It was a delicate balancing act. He’d managed a similar scheme in a previous job at a forestry centre and it was a short but incredibly intense period. He doubted he’d get much rest, with sales being open from nine a.m. until eight p.m. every day. The upside meant he’d be exhausted by Christmas Eve and hopefully sleep through it all.
The downside was Trevor having to spend more time inside the cottage, although Jay made time to walk him at lunchtime, no matter how busy he was. The dog was also used to taking his walks in all weathers. He didn’t care if it was hailing, blowing a gale and pitch black, he was so excited to be in the outdoors. Firholme was a gourmet location for dogs, with its fellsides, woods and array of delicious doggy smells.
Trevor had also helped keep Jay sane after his split from Nadia. He’d been so relieved when she’d made it clear that she didn’t want to take the dog when she’d moved out. It would have been the nail in the coffin for Jay to lose Trevor too, along with everyone else he loved.
Jay strode back into the forest, checking out the areas where the holly grew and looking for mistletoe. He’d suggested harvesting some festive greenery for the house and café to Lottie, and she’d seemed very pleased he’d offered. He felt soothed and calmer since he’d taken the job at Firholme – he supposed he was ‘healing’ slowly, though he also felt he was a long way from a full recovery.
He was almost at the edge of the forest when a rustle in the leaves stopped him dead. A squirrel scampered across his path and stopped in a pool of sunlight, the rays making its bushy tail seem like a halo.
Jay held his breath, watching as it nibbled an acorn, oblivious to his presence. He thought of Lottie’s delight and their shared wonder at seeing the squirrel together. He had a feeling they’d share more than a love of nature, if they got the chance.
His snort of derision at the idea of him sharing anything more with Lottie startled the squirrel and it fled up the trunk of an oak.
Who was he kidding? Even if he overcame every instinct and asked her out, he had absolutely no idea if someone as lively and sociable – and gorgeous – as her was even interested in him.
Chapter Seven
Stars twinkled in the sky as Lottie drove from Firholme to Carnthwaite, a small village at the northern end of Derwentwater where Steph and the twins lived. It was only a few miles away, but on the twisty, narrow roads, it took twenty minutes. There were no streetlights on the road and only a sliver of moon, and occasionally her headlights swept over sheep huddled by farm gates or the white walls of cottages.
She’d lain awake into the small hours the night after Connor had walked back into her life, bringing his fiancée with him. She’d been trying to come to terms with his reappearance and wondering how much to tell her sister. Although Steph’s chemo and radiotherapy had finished in the summer, she was still anxiously awaiting a date for a scan and check-up to see if the cancer had been treated successfully. Lottie didn’t want to add yet another layer of anxiety but, on the other hand, she knew Steph would probably want her to share such major news.
Carnthwaite was encircled by the heather-clad fells and soaring peaks of Skiddaw and Blencathra. The lights of the houses and pub twinkled in the valley as Lottie descended from Firholme. Fireworks fizzed in the sky, and there was a lingering smell of smoke in the air. The girls were off to an organised event that weekend, so they were happy to stay in on Bonfire Night itself and Steph would be tired anyway after working at the school all day.
Lottie parked outside her sister’s semi, in a small close in the heart of the village. The girls were waiting and flew on her as soon as she’d gone into the hall.
‘You’re pleased to see me, then?’ she said, hugging both girls at once. Instantly, her mood lifted and the cares of the day were temporarily forgotten.
Over dinner, she related the story about the red squirrel she and Jay had seen, and told them about the trees they’d chosen for Firholme. Afterwards, Lottie snuggled on the sofa with her nieces in the living room. The girls were as full of beans as a Heinz warehouse, despite being in their pyjamas and meant to be winding down. Lottie had taken the dishes out to the kitchen while Steph had supervised their bath time and they were all now relaxing – or meant to be – in the sitting room.
‘Is it almost time for Santa to come yet?’ Myra asked, clambering onto the sofa next to Lottie. Her damp hair was fluffy and she smelled of strawberry bubble bath.
