As she entered the inn, Lisa was behind the reception desk looking somewhat tired. She was getting noticeably larger now, being six months pregnant.
‘Lisa, I don’t think you should be standing behind there now,’ Cassie gently told her.
‘I know, but it’s so busy at the moment. I’m just covering for a short while.’
‘No. I’ll cover, you go back into the office and sit down,’ she replied firmly. She made a mental note to brief all the staff of what to expect from Lisa now – and standing behind reception wasn’t one of them any more. Though, as Lisa had stated, they were extremely busy now with it being the Christmas holidays. Cassie had always enjoyed this special time in the hotel, the atmosphere buzzed and everyone was in a good mood, which meant good tips, too. It suddenly dawned on her at that moment, this was the last Christmas she would have at the inn. Her chin trembled. She must not get emotional, she told herself. There was too much to do without blubbering with sentimentality. Then her thoughts were distracted by seeing Rory push through the doors carrying various shopping bags. Clearly she wasn’t the only last-minute shopper.
‘Hi.’ He heaved a sigh of relief and dumped his bags on the floor.
‘Got everything then?’ Cassie asked.
‘Yep. The lot. You, Mum, Dad, brothers and nephew. Sorted.’
They had been invited for Christmas dinner at Rory’s parents’ house, which Cassie was looking forward to. She was keen to meet them and see his childhood home. She knew they’d been briefed by Rory with their plans, so wasn’t expecting any awkwardness, and she suspected his parents had long since ceased to be shocked by their son’s impulsiveness. As he kept telling her, ‘They’re just plain relieved I’m finally settling down.’
Rory looked at her. ‘Sure your parents don’t mind you not being with them?’
‘No, they’re fine about it. After all they do see a lot of me anyway, don’t they?’
‘No doubt my mum will get out the photo albums, documenting my chequered past.’
‘I’ll enjoy that,’ she replied laughing. Then she paused. ‘You haven’t mentioned us eloping, have you?’ Whilst it remained a light-hearted proposition between the two of them, she wanted it to be just between them. ‘Not that I’ve changed my mind,’ she quickly cut in. Rory leant across the reception desk to kiss her full on the mouth, oblivious to anyone watching.
‘You just name the day, Pixie,’ he winked. ‘And no, I haven’t said anything about us running away to get hitched.’
*
Fletcher was surreptitiously pouring himself a sneaky whisky. Jasper had relented and unlocked the drinks cabinet, it being Christmas. He was determined to make the most of it, before the lock and key went back on. Lilly had put the turkey in the Aga and it smelt delicious. She had just entered the drawing room to join Fletcher.
‘Three hours should do it,’ she said sitting down by the fire.
‘What?’ asked Fletcher.
‘The turkey, it should be cooked in three hours. I’ll take it out and then it’s ready for you to carve tomorrow.’
‘I’m sure Adira and Jasper could have done that,’ he replied, taking a sip of his tumbler.
‘Well, they’re newlyweds, they won’t want bothering,’ she said, waving her hands away dismissively.
Typical Lilly, always thinking of others and never herself. Fletcher eyed her above the rim of his glass.
‘What are you doing tomorrow?’ he asked, knowing full well it would be a quiet meal with Ruby in front of the Royal speech.
‘Oh just a quiet meal with Ruby,’ Lilly sighed.
‘Why not join us, here?’
Lilly’s head shot up. ‘Oh, we’d love that!’
We? But yes, of course she wouldn’t leave her twin behind and nor would he want her to.
‘Good. Then you and Ruby must come for Christmas dinner,’ he replied with a firm nod of his head and knocked back the rest of his whisky. Good will to all men and all that, he thought.
Jasper happened to be passing the drawing room and had overheard Fletcher’s last sentence. So, it was Christmas with Fletcher, the in-laws, Lilly and Ruby… and, oh yes, his new wife. Dubai couldn’t come quick enough.
*
Christmas day was, as Jasper predicted, a whirlwind of relatives and friends. It reminded him of Christmases from his childhood, when The Laurels had been packed to the rafters with family. Fires crackled, music played, wine flowed and the huge dining table groaned with food. All the festive decorations, still fresh from the wedding, gave the place that extra Yuletide feel. A far cry from last Christmas, he thought, remembering the dried turkey dinner eaten on his balcony in the sun. He’d never felt as lonely in Dubai as he had then. He had spent most of the day in front of the TV, apart from when he’d rung his parents and Fletcher. And to think he might still have been there, out in Dubai on his own, instead of back home at The Laurels with Adira and Fletcher.
