Love at the Little Wedding Shop by the Sea - Jane Linfoot Page 0,73
a van – you put one arm on the dash handle and the other on the door post. If I’d done that, I’d have been fine. As it is, when I begin to lower myself and he grabs one of my hands, I’m done for. Again. This time my tumble is less spectacular but the result so much worse – I plummet downwards and he doesn’t step backwards. So I simply body slam into him and end up rammed between him and the van seat. Fully engulfed in the heat from inside his coat, all I can hear is the sound of my heart hammering against my chest wall and the distant roar of the waves crashing far below us on the beach.
I’m staring up at him, and for however long he’s staring down at me, it’s like our eyes are locked. I hear the clatter of two hearts banging really loudly. And then someone – it could be me – lets out a groan. ‘Oh frig.’
You don’t need to ask – thanks to all the gin, my lust-ometer went off-the-scale quite a few hours ago. Due to my huge breath in, my boobs are practically bursting the buttons off the front of my dress and my knee’s somehow rammed between his legs in a way that’s terrible news for everything everywhere that’s aching to be rubbed. It’s as if time’s standing still, my lungs feel like they’re going to explode. And his face is dipping down towards mine, I’m closing my eyes, parting my lips, standing on tiptoe to reach …
‘Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!’ It takes a second to realise that squawk came from me.
Nic steps back, but now he’s staring at me even harder. ‘Everything okay, Milla?’
‘Tiaras!’ I’m winging it, filling the gaping chasm of embarrassment. I’m not sure, but I think I just threw myself at the bloody groom. Properly this time. If my override instinct hadn’t kicked in, my tongue would be halfway down his throat by now. And where making out through a van window imposes its own limitations, when you’re crushing your entire body against someone’s pretty sizable erogenous zone, it’s a lot harder to make excuses and pull out of it. ‘And hair vines. And combs with pearls. Jess just ordered a fantabulous new range.’
He’s looking bemused. ‘And?’
‘If your booking’s nailed down, accessories are next. That’s all.’ I wriggle for the gap and make a leap towards the door to the attic stairway.
‘Something else to look forward to.’ His smile has to be ironic, but at least we’re moving on.
‘And thanks again for driving.’
He dangles the van keys. ‘I’ll park at the harbour and bring these back with me. It’s probably best if I stay over, seeing how accident prone you are.’
I gulp so hard I almost swallow my tongue. ‘What?’
He laughs. ‘Anyone who can pull off that castle booking is worth hanging on to. We need to take extra good care of you.’ He pauses for a cough. ‘I can’t possibly let you stay on your own. Especially if you’re totalled.’
I pull myself up to my full height and point at my feet. ‘Heels, not too high. A bit of sea air, my head’s all clear again.’
‘At least let me see you up the stairs?’
So I can end up jumping him in the kitchen instead? I’m holding my ground here. ‘Totally not necessary.’ It’s amazing how sheer panic can sober you up. ‘Drop the keys off at the shop in the morning. I’ll message you about the booking.’
‘Only if you’re sure?’
‘Oh, I totally am.’
And when I slam the shop door behind me, I’m not sure who’s had the luckier escape. But one thing’s certain – I can’t carry on like this. I need to find a new plan.
Chapter 21
The next Tuesday.
At Cockle Shell Castle.
Turrets and true confessions.
Until Bill accepts a deposit we’re still treading carefully at the castle; eggshells doesn’t come close – it’s more like walking on meringues. It also makes sense to keep Nic well away until we’ve tied up the details. Everyone is busy with events over the Easter weekend, so first thing on Tuesday, Poppy and Kip meet me over at the castle with their files of brochures and price lists and contracts and happy couple letters to show to Bill. After another tour, we all sit around the kitchen table, and Bill and Ivy give their input on the quirks of the castle. Then Kip and Bill go off to make some calls to the council, and Ivy, Poppy, and