‘After reading that email, probably not. I can understand her excitement. Christmas Eve, Starcross Manor … it’s a fairytale come true for any couple and for it to be all expenses paid? A dream!’
‘The competition was meant to put Starcross Manor on the map. A one-stop shop, with the best wedding planner in the business. All the publicity would be a huge boost for the business and every step of their journey was meant to be filmed for our promotional video showcasing the outstanding service we provide to make all your wedding dreams come true. I was hoping this would lead to Starcross Manor becoming the top wedding venue in Scotland. I managed to persuade one of the best independent film-makers in the country to help me out on this project, even though he’s normally filming wildlife, not weddings.’
‘Guy’s work is exceptional, but I’ve seen comments on social media that he didn’t attend the film awards and Isla was saying last time he was in the village he seemed preoccupied and a little unsociable.’
‘He’s not here to make friends; he’s here to put Starcross Manor on the map.’
‘What about starting the recruitment process again?’ suggested Julia, trying to prevent Flynn from wallowing.
‘I don’t think we have enough time to readvertise, sort through the applications, arrange interviews… The wedding is in five weeks’ time, so it will be here before we’ve selected someone.’
‘There’s got to be another solution, someone else who can step in. What about another member of the staff you already have?’
‘I’ve thought of that, but the staff that I’d trust with this project are already flat out with their own jobs during the run-up to Christmas. The hotel is fully booked and we have all the normal festivities that need to be catered for. Can you imagine how many guests we have to look after on Christmas Day?’
For a moment they sat in silence, both of them thinking.
Flynn’s phone pinged. ‘It’s Libby,’ he said, glancing towards the screen.
‘And how is that gorgeous sister of yours?’
‘Christmas crazy as usual. She’s got a few weeks off work before she starts her new job with Frazier. I still can’t believe she was headhunted by them and that they want to incorporate her fashion business into their brand.’
‘What? How have I missed this bit of news? That’s so exciting! They’re one of the biggest fashion houses in New York and it’s such a great opportunity. Hang on a minute, is she moving?’
‘It’s all happened within the last forty-eight hours and yes, I believe they’ve allocated her an apartment. It will be a fantastic opportunity for her. I think she said her new title is “chief fashion designer” and she’ll be leaving for New York just after New Year’s. I’m very proud of her after everything she’s been through.’
‘She’s a superstar and deserves the world. But New York… I’m going to miss her. Wemustcelebrate Christmas together and I’m going to call her and arrange a catch-up soon so she can tell me all about the new job. I want to hear all the details—’ Julia stopped mid-sentence and held Flynn’s gaze. ‘Oh my…’ Julia began flapping her hand in excitement. ‘Did you just say that Libby has a few weeks off work before she starts her new job? That might be a solution to your problem: wedding-loving Libby! She designs dresses—including wedding dresses—she’s organised, has a great eye for detail, and if she’s not leaving for New York until January, she could be your temporary wedding planner! Give her a ring! You have nothing to lose by asking.’
For a moment, Flynn was quiet as he mulled over the suggestion. Then a smile began to spread across his face. ‘You may be right. This might be the ideal solution and I know I can trust her to do a good job but…’ He exhaled. ‘Remember the last time I offered her a job?’
‘I do, but that was in completely different circumstances. Libby needed to stand on her own two feet and bounce back on her own terms. I know all you were doing was looking out for her, but at the time she viewed it as you taking pity on her. It’s different now. She’s a strong, independent woman who doesn’t settle for anything or anyone less than she deserves. She believes in her own ability and has created a successful fashion business that has put her on the map. And now she’s been headhunted by one of the top fashion houses in America! Plus, this would be just a temporary situation to help you out.’
‘I’m suddenly feeling guilty that I haven’t spent more time with her. I know we’ve both been busy, but Edinburgh is only twenty-five minutes away by helicopter, whereas New York is a long-haul flight away.’
‘I hear you. We just need to make sure we spend as much time as possible with her over Christmas, and if she agrees to the idea of planning this wedding for you, we’ll see her a lot more over the next few weeks. I’m telling you, this is the perfect solution. Libby would be a brilliant wedding planner.’
Before Julia could finish her sentence, Flynn was shutting down his computer and pulling on his jacket. He swigged back his coffee and grabbed his wallet from the drawer before slipping his phone into his inside pocket.
‘Where are you going?’
‘I’m going to Edinburgh.’
‘What, now?’
‘Yes, now. I think I’ve got more chance of persuading Libby face-to-face rather than by a telephone call, because you’re right, she would be perfect for the job. We could put her up in one of the lodges in the grounds and we’d get to spend more time with her before she leaves. I’m praying she agrees.’ Fastening his coat and pulling on his gloves, he grabbed his hat and pressed a swift kiss to Julia’s lips. ‘Did I tell you that you’re simply the best?’
The door swung closed behind him, leaving Julia smiling. ‘Fly carefully,’ she bellowed after him. ‘The snow is coming down.’
‘I love you,’ he shouted back.
Walking to the window, Julia drank her coffee and looked over towards the helipad. Flynn was already striding across the white ground towards the navy-coloured helicopter, which displayed his initials in bold gold lettering on the side. It didn’t take long before the blades spun round and the machine lifted effortlessly off the ground. Julia hoped the snow would stay light until Flynn was safely back at Starcross Manor.
Within minutes Flynn was out of sight. After pulling on her coat and wrapping her scarf around her neck, Julia picked up from his desk the framed photograph of him, Libby and their dad, Wilbur. Thinking about everything that Libby had gone through in the last ten years brought tears to Julia’s eyes. Despite being put through hell she’d picked herself up and was now heading to New York. Julia was proud of her and she knew Flynn was too.
Noticing a stack of wedding magazines on the shelf behind the desk, Julia glanced at the top one. The model looked stunning wearing ice blue. The long-sleeved tulle gown featured floral sequin artwork that allowed the dress to sparkle from top to toe. To complement the dress, the model had a fake fur jacket over her shoulders. At that moment a thought crossed Julia’s mind: if Libby accepted Flynn’s offer, maybe while she was here Julia could ask her to make her future wedding outfit.
Julia laid one of the magazines in the middle of Flynn’s desk and stuck a Post-it note on top. She wrote:
