A Surprise Christmas Wedding - Phillipa Ashley Page 0,117
standing on top of a fell, on a glorious day, gazing down at the lake, with the green fields and bluest of skies stretching on forever. It was the happiness that comes from having climbed a mountain, in the roughest weather, and against all the odds reached the peak.
It seemed Jay had caught her mood too, because she could hear him whistling in the kitchen below, and smell the coffee brewing. They’d spent the past three nights together in either her bed or Jay’s, and it had been pure bliss. She went downstairs to find Trevor wolfing down his breakfast, while her own was laid out on the table.
‘Any update on Seb?’ she asked, thinking of the little boy first.
‘He’s doing incredibly well. The antibiotics are working and they plan to discharge him later today.’ Jay smiled. ‘Ben called to tell me. He’ll be home for Christmas Day.’
‘I’m so pleased. That’s typical of children. They can go downhill fast but they bounce back too.’
‘Thank goodness.’ He put a plate in front of her. ‘It’s an unusual breakfast. I didn’t have much in.’
‘Christmas-tree-shaped crumpets? Wow. Where did you get these?’
‘Petrol station store in the village. They’re cheesy, but hey, it is Christmas Eve.’
They ate them with butter from a farm in the valley and jam made from local damsons, while planning their day.
‘I’ve been thinking,’ he said, suddenly serious. ‘That I can’t possibly take you away from Steph and the twins tomorrow. It’s not fair to leave her alone.’
‘I’ve already thought of it. She honestly won’t mind if I come with you after lunch. We could always go back to hers later, if you like, once the twins are in bed.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes. She’ll enjoy some grown-up company and besides, I’m going to be there most of the day.’
He leaned over the table and kissed her. ‘I’m really glad you’re coming with me.’
‘I want to,’ Lottie said, though she already had a flutter of nerves as to how Jay’s family might react.
‘I spoke to Ben about tomorrow so he’s already forewarned. Nadia’s OK with it so it’s only Mum and Dad who aren’t in the know. We talked for a long time …’
‘I’m so glad.’
‘I’m not sure things can be exactly the same as before. Not yet, anyway, but we’ve made a good start.’
She was choked up by the promising news. ‘That’s all that matters.’
After breakfast, they took Trevor for a walk in the forest, and saw the squirrels again before Lottie left for Steph’s and Jay left for Keswick to do some last-minute shopping. Very last-minute, thought Lottie, driving along the lanes to her sister’s. She had finished hers and wrapped most of it. She also had some of ‘Santa’s’ presents in the boot of the car, ready to sneak them into the shed while the girls were distracted.
The sun had finally broken through the clouds, and shadows were scudding along the lake. Sheep grazed peacefully in the fields. They would already be expecting their lambs, she thought, thinking of them romping on the fells by March. For now, she had a proper Christmas break to look forward to before the new season started at Firholme. So many new things to look forward to … fresh hope, new love and Jay by her side.
Steph must have been waiting for her because the door opened the moment she parked on the road outside. Mindful that the twins would likely be watching too, Lottie decided to leave the secret gifts and go straight in.
Steph seemed a bit flustered, with flushed cheeks and a suspicious smudge of mascara under her eyes. ‘Everything OK?’ Lottie asked, stepping into the hallway. ‘Is the video call set up?’
‘Yes. Mum and Dad are ready.’ She grinned. ‘I think they’ll be a bit bleary-eyed as it’s late night over there.’
Lottie walked in to find the girls sitting on the sofa in their best dresses, ready for the video call.
‘You look lovely!’ she said and they grinned.
‘OK. It’s time. Let’s go for it.’ Steph and Lottie squashed onto the sofa either side of the twins and started the call. A few moments later, their parents appeared and there were the usual squeals of excitement on both sides.
‘Wow, you look smart considering it’s so late,’ Lottie said, seeing her mum’s dress and her father in a jacket. ‘I thought it was pyjamas at this hour.’
Her mum exchanged a glance with her father. ‘We thought we’d make an effort, didn’t we?’
Lottie stared at the screen. ‘Is that a new sofa?’