Page 108 of One Night in Edinburgh

‘Good.’ Jamie seems pleased with my reaction. ‘I also remember that last time you said there was one more thing that would have made it perfect.’

I rack my brains, but I can’t make the connection with this reference. He chuckles at my intense deliberation, then pulls a half bottle of Prosecco and a small wine glass from the bag.

‘Oh, wow.’ My face breaks into a delighted smile. ‘You have some memory.’

‘I decided on a half-bottle because I obviously can’t join you as I’m driving.’ He searches my face for my reaction to this. ‘Assumed you wouldn’t want to sink a whole one, unless… was I wrong?’

‘No, you’re exactly right. This is perfect. Hair of the dog and all.’ I reach out and touch the bottle. ‘And chilled, too. The boy’s done well.’

‘Who drinks warm Prosecco?’

‘Well…’ My voice ascends half an octave and I bob my head from side to side. ‘There have been occasions where it’s been a necessity. I wish you could share it with me.’

‘Me too. We can do that next weekend when I take you out for a belated birthday meal.’

My heart soars as he says this. A meal out together. It sounds so trivial, but to me, it’s almost as if Jamie has proposed.

‘Aww, Jamie, that sounds awesome. I can’t wait. Although, are sure you—’

‘Can afford it?’ He finishes my question for me. ‘Yes, I can. I expected that thought would cross your mind. It won’t be a Michelin-star restaurant or anything, but we’ll go somewhere nice. Maybe a rustic Italian.’

‘That sounds perfect.’

I watch delightedly as Jamie expertly pops the cork on the bottle, pours me a glass and hands it to me. Then he twists the cap off one of the bottles of mineral water and clunks it against my glass.

‘To new beginnings?’

I let out a little snort of laughter and Jamie cocks his head quizzically.

‘You realise this is the third time we’ll have used that exact toast.’ I raise my eyebrows at him.

‘Ah.’

‘Kind of feel like it’s a bit cursed.’

‘OK, let’s find a new toast.’ He thinks for a moment. ‘To… the power of beer cans?’

‘Love it.’ I giggle, and then look deeply into Jamie’s eyes. ‘And one more… to us – like, properly this time.’

‘Yes, to us.’ He returns my gaze, and I instinctively know that this will be third time lucky.

Epilogue

The following year

‘Jamie, watch that picture frame!’

There’s a thud and a tinkle of broken glass.

‘Sorry.’ He peeps out from behind the huge moving box he’s carrying and I start to laugh.

‘It’s fine. I wasn’t fond of that print anyway.’

He puts down the box and sweeps me up into his arms instead. I pretend to struggle, my legs waggling inelegantly, but only because it’s part of our little game.

‘What about this?’ He nods at me. ‘Where does this go?’

‘I’m very fragile, and also priceless, so you have to be careful with me.’

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