The Secret of Helena's Bay

by Sally Quilford

  “Oh yes,” said Shelley, her heart swelling. Trying to compose herself, because she was aware they were still in view of the others, she asked him, “What were you and Yaya doing?”

  “Wonderful things. The rubies had to be moved once everyone knew where they were. We’d have had looters attacking the church all the time. The diocese have decided not just to give Yaya a medal for protecting them, but also talked the government into handing back the islet to our family. Yaya asked the diocese to build a new church here and they agreed. We’re laying the foundation stone tomorrow. That’s why we’ve invited everyone. Also,” he paused a moment, pulling Shelley back into the closeness of his arms. “Whilst it will take two years, and I can’t possibly wait that long for you, I thought perhaps we could have our marriage blessed there, and maybe even christen our first child. What do you think?”

  “You want to marry me?”

  “Did you ever doubt it?”

  “Then the answer is yes!” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. The sound of cheering flowed down from the terrace. Shelley hid her head in his neck. “Perhaps one day then we can come and live here,” she suggested. “I could work until we’ve saved up enough.”

  “Darling, don’t you realise?” asked Paris. “It was never an issue of not affording it. It was only ever about the centre paying it’s own way. My family are hideously rich. We never have to go home again.”

  Shelley gazed up at the farmhouse that she had come to love, and then back to the man she loved even more. “Aren’t we already home?”

  He answered her with a kiss.