She kept her fingers crossed, praying Connor wouldn’t admit where he’d spent the night. She didn’t think Jay would: however angry she was at his lack of trust, she had total faith in his loyalty and discretion.
Keegan gave her a hard stare. ‘Do you still love Connor?’
Lottie paused, aware she was steering a very fine line – gossamer thin – between brutal frankness and tact. However, the time for subtlety seemed to have gone.
‘No, I don’t, and I haven’t for a while now – for many months in fact.’
Keegan glared at her. ‘Why should I believe you? You’ve lied for him, after all.’
Lottie decided that her only policy was naked honesty, and hope that Keegan would believe her. ‘I’ll admit I was very upset when we split up but I came out of the experience knowing I had to put my regrets behind me. I was lucky enough to get the job at Firholme, which might not have happened if I’d stayed with Connor – and also, recently, I’ve met someone else I care about deeply.’
And someone who didn’t trust her – and who she felt would never move on from his trust issues.
Keegan’s eyes pierced her. ‘Is this the Christmas tree guy?’
Lottie’s mouth fell open in surprise. ‘Yes. How did you guess?’
She shrugged. ‘Like I say, I notice stuff … but I couldn’t tell if you had a crush on him or were interested in Connor … Now I know it was kind of both, but maybe not in the way I’d suspected.’
‘Um. Where’s Connor now?’ Lottie asked.
‘With his best man at their hotel. He’s hoping I’ll call him to say it’s all on again.’
Lottie seized her chance. ‘I can’t tell you to marry Connor. It’s your decision, but don’t call it off because of me, or something that happened in the past. I don’t love him now and I don’t want to marry him, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. It only means he was meant for someone else, not me.’ She took a breath. ‘If you think that someone is you – and you must have until yesterday – then don’t let our past ruin your dream.’
‘I was going to put a stop to it when I found out you’d both tricked me all these weeks.’
Lottie winced. She wasn’t out of the woods on this, not by a long way. Keegan picked up a hairbrush. ‘After I kicked him out, I lay awake half the night before I told Mum and Dad this morning. It was my mother who said I shouldn’t do anything hasty and should speak to you. It’s been horrible, having my hair done and wondering if the wedding will happen at all.’ Her eyes travelled to her dress. ‘If I’d ever even wear that dress. It kept mocking me. I felt such a fool.’
‘I’m sorry you felt like that. Truly.’
‘Like you said, maybe Connor and I need to clear the air and start over …’ Keegan sighed.
Lottie held her breath. Oh God, had she encouraged Keegan to leave Connor altogether? Personally, she was tempted to say, don’t go within a mile of Connor, but she never would. Maybe Connor and Keegan were a match made in heaven: like all the couples whose weddings she’d organised, she had no real way of predicting who would celebrate their golden anniversary and who wouldn’t last five minutes.
‘Erm …’
‘But it must have taken you some balls to come here,’ Keegan said. ‘Not that you have any actual balls, but you know what I mean.’
‘It was the least I could do, to give you the whole story. Thanks for at least hearing me out.’
‘Mmm. Well, I wanted to hear your side of it before I make my final decision. I pride myself on being tough but fair.’
‘Thank you,’ Lottie said. ‘Um. Do you think it would be a good idea to hear Connor out too?’
Keegan sighed. ‘I suppose I should at least let him come over so we can talk.’
‘Whatever you think best.’ Lottie felt that a wrong word now could tip the balance either way. ‘I also should be getting back to Firholme now.’
Keegan seemed almost surprised then arched an eyebrow. ‘Because you have a wedding to coordinate?’
‘Maybe …’ Lottie said, with a hopeful uplift.
Keegan nodded. ‘I’ll let you know what I decide after I’ve spoken to him.’
‘OK,’ Lottie said, thinking of the logistical operation of getting everyone to Firholme, through the snow at what was increasingly short notice. ‘But can it be quite soon?’ she said.
Keegan picked up her phone, gingerly, careful of her freshly manicured nails. ‘I’ll call him now and let you have my decision.’
Chapter Thirty-Five
‘Well?’ Shayla demanded the moment Lottie shut the car door.
