Clearly this was news to her, too. So much for the ‘we think’, thought Fletcher sourly. What on God’s earth had he let himself in for?
*
Jasper and Adira looked at each other and burst into giggles.
‘A castle in Scotland!’ hissed Adira.
‘I know,’ Jasper shook his head. ‘The old boy didn’t see that coming.’
The pair of them couldn’t help but overhear the conversation in the drawing room, especially given Ruby’s piercing, authoritarian tone.
‘He’s met his match with Ruby,’ laughed Adira.
‘Hasn’t he just, poor bloke.’ Then he turned to look at the wedding magazines on the desk in front of him. Adira had shown him the winter season issues, to give him an idea of what she had in mind. Pictures of cosy lit rooms, bathed in candlelight, decked with ivy, blooming with roses, holly and berries; silver trays holding crystal glasses of mulled wine; white muslin-covered tables set with porcelain, cut-glass and a twinkling candelabra. It was all so magical and Adira had completely fallen for it. She envisaged the orangery at The Laurels as the perfect venue to host such an occasion.
‘What do you think?’ she waited with bated breath for Jasper’s answer.
‘I think…’
‘Yes?’
‘It’s perfect,’ he said sitting back, enjoying the beaming smile light up her face. Was this beautiful, clever creature really going to be his wife?
‘It will be perfect,’ she agreed. ‘I’ve applied for the licence. We need to set a date and get the registrar booked.’
‘Right.’ Jasper reached for his diary in the desk drawer. Adira moved to look over his shoulder. Various meetings and business appointments filled December, but the weekends were free.
‘Let’s go for the twenty-first, winter solstice,’ said Adira.
‘The shortest day?’
‘Yes, I want it dark early for the fireworks.’
Jasper smiled wryly to himself. Of course she’d want fireworks.
‘That’s settled then, the twenty-first of December. What time?’
‘Ideally late afternoon, followed by an early evening dinner, but I suppose I’d better check with the registrar first.’
‘OK, I’ll leave it in your capable hands.’
Adira was happy to oversee the wedding plans, knowing how occupied Jasper was with the business. The sale of The Cobbled Courtyard was almost due for completion and he also had estate matters to see to.
‘I’ve got a few thoughts for the wedding package we can offer at The Laurels.’ Adira’s head had been brimming with ideas whilst researching for her own.
‘Great. Hopefully in the summer we can advertise it on the website.’
It was all coming together, they made such a good team. Jasper was impressed with the way Adira had calmly and efficiently pitched in with running The Laurels estate. They worked side by side seamlessly, each valuing the other’s opinion. Not many brides would have been so accommodating in cancelling a summer wedding, to hastily reschedule with only a few months’ notice. They were open and honest with each other; however, there was one secret that Jasper was keeping to himself. Adira deserved a decent honeymoon and she was going to get one. He was at pains to keep it under wraps and surprise her on their big day.
Chapter 13
Goldgate Gardens were barricaded off. Outside in the square a hive of reporters circulated. Camera crews had set up and tension hung in the air like a thundercloud. Eviction proceedings had begun. An activist above ground, who had built a makeshift shelter in one of the trees, shouted to the press.
‘Living in a tunnel is dangerous. But when people are really, really desperate, this is what they are forced to resort to. We are all going to die if action isn’t taken to address the climate emergency!’
The tunnellers had worked in shifts round the clock using pickaxes, shovels and buckets. The tunnel had been shored up with wooden joists and thick boards. However, heavy rainpours had weakened the support and the tunnel had given way. Three of the four activists had managed to escape in time, but tragically the last one had been crushed by the earth as it tumbled onto him halfway out of the entrance. Firefighters had managed to dig the protester out, who thankfully was still breathing and was immediately rushed to hospital. There he lay in intensive care, but was reported to be in a stable condition. The remaining protesters had then pitched tents or erected tree shelters near the tunnel opening. The construction company, in the interim, had taken legal temporary possession of Goldgate Gardens in order to progress with works necessary for the building of the new carriageway.
‘These protests are a danger to the safety of the protesters, our staff and the general public, and put unnecessary strain on the emergency services,’ a spokesperson for the company stated to the reporters. They added that their security team was trained in use of force.
