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‘Absolutely,’ Millie agreed. ‘The CCG would be crazy not to give us the money.’

Liv bit her lip, hoping that Millie’s and Evelyn’s trust and enthusiasm wasn’t misplaced and that the proposal wasn’t going to be the last nail in the coffin of the local surgery.

‘Livvy!’ Sarah’s voice reached her a moment before the little girl slammed into her, wrapping her arms tightly around her. ‘You came. You look really pretty.’

‘Thank you!’ Liv took in her sparkly dress and fairy wings — this time purple — and the glittery face paint. ‘You look very pretty too. I like your make-up.’

‘Summer did it. She got super special sparkly fairy make-up in America. You have to come and meet her.’ She tugged at Liv’s arm. ‘Come on.’

‘Well, it looks like you’re going to have to excuse me.’ She grinned at Millie and Evelyn. ‘Apparently I have to meet the lady of the hour.’

‘Just be careful,’ Evelyn warned. ‘She’s been threatening to do make-up on everyone who walks through the gate.’

‘Yup—’ Angela held up her hand to show a wobbly butterfly as she handed over a frosty glass — ‘you have been warned.’

* * *

Callum smiled when he found Liv again. She’d fitted in well with his friends, and the parts of his family who were local, and that meant a lot to him. Though he spoke to his parents semi-regularly through the freezing and juddering video calls that was the internet during their sabbatical, he still missed them.

And he missed the regular, first-Sunday-of-the-month roasts his mum served around the kitchen table with his brother and sister, and whatever friends, family and strays tagged along. It was always a lively, noisy affair in a room packed with love and friendship. And he missed that feeling of being surrounded by family. He was glad Jake was back from the States, and thrilled that he and Evelyn had formed their own family, but he still felt . . . lonely and a bit empty.

But Liv somehow filled some of that emptiness, and when she was around he felt anything but alone. And seeing her sat in a deckchair, with Sarah leaning up against her legs — probably covering her in glitter — as they chatted and laughed together, filled his heart with warmth. He worried about how Sarah would react when Liv moved on to her next placement. Hell, if he was honest, he worried about how he would react, but he tried to push the thought away and concentrate on the happy scene in front of him and hope that his plan worked out.

‘Hey.’ He offered them both glasses: champagne for Liv and fizzy apple in plastic for Sarah. ‘Jake said we’d need these soon. I think he’s planning a speech.’ He rolled his eyes. ‘Considering how shy and awkward he used to be, he does a lot of things like this now. I guess love changes a person.’ He wondered why it hadn’t been enough to change his ex, and make her want to stay — for him and for Sarah.

‘I don’t know,’ Liv mused, ‘maybe when you’re with the right person, you just become a better version of yourself. Maybe the right person gives you the confidence to be everything you’re really capable of.’

Crap. When he saw the sad, wistful look on her face, he remembered what she’d been through, and wished he could take back the words. He started to explain, but his words were drowned out by the ding-ding-ding of a spoon against glass as his brother stood and waved for everyone’s attention.

‘Well, what can I say?’ Jake started.

‘Something interesting . . . for the first time!’

Callum didn’t see where the cheerful heckle came from, but was happy to join in the good-natured laughter at his brother’s expense.

‘Ignoring that, and Nick’s attempts at being funny—’ Jake smiled out at his small audience — ‘I . . . that is we . . . want to thank you all for being here. Family and friends . . . old and new . . . we’re lucky to have you as part of our lives. The love, generosity and kindness you’ve all shown to me, and my new family—’ he rested a hand on Summer’s shoulder and smiled at Evelyn — ‘has been nothing less than awe-inspiring. It’s been nearly two years since the first Summer’s Christmas, and you’ve quite literally changed our lives for the better, forever. And we could not be more grateful. So, we’re thrilled to share this news with you all.’

‘I’m better!’ Summer squealed happily and jumped up and down.

Evelyn nodded, a happy smile playing across her face. ‘Apart from regular check-ups, she’s been discharged. And it’s all thanks to all of you.’

‘Which is why I couldn’t think of any time, or any group of people, more appropriate to share this with.’ Jake turned, fell to his knee and took Evelyn’s hand in his, reaching out a hand to Summer.

Callum glanced down to where Liv’s fingers suddenly grasped his forearm, and grinned. His eyes briefly met hers before returning to his brother and — hopefully — soon-to-be sister-in-law.

‘Evelyn, Summer, since you both came into my life, my world has become a better and brighter place. I used to think I was fairly happy with my lot looking after my vet’s surgery and animals, but I don’t think I really knew the meaning of happiness before I met both of you. You, both of you, have filled my world with joy and magic, and even though it’s been really, really hard at times, I wouldn’t change a moment of the last two years. In fact, the only thing I want to change, is your names. So, Evelyn—’ he paused as he looked into her smiling face — ‘will you do me the greatest honour in the world, and agree to marry me? And Summer, will you let me be your dad?’

‘Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!’ The little girl threw herself at him, and Callum laughed as his brother lost his balance and toppled backwards under her assault.

Jake grabbed her and twisted her around so he could look up at Evelyn again. ‘I have one yes. Is there any chance of another? Will you be my wife?’

She nodded, her voice inaudible to the crowd.

‘Louder!’ someone heckled.

‘Yes.’ Evelyn cleared her throat. ‘Yes, I will.’

‘Thank goodness.’ Jake grinned, before letting out an ear-piercing whistle. ‘Tilly! Come!’