Harry drives me home in time for breakfast, just as he promised Mum he would. We are waved into the driveway by a bunch of balloons tied to the gatepost.

Once parked up, he walks round to my side and opens my door and offers me his hand. As I slide out, he sandwiches me up against the car, cradles my cheeks between his palms and kisses me sweetly before grasping my hand in his and turning to head towards the house. I pull him back into my arms and whisper against his ear.

"Thank you for an incredible night, it truly was amazing." My kiss upon his lips silences any response he is about to make.

We amble towards the house swinging our entwined hands between us; his smile mirrored on my lips says everything we both feel at that precise moment. We pause under the silver foil 'Happy 21st' banner hanging over the front door whilst I rummage in my bag for my keys.

Standing behind me, Harry sweeps my hair to one side then folds his arms around my waist and nestles his lips on my neck. I finally locate my keys and rattle them in the air triumphantly but he does not stop his smooching. In fact, he has not stopped since we woke up and that makes me a lot fuzzy on the inside.

I shrug his playful kisses off, giggling like a giddy schoolgirl, and turn the key in the lock. Feint sounds of shushing emanate from behind the kitchen door. We enter to a huge chorus of 'Happy Birthday' ringing out from my family who are gathered with warm smiles. After hugs all round, we settle over much chatter for a feast of bacon and eggs, pastries and coffee.

As always, I take a moment to glance around at everyone. The air of togetherness, similar to the feeling I had at the barbeque when I came out of hospital and the day Harry returned to me, is present again. It has an aura I have not felt so strongly since before my grandparents died. Perhaps it is a reflection of all that has happened recently or perhaps it is because I am now 21 or perhaps it is because I am in love and looking at my world differently.  It could be a little of all three but something has shifted in me and it feels positive.

Thomas is brimming with excitement to give me his present. I poke and prod the heavily sellotaped paper for ages trying to guess what it is just so I can savour the look of anticipation on his face. The tree shaped jewellery stand he has made in woodwork at school is so simple but very artistic. I smother his cheek in sister thank you kisses.

Nathalie and Billy's gift is a lovely Emma Bridgewater Rose and Bee mug for my new office. Despite my loving hug, a feeble embrace follows from my sister but as I begin to pull away she clings to me. Her actions take me by surprise until she breaks contact and looks away.

There are many cards from extended family and close friends. One particular envelope catches my eye for unknown writing on the front baffles me until I open it up. Inside is the softest Liberty of London patterned silk scarf in beautiful shades of midnight blue and aqua from Anne and Robin. I am overwhelmed at their kindness and telephone them immediately to say thank you. Anne wishes me a happy day and says she hopes to see me again soon.

Mum hands me a pretty bag full of gifts then she places her hands on my shoulders as I take the presents out one by one to unwrap them. Green & Blacks organic chocolates, an annual membership to the Royal Horticultural Society, Mac Sweet Nude lip gloss kit, Coco Mademoiselle Chanel perfume, a beautiful Kate Spade 'Escape the Ordinary' journal and a gorgeous 'To Our Beautiful Daughter' card.

Dad hands me a small long box wrapped in hearts paper.  All eyes are on the box as I carefully unwrap it. Due to its shape I assume it is jewellery but when I open the lid my eyes flare in surprise; a beautiful Montblanc fountain pen sits on the velvet lining.

At my awe Dad confirms, "well you have to look the part in your florist appointments!"

I am completely lost for words and hug both my parents tightly to me and feel their love wrapped around me. When I pull away there are tears in Mum's eyes.

I enthuse over all my lovely gifts whilst everyone helps to clear away the breakfast things. A knock at the door delivers a huge bouquet of colourful summer flowers with a card signed by all the staff from the florist where I work.

Suddenly, there is a commotion in the hallway and sure enough Olive swoops in carrying a large box all wrapped up with fancy bows. Her eyes scan around the kitchen then back to the box. She instructs with a smile that perhaps now is not the right time for me to open her gifts, later might be more appropriate. Dad eyes widen, Mum looks amused and Harry hides his smirk behind his hand. Thomas is the only one who looks confused until Nathalie rolls her eyes and says she will fill him in later!

Much to my surprise, Mum announces the women are all going out for the day before she, Nathalie and Olive disappear upstairs. Harry thanks Dad for breakfast and I walk him to the door. He holds me tightly to him and pecks my lips with sensual kisses in between 'I love yous,' 'have a beautiful day, Beautiful' and 'miss you already.'

He is coming to the restaurant celebrations later and I could not be happier.

