red t-shirt and red shorts flashing bright under the car park floodlights.
“There’s something I have to tell you,” he professes, going down on one knee. “I’m in love with you.”
Oh please. “No you’re not.” I’m tempted to add you little psycho, but I refrain from speaking such harsh words. I don’t know what’s got into this kid. I’m starting to wish I’d been saved by a woman lifeguard. Anyone other than this strange young man.
“Yes I am.” He jumps up and follows me as I head towards my car.
“Stay back!” I shout, pointing at him with my car key. “And I don’t want to see you stalking me around town any more, got it?”
“Stalking?” Thomas runs a hand through his fluffy blonde hair. “Is that what you think—”
I don’t wait to hear the end of his question. I simply hop into my car and drive away. I might have been a bit harsh on the kid, but needs must! I once read in a fashion magazine that if you give a potential stalker any kind of feedback they’ll latch onto it and then…
Murder most horrid!
Shuddering, I grip the steering wheel a little tighter.
Arriving home I sneak into bed next to Callum where I start complaining about Thomas the lifeguard stalker kid.
“I wouldn’t worry, Em.” My fiancé yawns. “He sounds like a love struck puppy is all. And who can blame him really? You’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”
My eyes well up with tears of ‘aw’. My betrothed really is the sweetest man alive!
Chapter 9
It’s business as usual at the cafe all morning today. Just before the lunch hour I get a call from our wedding venue saying it’s time I visit to finalise things.
“Are you sure you and Fiona will be okay on your own after…” I let my question to Anika linger.
“We will be fine, boss lady.” She scoots me out the door. “You go and get your beautiful wedding castle organised.”
She’s not lying either. Callum and I really are getting married in a castle. The place is so fabulous it even has its own moat!
Thirty minutes later I pull up into the lovely gravelled driveway of Mortsbaton Court. The gardens are stunning. Flowers bloom everywhere as I head inside through the wooden double doors.
It’s not a massive place, Mortsbaton. I mean, it’s not like Callum and I have a celebrity wedding budget to blow, even with my parents helping out with wedding expenses. I love this little pseudo-castle. It’s the perfect size for our needs. And the place is so picturesque and gorgeous.
“Welcome, Emily!” I’m greeted by Georgina who runs the estate weddings. “I’m so sorry to have called you in so unexpectedly, but it’s the only time we could coordinate with your… ehem… wedding planner.”
I like Georgina. She’s so sweet in her shortness. I swear the brown haired woman must be four foot eleven max. She’s also probably in her thirties and she makes the meaning of the word ‘petite’. She has a subdued sense of style with her flowing skirt.
Something she just said has me on alert now though.
“My wedding planner?”
Georgina looks doubtful. “Well yes. Mrs Stephenson—”
“Brenda?” I shout, cutting the woman off mid-sentence. Since when is Callum’s mum my wedding planner?
“Your fiancé phoned us last week, Emily.” Georgina looks worried. “Don’t tell me you didn’t know—”
She’s cut off again by the sound of car tyres rolling into the gravelled car park. Turning, I look out through the open double doors.
Brenda is here. She bounces out of her vehicle dressed in spandex from head to toe. I’m beginning to wonder if the woman is planning on wearing workout clothes to our actual wedding.
I’m at a loss for words as my soon-to-be-mother-in-law bounds energetically up the stone steps.
“Surprise!” She beams in my face. “I didn’t want Callum to tell you our little secret. I’m your wedding coordinator, Emily.” She air kisses me next to both of my cheeks and does the same with Georgina. In turn, the petite venue lady looks at me with apologetic eyes.
She didn’t know that I didn’t know about Brenda mysteriously becoming my new wedding planner.
Well, I suppose I do need someone to organise things, and if there’s anyone whose up to such an energetic task, physically fit Brenda is the woman for the job. There’s just one problem though. “How are you going to fit in doing your aerobics classes if you’re organizing my wedding?”
Georgina has begun the tour of the wedding facilities and Brenda and I are walking along