Ten Years On (31 page)
‘Anyway, I think Oliver’s script has real potential. It’s very funny, and rather charming. In fact, I couldn’t put it down.’
There’s no hope remaining calm. ‘Nor could I! Oh my God!’
Friends and family stop talking. I catch Joe looking over towards me.
‘I happened to show it to the senior commissioning editor at Oak Tree and she loved it, thought it was a highly original concept.’
‘Oh my God!’ I repeat, wanting to jump on to the table and dance.
‘I’m not promising anything just yet, but perhaps we could meet?’
After I hang up, Joe approaches. ‘Who was that?’ he asks. When I tell him, his face breaks into a smile. ‘That’s amazing,’ he says, pulling me into his arms and kissing me. ‘Olly would be really proud of you, Becca, for never giving up. And
I’m
so very proud of you too.’
I take his hand and together we return to the party to share the news.
There’s silence, everyone waiting … except for Alfie, who charges up to me and throws his arms around my legs, as if we’ve been parted for a year.
‘Come on you two,’ Kitty urges. ‘What was all that about?’
‘Olly’s script.’ I tell them how I’d kept his last novel under my bed at home, couldn’t bring myself to read it for ages, but when I did …
‘A publisher’s interested. I’m meeting an agent next week!’
‘Isn’t it incredible?’ Joe says, before turning to me. ‘In fact, that’s the best possible news we could have had on your birthday, my darling.’
I hug Carolyn and Victor. Carolyn bursts into tears. ‘I loved it too, but I thought I was just being biased.’
‘Alfie,’ I say, ‘your daddy is so clever! And Olly, if you can hear me, your dream might yet come true.’
My friends cheer again. Mum, Dad, Victor and Carolyn clap their hands. Alfie runs up to the bar, tries to climb on to one of the stools. Adam brings over a chocolate cake lit with thirty-five candles, persuading Alfie to give him a hand. ‘Come on, monkey,’ he says. ‘It’s time to cut the cake.’ Luis and Edoardo bring over the champagne. Everyone sings Happy Birthday. As I blow out the candles, everyone shouts that I must make a wish.
Later, when we’re dancing, Joe whispers, ‘Did you make a wish?’
I shake my head.
‘Oh?’
‘I didn’t need to. It’s come true already.’
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Firstly, I am so grateful to Naik and Gillie of Winchester Bereavement Support. They gave me the confidence I needed to write about grief, both a sensitive and challenging subject. I’d also like to thank Judy Simmons, for sharing with me her personal experience of loss.
Many thanks go to Berrys’ Wine School Manager, Rebecca Lamont at Berry Bros. & Rudd. I took part in one of her wine tasting courses, which inspired me to write about this subject. The course was great fun and Rebecca was a wonderful teacher.
There are friends who have helped in many different ways with this novel, from describing antenatal classes to confiding what it is like to return to your childhood home. Lots of thanks go to Caroline Tyree, Sarah-Jane Petherick (SJ), Vanessa and Nick Morris, Sophie Gilbart-Denham,
Clare Camacho (Griz), Juliet Howland and Juliet Geddes.
To Mum and Dad, as always, for being the most supportive parents.
Diana Beaumont. Thank you for reading through the script at a later stage & inspiring new ideas – and for your continuing friendship and guidance.
To Charlotte Robertson, the best of agents.
Finally,
Ten Years On
would not be the book it is without Jane Wood at Quercus. Jane’s skilful editing has been invaluable. Thank you, and the team at Quercus, for all your hard work.
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