Cassie and Rory were on cloud nine. Even they, the spur-of-the-moment couple, conceded how fast their lives were about to take a dramatic change. Together, after rereading all the documentation of the barn, they had made a decision. They were going for it, big time. They were going to buy and restore the barn into an eco-friendly home and create a smallholding to become as self-sufficient as possible. Oh yes, and they were also eloping.
Rory had at least told his parents of his plans and promised to visit them with Cassie very soon. He was slightly concerned about their reaction, yet needn’t have been. Nobody more than they were used to their wayward, impetuous son. ‘Typical runaway train, Rory,’ sighed his mother, knowing full well that to object in any way was futile. Rory knew his own mind; he always had. Plus, his parents had never heard him so happy.
Now getting ready for the wedding, Rory reflected that he didn’t miss wearing a collar and tie every day as he adjusted his navy suit. Cassie wore a slim fitted plum woollen dress and brown suede boots. A lilac pashmina finished the outfit off nicely. Rory gave her a wolf whistle.
‘You don’t look so bad yourself,’ laughed Cassie. Suddenly Rory’s face clouded over. ‘What?’ she asked concerned.
‘I was just thinking, you won’t regret us not having a family wedding like Adira and Jasper?’
‘No,’ Cassie replied with certainty. ‘I rather like the idea of running off in secret, it’s so romantic.’
‘Yes, it is,’ agreed Rory, then stopped himself from adding, ‘and cheap’.
*
All the guests made their way up the footpath in the late afternoon dusk to The Laurels. The orangery was illuminated with pillar candles and hurricane lamps, giving a soft, mellow glow. White roses and winter greenery decorated the sills and the table at the front, covered with white linen, held a large bouquet of red poinsettias.
In they came, shuffling sideways into their chairs. Max and Fitz sat at the back, along with Colin. James, however, wanted a ringside view and placed himself on the second row. Acting as witnesses, Cassie and Rory were at the front, alongside Adira’s mother and gran. Fletcher stood proudly with Jasper at the front, in the centre aisle, before the registrar. Alice and Rufus sat alone at the far end of the top row. The rest of the guests filled the seats and waited for the bride to make an entrance.
An excited anticipation filled the air and then suddenly the sound of ‘Silent Night’ echoed through the orangery. The room’s eyes turned to Adira as she walked serenely on her father’s arm down the middle to join Jasper. As she did, he turned to face her and the burning desire oozing from him was palpable.
Together, with their loved ones watching, Adira and Jasper made their vows to each other. Edie’s eyes filled with emotion when the registrar announced them husband and wife. A cheer exploded from the small gathering, making the happy couple laugh into each other. As they turned to walk back through them, hand in hand, rose petals were thrown as confetti (a touch suggested by James). ‘Deck the Halls’ rang out as they made their way into the hall, where staff carrying silver trays of mulled wine greeted them.
‘I love you, Mrs Hendricks,’ Jasper gazed at Adira and kissed her on the lips. Fletcher who was stood nearby and overheard, stilled for a moment, his heart melting at Jasper’s words. Then his eye caught Alice’s across the hall. There she was, looking as radiant as ever. She was as beautiful now as the day he first met her. His mind cast back to all those years ago, when his little brother had proudly introduced his family to his new girlfriend. How taken they all were with this young beauty on Rufus’s arm, full of life and exuberance. Sadly, that had been sapped of her over the time. It had been evidently clear to Fletcher how miserable Rufus had made Alice, much to his frustration. For he, more than anyone, knew how badly matched they were. Fletcher had longed to love and look after Alice, if only she had let him because he was certain she felt the same. The chemistry between them couldn’t be denied. Only once had she allowed them to share their true feelings, and Jasper was the result of that one, precious union. Fletcher looked deeply into those mesmerising pale eyes. Why, Alice? I could have made you so happy.
‘Drink, Fletcher?’ Lilly interrupted his thoughts. He turned and smiled, taking a glass off her. Lilly had been his rock, a true friend and companion. Her loyalty deserved his full attention.
