The Proposal

‘What did she say?’

‘Not much. Admitted that she loved Edward, though. I caught her right off guard. Christopher was standing behind me too. I’ve probably caused a whole heap more trouble.’

‘Or maybe you’ve just set the wheels in motion.’

Will took off his dinner jacket and put it on a chair.

‘Just because things don’t happen immediately doesn’t mean to say they won’t happen. I’ve told my dad about Georgia’s story, and I can tell he believes it. At least believes it might be true. We’re going to speak to them both tomorrow. Clarissa and Christopher.’

‘No, don’t,’ said Amy softly. ‘It’s out there now. You don’t want more family fighting.’

He took a sip of coffee and looked at her.

‘Thank you,’ he said, taking a step towards her. ‘Thanks for everything you’ve done.’

As she nodded, noise exploded around them – the sound of a thousand firecrackers – and bright red and white light flooded into the room.

‘The fireworks.’

‘Let’s go and look.’

The cottage was on a small hill looking down over the grounds. They went outside and as Amy watched the sparks of light explode in the sky above the house, she nudged Will.

‘I have an idea.’

‘Oh yeah?’

‘You know Edward’s buried around here somewhere. In the graveyard of the local church. We should find out when the gruesome twosome are off to Antigua and bring Georgia here.’

‘That’s a good idea. Maybe we can go and see her tomorrow and put it to her. We can pick a day and I can drive us over here.’

‘Speaking of which, how are you feeling?’

‘You know, I think I’ll be all right to drive home in twenty minutes,’ he said as the fireworks faded.

‘Let’s stay out here. Just for a little while.’

‘Okay.’ He sank to the grass and crossed his legs in front of him. ‘So,’ he said, ‘what would you do if this was your last year on earth?’

‘That’s a bit of a depressing thought,’ she said, turning to look at him.

‘In a way. Or you could look at it as though you were putting your life into sharp focus. What do you want to do? What’s important to you? How do you really want to spend your days?’

‘Big questions.’

‘Big night,’ he replied.

‘I want to set up a children’s ballet company this year.’

‘Oh yeah?’ he said with interest. ‘What does that involve?’

‘Ballets for kids. Fun ones. Happy ones.’

‘How far have you got with it?’

‘Oh, not very. It’s just an idea. It was something Georgia was encouraging me with.’

‘Need any help with a script? I’ve directed a few things too.’