A Surprise Christmas Wedding - Phillipa Ashley Page 0,38

spotted something outside the hut and burst out laughing. It couldn’t be a coincidence that a red-cheeked male elf had fallen so precisely on top of a blonde elf in a pink skirt.

Jay followed her gaze. ‘Oh God. I’m sorry. Some of the guys larking around.’ Leaving his mug on the ground, he jogged over to the elves and parted them.

‘You’ve ruined a great romance, there,’ Lottie said with mock solemnity.

‘Well, I don’t want hordes of little elves in the spring to rehome.’ He added them to a pile of other figures.

‘I think that may be even worse,’ she said, trying not to giggle at the unholy group of creatures piled up on top of each other outside the grotto.

‘Oh.’ He laughed. ‘I see what you mean. I promise it will all be suitable for a family audience by the time we open.’

‘I’m sure it will. I’ll bring my nieces to see it.’

‘Yes. Definitely do that. It really will look festive, I promise. Would you like to see the tree sales area too? It’s almost ready for the public. If you have time,’ he added.

Strictly speaking, Lottie should have gone back to the office. She’d promised to call the florist to discuss the final – final – arrangements for the wedding. Maybe, she thought wryly, that was why she’d had a headache and decided she needed to get out of the office and come up here.

‘Yes,’ she said. ‘I’d like that.’

The trees were arranged by height and species in mini paddocks divided by wooden fences. They lay together like ranks of sleeping soldiers, and she thought there was something a little melancholy about the felled trees, which had once been growing in the forest. Then she reminded herself of the joy and excitement they would create for hundreds of families for weeks to come.

‘So many trees, waiting for their owners … It’s strange to be here before all the Christmas madness starts.’ She picked up a spruce by its tip, inhaling the pine scent. ‘I love a fresh tree in the house.’

‘Madness is a good word for it,’ Jay murmured, then changed his tone to something more upbeat. ‘Would you like a tree for the Bothy?’

Lottie was taken aback. ‘I’d love one, of course but … can I be very cheeky? Would you mind very much if I gave it to Steph? The twins would adore it. I’ll pay, of course. I intended to treat them to one anyway.’

‘I’m sure Shayla won’t mind me letting you have a free tree.’

Lottie wasn’t quite so confident, or at least she didn’t want to pre-empt her boss’s generosity. ‘I’d better ask her, all the same. I don’t want to be treated any differently from any of the other staff. It’s not fair.’

‘Good idea. What about if I suggest that we donate a tree to all the staff? I can’t think that she’ll object.’

‘OK, but whatever she decides, I’ll bring Steph and the girls to choose one.’

‘I could pop it round to your sister’s place in the pick-up, if transport’s going to be a problem.’

‘That would be brilliant. I was wondering how I’d fit it in my Fiesta and Steph only has a small car too.’

His eyes sparked with pleasure. ‘It’s a deal then. You let me know a good time.’

‘OK. Steph’s bringing the girls to the launch to see Santa and the reindeer.’

‘It’ll be busy … but why don’t you tell them to come over before the place opens to the public? The reindeer handler will be here with the animals from nine, to settle them in. I can ask her if it’s OK but I don’t think she’ll mind.’

‘Really?’ Lottie could imagine Myra and Jodie literally dancing for joy.

‘They’d get their own special encounter.’

‘They won’t be able to contain themselves! What a great idea.’

‘They sound as if they all need a special treat. I’ll phone the farmer now.’

‘Thanks.’

Heartened by his enthusiasm, Lottie listened while Jay called the farmer and sorted the visit for the girls.

His broad grin lit up his face and Lottie was brimming with delight too, desperate to tell the girls. Then she saw the time and realised she’d been out of the office for a good twenty minutes. Shayla gave her a lot of leeway but she really ought to be getting back.

‘I have to go,’ she said.

‘Me too.’

Yet they both seemed in no hurry to part, standing by the grotto with empty mugs. She remembered her only legitimate reason for visiting the tree centre. ‘Um, Jay? Have you