Chapter 53

Leila POV

After repeated demands and much cajoling, I finally manage to get Hayley’s friends and her mother Michelle to head downstairs to take their seats for the ceremony.

Hayley sits down at her dressing table, pulling out a small white gift bag from underneath and opening it carefully. She pulls out the folded note which has Hayley Jones written on it in Cooper’s neat scrawl and opens it up. Her eyes glisten as she reads what it says, before puffing out a breath through pursed lips.

“That man won’t be happy until my make up is ruined, I’m going to be a puddle by the end of this day,” she laughs shakily and reaches inside, taking out the rectangular box and opening it slowly. Inside is a delicate gold chain with fresh water pearls strung around it’s length.

Her face lights up like it’s the first present she has ever been given and runs her finger reverently over the bracelet. She fastens it onto her wrist immediately, admiring it for a few seconds before turning to me and her siste