Summer Girl, Winter Boy

by Elsborg, Barbara

  The dress was a beautiful taffeta gown with a sweetheart neckline, the ruched bodice intricately decorated with pearly beads and embroidered flowers. It was a very different gown than the one she’d planned to wear to marry Doug.

  “Thank you,” Angie said.

  Summer moved to the side of the room and kept quiet. She stood where the photographer told her to stand and smiled whenever she was told to. She didn’t join in the chatter because the other bridesmaids didn’t speak to her. If I pretend I’m invisible, will that make me so? Only the thought of Jai waiting for her in Chilham kept her going.

  He will be there.

  * * * * *

  “Come back to bed,” Marta mumbled and reached to grab Jai as he moved away.

  He staggered across to the bathroom. Fuck it, fuck it, fuck it. He had the quickest shower he could manage and when he emerged, Marta and Saul were asleep again. His clothes were presumably still downstairs, so he stumbled down to the living room.

  When he ran out of the house, he groaned. Snow everywhere. The Lexus was crap in snow. Jai sat in the vehicle and dragged his brain into gear. There was no way he could get there in time by car. He took out his phone and did a Google search for helicopter charter.

  The third place he tried had a craft available provided the snow held off. Jai only needed to get to the heliport. By the time he reached a road that had been cleared, his already fragile nerves were in shreds. He drove nine miles in slow traffic, praying the weather didn’t deteriorate.

  This was going to cost him a fortune but he didn’t care.

  * * * * *

  When Summer, her mother and the other bridesmaids exited the house, two silver Bentleys waited in the yard. Summer shivered, goose bumps erupting on her arms. All of them had been given pashminas matching their dresses but the thin wrap wasn’t enough to stave off the chill in the air.

  As the bridesmaids piled into the front vehicle, Summer’s mother held up her hand. “You’re going with Mr. and Mrs. Robson. There’s not enough room in the car for all of us. They should have sent two. I shall be complaining.”

  “Couldn’t Baxter—”

  “He’s picked up Rose and gone straight to the church.”

  Eric Robson had been the family’s gardener for as long as Summer could remember. His wife was their cleaner. She bit her lip and said nothing.

  Her father emerged from the back door and kissed Pippa and his wife. As the car pulled away, he glanced at Summer in confusion. “Why aren’t you with them?”

  “There wasn’t enough room for five of us. The other car didn’t arrive.”

  A Volkswagen Polo pulled into the yard.

  “What are the Robsons doing here?” he muttered.

  “They’re giving me a lift.”

  Her father looked furious and she put her hand on his arm. “It’s okay, Dad.”

  “No, it’s not. You can come with me and Angie.”

  “No, I can’t. Don’t be daft. The bride has to go with her father. I’ll ride with Mr. and Mrs. Robson. It’s fine.” She pecked her father on the cheek and climbed into the back of the Robsons’ car.

  “You look lovely,” Mrs. Robson said.

  “Thank you. I like your hat.”

  It was a wide-brimmed cream monstrosity, smothered in turquoise flowers.

  “On sale at Debenhams. I saved it from…er…”

  Last time. Oh Christ.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Summer walked alone down the aisle to the music of Pachelbel’s Canon in D. Pippa had gone first, Angie’s two friends followed after, side by side, and Summer brought up the rear. She snuck glances to either side looking for Jai but didn’t spot him. When she reached the front and stood facing forward, it gave her a better view of the congregation and she worked her gaze along each row.

  As Angie and her father walked slowly down the aisle, Summer finally accepted what her eyes were telling her.

  He isn’t here.

  Disappointment swamped her to the point of pain. She began to torture herself with thoughts of why, and made herself stop. There could be any number of excuses and whatever the reason, it didn’t make any difference to the outcome. Jai wasn’t here and she had to do this on her own.

  The church looked beautiful. There were flowers everywhere, including large white blossoms at the ends of the pews. Where is he? Is he hurt? She wanted to phone him but she’d had to leave her mobile behind. No pockets, nowhere to put it. Has he decided the risk of being recognized is too great? Doesn’t he like me anymore?

