one who said this was urgent. If we don’t get this done, you’re the one who carries the can.’
And the next thing I know he’s striding back towards the desk and the door, hands in his windcheater pockets, without so much as a backwards glance.
Chapter 23
Sunday, twelve days later.
At The Winery at Windy Point.
Amens and April showers.
‘What an outlook! And all those lofty inside spaces with those big vats … it’s industrial and modern all at the same time. And such a brilliant setting to show off everyone’s wedding items.’
This is me, in the courtyard outside our very first joint Brides by the Sea and Brides Go West wedding fair, and I’m gazing across at the undulating fields in the little inland valley where the vineyards are planted. In the distance there are rows of vines running right across the hillside, their poles and wires so neat they could have been drawn on. Actually, this is a smaller try-out fair that we’ve slipped in for practice at a brand-new venue, and if I’m gushing it’s with a mixture of excitement and relief that after a really early start everyone has arrived and set up without any hitches.
The first couples are beginning to arrive, and Poppy’s carrying a stack of cupcake boxes in from the car park. ‘Isn’t it great here? And so original holding the ceremonies in the barrel store!’
Like most great business done in St Aidan, this is all due to word of mouth. Ten days wasn’t much time to get ready, but as the winery’s just started opening for weddings, they had a spare Sunday, and are eager to get themselves on the map. All I had to do was email my regular exhibitors to see who could come. And the last-minute social media publicity blitz paid off with loads of couples pre-registering to get goody bags.
It’s still early, but there’s already a stream of people making their way towards the entrance where my Brides Go West camper is parked and Jess is handing out flutes of Prosecco and elderflower fizz in return for people’s details.
As the forecast is good and the air is already warm, we’re making the most of the lovely outdoor spaces. The winery buildings have big glass doors opening out all around a courtyard, and we’ve got exhibitors in all the spaces to showcase the venue to the maximum. The ever-popular Roaring Waves brewery gazebo out in the main courtyard is already crowded with grooms and beside it there’s a bicycle cart with homemade ice cream that I will be visiting again later. The organic burger barbecue with ethically-sourced charcoal is already smoking, and they’re also lighting up some fire baskets for marshmallow toasting.
Holly’s here, too, with her photographs and stop-motion videos, and Ivy’s brought the whole family. Merwyn, Bill, and his daughter Abby are looking after the Cockle Shell Castle gin stall, while Ivy’s on hand for style consultations at the different themed tables she’s decorated.
I’m nodding at Poppy. ‘With so many people it’s a shame I haven’t got my Brides Go Wild signage sorted.’
Her eyebrows shoot up. ‘A banner would be well worth the investment.’
I’m staring at my van in the distance. ‘Or I could just change the roof sign on my camper.’
She nudges me with her shoulder. ‘Good thinking, superwoman! West to Wild! Three letters would make it yours rather than Phoebe’s.’
I’m liking that a lot more than I should. ‘Remind me to ask Nic, he might know where I can get the letters made up.’
Her face relaxes to a grin. ‘But the rest is amazing. We’ve done these fairs at the farm before; believe me, they don’t happen on their own.’
I have to say I’ve barely slept this week worrying about it all. ‘All I’ve got to do now is hold it all together for the next six hours. This is the bit Phoebe usually takes care of.’
Poppy pulls me into a hug with her spare arm. ‘I should have lent you my “Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway” playlist.’
‘My mum always used to tell me if I took a deep breath and pulled myself up to my full height, it would make me feel as empowered as eating a chocolate muffin. I might just give it a try.’ As I drag in my stomach, I add at least four inches to my height. Then I smooth down my green flowery tea dress and remember the sign on my desk back in Bristol. ‘Okay, do I look ready to