‘Not yet, sweetheart. Let’s get Bonfire Night over first. I expect he’s busy getting ready,’ Lottie answered. ‘You know that, though. Christmas Day is still seven weeks away.’ And Connor’s wedding only six, she thought, with a lump in her throat and a rising sense of panic.
‘Santa won’t come if you keep asking when he’ll come,’ Jodie said, rolling her eyes at her sister. ‘Like Mummy says when we’re in the car. We won’t get there if you keep asking when we’ll be there.’
Myra stuck out her tongue. Before Lottie could issue a gentle reminder to ‘Be kind’, Myra had switched tack. ‘Guess what happened at school today?’ she said, studiously ignoring her sister.
‘Jonas Baxter’s brother did a poo in the garden!’ Jodie shouted and dissolved into giggles.
Myra squealed in indignation. ‘Shut up, Jodie, I wanted to tell Auntie Lottie that!’
‘It’s my story too!’ Jodie cried.
‘Girls, girls. You can both tell me, one at a time. Myra: doesn’t this Jonas have a bathroom?’
‘I ’spect so but his dad told him to do it in the garden,’ said Myra.
Lottie exchanged an ‘eugh’ face with Steph.
Jodie shrugged dramatically and held out her hands. ‘Well, how d’you expect me to know?’
Lottie was struggling to hold in her laughter. Jodie’s shrug and eye-roll were exactly like Steph’s gestures.
‘Jonas’s brother is three,’ Steph explained. ‘Apparently, his dad told him that weeing on the compost was good for it. He was only following orders, I suppose.’
‘But why should we do a wee on the compost?’ Myra asked then pushed her glasses up her nose. ‘What’s compost?’
‘It’s a place where you put the dead leaves and grass from your garden and all the insects turn it into a mush that helps the plants grow,’ Lottie said. ‘I don’t know why anyone would wee on it.’
‘But … that will kill the insects and the hedgehogs sleeping in the leaves!’ Myra said.
‘Urgh …’ Jodie poked her tongue out.
Steph laughed. ‘I’m not sure it’s the best way of looking after your garden. I’d stick to the bathroom, I think.’
Steph and Lottie exchanged amused glances.
Later, after listening patiently to more details of the twins’ day at school, Lottie helped get them to bed and stayed to read them a bedtime story, while her sister had a short break.
The twins were a joy but a handful. They were the result of a holiday romance in Spain. Steph had always had problems with her periods and hadn’t realised she was pregnant for a few months. Lottie would never forget the shock on her face when she’d revealed she was carrying twins. The father hadn’t left Steph his number and all attempts to track him down on social media had failed so she’d decided to carry on alone. It was bad timing as their parents had only moved to New Zealand a year previously. Lottie was sure they’d have come home if Steph had said she really needed them, but her sister was adamant she could manage alone.
Identical in looks, each had her own distinct personality. Jodie was a bit of a comedian, fond of imitating her mum and giggling at the daftest things. Myra took things more seriously and often came out with some deep questions that Lottie found hard to answer. She was probably more like Lottie than Steph.
When Lottie came downstairs, Steph had her feet up on the sofa and her eyes closed. Even though Steph was tired, Lottie was pleased to see her sister looking a little more like herself. She’d been off work for months, although she’d very recently returned to her role as a teaching assistant at the twi
ns’ school.
After loading the dishwasher, Lottie did a quick tidy of the kitchen and made two coffees. When she went into the sitting room, Steph seemed to be coming round.
She blinked and rubbed her eyes. ‘Sorry, I nodded off.’
‘That’s why I came to help. To give you a break.’
She swung her legs off the sofa to make room for Lottie. ‘Thanks. They’re hyper today. I’m amazed they went to bed at all.’
Lottie handed her a mug and sat down herself. ‘They’re shattered. Jodie was already dozing off while I finished the story. Myra made it to the end but she’s snuggled down now.’
‘No more mentions of Jonas Baxter?’ Steph asked.
‘Not after the first few minutes.’
‘Good …’ Steph sipped her coffee. ‘So, tell me more about this Jay.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘The new gardener bloke who showed you his squirrel.’
Lottie sputtered her coffee. ‘It was a squirrel, not his squirrel and he only moved in a week ago. I know next to nothing about him.’ She smiled. ‘He has a lovely Labrador though.’
