Second Chance (43 page)

‘Most of you know,’ he says, safe in this room of family and close friends, ‘that my situation before was quite different. I didn’t know it could be like this. I didn’t know it was possible to be this contented and this calm. I feel as though my Higher Power has graced me with a second chance, and given me this incredible opportunity to have a new beginning.

‘I thought it was too late. I thought I didn’t have the right to be happy. I had everything you’re supposed to want in life – movies, money, marriage – and I didn’t think I had the right to think that there could be more. I was so ashamed at wanting more, at feeling that those things were not enough.

‘But what I never knew until I met Saffron was that none of it is ever enough when you are with the wrong person. I feel so blessed to have found Saffron, to have found the woman who graces me every day with her strength and her beauty and her joy. She is the greatest gift I have ever known, and I want each of you to witness our bond and know that I will love her and look after her for ever.’

Paul turns to see Holly wiping a tear from her eye, and he nudges her and rolls his eyes. ‘Oh for God’s sake,’ he says. ‘Couldn’t he have been a bit less Hollywood?’

‘Nah,’ Holly laughs, ‘his whole life probably feels like a movie. Oh shut up. Do we have to start being bitchy now?’

‘It’s just that it’s a bit sickly sweet, no?’

‘No. I think it’s just sweet.’

‘Do you really? Where’s my cynical old Holly gone?’

‘Gone for good. This new improved Holly’s madly in lurrve and thrilled by oversensitive film stars waxing lyrical about how wonderful women are.’

‘I can’t believe we haven’t met Jonathan yet,’ Paul whispers as the applause dies down. ‘Why don’t you bring him down to the barn? We could have a reunion.’

Holly raises an eyebrow. ‘I take it you’ve got a bathroom that needs tiling? Or a roof that needs replacing, then?’

‘Thankfully not. Anna’s windfall took care of everything. We’ve even got radiant heating under the floors now. Go on. Come down. Let’s get everyone down and start fresh. A new beginning, and this time the beginning of the best times. Isn’t it all supposed to start after forty anyway?’

‘Only for women, I’ve heard.’ Olivia leans forward with a grin and raises her glass. ‘But cheers. Here’s to new beginnings and second chances!’

One by one they all raise their glasses to toast, as the band begins to play.

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