‘And reindeer?’
‘We can organise those, too.’
‘Flynn’s best man is Drew, so he is going to organise the suits for them, my dad and the ushers. I’m already working on Julia’s wedding outfit, which then leaves the bridesmaids: Eleni, Isla and myself.’
‘This is going to be so magical,’ enthused Isla. ‘Do we know what we’re wearing?’
‘Oh I do, and you are both going to look gorgeous. Think winter cosy. Beautiful shrugs will complement our dresses in neutral tones of cream, mink and beige, perfect for a winter’s day. I’ll need you in for a fitting sometime by Wednesday, and Eleni, I need you to be extra careful not to let anything slip at work. I’ve already co-ordinated with Julia’s hairdresser to come over to the lodge the morning of the wedding. We’ll all have our hair and make-up done and leave together in the reindeer-pulled carriage. My dad, Wilbur, will be giving Julia away and he arrives back first thing that day. Oh and before I forget, I’ve set up a private WhatsApp group, which you should all now be a part of. Also, thank you all. This couldn’t happen without you. I love it when a plan comes together. This Christmas is going to be so magical.’
* * *
A couple of hours later Guy and Libby were tucking into sandwiches. It was going to be a busy time pulling the wedding together but they couldn’t wait for the moment when Julia walked down the aisle with Flynn waiting at the altar for her.
There was a knock on the door and Libby waved through the window. Holly was standing on the doorstep. ‘It’s a little girl about this high, with beautiful hair, and it looks like she’s holding some post.’
Guy was up on his feet and as soon as the door was open, he picked up Holly and spun her round. ‘Here she is! I’ve missed you!’ he said, blowing a raspberry on her cheek.
‘Dad, get off me,’ she squealed, pretending to wipe it away. ‘You always do this.’
‘Where has my little girl gone? You’ve been away for one night and come back all grown up.’
‘I’m still here; I just don’t want sloppy kisses.’
Libby smiled, watching the father and daughter bond. ‘How was your night?’ she asked. ‘Did you have a good time?’
Holly nodded. ‘Pickle has been naughty though. She chewed up the post. Granny said this is for you.’
‘Why thank you. Would you like a drink? There’s a jug of juice over there.’
‘Yes, please.’
Guy poured Holly a drink while Libby looked at the envelope in her hand. Tearing it open she discovered a letter from her new boss, Francesca, and there, staring back at her, was her one-way plane ticket to John F Kennedy International Airport. She glanced towards Holly and Guy, who were chatting away, then checked her phone. She’d left a voicemail for Francesca just before midday and was hoping that her new boss would return her call very soon. Libby had put forward a proposition for what her new job might look like and it was one she hoped would be agreed to.
‘Please ask her, Dad, I want her to be our first visitor.’
Libby suspected she knew exactly what Holly wanted Guy to ask her.
Holly continued. ‘I’ll help to make dinner and we can buy a cake as you’re rubbish at making cakes.’
‘Hey, I’ll have you know I’m not that bad,’ he objected. ‘And I know you’re excited about your new home but it needs a lot of work done on it before we can make those plans. Thankfully, I do have some other news that I know you’re going to love. You will be starting school very soon.’
Holly’s smile widened and she began jumping up and down. ‘Will you and Libby pick me up on my first day? Please, Dad.’
Guy looked across at Libby and took in her expression. ‘Everything okay?’
‘What have you got there?’ asked Holly before Libby had a chance to answer. ‘Mummy has a ticket like that. She’s going away with Auntie Lydia and I get to live with Daddy in Heartcross, which means we can see you all the time.’
Libby looked towards Guy for guidance and she noticed him briefly close his eyes before he bent down next to Holly.
‘Holly, we can’t wait for you to start school as I know it’s something you’ve wanted for a while, and I promise I’ll be there to pick you up on your first day, but Libby has some very good news that might make it hard for her to join me. You know how fantastic Libby is at making clothes? Well, she has a new job. A job that she has worked hard for. Libby is going to get to do what she loves the most, designing dresses and making clothes for a lot of famous people … in New York City.’
‘But New York is far away. I know that because you read me a bedtime story where a monkey flies to New York City by mistake, and it’s thousands of miles away. When will we see you?’ Holly’s eyes were wide and the smile had fallen from her face. She looked at Libby then back at Guy.
‘We have lots of technology so we can see Libby all the time and catch up over FaceTime or on phone calls.’
‘But it’s not the same.’ Holly’s lip began to quiver and she ran out of the front door.
‘I have to go.’ Guy touched Libby’s arm before he went after Holly, leaving Libby clutching her one-way ticket to New York. Picking up her phone, she willed Francesca to return her call.