‘A lovely Labrador?’ Steph raised an eyebrow.
‘He’s called Trevor, and he’s very friendly,’ Lottie said, recalling how Jay had had to call Trevor back when the dog had run into Lottie’s garden a couple of times, obviously seeking a fuss. Jay was firm but also very gentle with Trevor. He clearly loved animals of all kinds. She thought back to that short time in the forest. She’d been enjoying Jay’s company and the feeling had seemed to be mutual. Funny, she’d half expected him to text her later that day – but now?
Falling for Jay wasn’t some miracle cure for a broken heart plus she had no idea if he was even single. And now Connor had come back into her life …
‘I saw Connor yesterday,’ she said, wary of Steph’s reaction.
Steph frowned. ‘As in Connor, your cowardly ex?’
Lottie winced at Steph’s description of him. Though she herself thought he was a quitter at the time, Steph didn’t know about Connor’s proposal or that he’d broken her heart so badly. Thank God, she’d never told her sister. Steph thought Connor had simply decided to leave; as did their parents. As did everyone they knew. It would only have added to Steph’s problems when she needed to focus on getting well.
‘Yes. He turned up at Firholme out of the blue.’
Steph snorted in derision. ‘What for? To grovel and beg you to come back?’
‘No. Why would he do that?’ Lottie asked.
‘Because he realises how amazing you are? He’s an idiot but you’re better off without him.’
It was hard to fool Steph and Lottie suspected that her sister hadn’t bought the story that Lottie had been OK with the break-up. She was touched by her loyalty but her heart sank. This was going to be even harder than she’d expected. ‘He didn’t even know I was working there. And, he brought his fiancée.’
Steph splashed coffee on her lap. ‘Sodding hell!’ She grabbed a tissue to mop it while Lottie fetched some kitchen roll.
‘Connor brought his fiancée to Firholme?’ She dabbed at her jeans with the paper towel. ‘Why would he do that?’
‘Because he wants to get married there. Or rather she – Keegan – does.’
‘No way! That would be excruciating. I presume he called it all off once he realised you organise the weddings?’
‘No. They’re going ahead.’
‘You cannot be serious?! You can’t possibly agree to plan his wedding!’
‘I didn’t want to, but I’ve no choice. Connor was as shocked as I was when he walked in and found out I’m in charge of the weddings. He’d no idea I was working there …’ Lottie left out exactly why. ‘He went abroad after we split up and met this Australian woman through work.’
Steph shook her head in disbelief. ‘Poor woman. When are they doing the dirty deed?’
‘The week before Christmas.’
‘Jesus, Lottie. Why the hurry? Is she pregnant?’
‘I don’t think so. They came in on the off chance and Shayla was ecstatic to have a booking before Christmas. We can’t afford to turn down the revenue and to be fair, Connor did try to put Keegan off … but she thinks Firholme is “a-mazing” and I don’t blame her.’
‘Even so, why didn’t Connor make an excuse and find another venue? It’s cruel to rub your nose in things like this.’
Lottie sighed. ‘He’s not rubbing my nose in it. I got over the break-up ages ago …’
Steph raised an eyebrow. ‘Mm …’
‘I really am OK with it,’ she said, recalling how her skin tingled and her heart skipped a beat when Connor had touched her. ‘Even if I could have persuaded them to go elsewhere, I still wouldn’t have. This is my first wedding and they’re spending a lot of money that Firholme desperately needs. Plus … the main reason they want to get married in a hurry is that Connor’s mum has been ill. She had a stroke earlier this year.’
‘That’s awful,’ said Steph. ‘I liked Fiona. More than Connor, to be honest.’
‘You never said that before.’
‘I didn’t want to upset you, but I can say it now. How’s his mum doing?’
‘Connor says she’s recovering, but that the whole family has had a huge scare and they want to surprise her with a Christmas wedding. He said she’s always wanted to see one of their kids married at Firholme.’
Steph blew out a breath. ‘Bugger me … I suppose I can’t argue with that. I know all about wanting to make the most of every day, but it’s hard on you, Lottie. Does this Keegan even know you and Connor were together?’