Lottie leaned back against the car seat, her eyes closed and a headache starting. ‘It’s in the lap of the gods, but just in case, we’d better be prepared.’
There was no time to dwell on what might happen. She made some calls and by the time they’d arrived at Firholme, Operation Wedding was back in full swing. The council snow ploughs were too busy clearing the main roads to reach the lane to the estate. Jay and the team had cleared the driveway with the tractor plough and were carving routes to the house and café. He was outside with his staff, in wellies and hi-vis, shovelling away the last few feet of snow from the door of the main house.
Shayla dropped Lottie off in the courtyard. A quick check of her phone again still showed nothing from Keegan. She’d felt hopeful when she left but her optimism was dwindling fast. The sight of all her colleagues making a huge effort, possibly for nothing, wasn’t helping.
Jay hurried over to her. ‘Is it on?’ he asked. Trevor cocked his head on one side, as if to ask the same question.
‘The jury’s still out.’
He nodded. ‘We’re going ahead on the assumption it’s happening. I’ve asked my deputy to manage the Christmas tree sales today and we’d have had to clear the access anyway so that’s not wasted,’ he said curtly.
‘That’s good …’ she said.
He looked at her intensely, and she could tell he was struggling for words and still probably stinging from the home truths she’d flung his way. She half-wished her words back now but it was too late.
‘I’d better get on with it,’ he said and strode off up the drive, with his hands in his pockets and Trevor at his heels.
Lottie felt paralysed with uncertainty.
She thought of all the things she had to do: organise transport for the guests, the bridal party, make sure suppliers were going to turn up, arrange a warm place for people to gather and change, alongside all the usual checks on the flowers, the guest bedrooms, the bridal suite … Would that ever be used?
Would Keegan’s jelly beans be eaten? Would her firework display light up the sky? They were little things, trivial ‘extras’ and yet they meant a lot to Keegan.
Lottie felt a lurch of sympathy for her. She didn’t want Keegan to be hurt as she had been.
Her phone buzzed and Keegan’s text flashed up.
I’m coming.
‘Thank God for that.’ Her shoulders slumped in relief and she started to text Shayla but the phone buzzed again. It was Connor.
Thanks. I do love her, u know. C
‘You’d better do,’ Lottie murmured.
Another message. Keegan again.
How will I get there?!!!!!
Texting as she walked to Shayla’s office, Lottie typed:
Don’t worry. It’s all sorted.
Another little white lie to Keegan, but Lottie didn’t feel bad about this one. Compared to the mountain she’d had to climb to smooth things over with the bride and groom, getting eighty guests, a registrar and all the suppliers to a snow-bound Firholme should be a doddle.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Lottie, Shayla and Jay gathered in the café for a war cabinet. The tractor had already been dispatched to collect some of the staff from the nearby villages and Jay said he’d left his deputy in charge of the Christmas tree centre for any hardy souls who ventured out in the snow.
‘The most important thing is obviously to get the bride, groom an
d their immediate family here safely,’ Lottie said, holding a clipboard to write down who was transporting whom. Sometimes, the old-fashioned methods were the best. ‘Clearly the vintage Rolls is out of the question and none of the wedding hire company’s vehicles can even make it out of their unit.’
‘What about the registrar?’ Jay asked.
‘She called a few minutes ago. She only lives two miles away so she’s walking here with her husband,’ Shayla said.
‘Wow, that’s going beyond the call of duty. Without her, there’s no wedding.’
Jay picked up a pen and sheet of paper from the desk. ‘How many of the guests will I need to arrange transport for?’
‘Thirty at least, though we’re still working it out. I’m in touch with Connor’s best man,’ Lottie said. ‘He’s an Aussie army officer and he’s marshalling everyone for me, and letting me know who still needs a lift.’ He’d also told Lottie that Connor was panicking and wondering whether to tell his mum what was happening.
