A Surprise Christmas Wedding - Phillipa Ashley Page 0,39

had any more thoughts about coming to the pub this Wednesday night? If you’re not doing anything,’ she added, giving him an escape clause but hoping he didn’t take it.

‘I’m not doing anything,’ he said slowly, and Lottie could almost hear the cogs whirring. She was held in suspense a moment longer before he went on. ‘OK. If it’s not too late, I’ll be there. Thanks for reminding me.’

‘See you around seven in the café foyer, then?’ she said.

‘Great.’

With that they parted and Lottie made her way through the mist down to the offices. It had started to rain, and with the temperature dropping, it was rapidly turning to sleet. There might be snow by morning, she thought, and then realised her headache had gone. No fog or sleet could dampen her spirits and Jay had taken her out of herself and reminded her there was a life outside work. The pub trip would be a chance to relax with her friends and colleagues, and get completely away from the wedding with all its old associations. Now that Jay was coming, she was looking forward to it even more.

Chapter Eleven

‘Oh, hello there!’

Even though he’d said he was coming, Lottie couldn’t hide her surprise when she found Jay already waiting in the café with Shayla and the other live-in staff the following evening. He was chatting to Lukasz, the chef, and seemed relaxed enough, which was a relief as she’d wondered whether she’d pushed him out of his comfort zone against his will.

‘S-sorry, I’ve kept you waiting.’ Slightly out of breath, she caught Jay’s eye.

‘We thought you’d forgotten all about it,’ Shayla said with an eyebrow raise that let Lottie know she was teasing.

‘Oh, there’s no chance of that. I’m late because my sister was on the phone.’

‘Everything OK?’ Shayla’s voice was instantly tinged with concern.

‘Yes, she’s fine,’ said Lottie, crossing mental fingers for luck. She’d taken a call from Steph, who hadn’t been feeling well. It was hard to know if it was anxiety or linked to the after-effects of her treatment – or a worrying new symptom.

‘Good.’ Unaware of Lottie’s concerns, Shayla rubbed her hands together. ‘Right. Let’s go, shall we?’

Lottie pushed her fears aside and tried to enjoy the evening. With the aid of a torch, they all walked the half-mile down the hill from Firholme to the village. Frost glittered on the road surface in the light of the torch. Despite her sturdy boots, Lottie almost slipped on a patch of black ice on a hairpin bend.

‘Whoa!’ Jay grabbed her arm just in time to stop her from falling painfully on her bottom. He let go of her arm. ‘Are you OK?’

‘Yes, thanks,’ she said, embarrassed.

‘Do you mind falling over after we’ve been to the pub?’ Shayla joked, and everyone laughed. ‘Please be careful. I don’t want my team laid up with broken ankles, do I?’

‘You’re all heart, boss,’ Jay said.

There were no more slip-ups and they made it to the pub, an old whitewashed inn with a slate roof, in the heart of the village. Langmere might be a tiny community but it had managed to hang on to its pub and post office, along with a café and some tourist shops. It was a hive of activity in summer but on a November evening, there were only a handful of cars in the parking area.

More people had gathered in the bar where a fire glowed in the inglenook and the room echoed with banter and laughter. Irina and Jan were enjoying a meal at one of the tables. Wilf Carman was playing dominoes with a couple of his younger mates of around eighty.

‘Evening, Dotty!’ he called when Lottie walked in.

Jay was obviously amused, but Lottie still felt embarrassed at this reminder of her schoolgirl days. She rolled her eyes and greeted Wilf cheerfully before continuing to the table reserved for them. Some of the workers lived in the village itself while others had driven from further afield. Lottie noticed the level of revelry ramped up even further when Shayla insisted on paying for everyone’s meals: hearty pub fare from the Christmas menu.

It wasn’t long before Jay was chatting away over a pint of Cumbrian ale to Lottie and their colleagues about the Christmas tree sales. From his relaxed manner, she wondered why he didn’t seem more sociable. His reclusiveness seemed to have little to do with disliking his workmates. Lottie was happy that they’d managed to sit next to each other, the soft cotton of