Lottie stayed neutral, even though she was dying to say that Fiona might have enjoyed all the planning and certainly would have wanted to choose a new outfit.
‘I’m sure it’ll be a lovely surprise,’ she said, trying to inject genuine enthusiasm into her voice.
Connor still didn’t seem convinced. ‘They hadn’t met her until a week ago and I could tell Mum was shocked when we announced our engagement.’
Stunned at Connor’s frankness, Lottie was in two minds whether to close down the conversation. However, she couldn’t resist the chance to find out more, even if the answers might be uncomfortable to hear. ‘Keegan’s going to be their daughter-in-law and they’ll get to know her a lot better … So, you two met at work, did you?’ she asked.
‘Yes. She was my line manager until I was promoted to the same level. We just sort of clicked straightaway.’ A smile crept onto his lips but vanished immediately, as if he’d suddenly realised who he was talking to. ‘We moved in a few months after and now here we are,’ he added briskly, and glanced at his wristwatch. ‘I hope Keegan comes back soon. We need to be at the photographer’s by noon.’
He strode to the doorway and called loudly. ‘Keegan! Can you get a shift on? We’re going to be late for the photographer.’
Keegan strolled back in. ‘OK. Calm down. I was only refreshing my make-up for the shoot. We’re having some engagement shots done,’ Keegan said to Lottie, with an eye-roll. ‘Haven’t had time yet.’
‘Surely you can do that at the studio? Come on,’ he urged, his hand at Keegan’s back.
Lottie almost laughed at his haste to be out of her sight.
‘Enjoy yourselves!’ she called after them.
‘Thank youuuu!’ Keegan gave a little wave but Connor left without a word.
The room was suddenly silent and empty, leaving Lottie marooned in the centre of it. She let out a huge sigh. In the past half an hour, she’d been through enough emotions to last a lifetime. Disappointment, sadness, amusement, jealousy and yes – relief. Connor was as attractive as ever – handsomer, in fact – and she couldn’t be in his presence without remembering the intimacy and pleasure of their physical relationship, no matter how hard she tried.
She’d also glimpsed some of the traits of the ‘old’ Connor that she’d loved, the little insecurities that once seemed endearing, and she’d warmed at his acknowledgement that she’d been so very close to his family. He was obviously aware that he and Keegan had got together very quickly.
Surely, Connor wouldn’t have been railroaded into a wedding by Keegan?
Lottie had to tell herself that every meeting like this was a step forwards and like aversion therapy for a phobia. The more she faced her fears, the less she would fear the next time.
She took a deep breath and walked out of the house to her office. She had the Christmas party to finalise and that was one event that the past couldn’t spoil in any way.
Chapter Ten
Four and a bit weeks to the wedding
‘Oh hello, Keegan … Yes, I’ve spoken to the florist and it’s all in hand … Yes, there’s still time to change the toast to Australian sparkling wine. Good timing because I was putting in the final order today … Yes, we can have personalised jars of pink jelly beans in all the guest rooms … oh, a firework display at the end of the party? Hold on, let me get a pen … OK, go ahead … I’ll do my very best and let you know asap.’
Lottie scribbled on notes on her pad, while Keegan reeled off a list of last-minute ‘tweaks’ to the schedule. In less than two weeks since she’d first met Keegan, Lottie had mobilised a host of wedding suppliers into action. She’d been on the phone several times a day to them to relay her bride’s changing plans and thanked her lucky stars she’d developed such good relations with them in her previous role at the hotel.
‘Fabulous, I’ll get all that sorted, so you can relax,’ she said brightly before adding the stinger. ‘One thing I would suggest though … is there anything else you can think of because we’re at the stage where we have to give final numbers to the suppliers and we won’t be able to change things easily. Yes … yes, I’m looking forward to the run-through with the photographer. I’m sure it will all feel a lot more real then too.’
She put down the phone, realising she’d been smiling fit to burst, even though Keegan couldn’t actually see her. At least everything should now be in place. The photographer had actually suggested to Lottie that he come along to test out camera angles to get the best shots for the ceremony. He liked to have a run-through with the bride and groom if possible, especially as Firholme was a new venue to him. And so Lottie had suggested the run-through could also serve as an informal rehearsal and give Keegan and Connor a better idea of how things would work on the day. Keegan had been massively excited about the prospect so it was all arranged for the week before the wedding.
Shayla had been working on the other side of the office and came over as Lottie sank back in her chair with a sigh. ‘Demanding bride?’ she asked. ‘Do I need to put a cup of soothing chamomile tea on?’
Lottie threw her a confident smile in case Shayla thought she wasn’t on top of the planning. ‘Not yet … Keegan wants me to arrange a firework display. One of those frameworks to display “Mr & Mrs Moran” in fireworks as a surprise for Connor. I’ll phone the pyrotechnic company and see if they can do it at short notice.’
‘Good job he’s not called Featherstonehaugh,’ Shayla said. ‘Or it could have cost her.’
She laughed.
