Mags noticed it too.
As did Phoebe.
And Jemma.
And, of course, Tina and Kyle.
The kids didn’t notice anything.
Annie murmured, ‘I’m finding it a bit hard to breathe,’ as the golden air caught in her lungs. This, somehow, caused her no fear. She thought it felt rather pleasant actually.
Meg’s face collapsed in a smile for she was looking to her left and seeing Colin holding Billie in a way so tender and true, it could only be love.
Mrs. Griffith missed it all; she was looking around on the ground by her chair.
She couldn’t find her cane.
This was because Mallory was lying on it.
* * * * *
“Oh my goddess.”
Colin smiled.
Sibyl’s eyes were wide. The colour drained from her face and then just her cheeks suffused with warmth.
“Oh my goddess.”
Colin’s arms tightened.
“Say it again,” she demanded.
“You heard me,” he growled low.
“Oh… my… goddess!”
Colin’s smile widened before he asked, “Is that all you have to say?”
She pulled her lips between her teeth and then let them out. “No.”
His eyebrows rose arrogantly.
“I love you, too.”
And then her face split into a smile that if she had known, she would have been devastated but still wouldn’t have been able to stop herself, had an ever-so-slight negative effect on the ozone layer.
And just as incapable of stopping himself, Colin kissed her.
It was sweet and wild and beautiful and absolutely everything a kiss should be.
When he lifted his head, he was shaken to his soul.
“Oh my goddess,” Sibyl whispered reverently.
Apparently, so was Sibyl.
She blinked and then tore out of his arms but not away. She grabbed his hand and with all her strength, started pulling him towards the house.