Take a Chance on Me

by Carol Wyer

  Seventy

  Jake 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.

  * * *

  ‘So, 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.’

  Seventy-One

  Sam’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 w
ith 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.

  Seventy-Two

  Charlie clutched Jake’s hand. They stood together in St Peter’s churchyard. The wind blew. It lifted the few dry leaves that were lying on the ground and rustled them. Charlie dropped to her knees by her daughter’s headstone. ‘Daddy’s coming to visit you next week when he comes up to stay with us. Baby Mark, your half-brother, is recovering from measles so he’s not up to travelling at the moment. This is Jake. I’ve spoken a lot about him to you these last few weeks. He wanted to come and visit you today. You’d love him. He’s kind, thoughtful and makes me happy.

  ‘We finished renovating the café. We’re going to open it next week. There’s still a room for children to play in and one for people to read. Jake’s had a book published so we’re going to put some copies of it in the reading room. The best room is the new dining room. It’s especially for you. It’s your room. I think about you every time I walk in there. It’s as if part of you is still with us. You see, there are three happy parrots on one wall, like those you saw when we went to Tenerife, to the Loro Parque. They’re flying about together in the trees, swooping over the never-ending sea, playing and whistling. They help people when they’re sad. They remind them that things can get better even when it seems that they won’t.’ She stopped to clear the lump in her throat. ‘I miss you, sweetheart, but I know that you’re in a peaceful place, a beautiful place, and you’re surrounded by pretty little birds and they’re all playing with you and singing to you. Here are another three to watch over you. Sleep well, my little angel.’

  She unwrapped the pottery sculpture of the three parrots and placed it on the grave, stood up and smiled bravely at Jake. He took her hand once more.

  They stood again in silence, and then as the wind picked up, Jake squeezed her hand and led her out of the churchyard. As the wind suddenly dropped, a small heart-shaped deep-red leaf tumbled onto on the grave of Amy Louise Blundell. Above it, a robin burst into song.

  A Letter from Carol

  I hope you’ve enjoyed reading Take a Chance on Me. It was written very much from the heart as, many years ago, I had to spend an exceedingly long time in hospital stuck flat on my back on traction, with little to occupy me. Hospital radio saw me through that time. Even today, I can remember the comfort it brought to me and to others on my ward. Nowadays, with the advances in technology and iPods and the like, there are fewer radio stations in hospitals and those that are run by volunteers often require funding and are reliant on communities for support.

  Hospital radio still provides a service for those who need company during their time in hospital and I hope this book brings them and the wonderful service they offer to the attention of the public.

  I really loved the characters in this book, so much so I felt I should support Charlie by trying out all the challenges she tackles. As a consequence, I have tackled a zip wire and yes, I hate heights. I have also been to Archipelago restaurant and scoffed mealworms and locusts then gone zorbing immediately afterwards, which wasn’t the wisest thing I have ever done. I also took research to new depths and dived with sharks just like Charlie.

  I ought to put your mind at rest and say that there have been very few reported incidents of shark attacks off the English coast. I took Charlie’s childhood experience from one of the rare occasions when a shark has been seen. In July 2008, off the coast of Sussex, two sixteen-year-old boys, Luke Jones and James Sequin, had a surprise visitor to the inflatable dinghy, when a three foot long starry smooth-hound shark leapt into their boat. Luckily neither boy was injured.

  The idea for the kazoo came about after I heard a busker playing one at a London underground station. He was surprisingly musical and I noticed many of the passers-by smiled at him. I tried it myself in Derby town centre and had a similar result. If you ever need a laugh, buy a kazoo. It’s ridiculously addictive. Try playing ‘Three Little Birds’ or ‘Always Look on The Bright Side of Life’ and you too will make people smile.

  The entire book is based on the idea of having a bucket list or a Carpe Diem list. I started one when I was approaching forty and top of the list was to write a book. Over a decade later and I have almost completed my initial list so I have begun another. You’re never too young, or old, to make one. You don’t need to fill it with wild ideas. They are personal goals and desires for you. Have a go. There are some ideas for you to think about at the bottom of this letter. Remember, life is for living.

  Please do come and connect with me on social media sites. I am often to be found dispensing terrible jokes and humorous posts.

  And finally, if you enjoyed reading Take a Chance on Me could I ask you to leave a review for this book, no matter how brief? It would mean such a lot.

  To find out what I’m up to next, do sign up to my mailing list in the link below. Your email address will never be shared, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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  Carol Wyer email sign-up link

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  Finally if you liked this, you might also enjoy my previous book, Life Swap.

  @carolewy

  AuthorCarolEWyer

  www.carolewyer.co.uk

  One Hundred Ideas for a Carpe Diem List

  Take an aerobatics lesson in a stunt plane

  Have a flying lesson in a small aeroplane

  Learn to fly a helicopter

  Have a hang-glider lesson

  Go heli-skiing

  Go microlighting

  Do a wing-walk

  Do a skydive

  Go indoor skydiving

  Go wacky racing (drive a bed, office desk or sofa)

  Test-drive a sports car

  Drive a fast car around a circuit

  Race in a Segway rally

  Drive a tank or military vehicle

  Go on a desert Jeep safari

  Do the human slingshot

  Go surfing

  Go hovercra
fting

  Learn to sail

  Learn to windsurf

  Have a go at kayaking

  Go bungee jumping

  Abseil

  Take up cycling and follow the Tour de France

  Go paintballing

  Go go-karting

  Go skiing

  Go coasteering

  Go rock climbing

  Go ice climbing

  Go caving or potholing

  Go snowboarding

  Go jet-skiing

  Go on a skidoo

  Have a husky sled ride

  Stay the night in an ice hotel

  Go for a reindeer sleigh ride

  Go zorbing (sphering) down a hill

  Go aqua-zorbing or hydra-zorbing

  Go on a zero-gravity flight (and experience weightlessness)

  Ride in a dune buggy through a desert

  Ride a quad bike in the desert or up a mountain

  Go zip lining or extreme zip lining in Costa Rica through the rainforest tree canopy

  Go Hovercraft racing

  Go white-water rafting

  Go Zapcat racing – an extremely fast speedboat that bounces along on the water.

  Hold a snake

  Hold a monkey

  Hold a tarantula

  Run a half marathon

  Run a marathon

  Swim a mile

  Hike up a mountain

  Fly an airline-style jet simulator

  Fly in a seaplane

  Take a trip in a submarine

  Take out a hobby cat boat or go out on a catamaran

  Fly in a hot-air balloon

  Go on a cruise

  Go skinny-dipping

  Go ice fishing

  Go to Disney World

  Swim with a dolphin

  Go scuba-diving

  Swim with sharks/crocodiles