Page 67 of The Island in Bramble Bay
‘Shhhhhh!!’ everyone said as the programme started. Given how many people were there, you could have heard a pin drop while the theme tune was playing, then when they did the overview of what would be on the episode and showed a shot of the island, everyone cheered before shushing again when they started talking.
‘It’s Ben!’ squealed Alice, when his segment about the woods came on. He looked very charismatic on film, Maggie had to admit, and he did a great job of explaining the best features of the woodland.
Then there was a segment on a dairy farmer who had branched into making gourmet ice cream along the coast in Lulworth, then it was back to Bramble Island.
‘It’s Maggie!’ a few people shouted when her bit came on. Maggie cringed as it got near to the end, wondering how it was going to be with the cut and Eva rounding up, but what actually happened was even more surprising than she’d expected.
It was Charlie.
‘So, Charlie, you’re the forester here on the island and I understand that the island has an extra special place in your heart,’ said Eva.
How was Charlie on this programme? He hadn’t been here. Had they filmed it afterwards? Eva was wearing the same clothes but that didn’t really mean anything. Maggie glanced round at the others but everyone was avoiding eye contact with her.
‘Yes, I met my partner, Maggie here.’
‘Yes, we spoke to Maggie earlier about the houseboat project that was the brainchild of both of you.’
‘She’s done a fantastic job since she arrived in the spring. I’m only sorry that I haven’t been here to see it all.’
This was some kind of weird dream, thought Maggie. It was the only explanation.
‘And I think there’s something you want to say to her?’
Charlie looked straight into the camera and said, ‘Maggie, I’ve been a jerk. I love you so much, I’m never leaving again. All I want is you and this beautiful island.’ He smiled, his eyes brighter than Maggie had seen them since they’d left Bramble Bay for San Francisco. ‘I love you, honey.’
There were gasps and a few cheers from the crowd.
‘Thank you, Charlie,’ said Eva, then she turned to the camera. ‘Maybe our first Countrycase wedding is on the cards! Now let’s see what we can expect with the week’s weather from Sarah.’
Maggie stood up and looked around, half expecting to see Charlie in the crowd somewhere. Everyone was cheering and clapping as the credits began to roll and people started to leave the quay for the beach now that Bramble Island had had its five minutes of fame.
‘Well, that was a surprise,’ said Alice looking around at the other volunteers incredulously. Only Megan and Josh seemed not to be surprised or at least were not doing a very good job of pretending to be.
‘Over there,’ said Josh, pointing to where William from the Bramble Bay Ferry was waving a hand and grinning at her.
‘Go on,’ said Megan, giving Maggie a light shove between her shoulders.
‘Over here, Maggie love!’ yelled William.
Once he could see that Maggie was following him, he made his way to the ferry.
‘Special Service for Miss Maggie Cassidy. Welcome aboard!’ He elaborately waved to the ferry as Maggie approached.
‘Seriously William, what’s going on? I thought you were running the ferry to take everyone back to the mainland later on?’ She stood with her arms crossed, hoping that her fake indifference would force William to spill the beans.
‘All in good time. Now, are you coming or not?’
She stepped aboard, her curiosity getting the better of her while trying to suppress the hope that this was something to do with Charlie.
Maggie sat on the top deck and once the ferry was underway, William came up to join her.
‘Come on then, now I’m on here you might as well tell me,’ she said.
William grinned, looking pleased with himself. ‘No way! Just wait and see.’
Maggie hoped they were heading to Charlie’s island. He heart was beating faster and she had butterflies in her stomach just as she had the first time she’d taken the ferry to Bramble Island. Surely he was going to be there. Where else could they possibly be going?
‘If we’re going to Charlie’s there’s nowhere for the ferry to dock.’
