Take a Chance on Me (30 page)

‘This is for you. You have no idea how long it took me and how patient Patricia had to be with me.' Mercedes handed Charlie a wrapped present.

Puzzled, Charlie opened it. It was a small piece of pottery painted in blues, greens and yellows. It was of three parrots sitting together on a branch. Charlie gasped.

‘Oh my! Oh Mercedes! However did you manage to make this? It's spectacular!'

‘I have to say it was the most difficult challenge you gave me. I've spent an eternity with Patricia trying to get it right. We had so many failed attempts. If it had been one parrot, you'd have received it several months ago, but three. That tasked my patience. I kept having accidents with them and broke them or got one wrong. In the end, I made three separate ones then we stuck them onto one branch. They're pretty robust. Patricia was incredible. She has the patience of a saint. She helped me paint them too because by then I was petrified I'd break them once more. And she glazed them for me.'

Tears rolled down Charlie's face. ‘This means so much. You know that, don't you?' she stammered. Jake squeezed her hand gently.

‘Of course I do, Charlie. That's why I refused to give up. They're not the best- made parrots in the world, but they've been made with love. Just as much as you'd have poured into them. I know why you wanted to do this. If you still want to do it yourself, I'm sure Patricia will help you.'

‘No, these are perfect. I love you, Mercedes. You are the kindest, sweetest―'

‘Stop right there. I don't do mush. You know how grateful I am to you. This is nothing by comparison. Now, wipe your eyes. You look like a Goth.'

Charlie smiled and rubbed at the mascara under her eyes. An emergency exit door to the hotel crashed open and the four of them turned around in surprise. Susannah came rushing out into the night, breathless.

‘Thank goodness you're here. We thought you'd left,' she said.

‘Is everything okay?'

Susannah caught her breath. ‘It's Art. He's collapsed. Patricia is with him along with some of the hospital staff. An ambulance is on its way. We think it's his heart.'

‘Oh my goodness,' said Charlie, handing her glass to Jake. ‘He's overdone it. I saw him eating a pile of food at the buffet.'

‘I don't think it was the food. It was the shock.'

‘Shock?'

‘Yes, Pat checked their lottery numbers on her mobile. I think they've won the jackpot.'

C
harlie squinted
at the computer screen. ‘You look suntanned and I think you've lost weight,' she said.

Art beamed back at her. ‘I've never felt better. Coming to Italy was the best move we've made.'

‘He's so much healthier since we started him on a proper Mediterranean diet. The tomatoes here are enormous,' Patricia piped up. ‘As long as he stays off the pasta, he'll be fine. I think the climate and the slower pace of life help too.'

‘How's the bed and breakfast going?'

‘We're fully booked for next summer already. We're going to convert the old barn into a gallery workshop for my classes over the next few months, so it should be ready for the new season. I hope you'll both come over, with Toby, of course, next year and see the place.'

‘Definitely,' said Jake, leaning over Charlie's shoulder. ‘Try and stop us.'

‘We've spent all the lottery winnings now on renovating the old house. We also bought Art an ultra-modern bicycle, so he can keep up his exercise routine. I don't want him having another health scare,' Patricia continued.

‘Good thing we only had five numbers and the bonus ball and didn't win the jackpot. I'm sure knowing we had eight million pounds to spend would have killed me,' interrupted Art.

‘I read in the paper that a syndicate won the money. They've only recently claimed it too. They've not gone public about it,' Charlie said.

‘I don't blame them. Imagine all the begging letters. We were more than happy with twenty-five thousand pounds. We don't need any more than that. We have everything we need and each other,' said Patricia.

‘That's the most important thing,' Charlie replied.

‘We have to go. Our Italian neighbours have invited us around for dinner. Lovely to talk to you both. Speak again soon.'

They signed off blowing kisses.

‘Don't they look well?' said Charlie after they had shut down the computer.

‘Yes,' Jake agreed. ‘They needed time to relax and enjoy themselves more. I think the move to Italy was right for them. Now señorita, let's go out to celebrate our new venture.'

