gusts, just give me a shout.’
There’s definitely something about making yourself your tallest. From somewhere I find another couple of inches and a whole load more arctic for my attitude. ‘I’m not even going to answer that.’
‘However much you’re doing giraffe stretches with your neck, you’re still quite mini.’ He takes a bite of my ice cream then wrinkles his nose as he concentrates on swallowing. ‘And how about Casper – didn’t I tell you he was faking it?’
I’m rising above it. All of it. ‘He’s a new start up, we could negotiate a great price for Pixie.’ It’s funny how much easier it is to say her name now.
He lets out a snort. ‘The way Casper’s had me running around today he should be doing it for free.’
‘I’ll leave you to negotiate that one, then.’
He’s pursing his lips, staring around the courtyard. ‘You know, these open doors flowing straight outside might have worked for Pixie too.’
Now I’ve heard it all. ‘Well, luckily you’re committed to the castle now, so finish your ice cream and then you can go.’
He’s sniffing the breeze. ‘On second thoughts, maybe the prevailing wind isn’t right, it’s getting a bit smoky out here. Great if you’re a kipper, but if you’re a wedding party, not so much.’ He takes a long lick of his cone and then looks up. ‘Now I’m here it would be great to have a look round if you’ve time?’
More fool me for stopping for the first time since six this morning. And worse for letting his hopeful expression melt me. As for the barbecue people, they’re piling on the wood, but it’s probably just to save taking it home.
‘I could whizz you around quickly before it’s time to pack up.’ I’m still slightly doubtful because I’d hate to tempt fate by showing off too soon.
He grins. ‘If you’d said that before I’d have come earlier.’
I’m leading the way through the tall open doors, taking in the space still full of customers looking at glass cases of rings, tables of bottles, and flowers on crates. I point at the first table we come to which is surrounded by chairs decked in every kind of fabric and style of bow. ‘Take a Seat are showcasing their different covers here. It’s a fully inclusive service which means they press and install them too.’
Nic grunts. ‘Am I allowed to say I prefer my chairs without clothes?’
I nod. ‘Once you’ve seen a roomful of ugly chairs, you might think differently.’
‘Hey!’ As he leans forward, his nose is practically resting on my wrist. ‘What’s that?’
I prise my left hand free. ‘Just a ring.’
His eyes are boring into me. ‘On your significant finger.’
‘And?’
He sounds jubilant. ‘You could have fooled me two months ago, but now you can’t. I thought you said you didn’t have a groom anymore?’ His scowl darkens. ‘If you’ve had a reconciliation and got back together, don’t you think it’s only fair you should tell people?’
‘What people? Why?’
He’s straight back. ‘Well, otherwise you’re just misleading everyone, making them think you’re single when you’re not.’
I’m opening and closing my mouth but he gets in before me.
‘I’ve got time for the explanation.’ His jaw’s clenching and he spins his chest to face me. ‘I’m not moving until you’ve told me.’
‘There’s really nothing to say.’
Then his eyes flash open. ‘Shit, Milla.’ Even for Nic he’s sounding way too dramatic for the situation. ‘Look outside …’ He’s shouting now, jumping forwards. ‘Where the hell’s the fire extinguisher?’
He answers his own question by finding one and wrenching it off the wall. A second later he’s diving across the courtyard towards a sheet of flame outside. The next thing I see, he’s at the barbecue, firing a stream of foam at the fire that’s flaring high above the drum. Then as the dark orange and blue flames die down, clouds of black smoke billow up instead and a massive wind gust blows it straight through the open doorway into the room we’ve just come from.
As I follow the smoke inside, the acrid cloud engulfs me and stings my lungs. Then it hits me – I’m in charge here. This is down to me! I have to waft the smoke outside before it chokes anyone else.
I’m waving my arms, staring around for something to flap when there’s a sudden beeping that sounds a lot like what I hear in the attic when I burn the toast. As I look up to see where it’s coming from, a few drops of water