‘I came out of the gents’ and found her here. Actually, she called me over.’ He sounded none too pleased which caught Lottie off-guard.
She squatted down so she was at the level of Steph’s face. ‘Steph?’
Shayla stood nearby. ‘Do we need an ambulance?’
‘I don’t think so.’ She rubbed Steph’s hands. ‘Steph! Can you hear me?’
Her eyes flew open. ‘Of course, I can. I’m not bloody deaf!’
‘I should have been more careful.’ Lottie helped to extricate Steph from Jay and they both propped her upright.
‘Don’t blame yourself,’ Shayla said. ‘Steph’s been having a wonderful time. She seemed fine less than half an hour ago.’
‘I am here, you know …’ Steph muttered.
‘Steph, you’ve had a bit too much to drink,’ Lottie said.
Steph lifted her head and sniggered. ‘No shit, Sherlock. Yeah. I’m drunk. Bladdered. Sloshed. Pissed. And I’m glad I’m pissed because at least I know I’m alive.’
‘Yes, but maybe we should go home, now.’
‘No … I wanna stay.’
‘I really think we should get you home. It’s late.’
‘Do you need a hand?’ Shayla offered.
‘I’ll help, if you want me to,’ Jay said.
Lottie looked at them both. ‘Thanks. I’m sorry about this.’
‘It’s no problem,’ Jay said. ‘Shayla, I think we can manage together if you want to go back to the party.’
‘I’m not bothered about the party, but I might have to stay and keep order. There’s already been an incident between one of the gardeners and the man from the portable toilet firm.’
Suddenly, Kerr appeared and hurried over. ‘I’ve been looking for Steph everywhere. Oh God, is she OK?’
‘She’s not feeling well,’ Lottie said.
Kerr’s eyes widened in dismay when he saw the state of Steph. ‘She seemed fine half an hour ago. Can I call an ambulance? Help you take her back to the Bothy?’
‘She’s on medication and she doesn’t normally drink. Thanks for the offer but we can manage for now,’ Lottie said, grateful for the help but keen to deal with the situation with as few people as possible.
‘We’re fine, thanks, Kerr,’ Jay added.
‘I think we should leave Steph to Lottie and Jay,’ Shayla said. ‘She’s in good hands now.’
‘OK but call me if you need anything and let me know how she is,’ Kerr insisted.
‘We will,’ Lottie said and smiled her gratitude. ‘Thanks for offering to help.’
‘Come on, she’ll be OK.’ Shayla ushered him back to the ballroom.
‘I feel very sleeeepy,’ Steph murmured.
Lottie let out a sigh of relief. ‘Time for bed, then.’
‘For you …’ Steph giggled. ‘On your own. Not with …’
‘Think we’d better go now,’ Lottie exclaimed.
‘Would you mind helping me?’ she asked Jay, desperate to move Steph before she passed out again.
‘Of course not. Come on.’
He helped Steph to her feet.
‘I’ll take her,’ Lottie said.
‘Be careful. She’s heavier than you think and she’s a dead weight.’
‘Oy! You cheeky sod!’ Steph shot back, momentarily lucid. ‘Maybe you’re not so lovely after all.’
‘He’s trying to help, Steph.’
‘He says I’m fat.’ She let out a raucous laugh.
‘Steph. Shut up, please.’ Lottie pleaded then tried to laugh off Steph’s comments. ‘Don’t take any notice of her – she doesn’t know what she’s on about. Whoa!’
Steph had slumped lower. Lottie dived in to support her. Even with her and Jay on either side of her, she was struggling to stay conscious.
Lottie was in despair. ‘I’m not sure we’ll make it all the way to the Bothy.’
Jay’s jaw was set. ‘Let’s give it a try.’
Somehow, they managed to cajole and half-drag Steph out of the house. Lottie decided not to bother with the wrap and instead, Jay retrieved his jacket from a chair in the ballroom and helped Steph into it. There was no way she was going to be persuaded into the wellies though so they decided to hope for the best.
While Jay supported Steph, Lottie scrambled into her own boots. Big wet flakes were falling, soaking them within moments of leaving the house. Slipping and slithering, they carried and coaxed Steph across the terrace and down the steps to the cottages. Without Jay, Lottie could never have managed.
Despite her sodden dress and feet, Steph thought it was all a huge laugh.
‘You’re a keeper,’ she kept telling Jay.
‘Shh. Steph.’ Lottie was mortified.
‘A real nice guy … not like C—’
‘Steph!’ Lottie said, dreading what might emerge next from Steph’s mouth. Thank God they were now into the garden of the Bothy. Lottie was exhausted, her muscles were aching and her sparkly wrap was a cold wet rag. Jay was right. Taking the weight of a whole person was no mean feat.
Lottie had to let go of Steph to open the door, leaving Jay supporting her. Unexpectedly, she decided to break free of him and lie on the small patch of lawn outside the cottage. ‘Oh no, she’ll freeze,’ Lottie said.
Steph was having a wonderful time, lying in the snow, waving her arms and legs up and down. ‘Iman angel. Angellll …’
‘More like a stranded beetle!’ Lottie cried in frustration. ‘Come on.’
‘Think I’ll go sleep now,’ said Steph, closing her eyes.
‘No. Not here. Oh God, she’s soaked and so’s your jacket.’
‘I don’t care about that.’ Jay kneeled down in the snow. ‘Help me get her sitting up. I’ll have to carry her.’
It was hard enough helping her sit up but somehow Lottie and Jay did it. Grunting, he managed to get Steph in his arms and with Lottie’s help, hoisted her onto his shoulder, fireman style. He did let slip a few grunts and rude words, but Lottie didn’t think Steph was in any fit state to be offended.
He made it through the front door and hallway into Lottie’s sitting room. Steph was dumped rather unceremoniously on the sofa but at least it was a soft landing.
She lay back with a dramatic sigh and a beatific smile on