M
ercedes and Ryan
were at the Art café. Mercedes was showing off her latest doggie creation – a Christmas hoody. ‘They've been selling so well. I love doing this and I can continue with it once the baby's born. It's so enjoyable. I can spend hours crafting new articles.'

‘You look much more content these days,' commented Charlie, wiping paint off the end of her thumb.

‘I have every reason to. The baby is due in a few months. I have a wonderful husband and a new career to keep me occupied. I feel completely fulfilled.'

‘Sounds like a few of us are starting afresh. Thanks to Art and Patricia, we now have this place to keep us happy. It's transformed our lives,' said Jake, climbing down from a ladder.

‘I thought yours was transformed the day you met Charlie,' Mercedes replied.

‘Ah, you're right about that.'

‘Funny how we're all moving on,' said Charlie. I spoke to Susannah on Facebook last week. She and Dave have just bought a holiday villa near Agadir in Morocco. Susannah has a profile picture of her sitting on a camel on her Facebook page. Marcia's returned to Australia with that hunk of hers and is running her own belly dancing classes.'

Ryan pointed to a large sign propped against a wall. ‘I see you've taken down the old Art Café sign. You changing the name of the café?'

‘Yes, they were happy for us to take over completely and change the name and style of the place. It'll still be a café. Jake can't wait to start cooking up his recipes and I'm going to do deserts and cakes. We're taking on a couple of serving staff. Tina is joining us.'

‘Tina from the hospital coffee shop?'

‘Yes, she's going to be a part-time manageress so we don't become slaves to the business. Come and see the new room. It's finished.'

Charlie led them to the back room which was no longer the craft shop but a stylish bistro eating area, in shades of light green, blue and cream. A tropical island scene had been painted on the far wall. In it, two parrots cavorted on branches of a palm tree overlooking a perfect white-sand beach. One bird looked suspiciously like Bert. A third flew high above the azure blue sea.

‘Patricia painted it for me before she left. I told her what I wanted.'

‘It's beautiful,' said Mercedes. ‘It makes you feel so happy. It's like there are no cares in the world. You can come and sit here and be transported to a happy island.'

‘That's exactly what I wanted it to do,' replied Charlie with a contented sigh.

She pointed out a sign leaning against the wall in the hall and Jake pulled at a dustcover to reveal the sign.

‘Three Little Birds,' read Ryan.

‘That's right. I want people to enjoy themselves here. It'll be a place for them to come and chill out when they're having a bad day, or come to for a nice meal. Life doesn't always have to be hard. We shouldn't spend it all worrying. It can be a difficult journey but, as we all know, in the end, every little thing will be all right.'

Jake took Ryan off to show him the new kitchen. Mercedes remained behind with Charlie.

‘I guess it's time to hand you back your Carpe Diem list. There's one challenge I can't do. Thought you should take it on, if you can. You'd better take a look at that last scrawled line.'

Charlie squinted. ‘Oh dear, this writing is terrible.' She read the words, smiled at her friend, and then folded the paper.

‘What do you reckon? Think you can handle it?'

‘I reckon that's perfectly achievable,' Charlie replied, folding the paper and winking at her friend.

J
ake yawned
and stretched out in the chair.

‘Tired?'

‘Not really. I think it's more appropriate to say, weary but contented,' he replied.

‘It's been a crazy few months. First, there was the whole Harrison incident, then the birthday celebration, Art declaring he was going to sell the café and us deciding to buy it, and now Toby is going to be staying with us at weekends and some holidays. I'm so pleased Fiona agreed to let him do weekly boarding.'

‘Yeah, me too. Thank goodness Tina is going to look after the café at weekends. It means we can have time for him. I'd hate him to feel left out while we served cakes and teas.'

‘Funny, it was Toby's suggestion that made me think about buying the café. That night I came around for dinner, he told me I should open a cake shop. I guess he's to thank for the idea.'

‘I'd have never thought about buying it either if you hadn't suggested it. It's perfect for us. I've suddenly developed a new lust for life.'

