A Surprise Christmas Wedding - Phillipa Ashley Page 0,12
off to cut some big spruces later for a delivery to Keswick. The council and some of the hotels are ready to put their trees up.’
‘Wow. That’s early,’ Lottie said. ‘And in fact, that’s what I came to talk to you about, as well as the plans for the Christmas tree launch. Did you get my email about the reindeer?’ she asked, referring to her plans to have real live reindeer at the tree sales opening weekend.
‘The reindeer? Oh … yeah. Thanks.’
Oh dear, Lottie thought. He didn’t seem very enthusiastic.
‘They live at a farm just down the valley. I thought it would be a great way of attracting families on the opening day,’ she said. ‘Are you OK to liaise directly with the reindeer farmer on all the logistics of getting them up to Firholme? Unless,’ she added, ‘you’re too busy and want me to do it.’
‘Thanks for the offer, but I’ll sort it.’
Lottie had booked the visit by the deer the moment she’d started work at Firholme, knowing they’d be the perfect way of starting the Christmas tree sales season with a bang. Maybe Jay was just allergic to Rudolph or something.
He pushed his hair out of his eyes. ‘You said you wanted to talk about trees for the house?’
‘Yes. I was hoping we could have some a bit earlier than planned.’
‘I don’t see why not. Any particular variety or size?’
‘I don’t know … I’m no expert on trees,’ she said with a smile. ‘I was thinking you’d help me out with that.’
He seemed to relax and he gave a brief smile in return. ‘Yes, I can certainly help you with the trees.’ He frowned at her. ‘But before we go into the woods, you’d better put this on.’ He handed her a yellow safety helmet. ‘Can’t have a breach of health and safety. Shayla would have my guts for garters.’
Lottie was amused. It was unlikely Shayla would tell Jay off; generally she was fairly laid-back, though she could be magnificently assertive when she needed to be.
‘I doubt it,’ she said, putting the oversized helmet on her head with a grimace. It would flatten her hair and she had a client meeting after lunch. ‘Even so, I’d better stick to the rules.’
She noted he didn’t smile at her joke. Hmm, she wondered how he’d go down with his team if he was this strait-laced. His predecessor, Graham, had been not only efficient but also very popular. ‘So, how many trees do you need for the house and public areas?’ he asked, getting straight the point.
‘Five for various locations inside and out, but I was hoping you’d advise me on the size and type for each place.’ She was struck by an idea that might engage him more. ‘On that note, can I ask your opinion on these?’
She pulled the drab bauble and black snowflake that Shayla had given her from her pockets. ‘What do you think of these? We were thinking of having a futuristic minimalist theme in the house this year.’
His brow wrinkled. ‘What’s that when it’s at home?’
‘Geometric shapes. Cones, plain baubles, pyramids. All in muted tones of pewter, charcoal and er … black.’ Lottie sighed. ‘In every room.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘Whose idea was that?’
‘Shayla’s,’ Lottie said, unwilling to criticise her boss, yet rather hoping Jay would share her lack of enthusiasm for the downbeat décor. ‘Personally, I prefer to pile on every decoration I’ve collected over the years on my tree, but that’s not the same as decorating an Edwardian mansion for the festive season. Shayla wants Firholme to look its spectacular best, especially as we want to do a wedding shoot and put the pictures up on the website.’
He took the grey pyramid decoration from Lottie and rested it in his hand. ‘It’s er … very grey.’
His palm was dusty but it was ‘clean’ dirt, as Lottie’s gran might have said. Lottie had never quite worked out what it meant but she presumed it was appropriate in Jay’s case. He obviously hadn’t realised he had pine needles in his hair or a mossy streak above his cheekbone, though she guessed he was probably far too busy chopping down trees to be looking in mirrors.
‘What do you really think? This range of decorations costs a fortune and I think we need more colour even if it’s only accent touches like blues or purples.’
He shrugged. ‘I don’t think anything. I don’t put up a tree.’
Lottie couldn’t hide her surprise. ‘You don’t put up a tree? But