  The ceremony passed in a blur. She did everything she was supposed to do, which frankly wasn’t much more than stand there. Angie’s face never lost its smile and Summer was glad about that. She tried not to look cold for the photos taken outside the church and dutifully took a handful of dried rose petals to throw as Angie and Tim walked through a corridor of guests. She even aimed them low so she didn’t accidentally throw them in Angie’s or Tim’s faces.

  Then they were gone and Jai still hadn’t come. Maybe it’s my turn to have a broken heart.

  Her parents drove away in her father’s car, left in the square since the rehearsal last night, which meant there was room for her with the bridesmaids. Three in the back, Summer in the front.

  “Where’s your guy?” Pippa asked. “Couldn’t he give you a lift?”

  “He didn’t make it.” Don’t ask me anything else.

  It was a wasted thought. The three chattered away in the back and Summer stared out of the window.

  Don’t let Jai be hurt.

  Let me get through today without crying.

  Let nothing go wrong for Angie.

  Please let her be happy ever after.

  When the car pulled up in the drive, Summer nipped up to her room to check her phone. Someone had shut Winston in there and he ran for her to stroke him before he settled back next to the radiator. Summer almost dropped her mobile when she saw there was a message.

  Late but I’m on the way through the clouds ETA 2.15 xx

  She gave a gasp of joy. He’s coming. And he’d be there in five minutes. She went back downstairs and joined the throng of people who’d arrived by coach. Several of her relatives kissed her and asked about South America. Summer mumbled answers, her eyes on the gates, waiting for another car.

  “You’re going to freeze out here.” Her father headed toward her. “What are you doing?”

  “Waiting for Jai.”

  The noise of a helicopter passing low overhead drowned out his answer.

  “Where the hell has that landed?” her father asked.

  Her heart swelled as the penny dropped. “I think that might be Jai.”

  “Does he fly helicopters?”

  “He didn’t tell me he did.”

  “Then—never mind. Don’t freeze to death waiting for him.” Her father made his way toward the katas.

  Summer walked in the other direction, down the cleared drive to the open gates. When she saw a guy with a garment bag slung over his shoulder running down the narrow track where tires had pushed away the snow, her heart leapt. He waved and Summer laughed.

  The moment he reached her, she threw herself at him, pressing her lips to his. Jai wrapped his arms around her and kissed her back.

  “God, you’re freezing,” he said. “Let’s get inside. I’m sorry I’m late.”

  Summer took his hand and tugged him toward the barn. “I’m just glad you’re safe.”

  “They’re going to deliver the car so we’re not trapped here,” he whispered.

  “You’ve spent a fortune, haven’t you?” She led him upstairs.

  “I’d have spent more to get here on time but even a helicopter couldn’t perform a miracle.”

  As they entered the room, Winston came running up.

  Jai bent to stroke him. “You’re my rival in the kiss department, I take it?”

  The little dachshund ran in circles and yapped.

  Jai dropped the bag on the bed and stripped. “I recogniz
e that bed.”

  She laughed. “And I know who I want in it but I’ll be in serious trouble if I disappear this early in the proceedings.”

  She watched as he dressed, thinking it was almost as sexy as watching him undress. He tied his bow tie without even looking in the mirror, slipped on his jacket and his shoes and tucked her arm in his.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  Now—she was.

  As they headed up the path to the katas, the cold ate into her skin and found every piece of bare flesh. It hadn’t escaped Summer’s notice that once Angie had left the church, she’d worn a little faux-fur jacket over her dress. At least the other bridesmaids had frozen like Summer.

  “This looks great,” Jai said. “Linked wigwams. What’s it like inside? Are we sitting on the floor? Chewing pemmican? Do they do that in Lapland?”

  “I’ve not been allowed in yet.”

  The warmth hit them the moment they stepped into the structure and Summer sighed with relief. Jai took two glasses of champagne from the tray of a waiter and handed one to her.

