A Surprise Christmas Wedding - Phillipa Ashley Page 0,26

timing as their parents had only moved to New Zealand a year previously. Lottie was sure they’d have come home if Steph had said she really needed them, but her sister was adamant she could manage alone.

Identical in looks, each had her own distinct personality. Jodie was a bit of a comedian, fond of imitating her mum and giggling at the daftest things. Myra took things more seriously and often came out with some deep questions that Lottie found hard to answer. She was probably more like Lottie than Steph.

When Lottie came downstairs, Steph had her feet up on the sofa and her eyes closed. Even though Steph was tired, Lottie was pleased to see her sister looking a little more like herself. She’d been off work for months, although she’d very recently returned to her role as a teaching assistant at the twins’ school.

After loading the dishwasher, Lottie did a quick tidy of the kitchen and made two coffees. When she went into the sitting room, Steph seemed to be coming round.

She blinked and rubbed her eyes. ‘Sorry, I nodded off.’

‘That’s why I came to help. To give you a break.’

She swung her legs off the sofa to make room for Lottie. ‘Thanks. They’re hyper today. I’m amazed they went to bed at all.’

Lottie handed her a mug and sat down herself. ‘They’re shattered. Jodie was already dozing off while I finished the story. Myra made it to the end but she’s snuggled down now.’

‘No more mentions of Jonas Baxter?’ Steph asked.

‘Not after the first few minutes.’

‘Good …’ Steph sipped her coffee. ‘So, tell me more about this Jay.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘The new gardener bloke who showed you his squirrel.’

Lottie sputtered her coffee. ‘It was a squirrel, not his squirrel and he only moved in a week ago. I know next to nothing about him.’ She smiled. ‘He has a lovely Labrador though.’

‘A lovely Labrador?’ Steph raised an eyebrow.

‘He’s called Trevor, and he’s very friendly,’ Lottie said, recalling how Jay had had to call Trevor back when the dog had run into Lottie’s garden a couple of times, obviously seeking a fuss. Jay was firm but also very gentle with Trevor. He clearly loved animals of all kinds. She thought back to that short time in the forest. She’d been enjoying Jay’s company and the feeling had seemed to be mutual. Funny, she’d half expected him to text her later that day – but now?

Falling for Jay wasn’t some miracle cure for a broken heart plus she had no idea if he was even single. And now Connor had come back into her life …

‘I saw Connor yesterday,’ she said, wary of Steph’s reaction.

Steph frowned. ‘As in Connor, your cowardly ex?’

Lottie winced at Steph’s description of him. Though she herself thought he was a quitter at the time, Steph didn’t know about Connor’s proposal or that he’d broken her heart so badly. Thank God, she’d never told her sister. Steph thought Connor had simply decided to leave; as did their parents. As did everyone they knew. It would only have added to Steph’s problems when she needed to focus on getting well.

‘Yes. He turned up at Firholme out of the blue.’

Steph snorted in derision. ‘What for? To grovel and beg you to come back?’

‘No. Why would he do that?’ Lottie asked.

‘Because he realises how amazing you are? He’s an idiot but you’re better off without him.’

It was hard to fool Steph and Lottie suspected that her sister hadn’t bought the story that Lottie had been OK with the break-up. She was touched by her loyalty but her heart sank. This was going to be even harder than she’d expected. ‘He didn’t even know I was working there. And, he brought his fiancée.’

Steph splashed coffee on her lap. ‘Sodding hell!’ She grabbed a tissue to mop it while Lottie fetched some kitchen roll.

‘Connor brought his fiancée to Firholme?’ She dabbed at her jeans with the paper towel. ‘Why would he do that?’

‘Because he wants to get married there. Or rather she – Keegan – does.’

‘No way! That would be excruciating. I presume he called it all off once he realised you organise the weddings?’

‘No. They’re going ahead.’

‘You cannot be serious?! You can’t possibly agree to plan his wedding!’

‘I didn’t want to, but I’ve no choice. Connor was as shocked as I was when he walked in and found out I’m in charge of the weddings. He’d no idea I was working there …’ Lottie left out exactly why. ‘He went