‘I take it she’ll be bringing you both in her car rather than on the back of her motorcycle.’
Nadia laughed. ‘I didn’t think to check but let’s hope so. I’ll see you tonight.’
‘Look forward to it.’
Why was it that when you started having feelings for someone beyond the usual boundaries, it turned you into a rambling wreck? He sounded overly enthusiastic, over-excited like a kid rather than a grown man.
But still, he’d meant it. He was looking forward to tonight. And if he was lucky, maybe Nadia would even save a dance for him.
Hudson wasn’t used to feeling this free. Without his kids at the house, he’d taken his time to shower, packed his things, collected his hired tuxedo from where it was hanging on the hook behind the door, and relaxed as anything he’d packed up the car and picked up Brad en route.
After the satnav took them the wrong way at first – to a dead end in the depths of Dorset – they doubled back and, with a bit of navigating from Brad, approached the venue down a narrow, windy but incredibly pretty road surrounded by rolling countryside.
And now they were here, the hassle of the drive was well worth it because the venue was jaw-dropping. They’d seen it in the photographs, of course, but those pictures hadn’t done the eighteenth-century house with panoramic views of the Jurassic Coast justice.
‘Check this place out!’ Brad, sunglasses on, rolled down the passenger side window as they pulled in out front of what looked more like a castle than a country house.
‘It sure is something.’
‘I wouldn’t mind a whole week here.’ Brad whistled as he got out of the car.
‘Me too but I think I’d need a pay rise for that.’ The rooms they’d booked had been heavily discounted, but still not cheap. ‘I’ve got a couple of extra mouths to feed, remember, although feels more like feeding a whole football team on some days with Beau.’
‘You wouldn’t have it any other way.’
Hudson pressed his remote and the car boot obediently opened up so they could lift out their tuxedos encased in thespecial carriers and their overnight bags. They couldn’t stand gawping at the house the whole time, even though Hudson wouldn’t mind doing a lap of the building to see it from all angles, appreciate the salty tang of the sea beyond as the waves crashed in the distance. It seemed such a shame not to but hopefully, they’d have time for that later.
Tonight’s ticketed dinner dance would bring together crew, staff, friends and family of The Skylarks and anyone else who worked for the air ambulance, their supporters, ambassadors, nurses and doctors and anyone from the general public who wanted to attend and support the charity. They’d picked a good evening for it too. The sun was shining; the clouds and the rain that had been forecast had been scared away.
The interior of the country house was as elegant as expected. In the foyer, tables ran along one wall housing items for the silent auction and, eager to get involved straight away, Hudson bid on the wellness hamper as well as the cooking class in London. There were some great items to go for as well as those – a flight in Hilda, a gardening hamper, a holiday for two in Jersey, a brand-new smartphone, a bottle of champagne, a golf lesson. Local and county businesses had been generous in their donations this year, which was a good sign.
Hudson and Brad checked in to their respective rooms and regrouped downstairs before heading into the main reception room where everyone else was mingling. Most were standing; some had taken seats on the fine upholstery. A fireplace on one wall would host a wonderful winter fire when the time came and beyond the doors leading to the rear lawn stood a big marquee which would be where the main dinner dance would be held. Even from here, Hudson could see the company responsible for the décor had done a brilliant job; it looked fantastic. White linen hung suspended from the marquee’s roof, the elegantly decorated tables were ready for the guests, and there was a stagelit up at the very end where speakers would take their turn to talk about the charity and the whole purpose of coming here this evening.
Hudson adjusted his collar again. ‘Not used to wearing a tux,’ he told Brad as they moved over to stand beside the enormous Georgian windows looking out to the side of the house with uninterrupted views of the sea. He was also keeping an eye out for Nadia, but there was no sign of her yet. He only hoped the fact he kept looking around wasn’t obvious to anyone else.
‘I last wore a suit to my mate’s wedding two years ago; apart from that, I don’t think I’ve had any occasion to get rid of my Skylarks uniform or my usual attire of jeans – shorts if it’s warm enough.’
Waitresses floated around the room, some with silver trays lined with flutes of prosecco, others with bottles of beer or soft drinks.
Kate arrived in a knock-out red dress on the arm of her father, William, one of the Whistlestop River Air Ambulance’s ambassadors. Hudson had had plenty of dealings with Kate’s father, a man who only had to smile to tell you he came with the best sense of humour.
‘William, good to see you.’
‘Good to be here. And this place is impressive; I’ve already told Kate I might have to come back sometime for a mini break, a little holiday.’
Kate dismissed the notion. ‘He doesn’t know the meaning of the word holiday; he works too hard.’
A chef who owned his own restaurant, William had held more than a few fundraisers himself, and Kate was probably right because as far as Hudson could tell, the man rarely ever took time off.
Hudson caught up with William for a while – he always asked after the kids as well as talking shop. He’d managed to arrangefor a couple of items at the silent auction later – dinner for two at his restaurant, a night for two at a nearby hotel he’d got through a friend of his.
Vik, pilot with the blue team, found Hudson at the bar set up in one corner. The trays of prosecco were plentiful but beers seemed to have done a bunk.
‘Beer?’ Hudson checked.
‘Please. I arrived late so I need to de-stress. I got lost… twice…’
‘Dead end?’
