A Surprise Christmas Wedding - Phillipa Ashley Page 0,70

held the raffle ticket aloft and one of the Firholme security staff trotted forward to collect his prize.

Her work was done.

She stepped off the dais, eager to find Jay but even keener to track down Steph who she hadn’t seen for over half an hour. No matter what Steph had told her, Lottie felt bad about simply abandoning her sister, even if she was desperate to continue the delicious moment on the terrace with Jay.

The DJ had started up the music again, and she was halfway across the dance floor when Shayla met her, an anxious look on her face.

‘Lottie! Now, I don’t want you to worry.’

Lottie was instantly on the alert. ‘Worry about what?’

‘It’s Steph. I think it’s only the wine, but you’d better come all the same.’

Lottie let out a groan. ‘I should have warned her to go easy but I didn’t want to be a killjoy. She’s had such a rough time. I should have stayed with her.’

‘I’m sure she’ll be fine,’ Shayla said. ‘She’s with Jay.’

They hurried out of the ballroom, where everyone was bellowing out The Pogues’ ‘Fairy Tale of New York’.

‘Jay?’

‘He found her on the banquette in the vestibule and came to find you but he saw me first. There they are.’

Lottie ran over to where Steph was sprawled over Jay. He had his arm around her. ‘Oh my God, what happened?’ she asked, kneeling on the tiles by her sister’s feet. Steph’s eyes were closed and she was snoring, just like she used to when she’d been a child.

‘I came out of the gents’ and found her here. Actually, she called me over.’ He sounded none too pleased which caught Lottie off-guard.

She squatted down so she was at the level of Steph’s face. ‘Steph?’

Shayla stood nearby. ‘Do we need an ambulance?’

‘I don’t think so.’ She rubbed Steph’s hands. ‘Steph! Can you hear me?’

Her eyes flew open. ‘Of course, I can. I’m not bloody deaf!’

‘I should have been more careful.’ Lottie helped to extricate Steph from Jay and they both propped her upright.

‘Don’t blame yourself,’ Shayla said. ‘Steph’s been having a wonderful time. She seemed fine less than half an hour ago.’

‘I am here, you know …’ Steph muttered.

‘Steph, you’ve had a bit too much to drink,’ Lottie said.

Steph lifted her head and sniggered. ‘No shit, Sherlock. Yeah. I’m drunk. Bladdered. Sloshed. Pissed. And I’m glad I’m pissed because at least I know I’m alive.’

‘Yes, but maybe we should go home, now.’

‘No … I wanna stay.’

‘I really think we should get you home. It’s late.’

‘Do you need a hand?’ Shayla offered.

‘I’ll help, if you want me to,’ Jay said.

Lottie looked at them both. ‘Thanks. I’m sorry about this.’

‘It’s no problem,’ Jay said. ‘Shayla, I think we can manage together if you want to go back to the party.’

‘I’m not bothered about the party, but I might have to stay and keep order. There’s already been an incident between one of the gardeners and the man from the portable toilet firm.’

Suddenly, Kerr appeared and hurried over. ‘I’ve been looking for Steph everywhere. Oh God, is she OK?’

‘She’s not feeling well,’ Lottie said.

Kerr’s eyes widened in dismay when he saw the state of Steph. ‘She seemed fine half an hour ago. Can I call an ambulance? Help you take her back to the Bothy?’

‘She’s on medication and she doesn’t normally drink. Thanks for the offer but we can manage for now,’ Lottie said, grateful for the help but keen to deal with the situation with as few people as possible.

‘We’re fine, thanks, Kerr,’ Jay added.

‘I think we should leave Steph to Lottie and Jay,’ Shayla said. ‘She’s in good hands now.’

‘OK but call me if you need anything and let me know how she is,’ Kerr insisted.

‘We will,’ Lottie said and smiled her gratitude. ‘Thanks for offering to help.’

‘Come on, she’ll be OK.’ Shayla ushered him back to the ballroom.

‘I feel very sleeeepy,’ Steph murmured.

Lottie let out a sigh of relief. ‘Time for bed, then.’

‘For you …’ Steph giggled. ‘On your own. Not with …’

‘Think we’d better go now,’ Lottie exclaimed.

‘Would you mind helping me?’ she asked Jay, desperate to move Steph before she passed out again.

‘Of course not. Come on.’

He helped Steph to her feet.

‘I’ll take her,’ Lottie said.

‘Be careful. She’s heavier than you think and she’s a dead weight.’

‘Oy! You cheeky sod!’ Steph shot back, momentarily lucid. ‘Maybe you’re not so lovely after all.’

‘He’s trying to help, Steph.’

‘He says I’m fat.’ She let out a raucous laugh.

‘Steph. Shut up, please.’ Lottie pleaded then tried