Page 31 of An Island Promise

With the glasses of champagne placed on a rock next to them and the icepack hidden beneath the lacy, fanned out skirt of the wedding dress, the bride rested back against the groom, his arms encircling her as they gazed into each other’s eyes. The photographer crouched down to take photos. The backdrop was the pebble beach and the palm trees edging the terrace.

After twenty minutes of rest and with their champagne drained and romantically intimate photos taken, Belle strapped the bride’s ankle with a compression bandage. With help from her husband, they made their way back up to the terrace to be greeted by friends and family and a tearful apology and cuddle from the bride’s nephew.

Long palm tree shadows provided patches of shade across the tables covered in white tablecloths with plumes of oyster and mushroom-coloured pampas grass as the centrepieces. The guests enjoyed the sit-down meal of roasted seabass with pumpkin purée and pickled vegetables. The heat of the afternoon turned into a balmy evening, the retreating sun making the sea glitter pink then gold. As darkness took over, lanterns were lit and a jazz band started playing. The sound of a sultry saxophone and a double bass filled the sheltered bay, the music entwining with laughter while conversations flowed and couples danced.

Belle stood on the periphery, watching the waiters seamlessly deliver drinks and clear away empty glasses, while the bride andgroom danced together. Their loving smiles erased any lingering worry that the earlier mishap had spoiled their day.

It was only Caleb handing her a champagne cocktail that made her tear her eyes away.

‘Cheers.’ Caleb knocked his glass against hers. ‘To a hell of a day. You were super calm under pressure earlier and dealt with the situation beautifully.’

‘It’s rare for an event to go without a hitch; I mean, a bride injuring herself is a seriously big hitch and incredibly unfortunate, but these things happen.’

‘The way you turned it around and found the positive was incredible, thank you.’

Belle raised her glass and took a sip of the bubbly champagne cocktail with the added tartness of passionfruit, sweetness of strawberry and kick of vodka. ‘I think we should be thankful for an understanding couple and a pretty chilled-out bride.’

Belle followed Caleb to the stone wall that edged the top terrace where they’d sat and talked before the movie night. A couple of the wedding guests were perched further along chatting. Belle and Caleb sat down too, gazing over the terrace that twinkled with lights and swirls of colour as the guests danced.

Belle sighed. ‘You’re in the business of making dreams come true.’

‘I guess I am,’ he said softly.

‘You don’t think of it like that?’

‘Ensuring guests have the best time is what I’ve been striving for ever since I came to Ibiza, even more so since I started Spirit. It doesn’t matter who they are or why they’re here: getting married, celebrating a birthday, someone travelling alone or with friends and family. It is mostly loved-up couples though.’ Caleb looked thoughtful as he watched the scene below filled with life and love.

‘Do you find it hard watching people on the happiest day of their life?’ Belle asked. ‘The reminder of your own wedding must be hard?’

There was a pause and Belle found herself holding her breath, unsure if Caleb would even answer, worry coursing through her that she’d overstepped.

‘We got married at Spirit, although if we’d had Serenity back then I’m certain we’d have chosen to get married here.’ Caleb folded his hands in his lap, his thumb and middle finger turning his wedding band, something she’d noticed him do before. ‘Paloma wasn’t one for being the centre of attention and she wanted a quiet wedding, but her family is big so it was hard for them to not take over. I made up for it with just my mum and gran and only a handful of close friends and extended family from the UK. There are reminders all the time about what I missed out on, but I want my guests to be happy, to have the time of their lives and to want to return. Just because I’m sad doesn’t make me wish for other people to suffer the same way.’

‘Oh goodness, no, of course not. I never meant that.’

‘I know you didn’t, but I also understand how people think I’m torturing myself with Spirit and Serenity by hosting weddings and anniversary parties, but this is my business. It’s my life. It was what I was working towards before I met Paloma. Despite everything, I still can’t think of a better job.’ He gently knocked his arm against her shoulder and smiled. ‘Making people’s dreams come true.’

She swept her hand around. ‘This is actually my dream job.’

‘You mean that?’

Belle nodded. ‘It’s making me re-evaluate what I want from my own events business, what I want to focus on and where. I have lots of experience, but I need to hone it in on a particular area. Plus, there’s a freedom here that’s missing in London. I’m sure it’s probably because I have more responsibilities backthere. Here it feels as if I’m on an extended holiday, but perhaps it’s the slower pace of life, the party atmosphere, being surrounded by people celebrating the good things in life. It’s wonderfully refreshing.’

‘Obviously I moved here for the party lifestyle, but the spirit of the island – both sides of it – and its people won me over.’ Caleb folded his hands together, his shoulders bunching forwards as he glanced sideways at her. ‘Talking of a slower pace of life, I’m having lunch with my former in-laws tomorrow and they’ve invited you. Well, I, er, invited you. Cara often came. I thought you might like the company.’

Was he blushing? Or was he just blustering through an invitation because he was trying to make it sound casual?

‘Most of the family will be there. It’s joyful and communal – a lazy lunch that will go on well into the evening, and Maria and Juan are the most incredible cooks.’

Belle considered it for a moment. Diego would probably be there. Was this really a situation she wanted to put herself in? Yet the idea of being enveloped by a loving family, eating delicious food and spending time with Caleb away from work was tempting.

‘Yes,’ she said. ‘I’d love to come, thank you.’ Because she realised she would, but it was more about Caleb and not saying no to him rather than the opportunity of reconnecting with Diego.

‘Thank you again for everything you did today.’ He swung his legs back over the wall, stood up and surveyed the terrace before turning back to Belle. ‘Cara would be proud as punch.’

‘It’s been a good day.’

‘If you’ve got this, I have paperwork to do so I’m going to head home.’

---