‘And that’s what I love about this community, we all look after each other,’ Libby continued. ‘Which is the reason I’ve invited you today… You’re all invited to a wedding!’ she announced, a wide smile on her face.
There was excited chatter.
‘I love a good wedding, but whose?’ asked Isla.
‘This is the good part and it’s top secret and I can’t stress this enough…’ Libby took another deep breath. ‘It’s Flynn and Julia’s wedding and it’s going to take place on Christmas Eve!’
There was a ripple of excitement around the room.
‘How marvellous! This is exciting news! But why is it secret?’ asked Rona, not fully understanding.
‘My guess is because Julia doesn’t know,’ chipped in Eleni. ‘She has always wanted a winter wedding. How exactly are we going to pull this off? She might want her wedding to be a certain theme, or colour. We don’t want her to be disappointed.’
‘Agreed,’ reassured Libby. ‘And I’m about to share how we are going to pull this off. But for this to happen, I really do need your help. Firstly, can I have a show of hands? Who can help?’
Everyone in the room raised an arm. Eleni raised two. ‘This is going to be the best Christmas and wedding ever!’ Libby clapped her hands together excitedly before holding up Julia’s scrapbook. ‘The answer to Eleni’s question is right here. Julia has made a scrapbook with everything in it and with this we can make every wish come true.’ She turned towards Guy, who stood up and picked up a remote control. He’d erected a screen at the front of the studio and pressed play on the remote.
‘Let’s take a look at what Julia would like.’
On the screen were scans of the diagrams and pictures in Julia’s scrapbook. ‘Here we have the flowers.’ Libby looked towards Florrie. ‘Is this doable for Christmas Eve along with all the Christmas cranberry garlands, buttonholes and mistletoe? Oh and white blossom trees. That’s a firm must.’
‘It will be my pleasure,’ answered Florrie.
‘Thank you,’ Libby said happily.
‘Then we have the cake, and I’m hoping you can help us out with this, Rona.’
‘Of course, without a doubt.’
As soon as the drawing of the cake flashed up everyone gave a murmur of appreciation. Julia had designed the cake herself and every detail was written on the drawing projected on to the screen.
‘The cake has elegantly designed festive details. With the sugar-coated cranberries, winter florals and frosting it will be a stunning work of art. I can’t wait to get started,’ Rona enthused.
‘Thank you, Rona. You’re a marvel.’
‘Jenny and Isla, would it be possible to work together on the stationery? Flynn will have a guest list that mainly consists of the wonderful community in Heartcross.’
Guy pressed the remote again and Libby pointed to the screen. ‘According to this the theme is cranberry, mulberry and winter white. Think handwritten calligraphy, silver envelopes, winter berries and parcel string. The RSVPs need to come back to my email at Starcross Manor within ten days at the max so I can co-ordinate table plans, which leads me on to table decorations and candles. Julia loves candles and crystal baubles.’ Libby looked towards Grace, who had lived at Heartcross Castle for the last few years.
‘Grace, I believe that you have decorated a room at the castle with something similar. Is that right?’
‘I have indeed. Those crystal bauble centrepieces reflect candlelight so beautifully and make the atmosphere magical. I’ll take a look at how many we will need and get everything ordered.’
‘You’re a superstar. And now over to your other half.’ Libby smiled at Andrew Glossop. He was a good friend of Flynn’s and a world-famous chef with his own cooking show on TV. ‘There’s only one person we could possibly ask to cook the menu but I do appreciate this is Christmas Eve…’
‘As if I’m going to let you down. It will be my pleasure to take care of all the food and winter cocktails.’
‘We need Christmas trees for The Grand Hall…’
‘Drew will take care of that,’ volunteered Isla.
‘The secret garden will also need to be decorated. And, according to this scrapbook, which is the most romantic thing I have ever seen, Julia wants to walk up the aisle under an archway of sparklers.’
Everyone oohed in unison.
‘We need bagpipers, which I believe you could source from Heartcross Castle?’
‘We can indeed,’ confirmed Grace.
