‘I’ll be at the shop.’ He’s holding out his hand to help me up.
But I’ve already rolled over. And by the time I’m pushing myself up from all fours to wobble onto my skates he’s gone, and I’m face to face with Jess’s legs.
‘Brilliant save, Milla, marvellous work.’ Even though Jess has gone as far as navy cigarette pants and a tailored denim jacket, she still looks exactly the same as she does every day in the shop. ‘And I see it’s game on with Nic! Well done for that too.’
My heart’s sinking. ‘Really? After everything he said?’
‘He needs us and we’re going to come through for him.’
‘We are?’
‘What’s more, when you ace it you’ll feel so much better.’ She’s smiling down at me. ‘You’re not on your own, Milla. We’ll all be here to help you.’
And I need this like a hole in my tights. Because after all my efforts to avoid it, here I am helping organise a short-notice wedding that’s guaranteed to be a disaster, which won’t be great for my reputation. If this is what Jess meant about talking about it later, well I’m the fool again. Because worse than all of that, I’ll be working for Nic Trendell. And from the way my pulse was racing when he looked down at me just before, I’m really not sure that’s a good idea.
Chapter 7
The next Monday.
The Harbourside Hotel, St Aidan.
Long legs and long stories.
‘So we knew the Harbourside Hotel might not be “the one”. But seeing it gives us a good baseline to start from.’
Even if the morning sunlight has turned the sea to a shimmering carpet of turquoise sequins, I can think of better things to face first thing on a Monday than Nic Trendall at a wedding venue. And I admit, acing it with the first viewing would have been too much to ask for as well as a sunny day.
If I was worried that once we were on our own Nic might bring up our unfortunate Valentine’s night encounter on the harbourside, I needn’t have been. If he hasn’t mentioned it by now, I seriously doubt he will, so it’s a relief to know it was as insignificant for him as it was for me. That he’s put it firmly behind him, and forgotten it as much as I have. It’s also good to note there’s not the tiniest a hint of flirting on his part either. Today’s version is full-on serious groom.
Jess was as good as her word with the help, too – she’s set up today’s itinerary so all I have to do is drive us from one place to the next, then state the obvious. Easy-peasy. As Jess says, with the great hourly rate, how can we go wrong? But it’s not the next five months of her life she’s giving away.
‘So onwards and upwards!’ And I know I’m talking like an arse – it always happens when I’m nervous. ‘Any more reactions from you, Nic?’
My handbag’s between us on the bench seat of the van and Nic’s looking like he’s pretty close to puking into it. I have to say, if he did I’d happily join him. I’ve had this really unnerving sensation in my stomach ever since we set off which has to be down to how anxious I am. Like a million dragonfly wings fluttering just above my dress belt, crossed with how you feel those times you have too many coffees and your heart starts racing.
He fiddles with his seatbelt as I pull out of the car park. ‘I hate to sound picky.’ Which is exactly what people say when they’re going to be. ‘But it just felt very ordinary. And there were a hell of a lot of steps.’
‘Unfortunately, that’s what you get with a cliff-top hotel with access to the beach.’ Just saying. In my cheeriest voice. As for it not being special, it’s all relative. Realistically, if he’s used to yacht clubs in the Caribbean, we’re going to struggle to surprise him in St Aidan.
‘So, anything you’re looking for especially?’ More information now could save us a lot of unnecessary miles, which could be a factor as I glance sideways at his dark hair and strong jawline. When you think of all the grooms in Cornwall, it’s just my luck to get a sizzler. Not that I objectify. But while a hottie will be great for my portfolio pictures, what’s less great is my immediate – and very uncharacteristic – animal impulse to leap on him and bonk his socks off. I’m personally blaming that bit on the snog we’ve completely forgotten about and won’t ever be thinking about again. While simultaneously wanting to shake him for being such hard work so soon after we’ve begun.
He wrinkles his nose. ‘You show me all the best places and I’ll know when I see the right one.’
Which is about as much use as a chocolate tea pot. If this is how cooperative he is, the search will be endless.
Luckily there are lots of options at Poppy’s place where we’re heading next. If we pull in Rose Hill Manor which belongs to Jess’s partner Bart, we’ll have offered a whole array of viewings at a variety of price points. Okay, it’s an insider job, but the masterplan is that we look super-efficient. And with so many fab places on offer we may even clinch a booking.
As I steer around the station roundabout and out along the coast road, I’m blinking past the sun visor at the shine off the water. ‘So the next venues are twenty minutes inland.’ And I won’t be sharing that that’s where I grew up. But the drive is a great chance to do a spot of digging. If he won’t respond to straight questions, I need to try another way.
‘So you’re in the boat business.’ I’m wracking my brains for the right name for what he does. ‘Did you mention a nautical piloting agency?’
He looks like he’s woken up at last. ‘Nicolson Trendell is run from my phone and one small office near Penzance.’ He gives a shrug. ‘I have the same slogan as Jess – no job too small or too large. We do everything from rowing tourists across the harbour to taking millionaires and their super yachts around the southern oceans.’
I’d expected to be yawning but instead my jaw’s sagging with surprise. ‘AndSnow Goose?’
A grin flashes across his face. ‘That’s one job I fitted in myself. Her owner wanted her brought back from the States, and now he wants me to stay onboard until he uses her again.’
‘And you getpaidfor that?’ As I take in his nod beyond my elbow I can’t hold in my shock. ‘So hasSnow Goosegot a bathroom then?’ I’ve always wondered how Captain Jack Sparrow managed, I might as well find out.
