Happy Ever After by Janey Louise Jones Page A

bull and tumbled off onto the hay below in a crumpled heap.
    â€œI told you I could do two minutes, didn’t I?” he chuckled, exhausted. “Now, who’s going to help an old man up?”
    Sally’s boyfriend, Sol, who was a doctor in Strawberry Corner, rushed over to help the farmer up and check that he was OK.
    â€œI think he’ll live, but he’ll need a glass of punch to revive him!” Sol announced to the guests, and a big cheer went up.
    â€œNow, he’s the sort of doctor we need round here,” said Farmer Meadowsweet merrily.
    Poppy’s dad was next up on the bucking bronco. He whispered to Poppy that he was going to better Farmer Meadowsweet’s record by staying on for a full three minutes.
    Poppy watched nervously as her dad clung onto the bull and was very proud indeed when he broke the record. He could hardly walk afterwards but luckily Mum didn’t notice as she was busy throwing hoops onto a cone, trying to win teddies for the twins. Poppy knew what Mum would have said if she had seen Dad hobbling around: “Told you so!”

    â€œWell, I think I deserve some of that punch now – don’t tell your mother, Poppy!” Dad smiled. “I’ll see you girls later.”
    Poppy, Honey, Mimosa and Sweetpea decided that it was time to try some line dancing so they headed over to the big barn. The steps were being called out by Len, the lead singer of The Cattlemen. All the villagers were having a wonderful time stepping to the beat, with calls of “Yee-haa!” every now and then! The girls joined in immediately and soon got the hang of it.

    After a while Mum came over to say that it was time to go home, but just then Poppy noticed Farmer Meadowsweet climbing up onto the hay-bale stage and walking over to the microphone.
    â€œPlease can we stay, Mum – just to hear what he’s going to say?” she begged.
    â€œSomeone’s got to get back for the twins but I suppose it doesn’t need to be all of us. I’ll go and you and Dad can stay,” agreed Mum.
    â€œThank you, Mum!”
    Poppy and Dad kissed Mum goodbye and turned back to look at the stage.

    â€œIt is wonderful to see so many of you here tonight,” began the farmer. “This barn dance is just our way of saying thank you to everyone for buying local produce and keeping us in business! Well, that is one of the reasons for the party. The other reason – and the most important one, I think – is to share some very special news with you. My beautiful daughter Sally is getting married to Sol Melville. Mrs Meadowsweet and I cannot wait for him to officially be part of the family – the son we never had. I mean, Dr Sol
Meadowsweet
sounds good, doesn’t it?” he joked.
    There was a huge cheer and lots of laughing and shouts of “Congratulations!” and “About time too, Sal!”
    Poppy was thrilled at the news – she simply adored weddings.

Chapter Two
    THE NEXT DAY, desperate to hear all about Sally’s wedding plans, Poppy and Honey headed over to the Lavender Valley Garden Centre. When they arrived they found Sally and Sol sitting on a bench in the lavender garden. They were chatting happily about the party the previous night and discussing plans for their wedding, such as where to exchange their vows and which date to pick.
    â€œHello, girls!” called Sally. “What brings you here?”
    â€œWe wanted to see your ring!” replied Poppy. “Please will you show us?”
    They hadn’t managed to get a look the night before – Sally had been surrounded by people after the announcement.
    Sally held out her left hand proudly.
    â€œWow!” gasped Honey.
    â€œIt’s so sparkly!” said Poppy. “I love it!”
    â€œMe too,” laughed Sally.
    â€œWhen’s the wedding going to be?” asked Honey breathlessly.
    â€œWell, we think we’ve decided on a date,