Adira gave them a cheery wave and off they went.
‘I do hope they all enjoy their Scottish adventure,’ she said as Jasper came to stand next to her.
‘So do I. The place will seem quiet without him.’ He put an arm round her shoulders and she leaned into him.
‘Yes, but it’ll give us chance to get the last-minute arrangements ready for the wedding,’ Adira told him. Whilst pretty much covering everything, she wanted peace and quiet to decorate The Laurels exactly how she wanted, without Fletcher or Lilly’s ‘help’. The Christmas tree was due to be delivered that afternoon and she was keen to get it in place, then dress it with the new decorations she’d bought. All the colours tied in nicely with her Christmas wedding theme of traditional red, gold and green. She’d collected holly, ivy, mistletoe, berries and pinecones from the estate and had got the estate manager to drop off some rustic logs. She’d bought red and gold pillar candles, scented with cinnamon, and hurricane lamps, all to add a cosy, soft winter glow.
Adira was eager to get started and was secretly glad to have the house to herself.
‘I’ll miss him,’ Jasper looked wistfully at the empty gravel driveway. For a moment he was reminded of Fletcher’s age and how precious his time now was. But then, time had always been precious with Fletcher. He gulped back the emotion and mentally shook himself. Adira eyed him pensively.
‘It’s only for a few days,’ she gently spoke.
Jasper nodded his head.
‘I know, but—’ He cut off and swallowed again.
Adira was perceptive enough to sense what he was thinking and didn’t want him upset, especially with the run up to the wedding. She kissed his cheek.
‘Come on, let’s get the place looking magical for his return.’
Jasper smiled. ‘He loves Christmas, always made it special for me as a boy.’
‘Well then, we’ll make this Christmas special for him,’ she replied brightly, cheering him up.
‘Let’s,’ he replied, giving her a squeeze.
*
Lilly gasped at the first sight of Glenrick Castle. The brochure hadn’t done it justice. It was even more splendid in real life, with its battlements and pointed turrets set against the backdrop of purple-clad mountains.
‘Oh, Fletcher, look,’ she whimpered, nudging him. He leant forward to see out of the coach window.
‘Aye, Boudicca made a good choice,’ he said quietly with a surreptitious wink.
‘Shush,’ giggled Lilly, ‘she’ll hear you.’
‘I doubt that,’ he replied glancing over the seats to where Ruby sat fast asleep. ‘She’s been snoring and spluttering like an old boiler for the past hour.’
Lilly put her hand over her mouth to stop laughing. Just then, the tour guide’s voice boomed down the microphone, causing Ruby to stir.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Glenrick Castle hotel,’ she announced with pride.
‘About time,’ Ruby muttered, rubbing her eyes.
‘If you’d like to exit the coach, a drink is waiting for you in the great hall. And please, don’t forget, dinner this evening will be served at seven. I hope you’ve all got your glad rags and dancing shoes ready!’ she chirped with gusto.
‘Glad rags indeed. Huh! Some of us can’t afford such frivolities,’ scorned Ruby, this time audibly for Lilly to hear. It wasn’t lost on Fletcher as he saw Lilly chew nervously on her lip.
‘Did you tell her about our shopping spree?’ he whispered.
‘She saw the carrier bags and delved inside them,’ she hissed back. Fletcher rolled his eyes.
As they entered the castle, all three of them were in awe of its grandeur. High ceilings with spectacular chandeliers cast shadows down the grey, stone walls. Winding spiral staircases led to corridors hung with tapestries and deer antlers. Once inside their rooms, they were equally impressed at the sheer luxury. Spacious and individually designed, each boasted a king-size bed, coffee machine, robes, slippers and aromatic toiletries. Fletcher rubbed his hands in glee; this is the life, he thought. His mood lifted even more at seeing the mini bar in the corner of the room. He’d crack that open before unpacking. Why not?
‘There, all done,’ said Lilly as she closed the wardrobe door.
‘Any room left for my old clothes?’ asked Ruby flatly. Lilly chose to ignore the dig and went into the bathroom to leave her toiletry bag. She was rather looking forward to this evening’s dinner and refused to let Ruby ruin it for her. After all, it was her recommendation that they were all here. And at Fletcher’s expense, she reminded herself. Perhaps she should remind Ruby too, make her show some appreciation for once.