‘May I say how pretty you look today?’ Then he bent down to whisper, ‘And Ruby’s scrubbed up well too,’ he added, his eyes twinkling with mischief. This earned him a playful nudge from Lilly.
After a short while all the photographs had been taken, and the guests were shown into the huge dining room. The long table running down the centre shone with silverware, crystal and candelabras. The wedding favours made by Fitz and Max went down a treat. Here they enjoyed a time-honoured Christmas dinner.
When Adira’s father rose to give his speech, silence hung in the air. As predicted, he made it short and sweet, not one for public speaking. Fletcher, on the other hand, milked the opportunity to be given a platform. He spoke with true love and affection of Jasper’s childhood days at The Laurels, making Adira’s eyes fill. It was blatantly obvious to all how much Jasper meant to him, and how pleased he was with his choice of bride. His comment on them having ‘a white witch’ in the family made all the guests roar with laughter. But it was his last comment which resonated with everyone present. ‘Jasper is and will always be my world.’ There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Apart from Rufus.
‘Well, how do I follow that?’ said Jasper when it was his turn to speak. He then continued, giving his thanks to all for attending. He turned to Fletcher and gave his sincere gratitude for all he was – simply the best role model ever. Then he faced Adira and told them all what an honour it was to have such a stunning bride and soulmate for life. A tear trickled down her face, which she hastily wiped away. Finally, Jasper raised his champagne flute and gave a toast. ‘To my wonderful wife!’ he cheered.
As darkness descended, everyone made their way onto the lawn for the firework display. Bright colours popped, banged and sparkled into the night sky. Hot toddies were passed round and blankets for those needing them.
‘It’s been amazing,’ said Adira as Jasper put his arm round her.
‘And it’s not over yet,’ he kissed her cheek.
‘So, are you now going to tell me where we are going on honeymoon?’ she asked smiling. Jasper looked into her blue eyes, the lights from the fireworks reflecting in them.
‘Dubai,’ he replied, closely observing her reaction.
‘Dubai? Of course, why hadn’t I guessed?’ she beamed, much to his relief. Then they both looked up, hearing a collective. ‘Aw!’ from the gathering. There, in the pitch blackness of the sky, fireworks lit up a huge ‘J’ and ‘A’ surrounded by a heart shape. It really had been the most magical of days.
Chapter 33
There was a hive of activity the next morning at The Laurels. Adira’s parents and gran were coming for breakfast and the plan was for them to stay over for Christmas before returning home. Lilly was in the kitchen with Fletcher fussing over the preparations.
‘Do you think we should sit in the dining room?’ she asked anxiously.
‘Oh, stop flapping, Lilly. We’ll be grand in here.’
The kitchen was indeed perfectly fine to host a family breakfast, with its granite-topped island with high stools and long farmhouse table, surrounded by leather padded chairs. It was a far cry from the old one, with its creaky, wooden units and Formica surfaces. The kitchen had been one of the first rooms Jasper had renovated. He’d thoroughly enjoyed ripping out the old, damp cupboards and replacing them with fresh, modern ones, along with integrated appliances and vibrant coloured splash backs. Now, instead of a tired looking sixties affair, with orange and brown swirled tiles, metal sink and pantry, a solid oak kitchen shone with black granite tops. There was a butler sink with copper taps and it had a separate utility room to put the noisy washing machine in. The new Aga oven made sure the place was permanently cosy and warm too.
Lilly had never known such fanciness, when first seeing the finished kitchen, to the point where she felt a touch uncomfortable using it, not wanting to stain or damage any of the pristine appliances. But now, after a few months, she’d grown accustomed to it. The new dishwasher was a godsend and she’d often wondered how she’d coped before ever having had it. The large silver top-of-the-range coffee maker however she had mastered long since. Even Fletcher knew how to handle this, as it was the first thing Jasper had bought on his return to The Laurels. It had been a no-brainer for him, insisting that they had to have a decent coffee.
