Libby had decided to break the happy news to Jules and Angus the following Saturday, over lunch, preferring to tell them in person. Luca and Jules were meeting early so that Luca could show her how to operate some of the graphic design software she was struggling to figure out. Meanwhile Libby had persuaded Angus to take her on a quick tour of his new studio, which was just down the road. ‘It’s a lot bigger, isn’t it,’ said Libby as she looked around the huge space, which was north-facing and flooded with deflected light. ‘Amazing.’
‘It’s just what I needed,’ said Angus. ‘There wasn’t enough room to swing a cat in the last one. And it means I can experiment with some larger canvases, like this one.’ He pointed to a huge blank canvas that stretched across one of the shorter walls.
‘Is that for a particular commission?’ Libby asked.
‘It’s for a Japanese client,’ explained Angus.
‘Wow, it’s vast!’
‘Yup! Luckily I’m not into lots of detail. The larger the canvas, the freer and more expressive I can be.’
‘I can’t wait to see what you do with it,’ said Libby. ‘What’s the latest series going to be based on?’
‘The Yorkshire Moors,’ said Angus. He liked to use a different setting for each exhibition, saying that it kept the work fresh and gave him new inspiration each time.
‘You’re going to run out of good locations soon,’ laughed Libby. A sudden thought struck her. ‘You know, you should really go to Italy next. You’d never run out of beautiful scenery to paint there.’
‘True. I’d love to paint there one day,’ said Angus.
‘You are so lucky, you know,’ said Libby. ‘To have found something that you really love.’
‘It took a lot of hard work to make it this far though,’ said Angus.
‘I know. But it must be an amazing feeling to have a vocation. I can’t believe I’m in yet another job that I don’t enjoy – it’s so frustrating.’
‘Is there anything you think you’d like to do that you haven’t tried yet?’ Angus raised his eyebrows. ‘I feel like you’ve explored plenty of different options since we left university.’
‘Ha! You can say that again!’ laughed Libby. ‘As it happens I have been thinking about something recently. Something I think I would really enjoy…’
‘Oh yes? And what is that?’ Angus was curious to know.
‘I’ve been thinking about setting up my own bed and breakfast somewhere. After the baby is born, I mean. I know it would be bloody hard work, but I loved working at La Casetta so much and I’ve always enjoyed meeting new people, interacting with travellers. I could find a quiet place in the countryside… I’m not sure the city really suits me too well. I think it would match my skill set nicely: a combination of admin, cooking and housekeeping. What do you think?’
‘I think in theory it could be a great idea. But it would take a lot of work to get it up and running. And it would be a twenty-four-hour-a-day commitment. Running your own business is a whole different ball game. Being self-employed means you can never really switch off. But I agree I think you would be good at it if you are sure that law isn’t going to work out. And it could be a good option to give you more time with the baby, provided you are able to employ someone to help with the work. I imagine if not, you’ll hardly have a spare moment.’
They chatted for a while longer about the pros and cons of her idea. ‘Do you think Luca would help you?’ Angus asked. He clearly still had his doubts about the longevity of the relationship. She was aware of the engagement ring, which she had taken off shortly before arriving at the studio, burning a hole in the pocket of her jeans.
‘Actually, yes. I think he is going to be around to help me. You see, I’ve got something to tell you.’ Suddenly terrified of his reaction, but so desperately hoping he would be happy for her, she gingerly took the ring from her pocket. ‘I was going to wait until we were with Jules too…’ She slipped the ring on to the fourth finger of her left hand. The realisation of what this meant dawned across Angus’s face.
‘You’re engaged?’ he said, smiling at her, mixed emotions flickering across his face.
‘Yes, Luca proposed! There’s a whole story to tell which I will save for when we are with Jules, but yes, I’m engaged. And I’m so happy!’ Angus gave her an enormous hug. He held her for much longer than expected, rubbing her back and squeezing her tightly. It was such a relief to feel as though things had finally settled back to normal between them. When he pulled away she noticed that his eyes were shining.
‘Congratulations Libby,’ he said, clearing a lump in his throat. ‘I look forward to hearing all about it. In fact, we should probably make a move,’ he said as he looked at his watch.
They walked, slowly, for Libby’s sake, down to the pub that Angus had booked for lunch, overlooking the banks of the Thames. They found Luca and Jules already sitting at the table chatting. As Libby leant over to kiss Jules hello, Jules immediately clocked the dazzling ring on her friend’s finger. Grabbing her hand and twisting it around she said, ‘Er, excuse me. And what do you call this?’ Her mouth was wide open with shock. Libby burst out laughing and Luca laughed almost apologetically as he shrugged his shoulders.
‘We’re engaged!’ Libby cried.
Jules yelped and gave them both a congratulatory hug. ‘What amazing news! Congratulations!’
Angus leant over and shook Luca’s hand. ‘Congratulations, Luca,’ he said. ‘I’m very happy for you both. Libby told me while I was showing her round my studio.’
