Rory laughs. ‘Wait and see what’s in your parcels, Snow Berry. There might be something in there you like even better.’
But before we get to the adult presents, there’s the small matter of lunch, which is served at a long table in the Winter Garden, where the windows are so large, it almost feels like we’re dining outside in the snow.
The guys have excelled themselves in the kitchen and Bart’s in charge of the wine, which changes with every course. With Brie and cranberry quiches, fried ravioli, meatballs and stuffed mushrooms, the starters are a meal in themselves. There’s pork, turkey, ham and nut roast for the main course, with all the trimmings. Buttered carrots, purple mashed potato, snap peas, stuffings, stuffing balls, sauces, Yorkshire puddings, Rafie’s roasties and lashings of gravy.
‘Are we eating Immie and Chas’s piggy ring bearers here?’ Rory asks. Their wedding was one of his forty, so he knows all about the runaway porkers.
‘Definitely not,’ Rafe laughs. ‘Everyone who comes to the farm wants to see those bad boys.’
By the time we get to the Christmas pudding and rum sauce, with Poppy’s speciality Christmas pudding ice cream melting over it, we’re more than full. But we soldier on valiantly to tackle a cheeseboard the size of a snooker table, then move on to coffee and liqueurs, and chocolates.
We’re sipping coffee with chocolate and praline overtones, surrounded by gilded plates of truffles when Jess looks over at me.
‘Well, there’s still one more teensy surprise left. Another one for you, Holly.’
Rory sends me a grin over the top of Gracie’s head. ‘Hopefully this one’s better than the first.’
Jess sends me a sideways glance. ‘Not many people would have been strong enough to refuse that ring, but whatever. I’m assured there’s a lot I’ve missed out on in Switzerland after all.’ She draws herself up in her seat. ‘This is more professional than personal. When Jules became ill, we were all aware that without a photographer, a wedding might as well not happen. Without one all our reputations would have been at risk, and without a doubt, all our businesses would have suffered. But you pulled out your cameras and stepped into the breach, Holly, and saved the day for all of us. We all know it wasn’t easy for you, but you came through amazingly. So, well, we’re all of the same opinion – you absolutelyhaveto stay on and be part of the team.’
Usually I’d be scarlet by this point. But I’m actually so gobsmacked, I feel as if all the blood has drained from my face. Rory saying it privately is one thing, a big announcement like this is making me feel as though my spine has been surgically removed. I’m actually sniffing into my hanky again and the fairy lights that are strung across the ceiling and along the windows are blurry through my tears.
Jess smiles. ‘I know you’re having quite an emotional day. But to show how much we appreciate what you’ve done, we’d like to offer you the studio rent-free for a couple of years. Or as long as it takes for you to get a business going. We’d like you to install yourself there and use it. And Jules,’ She beams across at the figure who’s now added reflective sunnies to his Santa hat and scarf combo. ‘Jules will be on hand to either share, or help, or join in, in whatever way he can.’
‘Absolutely.’ Jules puts his thumbs up. It’s strange, but losing his fabulous complexion seems to have temporarily taken away his normal personality too.
Jess carries on. ‘The attic flat is yours as long as you need it, too. We’re all determined to work with you to make this happen, Holly. All you have to do is say the word when you’re ready. And, unlike this morning, I’m not pressuring you for an answer. Take however long you need. But please, please, please choose Brides by the Sea. Because now you’ve given us a taste of your magic, we really can’t do without you.’
Poppy comes over and gives me a squeeze, and Lily and Sera, then Immie, get up too. ‘Okay, group hug.’ I’m damp, and sniffy and slobbery, but the hug is so warm and long and lovely that at the end of it I feel better rather than worse.
Okay. Well at least feeling like a wrung-out dishcloth is a great excuse to tuck into a white chocolate and raspberry truffle with my coffee.
Rory stands up. ‘Great, thanks for that, Jess. Is this a good time to move on to the grown-ups’ presents? Shall I play Santa?’
I see Gary lurch across the table to object. Then he remembers he left his Santa persona with his Santa suit, and sits down again.
For someone who isn’t supposed to be participating in Christmas this year, my stack of presents is mahoosive.
Rory leans over and picks a packet out of my pile. ‘Okay, this one first, it’s for you and Gracie to open together.’
Gracie doesn’t mess about, but then as the paper comes off, I understand what I’m looking at and she doesn’t. ‘Oh my, how awesome. Me and Gracie got matchingWonder Womanpyjamas, from Rory.’ Yet again my voice is all high and squealy.
Rory raises an eyebrow and laughs. ‘Glad you like them. I left the onesie in the shop in the end. But you can always have that for your birthday.’
Poppy’s looking at me, one eye half-closed. ‘What’s that about onesies again?’
I close my eyes and shake my head. ‘Trust me, it’s best not to know.’
Gracie’s already onto my next present, which turns out to be a Happy Dolphin Garden Centre reindeer like the one we bought her and Teddie. I turn to Rory. ‘Bought on the same day we did the tree?’
He’s frowning. ‘Obviously. You looked like you were about to cry when you had to leave the shop without one.’
Immie laughs at him. ‘When you get kids of your own they’ll have you wrapped around their little finger, Rory Waves.’
I’m kind of holding my breath waiting for his ‘no kids’ speech, but somehow it never comes.
Then Rory opens the cashmere sweater and shirt I’ve bought him, and likes them so much he insists on putting them on. Although, I admit, having to cope with a flash of his gorgeous pecs and torso was something I’d overlooked when I chose the present. I’ve just opened some Snowberry nail varnish – just Rory’s joke, apparently – when there’s a howl from across the table.
When we peer past the candles in mason jars and paper piles to see what all the fuss is about, the duck egg blue of the box Jess is holding looks very familiar.
