Page 111 of My Kind of Happy

She blew her nose. ‘I feel so helpless. He’s known for a while but wanted to deal with it by himself, not wanting to make a fuss. But now he’s been told he’s only got weeks.’

‘I think you’re amazing,’ I said stoutly. ‘You and Hamish, I’m so proud of you.’ Holding back the tears, I added, ‘You just concentrate on your dad and leave everything to me. Every tiny thing.’

‘Really?’ she gasped. ‘That would be so helpful. I want to make the wedding as special as it can be but I just don’t think I have the energy to do that and look after Dad.’

‘I give you my word,’ I said solemnly. ‘Your wedding day will be magical and memorable and the happiest day of your life.’

Laura sobbed. ‘Oh Fearne, you don’t know how much that means to me.’

‘You’re my best friend,’ I said. ‘And you were there for me. Now it’s my turn to be there for you.’

‘It’s so good to have you back, Fearne.’

Laura was right; the old me was back, I realised. I was done with keeping people at arm’s length, I’d had enough of letting my grief get the better of me. Forcing myself out of my comfort zone and accepting the job with Nina had helped beyond doubt, but choosing to be happy, taking risks and letting others see what was written in my heart had also worked wonders. Life was exhilarating and fraught with ups and downs, but whatever the future threw my way, I knew I could deal with it.

I smiled through my tears. ‘It’s good to be back.’

I drove back home, my head whirling with ideas and plans, sadness and pain and my hand stealing across to comfort Scamp as often as I could. The day had been such a roller coaster and a few months ago, all this would have sent me into freefall, I’d have shut myself off, hidden from my grief. But I’d learned a lot since then.

This time I wasn’t going to run away. The pain of loss might be strong, but my love for life was stronger. I had a business to save before Nina came back, an emergency wedding to organise and as for Sam, could I hide my feelings and be the true friend he needed right now? The next month was going to be the most challenging of my life. So what, I thought, as I pulled up outside my house.

Bring it on.