‘Team work!’ I immediately retort. ‘None of this was possible without us all pulling together. It really does take a village!’ I say as I squeeze Kate back.
‘I look up to you, do you know that?’ Kate says suddenly as she lets go and takes a step back.
Her words serenade my ears. Make me so emotional.
‘Kate. That’s so nice.?.?.’ I start.
‘.?.?. and I don’t mean just physically cos I’m a titch! I mean you are so brave. You came all the way across the world on your own, you only met us all a few days ago, yet you step up and notonly come up with a brainwave to save our castle but you make all my dreams come true. You’re an inspiration to me. I hope I can send the lift back down and help another woman like you’ve helped me.’ Kate has a look on her face that I’ve never seen anyone look at me with before. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do – inspire other women.
‘I can’t tell you how much those words mean to me.’ I hug her again.
‘We are going to have our blessing, Jimmy, can you actually believe it? We will be happily married forever,’ Kate gushes as she pats my back then moves away over to Jimmy. I truly believe they will be married forever.
‘That we are, Kate.’ Jimmy pulls her to him. ‘Happy?’
‘Never been happier!’ Kate punches the air. ‘Although .?.?.’ Kate turns to me. ‘I just wish you were going to be here for our wedding!’
A weird silence falls around the four of us. All eyes on me. You could hear a pin drop.
‘I-I know, me too, but you’ll have to send me all the photos!’ I put a lift in my voice, focus on Kate. I can’t look at Dan.
‘I will of course.’ Kate’s tone is gentle.
‘Can I pop down now?’ Jill’s voice calls from the stairwell and I’m grateful for the interruption.
‘Yes! Sorry, you must be exhausted! Alright, all quiet please, let Jill Lewis-Huberman do her thing.’ I shush them.
‘That’s who you are! Oh my God, I recognise you now!’ Kate is star struck as her jaw falls open and she covers her eyes with Jimmy’s hand.
‘Hi!’ Jill beams at her. ‘What a wedding venue, you must be Kate.’
‘Over here.’ I pull Jimmy’s hand down, take Kate by the arm and introduce her to Jill then Jill moves off and we all huddle in the far corner out of sight.
‘So guys, it’s sixteen hours later. Are you ready to get an exclusive look at what we have? You want a romantic wedding venue? You want the fairytale? Well come with me.’ The ring light from Jill’s camera slowly comes into blinding view. ‘I can’t even .?.?. this is definitely where I am renewing my vows. Look at this! Spectacular! Stunning! Super bougie!’ Jill walks around as Kate pulls at my top. I bend low as she whispers in my ear.
‘I wish you didn’t have to leave here but maybe you can’t if Faith is still blowing a gale out there?’
‘If fate is real, who knows,’ I whisper back and cross my fingers behind her back. But there is another thought that is occupying my mind if only I was brave enough.
* * *
After everyone had left and Jill and Max had gone to bed in the bridal suite, Dan and I sit bone weary in his office. Red rests his head on my lap and I gently stroke him. Dan yawns loudly, then I do the same.
‘That’s contagious,’ I say easily.
‘You need to pack and try get a bit of sleep. I’m aware of that.’ Dan stands up with a sort of forlorn look on his face. He’s been checking something on his phone so I have to ask, ‘Is everything okay?’
‘Believe it or not, Faith has passed over us, the snow has stopped and it’s milder out now. Calm as anything.’ Resignation rings in his voice.
Typical, the storm has passed, I think, with a drop-feeling in the pit of my stomach.
‘I was thinking .?.?.’ he starts.
‘Yeah?’ I jump in, sitting up. Say it.I think.Say something.
‘Maybe we could have a last stroll around the grounds, youand me, before you have to leave?’ Dan steps in beside me and Red jumps to his feet and barks wildly. ‘Okay, and you too, boy.’
‘Sure.’ I’m flooded with disappointment. That hope in the back of my mind where I’d been praying Faith would keep me here a little while longer is snuffed out. Now that isn’t going to happen. I’m going back to New York in a few hours. Slipping my arms into my green wool coat, I button it up as we walk out of his office. Dan holds the red castle door open for me as we step outside. He is right. It is practically balmy out. Red bounds ahead of us, his paws making small prints in the last of the fresh snow.
