Love at the Little Wedding Shop by the Sea - Jane Linfoot Page 0,38
pencil skirt and highest heels.
With his direct blue gaze, he’s giving me every bit of his attention. ‘We major in quirky and vintage, cuteness with a touch of class.’ Despite the stubble that’s almost a beard you can see there are dimples in his cheeks. ‘We have bubble cars, Hillman imps, all kinds of convertibles. And the all-time favourite – our ubiquitous aqua-blue camper van.’
He’s slender but athletic, mid-twenties at a guess, given the enthusiasm, and light years younger than me. It’s funny that not long ago no one younger than us had got their shit together at all. Yet now the thirty-something businesspeople are all work-weary and the hungry ones coming through are the babes like Casper here.
‘If that’s a VW bay camper, I’ll say snap! Only, mine’s pink.’
He’s pointing at me. ‘Let me take a wild guess … you’re the bride going west with her name in lights?’
Ivy’s eyes light up. ‘That makes you camper van twins!’
Casper sends me a wink. ‘I’ve been working as a chalet host until now, but I’ve left the slopes and I’m here until autumn, and fully committed to taking bookings for next year too.’
His eagerness is so engaging I’m jumping in to help. ‘Well let’s hope we can fill your diary. And maybe I could feature your cars on my wedding blog too?’
His eyes widen. ‘You have a blog?’ You have to love this generation – it’s the level of reaction I’d usually get from a guy my age when they discover my bra size has a D in it. ‘In that case, let me buy you lunch and show you the cars!’
‘Great!’ It’s out before I think. ‘And I can run you through the terms for the fairs and tell you the likely venues.’
He’s looking at his watch. ‘I could make it for one if you’re free later?’
I pick a shop card off the desk, scribble my details on the back and hand it to him. ‘Sorry, I’m busy today, but message me and we’ll arrange another time.’
He stoops to give Merwyn’s ear a last tickle then turns towards the door. ‘I’ll look forward to lunch then. And we can compare campers too.’
I stick up both my thumbs then hope it’s not totally uncool for twenty-somethings to do that. ‘Good plan.’
I’m just re-arranging my messy bun when I realise the door never closed, and Nic’s striding towards me.
‘So what was he doing here?’
Ivy laughs. ‘That was Milla’s next date.’
For someone so laid-back, Nic stiffens. ‘I thought you said you didn’t have a boyfriend?’
As if it’s any of his business. ‘No, what I think I said was, I didn’t have a fiancé.’ And then I remember – I’d hardly have been grabbing strangers on Valentine’s day if I wasn’t single. And there’s also whatever Poppy said to force him into that sympathy make-out.
Nic’s opening and closing his mouth. ‘But that was Casper Jonston, he can barely be twenty?’
Ivy catches my eye and grins. ‘A lot of women find younger men more attentive.’
I’m biting back my smile, nodding at the fur pile on the cushion. ‘Merwyn seemed to like him.’
Nic gives a sniff. ‘So, now I’m here are you going to introduce me properly?’
Damn for overlooking the formalities, Phoebe would never have made that mistake. I find my brightest smile to compensate. ‘Nic, this is Ivy, she recently joined the team from London. And she’s working on a carnival-themed table.’
Ivy waves, but Nic’s shaking his head. ‘Ivy and I met weeks ago, Milla, I’m talking about the little guy on the cushion.’
‘Right.’ I’m picking my jaw up off the floor as it sinks in. ‘Sorry, Nic, if you’d like to step behind the counter – Merwyn, come and meet Nic.’
As Merwyn hears the word ‘come’ his ears prick up. A second later he’s leaped to his feet, lunged, and now he’s on his hind legs, head in Nic’s hands, enjoying the ear rub of his life.
I have to give out the warnings. ‘Watch out, he might dribble on your shoes!’
‘Isn’t slobber what dogs are all about?’ Nic gives an eye roll as he gently returns Merwyn to his bed.
‘I had no idea you’d be a dog person.’ We always had dogs growing up and I had assumed Ben and I would get one once we had our own place. But when it came down to it I had more chance of persuading him to book a wedding than commit to a dog.
Nic pulls a face. ‘Dogs don’t fit with my current lifestyle, but