  He knocked his glass against hers. “To the guy who invented the helicopter.”

  When his arm slid around her shoulder and pulled her close, Summer thought she could have stood up to anything.

  “It’s lovely in here,” Jai said.

  Summer dragged her gaze from him and looked around. He was right. The changing lines of the construction made it more cozy and intimate than a marquee. The lighting was low-level and subdued but there were several small trees smothered with bright white bulbs. More lights wrapped around the support beams, from which decorations hung in long strings, white and yellow flowers to go with the rest of Angie’s theme. The tables looked fantastic, the cutlery glittered, and the yellow-and-white checked serviettes matched the handwritten menus and name cards. Her father had told her Angie made them all herself.

  Jai tugged her through the crowds, past the tables to a seating area at the end of one of the katas, where a peat-log fire burned in the center and smoke disappeared through a vent in the ceiling. Around the fire were armchairs and couches and by their sides, baskets full of rolled-up red and white blankets.

  “I’ve never been in one of these before,” Jai said “Where are the reindeer?”

  Summer laughed. “My dad put his foot down about that.”

  “I once had to do a shoot with reindeer. Their hoofprints are almost circular, really odd, and their coat’s so thick the snow doesn’t melt when they lay on it.”

  “So they’d be no use for cuddling against.”

  “That’s true. One of the cameramen told me that when temperatures get really low, the reindeer can lower the temperature in their legs to almost freezing, which keeps their core body heat more stable. Which made me wonder, the other night, if you were part reindeer.”

  She laughed.

  He raised his eyebrows. “Think about it. Frozen feet, hot core. Very hot core.”

  Summer snuggled against him.

  “Want to introduce me to your parents and the happy couple?”

  Not really but… She looked through the throng of people and spotted her parents talking to some friends of her mother. “Okay.”

  “Let me put my glass down and then I can hold your hand and still shake theirs.”

  “Are you the most thoughtful guy in the world?”

  “I did win a cup at school for being the kindest child. I was eighteen. Imagine the embarrassment.”

  She giggled.

  “When I was ten, actually. I think it was to make up for the fact that I was crap at everything else. My twin, needless to say, was clever and sporty, but not kind.”

  “What does he do?”

  “Apart from annoy the fuck out of me? He’s a banker. Earns a fortune, but not as much as me, and I can’t tell you how that annoys him.” He grinned and wrapped his fingers tighter around hers. “I don’t want you to leave my side.”

  She thought her heart might burst with joy.

  As they wandered through the tent, there were a few brief stunned silences as some of the guests registered who was with her. Summer heard whispers follow them and when Jai held her hand more firmly, it struck her that they were protecting each other. They reached her parents, and her father turned and smiled at her, then looked at Jai. Summer knew he had no idea who Jai was.

  “Dad, this is Jai Winter.”

  Jai held out his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Dey, Mrs. Dey. I’m sorry I arrived too late to attend the wedding. I appreciate you letting me come at the last minute. I hope I’ve not caused too many problems.”

  Polite as well, how could anyone not love him?

  “Not at all,” her father said. “I’m delighted Summer has a friend here. Please call me Mike.”

  Over her father’s shoulder, Summer spotted Pippa heading for them, her eyes wide.

  “Was it you in the helicopter?” her father asked.

  “Yes. I chartered it. I knew I’d never make it in time, coming by road. My car’s being delivered here later. I told them to put the keys through your letter box. I hope that’s okay.”

  “Oh my god,” Pippa blurted as she reached their side. “You’re Jai Winter!”

  Summer worried he’d break her fingers. There had never been a chance that someone wouldn’t recognize him.

  “My sister, Pippa,” Summer muttered.

  Jai held out his hand. Pippa stared at Jai as if she couldn’t believe it was him.

  “Angie’s going to kill you for upstaging her wedding,” she whispered in Summer’s ear.

  Talk of the devil. Angie and Tim were approaching.

  Angie’s smile slipped when she saw Jai.

