Jess’s eyes are shining. ‘So what do you think, Maeve?’
I say the first thing that comes into my head. ‘I love that song so much. Shall we watch it again?’
Jess gives a cough. ‘I mean about your beach hut making the perfect wedding venue! The bride and groom can walk in along the sands, and the registrars and guests can access it by car from the lane behind.’
Poppy carries on. ‘There’s space for a signing table and a few extra chairs, people can sit on the storage benches along the side, and you can have deckchairs and rugs on the sands for later.’ She carries on. ‘Some calico bunting, a lantern or two, some white daisy posies, and you’d be good to go!’
Jess is staring at us. ‘Is it exquisite enough to use for Tia’s barely there wedding?’
I look sideways to Tia, who is scraping away a tear but nodding slowly.
I’m desperate to give her the wonderful day she deserves, but I have to be realistic with my promises.
‘By the time I wade through the council permissions, Tia and Thom will be pensioners.’
Poppy’s eyes are shining. ‘We’ve done this before at the farm, Maeve. We know the system inside out.’
Jess is purring. ‘I’ll get Bart’s lawyers onto it straightaway. They’ll sort it in a twinkling.’
My heart plummets. ‘I can’t afford solicitors.’
Jess raises her eyebrows. ‘No one’s suggesting you do this alone. It’ll be a partnership with the shop. We’ll each do the bits we’re comfortable with.’
I give a sniff. ‘It sounds like an awful lot of work for one wedding. Even if it’s the most important wedding of all,’ I add, seeing the flash of hurt in Tia’s eyes.
Jess is beaming. ‘That’s the beauty of it. It wouldn’t only be for Tia. Your beach hut would become our Brides by the Sea affiliated mini venue.’
I’m frowning. ‘You really think people would go for this?’
Poppy smiles at me. ‘If you don’t try, you’ll never know, will you?’
Tia is grasping my fingers. ‘I’d love it for us. And it might bring in income for you, too.’ She’s looking into my eyes. ‘I’mguessing you wouldn’t mind if it meant you could help out your mum a bit more?’
Jess beams. ‘We’ll both take a cut of the takings while we help you start up, and then review going forwards. Poppy and Tia will vouch, I’m meticulously fair.’ Her smile widens. ‘All I really want is a tiny venue nearby to offer brides, so they’ll come to us for their dresses too.’
Poppy’s smiling. ‘Sera’s already working on a simple seashore range and it’s lovely.’
Tia’s eyes are pleading as she searches my face. ‘I know it’s hard for you, Maevey, and you might not want to share your beloved hut, but Thom and I will be grateful to you forever if you can find it in your heart to agree. And I promise we’ll all have your back if you decide to take it forward to more weddings. So please say you’ll give it a try.’
What else can I do? My best friend is begging, and it may well help my own financial crisis. For one time only I need to ignore my own– disproportionately huge– fears of the unknown, and woman the eff up. My heart is pounding, and every bit of oxygen in my lungs has disappeared, but I pull Tia into a hug and whisper, ‘Okay. Yes. Let’s do it.’
Jess pats my arm. ‘Brilliant. Now that’s settled, let’s move on to the real business of the morning!’
She’s interrupted by the shop bell ringing, and a horribly familiar voice calls from the entrance hall.
‘Anyone home?’
I frown at Tia. ‘Lando’s still in town?’
Tia pulls a face. ‘Prepare yourself for another shock, but this next idea could take care of your cash worries for the rest of the summer.’
I’ve always been motivated by happiness not money. But right now, it suddenly seems as if I may not have that luxury anymore.
12
Brides by the Sea, St Aidan, Cornwall
Earthquakes and seismic readings
