Page 73 of Merrily Ever After
‘An adventure,’ they both said together.
‘One last hurrah,’ added Fred.
‘This is ourfirsthurrah!’ Astrid looked indignant.
‘Bloody hell.’ Cole shook his head, bemused. ‘I didn’t see that coming.’
Neither had I. I’d expected to hear about the latest goings-on at Rosewood retirement village, not to find out that my oldest friend and her beau were planning an adventure to the other side of the world. I swallowed hard.
‘To adventure,’ I said, proposing another toast. ‘And many more of them.’
I held my smile for as long as I could despite feeling sick inside. The timing couldn’t be worse. This afternoon, Conan atThe Retail Therapy Showhad phoned and offered me a fabulous sales slot as part of their ‘Home is Where the Heart is’ focus in January. The Home scented candles he’d said would be ideal and I’d agreed in an instant. I’d planned on announcing it tonight and proposing a toast to the future of Merry and Bright. Now, the thought of trying to manage the shop and deliver all the additional orders for the show without Fred was horrifying. Nell’s offer of two weeks’ help was very generous, but it wouldn’t be anywhere near enough. This was my own fault, all of it. I should have listened to Hester; she’d warned me about relying on Fred. I should have sorted out my staffing situation months ago.
I glanced at Cole, who was listening to Astrid talking about India. He had been such a rock for me from the day we met. His love, his enthusiasm and his belief in me had given me the confidence to build my business. But how would he react if I asked him to postpone the honeymoon until, say, Easter? Would he share my enthusiasm for this opportunity for Merry and Bright, or did I risk ruining the start of our married life by putting work first?
Getting married, having a family and a home of my own had always been my dream. I didn’t want to jeopardise that. But I couldn’t bear to pass up this chance for Merry and Bright either.
‘OK, darling?’ Cole murmured. ‘You look miles away.’
‘It’s just …’ I swallowed, feeling dangerously close to tears. I slid my eyes in Fred’s direction and Cole nodded, understanding.
He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it. ‘It’ll be fine. You can do this.’
I shook off my doubts and I smiled at him, my chief supporter. I’d overcome obstacles before and I could do it again, of course I could. ‘You know me; I love a challenge.’
Chapter Twenty-Three
Emily
7 DECEMBER
It was lunchtime, the skies were clear and bright and after a morning spent typing up reports, Emily was in desperate need of some fresh air. She wrapped up warm, picked up her mug of soup and headed out of school to the car park for some privacy while she made a phone call. She’d been like a coiled spring and if she didn’t talk to someone soon, she’d probably burst. Izzy was on a spa day with her mum, who was over in Jersey for a visit, and wasn’t picking up her messages, and anyway, if Emily were to be totally truthful, there was someone else she wanted to share her news with.
She wiped away the damp from one of the wooden benches with the end of her scarf, set her soup down beside her and waited for her call to be answered.
‘Springwood House, Gail Honeywell speaking,’ came the smooth tones of the manager.
Oh knickers, thought Emily, she’d been hoping Kylie would answer. Getting Gail to assist her would be much more difficult.
‘Gail, hi, this is Emily Meadows, Ray’s daughter?’
‘Emily! I understand you had a fall on the premises a few days ago. Did you require medical treatment? Are youfully recovered?’ Gail sounded wary, perhaps thinking that Emily was one of those litigious types who went through life looking for someone to blame.
‘Fine now, thank you,’ Emily replied, eager to put Gail’s mind at rest. ‘Luckily Will was there and administered first aid, I was well looked after.’
‘Oh, what a relief. So there’ll be no need to file a report then.’ Gail perked up instantly. ‘How can I help?’
‘It’s Will I need to speak to, actually. Is he there?’ Annoyingly, Emily felt herself blush, which was silly, seeing as her reason for needing Will was perfectly innocent.
‘He’s not working at Springwood House today, I’m afraid, or for the rest of the week,’ Gail replied. ‘And obviously I wouldn’t be able to pass on his mobile number. Data protection, et cetera.’
‘Oh,’ Emily said, deflated. ‘No, of course not.’
‘If this is related to your father’s care, contact should be channelled through us,’ she added pointedly.
‘It’s not about Dad, at least not directly,’ said Emily, ‘but there is a personal matter which I’d like Will’s help with.’
‘Ah, I understandcompletely,’ replied Gail, obviously under the misconception that personal meant romantic. Emily could hear the sly smile in the other woman’s voice. Poor Will, she hoped this didn’t put him in an embarrassing position. ‘I’ll message him right now.’
