A Surprise Christmas Wedding - Phillipa Ashley Page 0,35
Keegan … Yes, I’ve spoken to the florist and it’s all in hand … Yes, there’s still time to change the toast to Australian sparkling wine. Good timing because I was putting in the final order today … Yes, we can have personalised jars of pink jelly beans in all the guest rooms … oh, a firework display at the end of the party? Hold on, let me get a pen … OK, go ahead … I’ll do my very best and let you know asap.’
Lottie scribbled on notes on her pad, while Keegan reeled off a list of last-minute ‘tweaks’ to the schedule. In less than two weeks since she’d first met Keegan, Lottie had mobilised a host of wedding suppliers into action. She’d been on the phone several times a day to them to relay her bride’s changing plans and thanked her lucky stars she’d developed such good relations with them in her previous role at the hotel.
‘Fabulous, I’ll get all that sorted, so you can relax,’ she said brightly before adding the stinger. ‘One thing I would suggest though … is there anything else you can think of because we’re at the stage where we have to give final numbers to the suppliers and we won’t be able to change things easily. Yes … yes, I’m looking forward to the run-through with the photographer. I’m sure it will all feel a lot more real then too.’
She put down the phone, realising she’d been smiling fit to burst, even though Keegan couldn’t actually see her. At least everything should now be in place. The photographer had actually suggested to Lottie that he come along to test out camera angles to get the best shots for the ceremony. He liked to have a run-through with the bride and groom if possible, especially as Firholme was a new venue to him. And so Lottie had suggested the run-through could also serve as an informal rehearsal and give Keegan and Connor a better idea of how things would work on the day. Keegan had been massively excited about the prospect so it was all arranged for the week before the wedding.
Shayla had been working on the other side of the office and came over as Lottie sank back in her chair with a sigh. ‘Demanding bride?’ she asked. ‘Do I need to put a cup of soothing chamomile tea on?’
Lottie threw her a confident smile in case Shayla thought she wasn’t on top of the planning. ‘Not yet … Keegan wants me to arrange a firework display. One of those frameworks to display “Mr & Mrs Moran” in fireworks as a surprise for Connor. I’ll phone the pyrotechnic company and see if they can do it at short notice.’
‘Good job he’s not called Featherstonehaugh,’ Shayla said. ‘Or it could have cost her.’
She laughed. ‘I’m not sure they can build a frame that big.’
‘Well, if anyone can sort it, you can, Lottie. You’re a star. I get the impression this wedding has been difficult for you.’
‘It’s only the haste of it that’s a challenge but it’ll all be sorted.’
‘Well, I do appreciate it. The revenue is much needed.’ Shayla eyed her. ‘How does seasonal hot chocolate from the café sound? With all the works on top of course. You seem a little frazzled.’
‘Sounds great. Thanks.’
While Shayla went to fetch the drinks, Lottie sank back in her chair and closed her eyes. No matter how much she tried to convince herself this wedding was as normal as any other, it didn’t feel normal at all.
Keegan’s requests weren’t even that bizarre compared to some of the demands she’d received in her previous job. She’d once commissioned bridesmaids’ ‘outfits’ for two Chihuahuas. It never ceased to amaze her how seemingly mild-mannered brides, grooms and their in-laws turned from nice, civil people into divas and despots as soon as the wedding was booked.
If she was brutally honest with herself, this was one of the more sensible weddings. Keegan was polite and seemed well aware of the issues created by such a last-minute wedding, but it still felt like a trial. Lottie had vastly underestimated how much effort she would require to show genuine enthusiasm for the event, not to mention she had to conduct it like a covert military operation in terms of secrecy.
She could handle keeping the surprise from Fiona, but deceiving Keegan was a big strain. She’d almost slipped up so many times, and let out little clues as to how close she and