recognised the guy on the bass guitar from the local gig circuit.’
‘That would be great, thanks. I’ll update Keegan and Connor.’
Jay was back in a couple of minutes and spoke to the band, while Lottie attempted to placate her bride and groom.
The novelty of the candlelight was already wearing off. ‘What else is going to go wrong?’ Keegan said. ‘We’ve paid a fortune to have the perfect wedding here and so far, it’s been one disaster after another.’
‘Now, Keegan, that’s not exactly fair, is it?’ her mother said, obviously used to her daughter’s tantrums. ‘If this snow hadn’t come down, you’d never have arrived by sleigh. You must be the only bride who’s ever done that. And this candlelight is gorgeous.’
‘I suppose so,’ Keegan said grudgingly. ‘But this is your responsibility,’ she flung at Lottie.
‘The power failure is due to the weather,’ Lottie said patiently. ‘And while we couldn’t have foreseen the generator problem, please accept my sincere apologies. The engineer is on his way and I’m confident we’ll have it up and running soon.’ She crossed her fingers mentally.
‘Lottie’s right. The power will soon be back on, nutkin,’ Connor said.
In the nick of time, Jay came up. ‘The band are going to carry on until we get the power restored. Don’t worry, I’ll watch out for the generator engineer and stress how urgent it is.’
After a short delay, the music started up again and Lottie was relieved to have an excuse to escape into the vestibule where Jay delivered the good news that the generator engineers were only moments away. The warm front had brought drizzle and a thaw, which must make it easier for them to get there.
A minute later, the lights of a van wavered on the driveway and pulled up outside.
‘There they are,’ Jay said. ‘I’ll take them to the facilities room.’
‘I want to hear how long they think it will take,’ Lottie said, pulling on her coat and following him, not adding that she’d like to get away from Keegan’s moaning.
The engineer climbed out and Jay approached. From the way both men suddenly stopped and kept their distance from each other, she knew in an instant it was Ben.
They faced each other, Ben with a toolbox, Jay with a torch, like two gunfighters ready to draw, except it wasn’t funny.
Lottie intercepted them both, standing between them.
‘You’re not going to make a thing of this, are you? I need this generator fixing now, or I’ll have a furious bride and groom demanding their money back. Jay, you go back inside and make sure everyone’s OK. I’ll take you up to the generator, Ben.’
He glanced from Jay and back to Lottie. ‘Thanks.’
‘No, I’ll take Ben to the generator room,’ he said.
‘Suit yourself but I’m coming too. No arguments. Now, get a move on.’
It didn’t come naturally to boss two grown men around like a headmistress, but Lottie wasn’t in the mood to mess around.
They caught up with her, one on either side. Lottie opened the door.
‘It’s in here.’
Lottie let him inside and he examined the generator.
‘I was expecting a team. Didn’t know you worked for Parsons,’ Jay muttered.
‘I don’t. I’m self-employed now but I’m one of their on-call contractors. Believe me, I don’t relish being out here in this bloody weather on a Saturday night but I’m the only team you’re going to get.’ He nodded to Lottie. ‘Excuse me for being blunt. Obviously, it’s my job to help customers out, but Jay did ask.’
Jay was stony-faced.
‘None of us wants to be here,’ Lottie said coolly. ‘Can you fix it?’
‘Fortunately, yes. It’s a simple job. The transfer switch has gone, which was what I thought it might be when the message came through from head office. It’s one of the most common reasons for this type of kit to fail and so I always keep spares.’
‘Will it take long?’ Lottie asked, relieved that one of her problems might be easily sorted out.
‘Ten minutes. Fifteen tops.’
‘Good because there’s no chance of the mains power being restored anytime soon.’
‘I heard it could be off until morning,’ Ben said.
Jay lurked nearby, showing no signs of leaving. Lottie decided to let him stew and called Shayla with an update.
She waited while Ben replaced the switch, refusing to leave them alone.
He straightened up. ‘There. It’s done.’
‘Thank you,’ Lottie said.
‘It’s my job, you’re very welcome and I’m happy to help. I’m sorry I said I hadn’t wanted to come out.’
‘It’s OK.’ Lottie was aware of Jay standing by, with a face like thunder.
Ben