Mia overslept. But it wasn't really surprising. She hadn't had a good night's sleep since Garrick had left and last night, she and Lori had sat up and talked until two a.m. When she finally fell asleep, curled up beside her mum, even a meteor colliding with Earth wouldn't have woken her. She didn't hear Lori get up, and Ella said it had taken at least five minutes to wake her, and Ella had shaken her, pulled off the duvet, shouted, sung along with the song blaring out from the radio, and finally, wafted two large, steaming mugs of coffee, under her nose.

'I was beginning to think you were dead,' Ella said, placing the mugs on the bedside table and clambering onto Mia's bed. 'Lori's gone for a run along the beach. She went out the back door five minutes after I came in the front. Apparently, she does that now. Runs every morning. Franklin likes to run.' She rolled her eyes and leant over and grabbed the mugs, handing one to Mia before propping herself up against the plush, purple headboard. 'Who knew?' She grinned. 'Remind me never to date a younger man. There's no way I'm going running when I'm sixty. Actually, there's no way I'm going running now. That Frog Hill Run nearly did me in. I'm never doing that again. Are you awake yet?'

Mia shook her head. 'Not really. And must you keep jabbering? My head hurts.'

'That's because we all drank too much wine with dinner, and you and Lori started at noon and carried on after I went over to Justin's. You do realise it's almost nine, don't you? Hettie'll be here any minute. Are you going to tell her about Gill coming to stay?'

'Nine?' Mia yawned. 'Is it really?' She glanced at the clock and groaned. 'I suppose I'd better get up. Did you say Mum's gone running?'

Ella nodded. 'Yep. She's meeting Franklin on the sand. They arranged it last night.'

Mia took a gulp of coffee and yawned again. 'She didn't mention it. I could've gone with her and gone swimming while they ran.'

Ella laughed. 'Yeah right. You can't even wake up, sleepy head. But I've got news. Want to hear it?'

Mia shifted position so that she could look Ella in the eye. 'Don't ask silly questions. Of course I do. News about what?'

Ella grinned, smugly. 'News about whom. I bumped into Fred at the bakery this morning. He was buying one of those extra special, scrummy blueberry muffins Justin bakes. You know the ones. With the lavender frosting and the edible Violet petals.' She beamed at Mia and drank her coffee.

'That's it? That's your news? Hold the press. Fred is buying muffins.'

'Not muffins. Just one muffin. A special muffin. Oh, for goodness sake, Mia. You really are asleep. Who loves Justin's blueberry muffins but says she only ever buys one on a very special occasion, like Prince Gustav's birthday?'

'Hettie. So?'

'So Fred bought her an extra special muffin. And he slipped an engagement ring among the petals.' Ella laughed. 'Fred's going to propose to Hettie. In fact, he's probably doing so right about now. Which is why you need to get up. I told Lori and she's going to be back by nine-thirty. Hettie'll want us all to see the ring.'

'Oh my God! Really?' Mia put down her mug and threw back the duvet. 'Why didn't you tell me right away?'

Ella shrugged. 'You could see if she wants to wear your wedding dress.'

'Oh, very funny.'

Mia dashed into the shower and was washed, dressed and downstairs in the kitchen shortly after nine-thirty, but there was no sign of Hettie.

'Do you think everything's all right?' Mia glanced at Ella who was making fresh coffee.

'Perhaps it's taking longer than expected,' Ella said. 'Or perhaps they're … you know. Having celebration sex.' She winked.

Mia shivered dramatically. 'Thanks. That's not a pleasant picture you've just put in my head. Should we call round? What if something's happened? What if she said no? What if—'

'There's the doorbell.' Ella nodded towards the front door. 'That can't be Hettie because I left the door unlocked and she always tries it before she rings the bell. I'd go, but I'm busy making coffee.'

Mia sighed. 'I'll get it. Whoever it is, is pretty impatient. I bet it's Hettie and she's doing this for dramatic effect.'

'Or Franklin. He probably forgot he was meeting Lori on the beach and he's so excited to see her, he can't stop ringing the bell.'

Mia strode along the hall.  'Okay. I'm coming.' She opened the door and her mouth fell open along with it. 'Jet!'

'Is Lori here?' He seemed anxious and his mouth was a firm hard line when he looked at her.

'No. She's with Franklin on the beach.'

He shook his head. 'She isn't. Franklin's at the farm. I've come to get her. Don't panic. It's not serious. But there's been an accident and Franklin's hurt. It's only cuts, bruises and possibly a broken wrist. Plus he'll have one hell of a headache, but Bear's with him and he says Franklin's fine. I've come to get Lori before she hears it from someone else. She's on the beach, you said? May I take a short cut through here and go and get her?'

'Yes. Yes of course.' She stood aside to let him pass. 'Are you sure he's okay? God! It wasn't that harvester thing was it?'

'He's okay, considering,' he said, giving her an odd look. 'And no, it wasn't the harvester.' He marched along the hall.

She followed quickly behind him but he didn't give her another look.

'Jet?' Ella said, from the kitchen doorway. 'Did I hear you say there's been an accident?'

'Yes. I'll tell you about it later. I want to get Lori. Excuse me.'

He walked right past her and out onto the deck and then into the garden, dashing towards the beach as Mia and Ella exchanged worried looks.

'Coo-ey!' Hettie's cheery tone rang out from the open front door. 'May we come in, deary? We've got exciting news.'