‘Just a lust for life?'

Jake chuckled. ‘You know very well that I have an even stronger lust for you.' He grabbed at her, pulling her onto his lap and kissing her.

‘I hope you're not going to do that when we're serving food together,' she joked.

‘Why not? I'd happily snog you anywhere. You're my woman and I'll kiss you whenever and wherever I want,' he grunted, beating his chest like an orang-utan.

‘I'm
your
woman, am I?'

‘Yes, you
my
wo-man,' he continued in a silly voice.

‘Good. I'm glad we've clarified that. Because, Jake Meredith, there is one outstanding challenge on my Carpe Diem list and I need you to help me complete it. Come on.'

Charlie dragged him up from his chair and led him to the kitchen. ‘I want you to try my latest cake. It's a recipe I've not baked before.'

‘It's not made from chocolate locusts, is it?' he asked, horrified.

‘No, it's a strawberry and champagne sponge.'

‘Sounds delicious. Bring it on.'

Jake plopped down on one of the kitchen stools and waited while Charlie produced the cake and placed it on the table in front of Jake. It was a large sponge cake covered in icing. Piped on the top, in red icing, were four words: Will you marry me?

Jake gave an enigmatic smile, pulled her into his arms and murmured, ‘Of course, I will.'

‘Thank goodness for that,' she said when they finished kissing. ‘I was afraid you'd refuse.'

‘Never. Actually,' he continued, rummaging about in his trouser pocket, ‘you beat me to it. I guess great minds think alike.' He raised a small box triumphantly, dropped to one knee and said, ‘Charlie, I would be honoured if you'd accept this ring and be my wife. It would make me the happiest man in the world.' He opened the box to reveal a diamond ring.

Charlie gasped. ‘You intended proposing tonight, too?'

Jake nodded, a large smile spread across his face.

‘Oh Jake, I'd love to accept your ring and your proposal.'

‘There's a catch with mine. Not so much a catch as a challenge,' he said. ‘I hope you're up for it.'

‘I'm up for anything,' Charlie replied.

Jake rose. ‘Goody,' he murmured and pulled her into his arms, kissing her with tenderness that soon turned to passion.

‘
S
o
, was that what you wrote on your list?' he asked later that evening. Charlie was photographing the cake for posterity.

‘I had trouble reading my own writing but I'd scrawled, “Find the perfect man to fill your empty heart and prove you love him.” It was vague. I must have been completely drunk by then. I always get all romantic and giddy when I'm very drunk. I thought the way to a man's heart was through his stomach, hence the cake.'

‘No, the way to a man's heart is through his heart. And you, Charlie Blundell, soon to be Mrs Charlie Meredith, have captured mine.'

S
am's leg
bounced up and down as he prepared to speak. He had one eye on the television screen that had been erected in the studio. Charlie would be on any moment. Facing him sat Sean, glued to the set and behind him stood Vivienne, Vernon and Tina.

‘Next up is a song especially for Peggy, Gordon, Bert and Sunny who are celebrating Christmas with their family who've come to see them all the way from Canada. I understand it is the first time the grandchildren have been over to the UK. So, for you and everyone here, this is Noddy Holder and the boys.'

With his wife currently at the shops buying up half of Sainsbury's food and most of John Lewis's stock, Sam was more than happy to be at the studio. Sean was doing a couple of shows now too and seemed to have decided that a career in radio was just up his street. He had signed up for a university course in journalism and was hoping to land himself a prime job in broadcasting when he completed it.

‘They're on!' Sean said, pointing at the television. Sam turned up the volume. On the television, sat opposite presenters Alex Jones and Matt Baker, were Charlie and Jake, holding hands.

‘Most couples get married in a church or a registry office. Some might marry in a special venue, but our guests tonight are doing it in unconventionally. Jake Meredith and Charlie Blundell are going to get married in a most unusual way. Jake, how on earth did you come up with the idea of getting married while skydiving and how did Charlie react?' asked Matt.

