A Surprise Christmas Wedding - Phillipa Ashley Page 0,116

into the distance, and all she had to do was enjoy the moment.

Anything was possible.

Jay messaged her several times during the morning and called her at lunchtime, asking if she’d like to share dinner with him in his cottage.

Lottie went round, taking a bottle of wine.

He met her at the door, accompanied by Trevor, who could hardly contain himself at another human entering the house.

After the briefest of kisses and a pat for Trevor, Jay assumed a stern expression that made Lottie wonder what was coming.

‘Wait here,’ he ordered, taking the bottle bag from her hand. ‘Close your eyes.’

She squeezed them shut, wondering what on earth he could be up to. Trevor’s tail thumped against her leg as if he was as excited about the surprise as Jay was.

Jay guided her into his sitting room. ‘Don’t peep,’ he warned. Her nose twitched as she smelled woodsmoke mingled with a fresh familiar scent. Pine …

She was gently manoeuvred into position, until he declared, ‘OK. You can look now!’

She blinked. In the corner of the room was a small but beautiful spruce tree, its branches lush and green – and very bare.

‘You got a tree …’ Lottie said, stating the bleedin’ obvious, as Steph might say.

‘It is a tree,’ he said. ‘But not as we know it.’

Lottie burst out laughing.

‘I brought it home this evening. It was practically the only one left and I didn’t like to leave it lying there, all abandoned and lonely. We’d sold out of decs but I’ll nip out for some tomorrow.’

Lottie put her arms around him. ‘It’s absolutely gorgeous.’

‘So are you.’ He kissed her and the thrill travelled all the way to her toes. ‘You’ll help me decorate it? I’m out of practice.’

‘I can do better than that. Wait here. I promise I’ll be back.’

‘Sounds mysterious!’ he called after but she was already halfway out of the door. A few minutes later, she was back with the twins’ gift bag. ‘I’d forgotten this. It’s from the girls and while I don’t know exactly what it is, I’ve a very good idea.’

He took the bag. ‘I didn’t expect anything from them.’

‘They insisted on getting something for you from one of the stalls at the Christmas fair.’

He unwrapped the tissue and a broad grin spread across his face. ‘Wow. It’s a reindeer,’ he said, holding up the wooden figure by its red ribbon.

‘I thought so. I had one almost the same. Steph tried to hint that you didn’t do Christmas, but it was impossible.’

‘I can understand that … and it’s beautiful. Thank them for me.’ There was genuine delight in his voice and he looped the ribbon around a branch and stood back. ‘It’s a start but Rudolph’s going to be a bit lonely.’

‘We’ll sort it out tomorrow. I can even set the girls to work making some home-made paper chains, if you like. They’d love to.’

‘You do that.’ He went quiet and then said, ‘Lottie, I have a big favour to ask. I’d like you to come with me to my parents’. You’ll want to be with Steph and the girls on Christmas Day for lunch but if you’d like to come with me for tea, I’d love that. Ben, Nadia and Seb will be there and I’d like to surprise my mum …’

Lottie was taken aback. ‘I’d love to – but they won’t be expecting me.’

‘That’s exactly why I’d like you to come and if you were by my side, I’d feel a lot better. Mum and Dad will be delighted to see me with …’ his grin was sheepish ‘… with someone new, and looking happy. I’m sure Ben and Nadia will be relieved too.’

Still amazed to be asked, Lottie couldn’t refuse him. ‘If you want me to, then of course I’ll come.’

‘Good.’ He heaved a sigh of relief. ‘So, I have a tree, I’m ready to spread some festive cheer. I’m no longer an official Scrooge.’

She laughed. ‘All you need do now is to rush out and buy the biggest turkey in the shop.’

He took her in his arms. ‘That’ll have to wait. I can think of far more exciting ways of celebrating the new reformed me.’

‘In that case,’ she said, ‘let’s open the fizz and take it to bed. Dinner – and the tree – will still be here.’

Chapter Forty-Two

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve dawned dry but dull. No floods, no snow, just a grey dishcloth of a sky, but Lottie didn’t care about the weather. Her mood was as bright as if she were