‘I can’t believe you told Angus before you told me,’ shrieked Jules, shaking her finger at Libby.
‘I know. I’m so sorry! I had planned on waiting until lunch, but I accidentally let the cat out of the bag.’
‘We must get a bottle of champagne,’ said Jules excitedly. ‘Only a glass for you though,’ she said. ‘We’ll just have to polish off the rest!’
When Jules returned from the bar and they had settled down with their drinks, Jules asked Luca to tell the story of the proposal. Luca talked them through it step by step. Libby still couldn’t believe it. She knew she would never get bored of hearing the story. Neither would she ever get bored of looking down at her ring; it would be a wonderful distraction whenever she was losing the will to live at work.
After they had eaten their meal and ordered the bill, Jules suddenly remembered something. ‘Libby, my sister mentioned something to me yesterday. I think you might find it an interesting proposition…’
‘Very mysterious – go on!’
‘Well, she has a work colleague called John who she is trying to set up.’
‘Ooh yes!’ Libby nodded enthusiastically. ‘Helen will be back in the UK soon.’
‘It’s not actually for Helen. He is sixty-four.’
‘What? For who then?’
‘I was thinking maybe… for your mum?’
Angus laughed. ‘Matchmaking Miriam are we now, Jules?’
‘I think that’s a great idea,’ said Luca. ‘Why not?’
‘Well, I suppose it would be nice for her to meet someone,’ Libby said thoughtfully. She hadn’t even considered the idea of her mum dating but, now she came to think of it, why on earth shouldn’t she? It had been years and years since her father had died. Plenty of women remarried and had a second chance at happiness. Maybe it was possible for her mum too?
‘OK, so what do you know about this John?’ Libby asked.
‘I’ve seen a picture; he’s really nice looking for an older man. Grey hair, smiley eyes. He looks absolutely charming.’
‘Sounds good so far…’
‘And he’s apparently the most lovely guy. Megan thinks he’s the best thing since sliced bread. He’s got a great sense of humour and has asked her if she knows any nice women. His previous wife died quite some time ago and he’s ready to get back out there.’
‘What do you reckon?’ asked Angus.
‘I think we should do it. I’ll call her later and see if she’d be up for it.’
‘OK well, let me know what she says,’ Jules grinned.
Later that evening, Libby phoned her mum and put the proposed date to her. She made sure that her description of John was right up her mother’s street.
‘A date? Darling, what on earth are you talking about?’
‘Jules will give John your phone number and then he will call you to arrange a time and a place for you to meet up.’
‘I see. Well, I can’t say I’ve ever done that before.’
‘I know, it’s a strange idea. But it might be fun.’ Libby wasn’t sure how well this was going.
‘You know what, darling; I think it could be rather fun to be taken out by a chap. It’s been a jolly long time since your father died.’
Libby was amazed. ‘Really, Mum? That’s great. Good for you!’
‘It sounds rather terrifying, I must admit, but it is probably about time I did something that puts me out of my comfort zone.’
‘I must say, Mum, I’m very proud of you. I thought you’d tell me to get lost immediately for having suggested such a thing!’
‘It’s good to know I’m still capable of surprising my own daughter,’ laughed Miriam.
She was amazed that her mother had sounded quite so enthusiastic about the whole idea. She sounded a little nervous too, but she hadn’t said an outright no, which is what Libby had been expecting. Libby reassured her that it would be a very relaxed affair, maybe just lunch or a drink, and that she would help her choose what to wear. She then phoned Jules to give her the go-ahead for her matchmaking.
Miriam and John went on their first date one Saturday in early March. He drove out to Kent and took her out for lunch in a local pub.
‘So, Mum, how was it?’ asked Libby the next morning.
‘It was wonderful,’ said Miriam.
‘Wonderful!’ Libby laughed. ‘Oh my goodness. So you like him?’
‘Very much. We had lunch together and we just couldn’t stop talking! We stayed there all afternoon chatting away and then we went for a walk along the beach. We didn’t quite want to part ways just then, so we went to the Builder’s Arms and had a couple more drinks and then John drove back to London.’ It turned out Miriam had been utterly charmed by him from the first second she had laid eyes on him and, by all accounts, he seemed equally besotted with her.
To Libby’s absolute amazement and delight, they began ‘courting’, as Miriam put it. By the beginning of April they had declared themselves an official couple. Libby had never heard her mother sound so happy. She was like a schoolgirl, giggling and laughing, full of a new lease of life. The two of them together were unimaginably sweet. They had found kindred spirits in each other and spent hours together gardening, doing the crossword and going to the theatre. Libby couldn’t believe that Jules’s matchmaking had worked – and so easily at that. It was an enormous weight off her shoulders to know that there was someone else out there who was looking out for her mother. The responsibility no longer rested entirely with her. For the first time since her dad died she could relax, comforted by the knowledge that her mother was in a safe, loving and capable pair of hands.