  Jai stuck out his hand to Tim. “Pleased to meet you. Thank you for letting me accompany Summer to your wedding.” He reached for Angie’s limp hand and shook it. “Congratulations. You look stunning and the venue is beautiful.” He took an envelope from his pocket. “I hope you’ll be able to make use of this. Excuse us.”

  He tugged Summer toward another waiter and they took glasses of champagne.

  “What did you give them?” she asked.

  “Voucher for a flight in a helicopter. My choice was a bit limited.”

  She shook her head. “That’s too generous.”

  “I don’t think they’ll get far on twenty quid.”

  She gave a loud laugh.

  “Let’s go back to that fire and sit down,” he said.

  All the seats but one were occupied so Jai pulled her onto his knee.

  “Have I told you how beautiful you look?” he whispered. “I liked the pink hair but this is cute.” He rubbed a lock between his fingers. “It suits you.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Would you like an appetizer?” A young waitress offered them a plate of mini Yorkshire puddings with roast beef and horseradish.

  They both took one.

  “Are you really Jai Winter?” the teenager asked. “Can I have your autograph?”

  “I don’t have a pen,” Jai said.

  “I’ll come back with one.” She bolted off.

  “Are you that famous?” Summer asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “Shit.”

  “I couldn’t have put it better myself. The only plus side is that I’m guessing we’re going to be well supplied with canapés and champagne.”

  “I knew you’d be useful for something else.”

  “What—oh right.” He grinned.

  “I thought you weren’t going to come,” she said.

  “I’m sorry. I got…tangled up in a…problem. I need to talk to you about it later when we get a moment.”

  She was aware of people coming to take a look at him then wandering away again but he kept his attention on her. The canapés came in a constant stream, as did the champagne.

  “My brother’s approaching,” she said quietly.

  Jai lifted her to her feet and stood up.

  Baxter kissed her and turned to Jai. “Hi, I’m Baxter, Su
mmer’s brother. This is Rosie. Rosie, you’ve already met my sister Summer, and this is apparently Jai Winter, who’s the real reason you wanted me to come over here.”

  Rosie elbowed him and shook her and Jai’s hands.

  “Pleased to meet you,” Jai said.

  “How did you two meet?” Rosie asked.

  “In an airport,” Jai said. “How did you meet?”

  “Online,” Baxter said. “Perfect match.” He hugged his girlfriend. “She likes Marmite. I hate it. She wakes early. I sleep late. She goes to the gym. I go to the pub.”

  Rosie rolled her eyes.

  “I want to hear all about South America at some point,” Baxter said.

  “Maybe you’d like to come around for a meal.” Rosie glanced between her and Jai.

  “That would be lovely,” Summer said.

  Baxter and Rosie wandered off hand in hand and Jai and Summer sat down.

  “What does your brother do?” Jai asked.

  “Nuclear physicist, and no, I’m not joking.”

  “He looks so normal.”

  Summer laughed. “Had any more ideas about your screenplay?”

  “No, you’re too distracting.” Jai ran his fingers up and down her arm.

  “Can I read what you’ve written so far?”

  He stilled at that.

  “You don’t have to let me.”

  “I know I don’t. O…kay. As long as you promise to love it.”

  She smiled. Then the smile slipped from her face and she stiffened. She pushed up from his lap and faced the couple walking toward her. Of course they’d been invited. They were close friends of her parents. The fact that their son should have been the one marrying Angie hadn’t kept them away, though she hadn’t seen them in the church. Shit.

  Jai stood up at her back. I should have told him sooner.

  “Summer,” said Kathryn Greene.

  She had no idea what to say. It was as though all the air had been sucked from the tent.

  Jai held out his hand. “I’m Jai Winter.”

  “Kathryn and Graham Greene,” Graham said and shook his hand.

  Summer could see Graham looking for a sign of recognition of his name in Jai’s face, and suspected Jai was doing the same.

  “Don’t you know who we are?” Kathryn asked.