Epilogue: Cloud Nine 23rd December 1995.
Well diary, you can probably tell already but there is no need for you to be buried in my back garden.
Yesterday was the best day of my life.
For so long it threatened not to be. But everything fell into place and the dream that my words on these pages and the longing in my heart held, came true. Mr Flanagan told me to tell the person I loved just how I feel, and he was right.
James Maguire is my boyfriend. My first serious one. And I could not be happier!
I love him so much. I already did but now I can say it, and nothing can be doubted because he knows that I do too. He went to such trouble to make it known to me just how special he thinks I am and how much he loves me. I think I might be the luckiest girl in Derry… and maybe the world!
The family have taken it well. I reckon Granda Joe already had a soft spot for my wee English fella going back ages and treats him better than he treats daddy. I wonder how long that will last! Mammy and Daddy are both happy for us too. Daddy whispered into my ear that we remind them of themselves at our age and when I told James before he left for the night, he seemed very satisfied by the comparison. Somewhere along the line I must have missed Auntie Sarah's epiphany, because not once did she mention her previously held belief that James was gay. At least we will be able to provide evidence now to the contrary, should she change her mind again. Uncle Colm seemed happy for us too, but we lost him when he started talking about Margaret Mullen and her husband Tommy.
Orla hugged us like we were going away forever when we got back downstairs last night and made it very clear to James that if he ever hurt me, he would get to know her knife collection a lot better. It is almost as if she'd practiced threatening people repeatedly, the delivery was that smooth. Clare, typically supporting, stayed just that. She wants happiness for us and in time, I hope we can find her a special someone too.
I dreaded what Michelle might say. I shouldn't have. We received a few rules to abide by, but that was as bad as it got for the two of us. Though when James decided to kiss me in front of her, immediately breaking rule number one, the threats of her boking were real enough to make me push him off. He didn't take it badly though. He enjoyed getting one over on her. I did too!
I'll have to stop now as James will be here soon! I am already SO excited! We are going out for some lunch, just the two of us and James said for me to wear my best dress. Where might we be going!? All I know is that afterwards, we are saying our goodbyes to Harriet before she flies back to England later. I have so much to thank her for and well… so much to say sorry for, although I think I may not tell her about all the nasty things I wanted to see happen to her. Probably best not.
Anyway, I better go. Oh, in case I don't write in the next couple of days… Merry Christmas!