Total pages in book: 221
Estimated words: 213317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1067(@200wpm)___ 853(@250wpm)___ 711(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 213317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1067(@200wpm)___ 853(@250wpm)___ 711(@300wpm)
“You’ve got to make sure he knows how grateful we are,” Sarah says to me. “Please, Cass. We can say thank you a million times today with everything we have, but he needs to know from you that he’s made our world.”
I nod, tearing up myself.
“I will, don’t worry,” I tell her. “Believe me, he’s made mine, too. He makes mine every day.”
“Don’t you ever let him go,” she says to me. “Jesus, Cass. Whatever happens, don’t ever let him go.”
As if we haven’t already had enough crazy joy for the day, we hang out in great fun style while a couple of Harry’s friends visit through the afternoon. Harry is buzzing and showing them the brochure and playing the giraffe hotel videos as they all join in with the WOWs. Ant is still chatting happily with everyone about everything from football, to giraffes, to the carnival princess competition Sarah and I competed in when we were young, and I feel like I’m in another dimension again. One I thought was a stupid fairy tale that could never exist.
It’s only topped off even further when we all get dressed up for Bucklebury Hall and head out for our evening meal, because the place is even grander than I remember. It’s like we’re royalty as we are seated at our table, because predictably, Ant has made sure we’re given the best one in the restaurant. The one in the window that shows us off to everyone in the High Street outside.
It’s a Saturday evening, so there is no way people won’t spot us in there. We’ll be the talk of the town by Monday morning. That’s not nearly good enough for Sarah tonight, though. She snaps a load of pictures for social media and posts them up there and then. I get a buzz on my phone notifications to find she’s tagged me in all of them, as well as Dave and the parents of every kid who visited earlier – all in one big, gushing birthday post.
I see the smirk on her face when she sees me click on it, and I know her well enough to know why. She knows full well who is going to see them, and I do too. Jack and Susie are still mutual friends with some of hers, and Susie comments on practically everything they post. I normally notice with a stab to the heart every time.
Sarah’s post is quite a statement one.
My amazing family are out at Bucklebury Hall having the best time in the world. Cass’s new partner, Ant, is incredible, treating us all to the best luxuries as well as he does for Cass. Which is good, because she’s worth it. He looks at her like she’s a goddess, because she is. Happy birthday to my amazing little boy, and happy your-boyfriend-is-the-best-thing-ever day to my amazing sister. You deserve it.
It would be impossible to feel like more of a goddess than I feel as the waiter brings out another birthday cake for Harry with a fresh round of the birthday song.
Ant’s hand is on my knee under the table, giving me a meaningful squeeze, and I wish I could grab him and tear his clothes from him, and kiss and fuck and hold and love him for ever.
“This is my dream,” he whispers, and I grin.
“Ditto.”
The champagne flows, and I drink a decent few glasses. Dad and Dave switch to beer, but Ant is drinking his usual. No champagne and no beer for him.
“What’s that?” Harry asks him as the waiter brings Ant another glass. “Is that just water?”
“Mineral water,” Ant tells him. “It’s delicious. Want to try some?”
I predict Harry will pull a face and say he doesn’t like water, just cordial or fizzy drink, but he doesn’t. He looks at Ant with a smile as he nods his head.
“Yes, please.”
Ant hands his glass over as we all look on, and Harry takes a sip like he’s tasting a fine wine.
“I like it. It tastes amazing.”
“Great,” Ant says, and calls the waiter back over. “A mineral water for the birthday boy, please.”
“Coming right up.”
Ant gives him a cheers and a clink of water glasses when Harry gets his, and it’s obvious already. My nephew looks up to his future uncle like he’s a hero.
We stay for another drink once dinner is done, but then we all walk back home together, fresh with more local stories for Ant to soak in. He listens intently to every single one of them, and I cringe inside when we get to the community centre, knowing what Sarah’s likely to do when we pass the gate. She takes Ant’s arm like they are best buddies.
“This is where Cass had her first date with cheating loser Jack. Him being a complete ass to her is the greatest thing he ever did. If he hadn’t gone behind her back with Susie, she’d never have met you. I’m so grateful that he’s such a wanker.”