‘Thanks. For everything. I don’t think we will ever top a bride arriving by a sleigh pulled by reindeer.’
‘I got lucky and it was all thanks to Cush for agreeing to do it. I’m glad they’re happy but … I did it for you.’
She held her breath.
‘I’m not a complete arse. Not all of the time, anyway, but I can see why you’re angry with me. I’m probably not the best person for any woman to be with, especially not someone as lovely as you.’
He walked off.
‘Wait. Jay.’ Lottie was left longing to ask him what he meant, but knowing she could do nothing until this wedding was over.
Darkness had fallen and the speeches were over when Lottie finally snatched a few minutes to herself. She sneaked off to the tiny staff cloakroom, once a butler’s pantry, and heaved a huge sigh of relief. Keegan and Connor were married. Her job wasn’t done yet; there was the evening party to get through, but with everyone safely inside the house, she hoped nothing major would go wrong.
Exiting the cloakroom she was surprised to find Fiona, holding a glass and gazing up at the grand staircase and entrance hall. Her eyes lit up when she saw Lottie. ‘Lottie!’
‘Fiona.’ Lottie smiled.
‘This has been the most amazing experience. I want to thank you. You’re very welcome. I’m happy it went so well. Connor had no idea I was the wedding planner when he walked in with Keegan but they wanted the ceremony here for you, and Connor – we both – wanted our former relationship kept private.’
The doors to the gents’ opened and Jay strolled out. He was wearing his velvet jacket and jeans, and looking wickedly gorgeous. She wanted to get the conversation over with but Fiona had her back to him, and must have no idea he was there. He waited a few feet away, watching them.
‘That must have been very hard for you, my dear,’ Fiona said.
‘Only at the start. I – I realised that we were never meant for each other.’ Lottie trod a very fine line between tact and honesty. Much as she liked Fiona, she couldn’t come out and say: I’m glad I never married your son. I’m glad I met someone who would be so much better for me. Or who could have been much better, if he’d only learn to let go of the past and let himself be happy again.
‘That’s very diplomatic. I hope Keegan and Connor are meant for each other.’
‘I’m sure they are,’ Lottie said quickly, hearing the band start up in the ballroom.
‘Yes.’ Fiona looked wistful. ‘Let’s keep everything crossed for a happy ending.’ She had to raise her voice above the bass line from the ballroom. ‘Or a happy beginning. The moment full of optimism, hope, when anything is possible.’
‘That’s how I try to think of it with every couple.’ Lottie gave a wry smile, hoping Jay would leave, but he didn’t.
‘I hope you’ve found someone who deserves you.’
Acutely aware that Jay was within hearing distance, Lottie laughed. ‘I’m not sure who deserves me.’
‘He’d have to be someone pretty special. Someone who appreciates you and knows not to ever let you go.’ Fiona hiccupped. ‘Whoops. Forgive me. Too much fizz.’ She turned and finally caught sight of Jay.
‘Is this the Jay who rescued my daughter-in-law and arranged that magnificent entrance?’ Fiona waved her glass rather cavalierly in the air; a few drops splashed out. ‘Keegan pointed you out earlier but I wanted to thank you personally.’
‘It nearly didn’t happen,’ Lottie said when Jay joined her, standing awkwardly by. ‘And I had so many people who all pulled together to make it happen.’
‘Well you can relax now. Connor and Keegan are man and wife and the party has only just got going.’
‘I hope so,’ Lottie said, finally wondering if she dared allow herself the tiniest sip of fizz. Even if her love life was falling apart before it had started – again – she could certainly afford to let out a huge sigh of relief as far as the reception was concerned.
‘Go on, have a little glass, both of you. You’ve earned it.’ Fiona summoned a waiter. ‘Can you be a love and let us have two glasses of fizz, please, for these amazing people?’
‘A tiny one!’ Lottie protested.
The waiter held out the silver tray and Lottie took a glass that still had twice as much champagne as she would dare to drink while working.
‘Thank you,’ Jay said politely, and accepted a glass but didn’t drink from it.
‘There you are. Cheers!’ Fiona raised her glass and Lottie put hers to her lips, just as the lights in the house flickered and everyone was plunged into darkness.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
The band stopped. A few shrieks pierced the air followed by laughter.
‘Oh gosh, I never expected that!’
Fiona’s shock was mirrored by Lottie, but it was quickly followed by a rush of adrenaline and the need for action. Her eyes tried to adjust to the darkness, but even the clouds had come over, hiding all but the occasional glimpse of the moon shining on the snow. ‘The emergency lighting will come on any moment,’ she said, switching on her phone torch. ‘Fiona, come into the ballroom with me and we’ll reassure everyone.’
Jay’s deep voice was at her side. ‘I’ll fetch a proper torch from the butler’s pantry and take a look. I’m afraid the maintenance team are in no fit state to be messing around in the electric system.’
‘Thanks. Be careful.’
‘I will.’ He walked into the darkness, his phone screen lighting his way.
Lottie guided Fiona back to the ballroom where many of the guests had also turned on their phones, illuminating dozens of faces with an eerie light. Even without the lights, the buzz of voices would have led them there anyway, and the sound of Keegan shouting. ‘Oh my God! What’s happened?’
Lottie called for attention. ‘Ladies and gentlemen. Apologies for the temporary power failure. Our generator should cut in any time soon with some emergency
