‘And love yourself more,’ jill says so pointedly that I can’t help but laugh.
‘I think I do. I think I’ve finally allowed myself to be enough.’
Jill just nods ever so slowly, her kind eyes revealing relief at what I’m saying.
‘My baby’s all grown up.’ She reaches for my hand across the table.
‘Thank you for always being so loyal and wonderful, I love you so much.’ I kiss her hand.
‘Oh, let’s not pretend we love our men more than we love each other, sister!’ Jill tosses her auburn hair over her shoulder with a flick of her hand then reaches across for another sandwich. ‘I know I’m pregnant but these may be the tastiest sandwiches I’ve ever eaten!’ Jill munches down now on a roast beef and relish.
‘Right? Insane! It’s the local butter I think, so creamy.’
‘No, it’s the bread, it’s like eating a cloud!’ She takes a huge bite.
‘Let’s go, people! Tables and chairs have arrived from the Moritz, all hands on deck out front to unload Seán’s truck, that man needs a feed. Someone plate him up a big one and a black coffee.’
‘On it!’ Jimmy shouts back.
‘We’re taking them into the cellar by the back exit door that His Lordship’s been painting. Mind your clothes!’ Terry shouts from the door, sweat trickling down his face as he pulls a cloth from over his shoulder and wipes his brow.
‘Time is flying by!’ I panic, drop the rest of my sandwich on my plate.
‘So let’s keep moving, boss,’ Terry calls over to me and with four straight fingers to the side of his head, he knocks out a sharp salute.
‘Oh phew, okay, let’s get them in and set up.’ I’m laughing at him. ‘Jill Huberman-Lewis, you sit there and finish those sandwiches. That’s a direct order!’ I get up and move towards Terry who is leaning in the doorway of the Sweet Orange Room.
‘Yes, boss!’ Now it’s Jill’s turn to give me a salute as the villagers file out past me one by one, all doing the same salute, and I crease over laughing before running out the door.
THIRTY
‘Close your eyes!’ Carefully, I take Kate by the hand.
‘They are closed,’ she says. ‘Why do you think I’m walking liking a newborn baby foal?’ Kate takes tiny steps.
‘Sorry, Jimmy, but I’ve been told I have to hold your hand. Shut your eyes,’ Dan tells Jimmy behind us. It’s almost midnight and most of the villagers are in the Heart Ballroom having drinks and fish and chips sent up to us from the Heartwell Lounge, all complimentary. Everyone is exhausted but happy.
Leading Kate back down the winding stairs, I stop just before the cellar bar.
With trepidation and excitement in my words I tell her, ‘Open your eyes, Kate.’
Kate opens one eye. Then the other.
‘No way! Maggie! Oh no way!’ Kate’s hands fly to her mouth, she sways.
The once dark cellar is now illuminated by romantic flickering and the gentle glow of light. All down the corridor, along the walls, clusters of tea lights flicker on wooden shelves and inside decorative lanterns. Strings of golden fairy lights are intertwined and drape elegantly from the rafters in the rooftop, twinkling like stars in the night sky. The dim ambient light creates a warm atmosphere, casting soft shadow on the stonewalls.
‘Wow,’ Jimmy wheezes.
‘Come on,’ Dan says and I can hear the pride in his voice.
I pull Kate’s hand gently. As we walk on and enter the reception part of the cellar, Kate makes a strange gurgling sound. There are ten tables adorned with candles, with pristine white table cloths and red bows tied on the backs of the chairs, sitting in a circle on the new reclaimed walnut floor. White tall vases already hold three long-stemmed snowdrops from the castle garden that I’d picked earlier purely for effect. Red place cards and menus stand. There are even more fairy lights draped and hanging over the backs of the chairs. The smell of fresh paint lingers. In the far corner is a cosy seating area, arranged with plush cushions and warm throws, a spot I wanted Kate and Jimmy’s wedding guests to be able to kick off their shoes and relax in. Very Kate, I think, nodding to myself with approval at my idea, remembering her in flip-flops the first time I’d met her.
‘It’s like something from a fairytale! You are a genius.’ Kate bursts into tears and hugs me so tightly she almost winds me.
‘This is something else, lads, thank you,’ Jimmy says, high-fiving Dan.
‘All the brain child of this fantastic woman,’ Dan says pointing at me.
