Page 22 of Summer Storms

“I will take a house in London,” Zek said in a way that showed he had been carefully thinking over their future. “But we will come home to Barton Lacey often. Do you mind living in the Lady’s House or would you like a house of our own?”

“I love the Lady’s House, as long as your mother and Izzy don’t mind.”

Zek smiled, lifting her hand to his lips. “I want to make sure you are happy, Christine. You can have your career and a family, and so can I.”

Christine stretched up to kiss his lips, then cuddled against him and sighed. “Do you know I spent all my life wanting to be a famous actress, and now that I am a little famous, I realise it isn’t the answer to my prayers I thought it was. I am proud of what I have achieved, and I know I can achieve more in the future, but what I truly want is to come home to a family. To you, and perhaps children of our own.”

He held her closer. “I feel the same. How did we not know years ago that we were suited for one another?”

They stayed in the garden a while longer, then made their way back to Starling Hall, to celebrate with those they loved, and plan their future together.

EPILOGUE

Three months later, The Playhouse, off Drury Lane, London

Christine’s new play had opened, and here she was, taking her curtain call, while the applause thundered about her. Looking out into the audience, she could see her family, all of the Starlings, as well as Zek and the Nashes. They were all on their feet, smiles on their faces.

Tears overflowed. This moment meant so much to her, but it meant even more because she was sharing it with those she loved. She wasn’t alone anymore. She wasn’t an outsider. She was exactly where she wanted to be.

The curtain came down for the final time, and Christine returned to her dressing room. Soon the Starlings and the Nashes arrived, offering kisses, flowers, and congratulations. Once they had gone and she and Zek were alone, Christine was able to reach out and pull him into her arms.

“I love you,” he whispered.

“And I love you.”

“Let’s get married as soon as your play has finished its run,” he said, kissing her flushed face.

“Yes, lets!” She looked up at him with a smile. “Did you ever think when you threw that snowball that we would be here now?”

“Heavens, no,” he said, then grinned. “I thought it was a rather good shot, and then I thought I’d hurt you, and I was sorry.”

“I think I was sorry too when I dropped that bladder full of water on your head.”

They looked into each other’s eyes and then laughed, knowing neither of them had been truly sorry. Not then. It had taken many years for them to realise what had truly lain behind their animosity back then. But it was good to share memories, even when they were as strange as these.

Christine wondered if they would tell their children about all this one day, about how their parents met, and then, years later, fell in love. How two enemies ended up living the perfect happily ever after.