Page 74 of Just Like That

‘Not many people.’ Nick slips into one of the chairs in front of Gwen’s desk and I follow suit. ‘But there are good folk in the world who play the philanthropist role. It won’t be the first time it’s happened, that’s for sure.’

‘But to do it anonymously? That’s quite novel, is it not? And if they were at the event yesterday, it must mean it’s someone local.’

I shrug. ‘Perhaps, but not necessarily. We promoted the event on social media, so in theory, they could have travelled from anywhere.’

‘I think we need to forget about who it’s from,’ says Nick. ‘If they wanted us to know who they were, they would have come forward and spoken to us yesterday. I think we have to take this as the kind gesture it’s intended to be, and focus our efforts on making sure the park has a stable future, don’t you?’

This last statement seems to bring Gwen out of her discombobulated state.

‘You’re right. That’s exactly what we need to do.’ She gets out of her seat and starts pacing at a rate I’ve never seen. ‘With that size of donation, the park isn’t just saved, we can make some changes that will set us up for long-term success. We’ll need to have a management meeting, think things through, tell the staff—’

‘Gwen?’ Nick interjects before she takes off.

‘Yes?’ She stops dead.

‘How about you let this sink in for a moment first?’

‘Good idea.’ She takes a couple of deep breaths, then looks at Nick and I, her eyes overflowing with emotion. ‘I’m stupefied by this. It’s unbelievable. No, it’s bloody marvellous! After everything we’ve put into this place, we get to stay open. We’re really getting to stay open…’

Having redirected her energy to digesting the incredible news, Gwen resumes her pacing, before bounding round the side of the desk and hugging us so tightly, she inadvertently puts us both in a head lock. She then loses her balance and topples into Nick’s lap, which results in two red faces (them) and me losing control of myself due to the hilarity of it. To say she’s thrilled is like saying a Euromillions winner is quite pleased with their win, and at one point the sounds coming out of her mouth are somewhere between crowing cockerel and howling bloodhound, making it difficult to work out if she’s celebrating or crying – it turns out to be a bit of both.

Once Gwen’s calmed down enough to think and act rationally, she swears Nick and I to secrecy, then triggers the emergency call tree process to ask everyone on her payroll to come to the park for an announcement at midday. From what we hear back from the management team, there are no grumbles from anyone, as they are all aware of the seriousness of the situation. We also contact the FundedCauses people, just to be sure there are no issues with the donation, which thankfully there aren’t. Then, having missed breakfast, the three of us head to the park restaurant to enjoy a celebratory brunch on the sly.

At midday, Gwen, Nick and I arrive at the picnic area outside the main restaurant, where the park employees are milling around, looking miserable. I really feel for them, particularly knowing that there’s no reason for them to be carrying that burden anymore, but at least I know their anguish will soon turn into relief and jubilation.

‘Are you ready?’ I say to Gwen, who’s quivering like a pneumatic drill, still as pumped on adrenaline as she was earlier.

‘Am I ever.’ She puffs herself up, her fists clenched as if she’s going into battle.

‘Then off you go.’ I give her shoulder an encouraging pat. ‘Oh, and remember, don’t pace.’

‘Gotcha.’ She gives me a theatrical wink and, in this moment, I’d bet the whole three hundred and fifty grand she won’t be able to stand on one spot while she makes this announcement.

Nick and I discreetly link fingers and watch as Gwen climbs on to the stage that’s still erect from yesterday’s event.

‘Morning everyone.’ She smiles soberly at the glum faces staring back at her. ‘Oh, it’s afternoon now, isn’t it?’ She checks her watch, then starts fiddling with the cuff on her top, which appears to have gotten caught in the strap.

There’s a low ripple of amusement as she becomes distracted, wrestling with the fabric, which fortunately lifts the mood slightly.

‘You good?’ someone shouts from the crowd, bringing Gwen back to the moment.

‘Yes, eh… all good.’ She nods at her team members while giving her cuff a good tug, releasing it and probably damaging her top in the process. ‘Sorry.’

‘She must be finding this so tough,’ someone close by says to their co-worker.

I steal a glance at Nick and he waggles his eyebrows in response.

‘Right, so, a big thank you to you all for giving up part of your Sunday to be here,’ Gwen finally continues. ‘Yesterday was a huge success. I couldn’t have been prouder of you all for what you achieved in such a short space of time. Your commitment to this place has been remarkable and I want you to know that you all have a special place in my heart.’

She pauses briefly and takes a deep breath.

‘Which is why it was so damn tough for me yesterday to make the decision to close the park. This place is like home. It’s like a family – a really big one – and that’s because of you…’ Gwen’s right leg begins to twitch as she says this.

‘Oh, here we go,’ I say out loud without thinking, earning myself a dirty look from a nearby worker, who doesn’t know what’s about to come and understandably thinks I’m being rude.

Nick, having seen this, squeezes my hand in reassurance while I pull a cringing face, then return my attention to Gwen, who’s still telling everyone how fabulous they are.

‘…and it’s this commitment from you all, that makes me so honoured and, quite frankly, ecstatic to be standing up before you today with not bad, but good news…’ Gwen begins pacing, as predicted, as she builds up to her crescendo.

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