‘It’s a changing situation but so far he knows that half a dozen people who live a distance away have cancelled. That’s a shame but in view of the weather, we don’t want anyone making dangerous journeys,’ she continued. ‘There are around twenty people staying in local hotels already so the best man has arranged for as many of those as possible to come in four-wheel drives. He’s sent me their names.’ She tapped the clipboard. ‘We need to tick them off when they get here. We don’t want anyone vanishing into a snowdrift …’
Shayla laughed. ‘I’ll find someone to do that. You’ll be busy enough as it is, Lottie.’
‘Thanks. I also had a message from Connor’s sister, Alicia. She’s organised a rota among her horsey friends who all seem to have Land Rovers so I think we’ve covered most of the guests.’
‘That’s good of her,’ Shayla said.
‘Yes …’ Lottie suspected Alicia was relishing the excuse to spend the morning in scruffy gear with her horsey pals, rather than having rows about false eyelashes and manicures.
Jay made a note. ‘So that just leaves the bridal party?’
Shayla nodded. ‘Yup. I’ll collect Keegan and her mum and dad. She’ll have to make do with my car, in the circumstances. How are the groom’s family getting here?’
Lottie was on this one. ‘His best man has an SUV so he’s bringing Connor and his parents. I’ve warned everyone to allow extra time to get here.’
Jay had been listening carefully. ‘I’ve been sorting out transport in the forestry vehicles for our own staff who live off site. Are the caterers and photographer able to get here?’
‘They’re used to reaching places with difficult access and in all weathers so they’re confident their vehicles can get here,’ Lottie said. ‘I also organised some hot drinks and a place to change for the guests while they wait for everyone to gather.’
Shayla nodded approvingly. ‘Well done, everyone. I suppose no one has thought of how everyone will get home again?’
Jay lifted his phone. ‘I’ve checked the forecast with the national park service. There’s no more snow on its way and a mild front coming in by nightfall so hopefully, we should have a thaw by the end of the party.’
Lottie was relieved to hear it. ‘Great, otherwise we’ll be making up beds in the café.’
‘I hope not.’ Shayla rubbed her hands together. ‘OK. Let’s get this show on the road, folks.’
In Lottie’s experience, wedding day time operated in a different universe to normal time. Half an hour flew by as if it were five minutes, and in a flash, it was noon, with only two hours to go to the ceremony. Due to the logistics, the guests were already beginning to arrive in an eclectic mix of vehicles.
They were dropped off in front of the café so that they didn’t have far to walk. Lottie snapped a few photos of the scene, as a bunch of people in riding gear and wellies exited the drivers’ doors, helping people in suits and dresses out of the vehicles.
Alicia climbed out of the muddiest vehicle. Dressed in Hunter’s and a padded jacket, she bounded up to Lottie, taking her aside.
A sly smile spread across her face. ‘I bet this snow’s caused a load of trouble for you but every cloud has a silver lining! I get to wear my “uniform” a bit longer and can put the bridesmaid’s dress off until the last minute. I suppose I’d better look happy about it too.’
‘I think that would be a very good idea,’ Lottie replied with mock sternness.
‘Hm. Must go. I need to get changed. Mind you, at least there’s no time for me to have my nails painted pink or put any of that gloop on my face!’
Feeling more optimistic than she had done since Connor had turned up at her door, Lottie greeted the guests with a warm smile and showed them into the café. Alicia drove off again, leading her fleet of riding school mates back down the drive.
Soon, the café echoed to the rafters with laughter and chatter as the wedding guests quaffed hot chocolate and mulled wine, while others went to get changed in the washrooms. Now they were safely at Firholme, most of them seemed to think it was a huge adventure, taking photos of the snowy scene and posting pictures and selfies on social media.
Lottie didn’t blame them. Apart from the inconvenience of transporting everyone, you couldn’t have dreamed up a more spectacular and idyllic setting for a winter wedding. Plus of course, they also had no idea of the drama that had unfolded overnight … She tried to picture the scene at Connor’s parents’ house where his father must be trying to persuade Fiona out for a ‘family lunch’ in such conditions. Lovely Fiona must have her suspicions.
Shayla set off in good time to collect Keegan and her parents. Lottie was relieved she didn’t have to face them again, despite a kind of peace having broken out between them.
