Love at the Little Wedding Shop by the Sea - Jane Linfoot Page 0,40
if any catch your eye?’ The last thing I’m expecting is for him to dive straight in, but a second later he’s flicked out a card.
‘This one looks interesting.’
Ivy hurries over from her table. ‘Sorry, that’s not an invitation, those are flyers for our design-your-own-wedding-cocktail evening.’
It’s no surprise that he’s passed over reams of invitations and homed in on the one mention of alcohol. ‘Ivy helps with marketing for the Cockle Shell Castle gin distillery, it’s a promotional event she’s putting on for brides and grooms.’ The kind couples get to come to once they’ve put the work in, and nailed down every other item on the checklist. When all they’re left with is the fun stuff to fill in the last weeks while they’re kicking their heels waiting for the big day to arrive. Given Nic’s time-frame and attitude, I seriously doubt he’ll make it to that point.
Ivy smiles at him. ‘Why not take a flyer? It can be the first thing in your folder.’
‘Thanks.’ He crumples the paper into his windcheater pocket, which kind of shows what we’re dealing with here.
‘Seeing as that went really well, let’s move on to some of the themed areas.’ I take a deep breath, knowing it’s a long shot. ‘So have you had any ideas of themes you might choose? Like the 50s theme in the gym.’
‘What?’ His stare is totally blank. ‘Isn’t that the stuff I’m employing you for?’
I purse my lips. ‘Absolutely.’ Phoebe’s rule number fifty-six: act like the customer is right even when they’re wrong. ‘But I’d usually take direction from the couple. So, tossing out a few ideas here, tropical themes are big this year, country garden always works well, or you could go with something nautical or sporty?’
‘It all sounds so crass.’ He’s making the kind of face he’d pull if he’d sucked on a lemon dipped in vinegar. ‘What’s wrong with simply having a wedding?’
I blow out a breath. ‘You did say you want the most amazing day for Elfinor?’
‘You mean Pixie?’ He shoots me a sideways glance. ‘No one ever calls her by her full name, it doesn’t sound like her at all.’
Point taken. Wrist slapped. I take a breath and go again. ‘Even if you only choose a colour to stick to, then everything will hang together so much better.’ There’s no hope of walking him round the different areas let alone getting him to see what he prefers. But I’m not giving up. ‘Or you could have all the colours! Ivy’s putting together a “colour pop” table now, with all those zingy shades. She’s already hung a hundred lanterns over the table, then she’s adding in the glasses and plates and napkins and flowers in colour waves and it’s going to look sensational.’
But he’s already glazed over. ‘You’ll have to count me out of this bit.’ He looks at his watch. ‘Sorry, but if that’s everything I could do with heading off now.’
‘Just before you do …’ I hadn’t counted on this being such a spectacular fail – if anything he’s less engaged than he was. ‘Please, just have a look around … I mean everywhere …’ The wave of my arm passes right around the entire expansive, style-laden basement. ‘It might just be one little sign saying “wish upon a star”, a close-up photo of a diamond ring on the wall, a crate of tulips, or a single sprig of eucalyptus for a buttonhole. But try to find me one thing you think Elfinor …’ I give a little choke ‘… or Elfie – would like.’ I point my finger at him. ‘Go, go, GO!’
I hold my breath and tiptoe back to the desk, exchanging eye rolls with Ivy as I pass. To his credit, he takes a lot longer than I expect. It’s a good ten minutes later when he finally saunters back to the desk.
‘So did you find your thing?’ I’m not hopeful.
He nods. ‘More than that. Actually, there are two.’
I feel myself brighten. ‘Great. So what are they?’
He stares at me. ‘The Cockle Shell Castle gin. And the dog.’
I’m blinking. ‘You mean Merwyn?’ He’s on the floor at my feet and he opens an eye.
‘That’s the one. She’d like both of those.’ He gives a shrug. ‘The rest, not so much.’
My mum always said to celebrate the victories, however small. So I will. ‘Okay, well, let’s say high five to that!’ I raise my hand and step forward to where Nic’s standing just at the side of the desk.