A Surprise Christmas Wedding - Phillipa Ashley Page 0,109

that had greeted her yesterday and it cast a pall over her mood.

Over breakfast, she sent a video of the reindeer arrival to Steph and the girls, smiling at the excitement with which it would probably be greeted. She only hoped the twins didn’t expect a sleigh pulled by reindeer to arrive at their own front door on Christmas Eve.

What a pleasure it was to see the girls for Sunday lunch, while she and Steph ran the reindeer video over and over and looked at the latest photos emailed by their parents. Lottie didn’t think she’d ever missed them more and plans were made for their visit in the early spring.

It was also a relief to tell Steph about the wedding and a real treat to put her feet up and throw herself into family life. The girls were a tonic for any ailment or worry. After lunch, they cosied up next to her on the sofa, brimming with excitement.

‘We’ve bought you a present!’ they trilled in unison.

Lottie raised an enquiring eyebrow. ‘Oh, lovely but it’s a bit early, isn’t it?’

Myra folded her arms. ‘You need this present now.’

‘Open it!’ Jodie ordered.

They handed Lottie a paper bag with several smaller parcels inside, wrapped in tissue paper.

‘OK. If you insist.’

She opened the first and took out a wooden owl with huge yellow eyes. ‘Wow. An owl. I love owls. I can hear them outside my window at Firholme.’

‘He’s for your tree!’ Myra said. ‘I chose him from the Christmas fair.’

Jodie tugged at her sleeve. ‘Open mine next, Auntie Lottie!’

‘I am. I want to make it last.’

‘No, open them now!’ they chorused.

Steph grinned. ‘You’d better do as you’re told, Auntie Lottie.’

The next parcel contained a wooden reindeer with a red ribbon to hang it from the tree. ‘That is beautiful …’ she held the decoration by the ribbon, brimful of emotion. ‘Just like Cush’s reindeer.’

‘I chose that,’ Jodie said. ‘And Mummy chose this one.’

Steph smiled as Lottie took the largest of the parcels out of the bag. Inside the tissue was a globe containing something sparkly and pink. ‘Wow, a snow globe,’ she said. ‘How pretty.’

‘No, silly!’ Myra giggled. ‘It’s gin.’

Jodie sniggered. ‘Mummy got it from the fair. She said you wouldn’t be able to wait until Christmas to drink it.’

‘Mummy’s right.’ She gave Steph a look. ‘Thanks. I will try and hang it on the tree, at least until Christmas Eve.’

Steph laughed. ‘It’s some kind of pink grapefruit flavour with edible glitter. Couldn’t resist it.’

Lottie dangled the gin in front of her. ‘It’s way better than a snow globe.’

The twins were still jigging and Myra plucked another bag from behind a cushion. ‘We got something else,’ she said.

‘For Jay.’ Jodie took the bag and thrust it at Lottie.

‘Jay?’

‘It’s a thank you for the tree,’ Steph said. ‘Sorry, but the girls insisted, even if he doesn’t celebrate Christmas.’

‘Open it!’ the twins declared.

‘No, it’s for Jay to open,’ Steph said. ‘I’m sure Auntie Lottie will let us know what he thinks …’ She exchanged a knowing glance with Lottie. ‘And now, it is bedtime and no arguments!’

Steph flopped onto the sofa. ‘How are you?’ Lottie asked.

‘I’m OK …’

‘Any word from Kerr?’

‘He sent me a WhatsApp message asking how I am. Did you give him my number?’

‘Might have done,’ Lottie said. ‘I hope it was OK?’

‘Definitely but don’t get too excited. I replied saying I was fine, but I haven’t heard anything since.’

‘Maybe you need to make the first move. Kerr’s a quiet kind of guy. He might be waiting for a hint.’

‘You could be right but I’m too worried about this scan to take things further. Much as I fancy him, I need to know I’m going to have a future before I can start planning it.’

‘Oh, hon. I’m so sorry I’d forgotten it was racing up so soon, with all the wedding chaos.’

‘It’s OK. You have to have a life of your own. I’ll be fine.’

Despite this, Lottie knew Steph must be terrified of the cancer coming back. She’d have given up everything for her sister to be well but life didn’t work like that; and all she could do was hug her and reassure her that she’d always be there for her, no matter what life threw their way.

It was ten o’clock when she arrived home, and made up the fire. After the laughter and excitement at Steph’s, the Bothy felt very empty. However, the glowing hearth warmed her spirits and she made herself a hot chocolate and started to arrange