Page 28 of Merrily Ever After
‘What the hell happened there?’ He looked from Hester to me in disbelief. ‘I thought you were going to cry at one point.’
So did I, I thought.
‘I’m really sorry,’ I said sheepishly. ‘It won’t happen again.’
‘We’re supposed to be selling dreams, not nightmares,’ he commented gruffly.
‘Chillax, dude,’ Hester teased. ‘The candles are selling, aren’t they?’
Conan apparently couldn’t think of anything to say to that, so after stopping in front of the mirror to smooth down a tuft of his wiry hair, he stalked off.
‘That really got to you, didn’t it?’ Hester said.
‘The memories just hit me from nowhere.’
‘I don’t think you ever get over losing a parent. I still burst into tears about Mum at the most random moments.’ She handed me a tissue from a box on the table in front of us.
I gave her a wan smile and blew my nose. ‘Sorry I dragged up difficult memories for you. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.’
‘You’re running a successful business, it’s almost Christmas and suddenly, you’re getting married,’ Hester pointed out. ‘It’s not surprising that you’re a bit emotional.’
‘But all those things are good things,’ I said. ‘I can hardly complain about them.’
‘Merry …’ She hesitated, tucking her hair behind her ear. ‘Oh, nothing, ignore me.’
‘Go on,’ I said, sensing her discomfort.
‘OK, I’ll say it.’ Her words came out in a rush. ‘I think you’re taking on a lot and spreading yourself too thin. And not just yourself, Dad too.’
I blinked at her, taken aback by her tone. ‘We all have busy lives, I’m no different. And Fred seems perfectly happy.’
‘I’m glad the business has grown, but I remember how busy you were last Christmas, and that was before you were selling nationwide. Plus, now there’s the wedding to organise and only Dad in the shop.’ Hester’s smile was still in place, but there was no mistaking the reprimand. ‘Cole told me he fell asleep at the counter the other day. It’s not fair on him, and I don’t think Astrid is happy that he’s working so hard. I think you rely on him too much.’
My cheeks were blazing; it sounded as if they’d been talking about me behind my back. Did Cole’s family think I was taking advantage of Fred’s good nature? With less than six weeks until I became a Robinson, the last thing I wanted was to upset anyone.
I pressed my hands to my hot face. ‘I hear what you’re saying. I’d already decided to take on more staff just as soon as I get around to it.’
Hester raised a sceptical eyebrow. ‘And when will that be?’
Just then, the door opened, and Conan bounced back in. ‘I stand corrected, ladies, the story behind Merry’s Home candle is proving irresistible to viewers, we’re exceeding our normal figures.’
‘Thank goodness for that,’ I said. ‘I thought I’d blown it withRetail Therapyforever.’
‘See you next time for a final Christmas blast, eh?’ He winked at me and disappeared.
‘Can you cope with the extra demand?’ Hester pursed her lips.
‘Of course,’ I said, with more confidence than I felt. I’d work twenty-four-hour shifts if I had to. There was no way I was going to miss an opportunity this big. ‘Now, can we please stop being Debbie Downers and change the subject?’
‘Sorry, I just worry about everyone.’ Hester gave a sheepish smile. ‘But yes, let us talk weddings. What can I do to help?’
I pulled a bridal magazine out from my handbag and flicked to a page I’d marked previously. ‘For starters, I’d like your opinion on wedding flowers. What do you think of this?’
‘Wow.’ Her eyes widened. ‘It’s Christmas, it’s a wedding and you’re the bride. I say you can get away with anything you want.’
‘Right answer,’ I said, giving her a hug, glad that the awkwardness between us had vanished. ‘So that’s one decision made, only ninety-nine to go.’
Chapter Eleven
