Love at the Little Wedding Shop by the Sea - Jane Linfoot Page 0,118
tried not to wake you. I know I’m earlier than we agreed, but there’s been some last-minute changes to our schedule.’
‘Really?’ We talked about this yesterday – how everything would be fine so long as we stuck to the plan like superglue. So I’m slightly anxious that he’s already veering off course. Then, as I run Merwyn’s silky ears between my fingers, I take in the wiggly tension lines crossing Nic’s forehead and my stomach drops. ‘Is something wrong?’
‘Nothing to worry about, it’s all in hand.’ He puts the tray down on the end of the bed. ‘But Abby fell out of an apple tree at her mum’s and she was asking for Bill and Ivy, so they rushed off to London early this morning.’
‘Oh no, poor Abby.’
He shrugs. ‘In the meantime, we’ve got Merwyn, and we’re covering for them at the castle.’
I let out a whistle. ‘Phew, if that’s all, you’re right, we’ll manage.’
‘Actually, it’s not.’
It’s hard for your whole body to go tense when there’s a dog wriggling on your belly, but mine does. ‘There’s more?’
‘I had another call late last night – from Casper’s dad.’ Nic blows out his cheeks. ‘Sorry to be the one to break this to you, but someone smashed the headlights on the wedding camper.’
I can’t believe this is happening. ‘I only saw him on Tuesday to give him the ribbons. Go on, you’re allowed to say, I told you so.’
Nic shrugs. ‘You couldn’t have known this would happen.’ He’s being very generous. ‘Casper’s been posting pictures of his sex partners online and someone’s brother paid him a visit with a hammer.’ His grin is slightly shamefaced. ‘I did my best to warn you off him. I’d have hated to see your kitten knickers going viral.’
I shudder and move this on. ‘We’ll use the Brides Go Wild van. Keef has insurance, he told me that night at the distillery when he offered to run the van back. We can ask him to do the bride’s side pick-ups.’ I’m mentally checking through. ‘So what else? Please don’t tell me the groomsmen’s boat has sunk?’
‘The groomsmen will still be arriving via the beach.’
‘So it’s all sorted before breakfast!’
There are crinkles at the corners of his eyes when he smiles. ‘Before your breakfast. I had mine after I took Merwyn for his walk, then we called in at the bakery on the way up. So if you’ll let me have the keys, I’ll go and give the van a quick wash and you can bring me the ribbons down when you’re ready.’
‘All the more for me and Merwyn then.’ There’s no reason to feel disappointed. I have breakfast on my own every day – what’s not to like?
‘And by the way …’ He’s already halfway to the door. ‘I spoke to Nigel yesterday. He and Cally are having a baby.’
I take a moment to make my face surprised. ‘Wow, that’s so fab.’
Nic’s eyes narrow. ‘But perhaps not entirely unexpected? I also heard about your valiant efforts to cover for Cally. Off your face and you still managed to keep her secret, that’s what I call a true professional.’
I groan. ‘It all went so wrong. But at least now you know I won’t be drinking all the drinks today.’
He laughs. ‘All the same, nice job. Nige was very appreciative.’
Now I’m more awake, my mind’s racing ahead. ‘So is there anything else you need to tell me before you go?’ It’s one of those questions I already know the answer to – if there were he’d already have said.
His face crumples as he hesitates. ‘Actually, there is.’ He’s standing in a shaft of bright sunlight from the porthole window that’s making him even more dazzling than usual. ‘Great Auntie Di’s messed up her hotel booking, so I’m giving her my room at the castle.’
My lips are twitching. ‘And you need me to lend you my festival tent?’ I’m kidding to cover how I gutted am. He’s best man and brother of the bride, there’s no question what I have to do here. I just didn’t realise how desperately I was looking forward to staying in a princess bed myself until it’s been taken away. ‘No, you have to take my room. I’ll be finished by then, I’ll easily get a lift back to St Aidan.’
He jumps straight in. ‘Absolutely not. That brilliant breakfast menu was all down to you. The whole thing is, I want you to have your night at the castle,’