Page 21 of Merrily Ever After
As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them.
His brow furrowed and he looked at me with dismay. ‘You don’t want to see the venue for our wedding reception for yourself?’
‘No! I mean, yes, of course I do,’ I said, backtracking. ‘But you could check it out and if you approve, we can nip back together.’
He gave me a weak smile. ‘Sure. We haven’t got the kids this weekend, so I’ll be at a loose end; I might as well do something useful.’
‘I really am sorry,’ I said. ‘I’ll advertise for another part-time member of staff, even if it’s just to help out over Christmas.’
‘Hey, it’s fine, I’m proud of you,’ he replied, wrapping his arms around me. ‘I’m marrying a successful, ambitious businesswoman; I wouldn’t dream of standing in your way. I just don’t want you to take on too much, that’s all.’
I rested my cheek on his chest, grateful to feel his strength, his support. ‘Thank you. Sometimes it does feel a bit overwhelming.’
‘Have I put too much on your plate, springing this wedding on you?’ he asked, concerned.
I shook my head. ‘The wedding is exciting, I’m loving it. And my dress is gorgeous. But Christmas is coming, I’ve got Merry and Bright to run, and then there’s our family to think about. Holly Cottage isn’t big enough for all of us. Harley and Freya need their own rooms, it’s not fair to make them share. And maybe there’ll be another addition to the crew next year too.’
I’d told Cole that I wanted a family on our first night together. It had been one of the reasons my last relationshipfell apart and I’d wanted him to know how I felt from the start. It hadn’t made him run for the hills, thank goodness, and it was still true. But there’d been so much change this year, as we gradually knitted our lives together, that we’d actively put off discussing a family, allowing ourselves the time to get to know each other and enjoying our own company before adding a baby into the mix.
‘Let’s just try to take it one day at a time and deal with what needs dealing with. We can put finding a new home for our extended family on January’s agenda.’ He tightened his arms around my waist, bringing me close. ‘But if we’re saying we’re ready to have a baby, that’s an even bigger reason to get your team sorted out. Agreed?’
‘Agreed,’ I said, pretending to salute.
He grinned. ‘And there is something I’d like to take care of without you getting involved.’
‘Oh?’
‘The honeymoon. Will you leave it with me, no questions?’
‘We’re having a honeymoon?’ I was surprised. I’d assumed we wouldn’t have one, given the short notice. And there was the small matter of what to do about the shop. Not that I’d dream of ruining the moment by mentioning that right now.
He pressed his lips together and pretended to zip his mouth shut, making me laugh.
‘Not one single question?’ I pressed.
‘Just trust me.’ He kissed me, a smile hovering at his lips.
‘I do. A new husband, mystery honeymoon and a baby to look forward to,’ I said, shaking my head in wonder. ‘Now please can we go home? All this excitement has made me hungry.’
Chapter Eight
Emily
14 NOVEMBER
‘It’s much more homely than I anticipated,’ Emily remarked, as Gail, the manager of Springwood House care home, showed her around. She was so glad that she’d taken the nurse’s advice. Seeing the facilities, the staff and some of the other residents was already giving her hope.
‘That’s the best compliment you could pay us,’ said the manager, ushering her towards the large glass doors which formed almost one whole wall of the room. ‘Because everyone deserves to feel at home.’
‘Absolutely,’ Emily agreed.
They were almost through the tour of the facilities. Gail had shown her a little flat that was available now – a clean and bright living space with a view over the gardens and a kitchenette to one side with a fridge, sink and space for a kettle. There was a separate bedroom and a sparkling new en suite bathroom. She had tried to envisage it with her dad’s shabby belongings in it but decided to cross that bridge if they came to it.
Christmas was already in full swing here at the home, despite it still being November. The communal areas had garlands of tinsel and strings of fairy lights hanging fromevery possible point. So far, she had counted three huge Christmas trees.
‘Guilty as charged. We get into the Christmas spirit earlier and earlier each year,’ Gail laughed when Emily commented on it. ‘The decorations add colour and sparkle and who doesn’t feel jolly when there’s a Christmas tree lighting up a room?’
‘Very true,’ said Emily, warming to Gail more and more.