Half an hour before the ceremony, all the guests were enjoying their Aussie fizz in the drawing room of Firholme House, where a fire burned brightly in the hearth. Lottie had a few minutes to nip home for a quick change into a smart dress, knee-high boots and her red teddy coat. When she made it to back to the courtyard, Connor and his family were climbing out of the best man’s car. The best man, whose name was Kai, was out first, dressed in a dashing uniform, complete with a sword at his side.
Connor exited the passenger door while Kai opened the door for Fiona and stood to attention.
She stepped out, wearing a beautiful green silk suit and wellies, Derrick handing her down from the car like a Victorian lady. Lottie saw her mouth widen in shock and heard her saying: ‘How have you kept this a surprise? How?’ over and over.
Despite all her drama and stress of the past few weeks, the expression of sheer delight on Fiona’s face gave Lottie the warmest glow of pride and happiness. Not needing to feign her broad grin, she hurried to the steps of Firholme House to greet Fiona, while Derrick, Kai and Connor retrieved shoes and coats from the rear of the car.
‘Hello Fiona. Welcome to Firholme.’
Dazed, Fiona held up her hands in astonishment. ‘Lottie Hargreaves! You dark horse. How on earth did you ever keep this a secret?’
‘Honestly, I have no idea,’ Lottie said as Fiona kissed her on the cheek. ‘I’m sorry I had to stay quiet when we met in town. It was agony. When did you find out about the wedding?’
‘Connor told me about an hour and a half ago. He told me to get changed because we were all off to a wedding. He was very emotional, but I expect he was overwhelmed.’
‘I bet!’ Lottie said, smiling, while thinking it was no wonder Connor had left it until the very last moment to tell his mum.
‘I shed a few tears too. He and Keegan wanted to keep this a huge surprise for me after I was ill.’ Fiona’s eyes were misty. ‘I hope it hasn’t been too hard on you, my dear. I did let slip that you and Connor had once been close but Keegan didn’t seem to take too much notice …’
‘Not at all,’ Lottie said, adding another little lie to her pile. ‘I’m delighted I can make their day – and yours – special.’
Fiona hugged her. ‘Y
ou’ll always be a special friend, Lottie; in fact you’re part of my family. Please say we’ll keep in touch from now on.’
Lottie was losing it herself. ‘Of course. Now, don’t spoil your lovely make-up. You look wonderful.’
‘So, do you, darling. You look very well …’ Fiona arched an eyebrow. ‘Is there a reason for that?’
‘Just the fresh air.’
Fiona let her go as Connor and his father approached. ‘Let’s talk later if we can,’ she whispered.
Lottie thought she’d be too busy for a chat, but nodded and smiled at Connor and Kai. ‘Welcome to Firholme. Come inside, everyone, and warm yourselves in the café before you head to the main house for champagne. We have hot drinks and a warm fire waiting for you.’
With less than an hour to go, all of the guests had arrived apart from Keegan and her parents. Alicia was using her room in the main house to change out of her jodhpurs and into ‘the nightie’.
‘I won’t have time to put any slap on, naturally,’ she said with a smirk.
Leaving Alicia to swipe a glass of fizz, Lottie checked her phone anxiously; Shayla had just left the bride’s house, with Keegan and her parents. They should be at Firholme within twenty minutes.
By now the guests were all well away on the champagne and canapés, and Lottie took a few moments to silently congratulate her team and the way they’d worked together against the odds to make Firholme sparkle like the jewel it was. The purples, crimsons and orange floral arrangements offered an exotic foil for the traditional holly, ivy and mistletoe that Jay had provided.
Lottie darted around, making sure everyone was happy, and that the registrar had everything she needed for the ceremony.
‘Oh my! What a magnificent tree!’ Fiona said, walking into the ballroom. ‘And that smell is divine.’
‘Our estate manager and his team did all of that,’ Lottie said.
‘Keegan will be delighted, although I expect she’s already seen all of this,’ Fiona said in wonder. ‘Now I know what all the whispering and phones pinging were all about. I did wonder if this “family lunch” was some kind of celebration but I’d no idea it was a wedding. How Derrick kept it to himself I have no idea. You know what he’s like for letting the cat out of the bag.’
A Surprise Christmas Wedding Page 25