So let's make one thing clear, this was the most fun I've had on a friday lunchtime ever, ever ever!
So my very good friend Holly Poulter at Join the Revelry dropped me a line. Was I free to shoot a secret surprise proposal in Hyde Park? Without hesitation, except to double check my diary, I said yes, and here's where the craziness started.
City banker Hussein had approached Bernadette at Dream Occasions, together with Holly, to come up with some ideas and help organise a romantic treasure hunt proposal event across London. The big thing, he said, was to make it a surprise.
After an excited brainstorm, and finding out all of Meera's favourite things, it was on to the planning.
On the morning of the proposal, Hussein's brother collected Meera from her Mayfair apartment under the pretence of going to a meeting. Instead, he gave her the first treasure hunt clue scroll - along with a single rose from Phillippa Craddock flowers, and an Artisan Du Chocolate box.
The next surprise stop was at Meera and Hussein's old apartment in Knightsbridge, just behind Harrods, where Bernadette was waiting with the next clue, and another flower.
So far, so romantic. And what could be more fun than being dragged away from your work in the sunshine to be taken on a whirlwind treasure hunt mystery?
But what, I hear you asking, does this have to do with the photographer having a near-death experience?
Because, chasing them across London like a crazy fool, on a motorbike, camera bag swinging from his side, swerving and battling the insane city traffic of Hyde Park Corner and Marble Arch, was our intrepid photographer, shooting the whole event like a paparazzi, with telephoto lens and ninja stealth skilz. At least my younger friends might put it that way. "You're too old for this lunacy", is how my wife put it. But what fun, what thrills, dodging the insane cab and bus drivers of the capital on a glorious Autumn afternoon, to capture the special moments of two young people in love.
Ooops! Looks like Meera spotted me, right? By then, of course, we were at location three and it was pretty clear what would happen next. Hussein's brother drove her on to Hyde Park, with me just a little ahead of them on my bike, and Holly and Bernadette of course, already way ahead of them, waiting with flowers and message cards.
As Meera got out of the car at the park, in the glorious October sunshine, Hussein was there to greet her with a bouquet of enormous pink roses and hydrangeas - her favourite colour. They walked towards the fountain in the dramatic Italian Gardens, where Bernadette and Holly had cleared the space from tourists to create a beautiful backdrop for the proposal.
Hussein got down on one knee and pulled out the ring to ask the all important question.
.... and though by now it must have been clear what we were all up to, still you could see that somehow it still really WAS a wonderful romantic surprise for Meera!
And of course, it needn't be said, but Meera did say Yes! Congratulations to you both Meera and Hussein, and congratulations on your forthcoming wedding day!