‘Before I answer that, I must explain that I met Charlie when she was doing a list of challenges to help raise money for City Hospital Radio station where she presents one of the shows. Having watched her go zip-lining, dive with sharks and having tumbled down a hill in a zorb with her, it seemed only fitting to give her a wedding that would be memorable.'

Charlie beamed at him. Jake squeezed her hand.

‘Well,' said Alex. ‘I don't think she'll forget her big day. That's for sure.'

‘The other reason was to raise money for the radio station. In spite of Charlie's best efforts, the station was still some way off its target. I was thinking about ways to surprise Charlie with a marriage proposal and had one of those Eureka moments. I thought if people sponsored us to do a special sky dive on our wedding day rather than give us wedding gifts, it would help raise funds for the outstanding amount that was needed to build a new studio.'

‘I understand so far you've raised far more than you expected,' said Matt.

‘Yes, we've had sponsorship from several companies, including a well-known legal company based in Birmingham and London, and money has been pouring in since the press got hold of the story. It seems to have captured the public's imagination. We plan to donate the excess funds to a couple of worthy charities. That's Violet's in Bloom Trust, which provides emotional and practical support to families who've lost a child, and the Back Up Trust, which is a national charity dedicated to providing opportunities for spinally injured and able- bodied individuals to experience the buzz of outdoor activities to increase self-belief, independence and motivation.'

‘Excellent stuff. So, Charlie, how do you feel about this wedding? It's not every bride's dream wedding. No long walk down the aisle, no confetti, no point in doing your hair or make-up. What are you worried about most? Your dress billowing up to reveal your underwear, or your veil coming off?'

Charlie laughed. ‘I'll be too busy clinging onto Jake to worry about my dress, my hair or anything else. It's going to be a tandem dive. We're doing two practice sky dives before the big day so we'll know what to expect. I'm very proud of Jake because this is completely out of his comfort zone. It's out of mine too, but I'm sure we'll enjoy it when it happens. It'll be more a question of making sure I wear decent underwear for the wedding video. I have a feeling it's going to be on show quite a bit. The video is being taken by a skydiver who'll jump out ahead of us.'

‘The vicar won't be diving with you, will he?'

‘No, he'll do the ceremony in the plane, then we'll skydive down towards our guests who will be waiting on terra firma with the champagne. We need to make sure we land at the right point and not in a field a few miles away.'

‘I'm sure it'll be a very special day for all. Jake, Charlie, we are so impressed, and good luck for the big day. Hope you raise loads more money and thank you for being on the show.' Matt beamed at them. ‘So,' he said, turning to face camera one, ‘if any of you out there would like to help raise money for City Hospital Radio and associated charities, please follow the details on the screen below or go to their website
www.cityhospitalradio.org
. Thank you both.'

The camera panned away from Charlie and Jake and the presenters moved onto the next topic. Sam cancelled the volume and grinned at the people who'd assembled in the studio with him. There were smiles all around.

‘Hats off to them. I for one shall be cheering like mad when they land,' said Vernon.

Vivienne wiped away a tear.

‘You okay, Viv?' asked Sean.

‘Yes, just a bit emotional. They're perfect together, aren't they?'

There was general consent and then Sam shooed them away so he could carry on with his show.

‘It's been huge excitement in the studio. We've just been watching Charlie and her fiancé, Jake, on
The One Show.
They're an inspiration to us all. I remember when Charlie was a quaking mess here in front of me, worried about going on a roller coaster ride and now look at her. Goes to prove that with determination we can accomplish a lot. My next track is especially for her and Jake, our favourite soon-to-be-weds. It's Van Halen and “Jump”.'

Sam smiled to himself. The future was looking much brighter for the radio station. They would be able to bring music and company to many more patients for years to come. Sam hummed. He decided he would buy a Harley Davidson with some of his pension money, then take some time off and go travelling on it. He had seen a television programme about motor-biking in France. He fancied that idea. Charlie had taught him an important lesson; life was for living.