-*-

Mum drives as I try, albeit unsuccessfully, to guess where we are going. Earlier, Olive came down the stairs with my sports bag in her hand followed by Nathalie also carrying her backpack. They caught Harry and I smooching by the front door and whilst Olive could not resist a wolf-whistle that had both of us coyly grinning, my sister's lip almost curled up in contempt at our PDA.

Mum pulls the car into our destination as shouts of 'surprise' ring out from everyone. My birthday treat is a day at Nirvana, a luxurious pure water spa.  I have only heard amazing things about this place so am excited for our pampering day to come.

Entering the palatial reception can only be akin to leaving normality and stepping over the threshold into an alternate universe. The place is lavishly decorated with the air filtering relaxing classical music. We are handed our robes and towels and shown into the plush changing rooms, complete with drench showers and array of expensive branded body products for general use. 

As I change, I think to myself there is something truly extravagant about wandering around in a fluffy dressing gown and flip-flops all day and losing yourself in exquisitely calming and lush surroundings.

With multiple pools to choose from we settle on loungers around the serene main pure aqua pool with its floor to ceiling oval windows, lush plants and roman columns.

Mum and Nathalie disappear for their chosen treat; a Dead Sea salt-water flotation. The description of floating in a dimly lit pool with only a sparkling starry night sky on the ceiling above them sounds divine. Sadly my inability to swim prevents me from joining in and Olive elects to keep my company.

As soon as they have walked away she practically bursts at the seams firing twenty questions at me about my evening with Harry. I tell all about the incredible night and she oohs and aahs. When I mention the three romantic words, she squees loudly in glee!

We join back together again for lunch on the alfresco patio. The four of us chat and laugh and even Nathalie seems happy but then she is already on her second large glass of wine. Mum asks about my evening as she raves about Harry's articulate planning. Olive jumps in exclaiming it sounded the most romantic night ever.

I sense Nathalie's heckles rising and try to brush it off and change the subject to talk about the Spa but it is too late. Mum leaves the table to order some more drinks and as Nathalie dips her bread in her soup, she laughs almost mockingly to herself before unfiltered words flow from her lips without even so much as a look up.

"I never took you for naïve Lily but when all this is over and he disappears back to his famous life, do you think you will feature?"

Her words run a chill up my spine causing me to involuntarily shiver. Completely innocent looking she glances up at me then titters again.  "Look at you so serious, ignore me.  I'm sure he'll fit you in!"

"It's not really very funny is it Nathalie, do you not want your sister to be happy?" Olive pipes up.

"Absolutely, I want her to be happy, I just hope Harry is genuinely the one to do that." There is a sarcastic undertone in her voice.

Not wanting to have crossed words on my birthday and also not feeling the need to rise to the bait, I ignore her comment and change the subject. She continues to look smug but I refuse to let her ruin my day.

After lunch, we head for the Tepidarium room. An elegant fountain sprays water in a calming rhythm whilst we relax on the mosaic tiled heated beds and enjoy all the latest publications of Vogue, House & Garden, Harpers Bazaar and Wonderland.

My treat today is an aromatherapy full body massage. Firm hands knead my knots with essential oils soaking deep into my skin. I am then cocooned in a heated blanket like a mummy and left to zone out in candle lit surroundings. My consultant has to wake me up from my relaxed state such was I whisked away to dozing thoughts of Harry and how much he would enjoy this.

We indulge in afternoon tea and cake then finish the amazing day by each having a manicure and pedicure.

The delights of the Spa are left behind but I feel refreshed and relaxed to return home to change for dinner. The whole experience has made me warmly glow inside and out.

-*-

Originally, I had planned to have a large party for my 21st birthday but my accident changed all that. Instead, I decided upon a small family dinner at one of my favourite local restaurants, The Jumble Room.

It is popular with locals and as such it is nigh on impossible to secure a booking for months. However, Mum's firm are the accountants for the owners Chrissy and Andy so she was able to secure a table for my special day.

As the party enter the little bohemian restaurant with its relaxed and arty feel, I instantly know I made the right choice. This place only has one dinner sitting per evening that makes it an intimate night out without the constant flow of clientele. Despite the fact that Harry was originally not joining us, it has turned out perfect for limiting unwarranted attention upon him.

Andy greets us warmly and seats us on a long table, half of the group on the wooden pew bench covered in scatter cushions, the other half opposite on cute mismatched chairs. Modern paintings of animals adorn the walls and large lamp hangs down illuminating the centre of the table.

Low chatter ensues as everyone browses the wonderful eclectic mix of British and International cuisine on offer. I scan around those gathered again and realise this is exactly what I need right now; to be surrounded by the people who love me and who I love most in the world.  I realise how lucky I am. 