‘No, and I don’t want her to. We’ve agreed to keep it a secret.’ Again, Lottie thought it was easier to be economical with the truth. Steph would have been furious to know that it was Connor’s idea to pretend he’d never been involved with Lottie, even if Lottie had gone along with it willingly enough.
‘Lottie, come on, we agreed to be honest with each other. How do you really feel about him?’
Now, that was the question. Lottie would have liked to have felt nothing other than mild surprise and the pleasure of seeing an old friend when he walked in through Firholme’s grand front door. But she did very much still feel something and she didn’t like some of those feelings.
‘I don’t want him to be unhappy,’ she said, choosing her words carefully. ‘Though I’d never have chosen to plan his wedding, that’s for sure. It’ll be fine now the first meeting is past.’
‘Why am I not convinced?’
‘I admit I was shocked,’ Lottie said, thinking it might be better to offer Steph a nugget of truth to put her off the scent. ‘He’s still the Connor I knew in one way.’
‘Still the Connor you loved?’
Ouch, Steph could be brutal, but she’d hit the nail on the head, thought Lottie. ‘Yes … only a shinier version. It could be the tan, or the fact that he must have been hitting the gym in Oz. It can’t be surfing,’ Lottie said with a smile. ‘He can’t swim very well.’
‘Serves the pompous git right,’ Steph declared.
‘Anyway, he looks really fit and buff and there’s a self-confidence about him, a polish …’ Lottie said, remembering the impact this ‘new’ Connor had had on her. ‘Although the sight of me took the wind out of his sails.’
‘I bet it did!’ Steph’s eyes narrowed. ‘I’d like to tell him a few things, if I see him.’
‘No, don’t, for my sake,’ Lottie cried. ‘To be honest I’d find it excruciating to have to explain to Shayla why a couple cancelled a huge expensive wedding because of me. I’d rather try and get through it somehow.’
‘What’s she like, this Keegan?’
‘Tall, glamorous, determined – and she seems to adore Connor and Firholme.’ And he seemed totally in awe of Keegan, Lottie thought. ‘What more can I say? I only met her yesterday,’ she said, trying to keep things casual.
‘Do you like her though? Does she deserve Connor? And does he deserve h
er? I hoped you’d say she was Cruella De Vil.’
Lottie laughed. ‘Maybe it would have been easier for me if she was vile, but so far, she hasn’t done anything to make me hate her or even dislike her.’ She sighed. ‘Whether I like it or not, Connor’s my client now. I need to set aside my personal feelings and you know I really liked his mum. For her sake, and Firholme’s, I’m going to make a good job of it – and I don’t have long so if I’m not around here quite as much, you know why.’
‘Well, I call it shitty luck that he chose Firholme, even if his mum does love it.’ Steph reached out and squeezed Lottie’s hand. ‘You know you can vent to me whenever you like. This isn’t going to be easy.’
Tell me about it, thought Lottie.
‘No it’s not.’ She decided to distract Steph for the time being. ‘Talking of work, are you still OK with coming to the staff Christmas ball at Firholme? Can your friend have the chidren for the night so you stay over at mine?’
‘Yes, it’s all sorted. The girls are going to a sleepover at my friend’s house and they’re so excited. Almost as excited as me. Thank you for inviting me as your plus-one.’ Steph gave a mischievous grin. ‘You are sure there’s no one else you’d rather ask?’
‘I’m sure,’ Lottie said firmly. ‘We deserve a night out like we used to.’ She didn’t add that she hoped Steph would be well enough to enjoy it.
‘I can’t wait. I haven’t been out on the town for so long. I’m ready to party.’ Steph sighed. ‘After all who knows what might happen tomorrow?’
Lottie had the following afternoon off so headed into Langmere village to get a few treats for herself and Steph from the deli-cum-coffee shop by the lake. She walked back to her car via the post office where she went in to buy some stamps and choose a Christmas card to send to her parents. She wanted one with a Lakeland scene by a local artist and it would have to be posted soon.
A Surprise Christmas Wedding: from the best selling author of A Perfect Cornish Christmas comes one of the most feel-good winter romance books of 2020 Page 7