Page 118

“Even if the bank turns me down,” I say, “it means it’ll all be ready to sell.”

“They won’t turn you down,” Mitch scoffs. “Now, can you make it upstairs, Grandad?”

“As long as you’re not in any hurry,” John jokes.

Millie and I go up the stairs first, and Mitch goes behind his grandfather to make sure he’s okay as he climbs the stairs slowly.

He walks in, his mouth open as he looks around. We still need to wait for the bank’s approval before we start getting furniture delivered, but we’ve been doing little things around the flat. Mitch has painted the plastered wall, and we’ve been replacing lampshades and putting up nets and curtains. The place feels full of light compared to what it was like the first time we came up.

He goes into the bedroom and sees Millie jumping up and down on the bed, and his throat tightens. “Your grandmother picked that bed,” he whispers to Mitch. “She loved it so. I’m glad you kept it.”

“It’s a beautiful bed,” I tell him, also feeling a lump in my throat. “It’s such a nice flat, John. I’m so glad we’ll be living here.”

He looks from me to Mitch, then back to me again. “You as in you and Millie?”

Mitch hesitates, then puts his arm around me. “We’ve been seeing each other,” he says softly. “We’re taking it slow. But maybe one day, I might join them here.”

The thought that his grandson is not only staying on the island but might also be a part of the place he loves so much overwhelms John, and he sits on the bed and sniffles and snuffles.

Millie takes a tissue from the box on the side and hands it to him solemnly. “They’re happy tears,” she tells us.

“Yes,” Mitch says, kissing the top of my hair. “They’re definitely happy tears.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Mitch

I drop Grandad back at Wisteria Villas, then meet the girls at the cottage. It’s just after midsummer, so the sun won’t set until past eight thirty, but it’s getting lower in the sky. The sea breeze stops it from being too humid, but it’s a beautiful warm afternoon.

Vix has arranged to meet the Sleigh Belles in the centre of the town at five p.m. for their performance. At four p.m., we’re all in the garden having one of her mince pies while Millie plays on the grass when Vix’s mobile rings.

She takes it out and frowns at the screen. “Don’t recognize the number.” She stands, walks a few paces away, and answers it, “Hello?” She listens. “Oh, hello!” She looks at me and Rudolph, eyes wide. “Yes. Yes. Oh!!!” She gives the most beautiful smile, her whole face lighting up. “Yes, thank you so much! Of course. Oh, that early? Yes, that would be great, thank you. Merry Christmas!”

She ends the call, and Rudolph and I both get to our feet.

“It was the bank,” she says. “They’ve approved the loan!”

I grin and hold out my arms as she runs up to me. She throws her arms around my neck, and we exchange a big hug before she breaks away and hugs her dad.

“That was quick,” he says. “How nice of them to tell you before Christmas.”

“They said because I was so organised and they had everything they needed, there was no delay.”

I can see she’s proud of herself for completing the bank application so thoroughly. “So it’s all systems go?” I confirm.

“They said that subject to the final settlement documentation, they’re ready to fund the purchase on the fourth of January.” She swallows hard. “I’m buying a bookshop. Eek!”

We all laugh and exchange hugs again, and then she says, “Oh God, I’ve got to get ready!” She runs into the house, squealing, and her father and I laugh and sit back down.

“I knew she’d get it,” I say with a smile.

He smiles back. “Thank you for being so supportive.”

“Now she can relax and enjoy Christmas. Especially once she gets the performance out of the way!”

“What did they decide on wearing, do you know?”

I shake my head. “She wouldn’t tell me.”