Page 117 of A Springtime Affair
‘Oh, go on, William,’ said Gilly. ‘Show them the ring.’
‘I’ll show it to you, first.’
It was a large sapphire surrounded by tiny diamonds. ‘I can change it if you don’t like it.’
‘It’s lovely,’ said Gilly, holding out her ring finger. ‘Put it on.’
‘I’ve got another present but I insist on giving you that in private.’
Gilly held out her hand and everyone admired the ring.
People flocked around them, congratulating them, admiring the rock on Gilly’s hand, telling William what a lucky man he was.
Martin came up. ‘I’m happy for you, Mum. Cressida made me see this isyourhome now, and not the family’s. And I’m sorry for trying to get you to sell it and introducing you to Leo. I didn’t realise he was such bad news.’
Gilly kissed him. ‘It’s all right. I’m just so glad to see you.’
He patted her shoulder awkwardly and went back to his family.
‘Come on,’ said William. ‘I can’t wait to talk to you alone.’
The kitchen was full of Ismene eating chocolate brownies, and the sitting room had an aunt, lying flat out on the sofa, hat askew, snoring gently. Eventually they went into the tiny office where Ulysses had been having a nap. Now he’d been woken, he stalked off to join the party, scattering hair as he went.
Gilly was dying of curiosity and anxiety in case William had bought her something she didn’t reallywant. Would she be brave enough to tell him so it could be sent back?
He pulled an envelope out of his inside pocket.
It was a holiday, she decided. That was OK.
He handed her the envelope. ‘I’ve been talking to your neighbour and her son,’ he said. ‘They were willing to sell this.’
Bewildered, she opened it. It took her a few moments to take in what she was reading. ‘The orchard,’ she said a little breathlessly. ‘You’ve bought the orchard. Oh, William! I never dreamed this could happen.’
‘It’s for you, it’s a present.’
Gilly wasn’t worried about the details, she just wanted to hug him. So she did. ‘Oh, thank you so much, William! Now we can have a proper wedding!’
