’s finally here and the waiting is over.
‘You… you… argh! I can’t believe you did this and kept it all quiet!’
I gaze around at everyone and you could literally hear a pin drop. I always thought that was such a stupid expression, but it’s true. Everyone was in on this, except me, and they’re all nervously awaiting my reaction.
‘You wonderful… family, you!’ I shriek – hardly the most eloquent of acknowledgements, but they have all taken my breath away.
Suddenly everyone is talking at the same time, but Ronan and I are just hugging each other, and we don’t want to let go. I’m speechless and so is he.
After a couple of minutes, Maisie rushes over, tugging at my sparkly new dress. The one I hesitated over buying that day Mum and I went to lunch but am so glad now that I did.
‘Auntie Lexie, is this Ronan?’
‘Yes, it is, my darling Maisie.’
Ronan has no choice but to pull away and he bends, putting out his hand to Maisie, who shakes it rather solemnly.
‘I’m going to be a bridesmaid,’ she announces. I burst out laughing, both mortified and charmed at the same time.
‘Um, that wasn’t quite what I said, Maisie, but—’
Ronan puts up his hand to stop me. ‘I have this, Lexie,’ he says, as he rests one knee on the oak floor so he can talk to Maisie on her level.
‘That’s a rather exciting thought, Maisie,’ he says, giving her a wink. ‘Could you do me a huge favour?’
We’re all listening intently, and I think it’s so cute that he’s humouring her.
‘You see the table over there and the big silver box? Could you bring it to me?’
She runs off, eager to please.
‘It isn’t as heavy as it looks,’ she whispers to him as she hands it over. ‘Mind you don’t drop it.’
He passes the box to me. I look at him, rather quizzically.
‘Just something I thought you might like. A little memento of our time at Versailles,’ he says, looking a little bashful as all eyes are firmly focused on us.
Opening it, all I can see is a mass of pale-pink, shredded tissue paper. Maisie stands on tiptoe and I lower it so she can look inside. Soon Jacob and Reece run over to join in the fun, not wanting to be left out. The circle of people around us begins to draw closer, as everyone is now curious.
‘What do you think it can be?’ I ask, as intrigued as the kids.
As little hands begin to tease out the wriggly strands of tissue paper, nestling at the very bottom is a little box and I gaze at Ronan, who is still crouched on one knee. He raises his eyebrows.
‘You need to open it,’ he declares.
I pass Maisie the big box and flip open the small lid to expose the most beautiful white gold ring, set with a square diamond.
‘Lexie Winters, will you do me the great honour of being my wife?’
As we both stand to hug and Ronan slips the ring on my finger, there isn’t a dry eye wherever I look.
‘I promised you a party full of love and romance; well, this is without doubt a room full of love and I have your wonderful mum to thank for delivering on what was a very detailed list of requirements. As long as we’re together we can always surround ourselves with beauty, and Versailles will always be there to remind us of our beginning.’
I take one step back and wipe away my tears. ‘It’s perfect. You’re perfect and thank you, everyone, for being a part of one of the best evenings of my life.’
It’s a crazy night. Noisy, filled with introductions, laughter, and a real sense of new beginnings.
‘Eve and Frank couldn’t make it?’ I ask, when eventually we try discreetly to slip outside into the dusky night together. As we step into the shadows, gazing back at the Forest Room, the proliferation of flickering candles lends that perfect, romantic touch.
‘That’s entirely my fault, I’m afraid,’ he admits as we stroll hand in hand. ‘They’re in Portugal celebrating Frank’s sixtieth birthday and I’d totally forgotten about it. My mother was cross with me, but they are due back in a week’s time and are going to drive down to spend the weekend with us. Elliot has been taking copious amounts of photos, because I promised her that she wouldn’t miss out on a thing. She berated me because I changed the date suddenly at the last minute, but I couldn’t wait any longer. Did I do the right thing? You don’t feel I overstepped the mark by surprising you? I did ask your mum whether she thought you’d prefer to plan the party yourself if we had it a little later on.’
‘What did she say to that, out of interest?’
Ronan steers me over towards a wooden bench sheltered in the nook between a group of tall oak trees, part way between the decking and the old pond. Far enough away that we can hear the faint sounds of laughter and chatter on the breeze, but we can also savour the quiet of a summer’s evening in the semi-gloom.
‘She said that every woman secretly longs to be swept off her feet and I should go ahead and do whatever I thought was right. Mind you, she might have paled a little when I emailed her the vision. I went online to find the venue and it was perfect, but it really was teamwork. We had great fun and she sent me daily updates on how the arrangements were progressing. Lots of photos of plants and bunting and cakes—’
He sounds so happy and so relaxed.
‘And… close your eyes.’
I stare at him. ‘Why?’
‘Just close them. I’ll count down from five and when I get to one you can open them.’