Page 78

‘Okay, Mummy, that sounds like a very good idea,’ Verity said.

Ellie dug in her pocket for the security card to get into the room.

Half an hour later, they were dressed in their swimmers. Ellie picked up a couple of beach towels and the bag she’d packed for Matilda, and called Verity and James from the television.

##

When Ellie saw there were three lifeguards on duty at the water park, she took Matilda to the creche, and came back via the bar. After ordering herself a mimosa she felt decadent. Sitting in the shade, sipping her drink, Ellie laughed as she watched her children.

The pool that James and Verity were in was only about half a metre deep, with lots of water play and fountains and wheelbarrows of water, and a big bucket of water that tipped on them every ten minutes or so.

Verity and James played so well together, laughing and giggling. A surge of contentment consumed Ellie; she was blessed. She had a wonderful husband who loved her, who had taken over the family farm and was so excited and enthusiastic about what he was doing. James hadn't missed being at school at all, and he had done his schoolwork every afternoon. Matilda had eased into a new routine, given up the morning sleep, and was sleeping three hours in the afternoon, plus going to bed at a reasonable hour at night. Ellie looked at her middle child as she jumped under the water bucket and smiled. Verity was just Verity. She was the sweetest little thing.

The gate behind her opened with a squeak and Ellie looked up, expecting to see James’ friend coming in with his family. It was a couple with three children, and strangely Kane was in front of them. He was back early.

Kane reached her first and took her in his arms. ‘Helo, sweetheart. I came to tell you about your surprise. Would you like to meet someone?’

Ellie nodded and then squealed as she looked at the couple smiling at her. ‘Oh my God, Kane McLaren, you knew about all this. How long have you known?’

‘A while,’ he said with a huge grin as Ellie ran over to the couple who were standing at the gate, her arms flung wide.

‘Gina, oh my God, Gina, how long has it been? David, it is so good to see you! And who are these big children? Oh, my goodness, look at you all!’

Gina, Ellie’s friend from a long time ago, flung her arms wide open and embraced Ellie. ‘Bella, it is so wonderful to see you.’

‘I can’t believe it,’ Ellie said. ‘What are you doing in Mexico? It’s a long way from Italy!’

‘Well, we had to go to the States for business for David, and we knew you were here, and we wanted to make it the surprise.’ Gina’s accent had thickened since they moved to Italy. ‘Kane has just collected us from the airport.’

‘Well, it certainly is a surprise,’ Ellie said. ‘How long are you staying?’

‘A whole week,’ David said. Ellie stepped out of Gina's arms and David folded her in a close hug. ‘So good to see you, Ellie McLaren. You don’t look any different than what you did nine years ago. I still remember you in that baseball cap.’

‘Let me see these children,’ Gina said. She flung her arms around James and he looked embarrassed as she smothered his cheek with kisses. ‘Oh, I cannot believe that you have three children, the same as us.’

‘And this is Verity.’ Verity looked down, a little bit shy, and Gina sensed it. ‘Hello, Verity, it is lovely to meet you too.’ She dropped a gentle kiss on her cheek, and David patted her shoulder.

‘Tilly is in the creche. Kane, will you go and get her, sweetie? I don’t think my legs will get me there. I’m in shock.’

Ellie and Gina hugged again and then Ellie spoke to Andrew and Binny. ‘I haven’t seen you guys for such a long time, but look how big you are.’

The little girl with dark curly hair looked up at Ellie. ‘And this must be my namesake. Hello, Ellie, it’s lovely to see you.’

Kane walked back carrying Tilly. ‘And this little terror is Matilda.’ He held Matilda out to Gina.

Gina looked at the smiling baby. ‘She’s gorgeous, Ellie. She’s the image of you. Verity, you look like your dad, and James, who do you look like?’

‘I look like me,’ James said seriously.

##

After dinner that night, Ellie sat back and sipped her wine. It had been a day of love and laughter.

The McLaren children had gone to bed after playing with the Johnson children all afternoon. Seeing Gina and David again was wonderful, and Ellie and Gina had not stopped talking. She caught Kane looking at her across the coffee table.

‘A nice surprise, my dear?’ His grin was lazy. David and Gina were sitting in the double sofa at the end of the table, and Gina’s head was on David’s shoulder, her eyes heavy.

‘A very nice surprise, but I think Gina is tired. I think you need to go to bed too, bella,’ Ellie said.