Chapter 13
‘Welcome to Holly Lodge. Thank you so much for coming,’ Nell said from her little reception booth in the hallway as another loved-up couple arrived. Crowded with people who’d come for the wedding fair, there wasn’t much room in Holly Lodge. Nell was buzzing with energy. Tom rushed through the door and shook off his coat, stuffing it behind her tall reception desk that was more like a lectern. Thrilled and relieved in equal measure at how well things were going, she wrapped her arms around him, pinning his arms by his side. ‘There’s so many people here already.’
‘I know,’ he laughed. ‘I can’t believe how busy it is, especially for a Sunday. Sorry I’m a bit late. I had to umm, sort something out.’
‘Is everything okay?’
‘Yeah. It was nothing serious.’
Nell had never known Tom to be late to anything, but after the accident with his van, she didn’t want to press. ‘I’ve saved you the best spot obviously. You’re in the lounge near the Christmas tree, next to The Love Heart Boutique.’
‘Brill. I’ll just grab some bits from the van. I’ve bought different-sized bouquets and buttonholes.’
‘I’m sure people will love them. You’re the best florist in town.’
‘Don’t say it too loudly or you’ll upset the others.’ He motioned to the other Swallowtail Bay florists who were setting up in the dining room.
All the doors that separated the lounge, dining room and conservatory had been opened so Holly Lodge was one large, open-plan space. It was absolutely full of anyone who might play a part in someone’s wedding. There were different caterers, bridal shops from nearby towns, and florists (none as good as Tom, obviously, but she had to be fair) and even Hetty, the most amazing local event planner, was here. If anyone was struggling to know where to start, she’d surely have everything sorted for them in a matter of weeks. She’d even prepared some wedding checklists to hand out and Nell had nabbed her own copy, certain it would come in useful for Cat’s wedding. That was if Cat’s wedding went ahead, she thought, before quickly dismissing the gloomy idea. Everyone had tiffs and even pre-wedding jitters and hopefully by now Cat would have calmed down.
Where Nell was, in the entrance hall, she’d laid a small table in front of her little booth stacked high with Holly Lodge’s glossy wedding brochures and little biscuits Mrs Meggett had baked. Next to them was a supply of takeaway cups and a small urn of hot chocolate. If someone didn’t want a hot chocolate, there were tea and coffee urns set up in the conservatory, but space was at a premium. It was a vibrant autumn day with a clear blue sky and a bright golden sun. When she’d seen it this morning, she couldn’t help but feel excited. Sunshine always made the world better, but the air was still frosty, reminding you that Christmas was just around the corner as it nipped at your nose. She’d debated long and hard about what music to play on the small stereo system in the lounge, wondering if something classical or jazzy was better for a wedding fair, or if something Christmassy was best. She wanted the place to feel cosy and festive, so had compromised and put on Michael Bublé’s Christmas album. With the place now fully decorated and only a week to go until December started, Nell was bursting with festive fun. It really added to the magical celebratory atmosphere.
As she’d expected, romance was palpable in the air. It was almost as if she could reach out and touch it. Chatter filled the air and before she knew it Tom was back with his flowers. ‘What time are Cat and Kieran coming?’ he asked as he rushed into the lounge to take his spot. ‘Hi, Hetty. How’s life?’
‘Really good thanks, Tom. We’ve got big plans for next year.’
‘Glad to hear it.’
Nell spoke to him from the doorway. ‘They should be here any minute.’ She didn’t want to talk about their problems in front of anyone else so kept her concerns to herself. It would be the first time she’d seen Cat since their argument and despite thinking it through more times than was good for her, she still wasn’t sure what to say to get them back on track. Over the last week she’d picked up her phone ready to text, then put it down again, unsure what to say. She’d even watched Bridesmaids just to see the scene where Annie and Helen make up, hoping it would give her some pointers. She’d cried through a lot of it, which had been therapeutic at the time, but now she was nervous and still didn’t have a clue what to say.
A large group of women arrived, chattering and giggling, and Nell welcomed them, motioning for them to go through to the lounge and begin looking around. The wedding fair had only been open for half an hour and it was already jam-packed. A sure sign that she was on the right track with this idea. Zoe would be arriving soon to cover reception and greet everyone, allowing Nell to mingle and show people around the hotel and up to the rooms if they wanted to see them. Tom had made her some more garlands and with all her decorations for the romance package every room looked great. She’d even gone a little overboard in the honeymoon suite and it was absolutely stunning. If anyone was on the fence about a winter wedding, they wouldn’t be after seeing that.
With Zoe’s arrival, Nell was free to start mingling. ‘Let me know if you need anything, Zoe,’ she called over her shoulder as she headed off. Tom’s table was busy as he presented the different styles of bouquet he could offer. He had pictures of some of the others he’d done so they could see the different