Harry studies the menu meticulously before glancing at me and exclaiming he is having difficulty deciding on what to choose. All the produce is organic and locally sourced and the options all mouthwatering combinations that whatever he selects will be as delicious as he looks right now in black skinnies and a jazzy shirt.

After ordering my choices, I excuse myself from the table to head for the bathroom. I push the door open and I sense someone is following behind me. I turn to hold the door for them only to see it is Harry.

He ushers me eagerly into one of the cubicles, slamming the door and swiftly locking it before his fingers tangle in my hair and his lips press against mine. He pushes his whole body into me, squashing me up against the wall as his relentless kisses swell my lips and tease my tongue.

Breathless, he pulls away. "I just cannot get enough of you, Beautiful. And this place is amazingly perfect."  His eyes scan all the vinyl covers that decorate the walls. From John Mayer to K D Lang, from Nora Jones to Ray Charles, from Eric Clapton to Etta James and everything in between.

I grin and pull him back to me, massaging my lips over his. "You are insatiable."

"Only for you." And he kisses me again as his hands dive under my top, tickling the skin up my back. "I couldn't stop thinking about you today."

"Are you planning on us having sex in the toilet?" I raise my eyebrows in jest.

"Well, I declined a starter so needed to fulfill my appetite somehow," he jokes.

"I see, well I didn't hear what you ordered for main course?" I bite my lip in contemplation of his choice.

The greens of his come-to-bed eyes tantalise mine and his boyish grin brings out his dimples as he smirks cheekily before glancing down between us at my breasts squashed against his chest.  "Chicken breast," exaggerates off his lips and despite knowing full well my choice, he follows it up with a "what about you?"

I release a small snort at his sexiness. I hold my lips to his and hook my fingers in his belt loops massaging our hips together. "The sausages with spinach mash and onion gravy."

"Really? There is nothing like a juicy sausage to fulfill the appetite." He smacks his lips together.

He grabs holds of my hand and brings my fingers up to his lips, kissing the tips before he drags my hand down his shirt, cupping my palm between his and his crotch. His lips suck warmly against my neck as I palm him through his jeans.

"Lily, Lily are you ok?" Nathalie's voice suddenly echoes around the bathroom.

Harry stops in his tracks and I put my lips to Harry's and shake my head, mouthing 'don't make a sound.' 

"Yeah yeah, I'm fine, thanks. Just a bit of an upset tummy, must be something I ate."

"Harry is still in the bathroom too, perhaps it was something you both ate last night. I meant to say earlier the charm bracelet he gave to you is something else, it's a wonderful gift."

Harry puffs out his chest and makes a 'wow she complimented me' face whilst shining a halo sign over his head. I tap his arm and mouth him to 'shut it!' He has to put his hand over his mouth to stop his laugh escaping.

"Also, I'm sorry what I said earlier at lunch about Harry," she says softly.

Harry pulls back and frowns, mouthing 'what did she say, why haven't you told me?'

I reply with a swipe of the air with my hand. 'Nothing important, forget it.'

"Harry really does make me happy Nathalie." I respond to her as I hear her washing her hands. "I'll be out in a minute, see you back at the table."

"Oh that's ok, I'll wait for you." She confirms.

Harry rolls his eyes in despair then rests his head on my shoulder.

"Ok, won't be a minute." I reply through gritted teeth.

Harry screws his nose up in disbelief at my response and I shrug a 'what else can I do' at him. I point at him then at the floor to indicate to stay here until we have gone. He mimics a salute and I mouth a 'behave' at him. I straighten my top and flatten down my hair before unlocking the door. Despite him pinching my bum as I walk out and me nearly falling over, I casually wander over to the washbasins.

"It was great today at the Spa wasn't it, I had such a good time." Nathalie gushes leaning up against the wall and watching me.

"Yes, a truly lovely surprise, thanks for a lovely day. That body massage was something else. I had really great...." I stop speaking as I am looking across at my sister and her expression of happiness that has changed to an instant glower. I flick my eyes back to the mirror to see a smiling Harry approaching the hand basins.

Her face falls and she stands up straight, her tone cutting right through me. "Of course, here we have it. I would have expected such behaviour from someone like Harry but you Lily."

I shoot my disapproval towards her. "Excuse me but what do you mean by someone like Harry exactly."

"I'm sure you're not the first girl he's got off with the bathroom but this is a reputable restaurant where Mum brings business clients and you are behaving like two love-struck hormonal teens. It's disgusting."

Harry steps close to me to respond to her but in tiredness, I retaliate first. "What exactly is your problem, Nathalie?"

She stands still and watching me as though thinking through her answer then laughs to herself under her breath. "You want to know what my problem is? Well I'll tell you." Although standing away from me she leans intimidatingly forwards.  " You are."