There’s no way I’m going within a mile of the king-sized four-poster with Lando around, but whatever his protests he looks very easy against this super-luxe backdrop.
I take control and smile. ‘Sorry to disappoint, but Angel was too wet to come, and Tia’s running late, so let’s start outside.’ Ihave a thought. ‘Have you met Martha? She could stand in as our dog of the day.’
Lando frowns at his light brown trousers. ‘Maybe not those giant paws with this suit.’ He pulls his phone out of his pocket. ‘I could take pictures of you on your own along the shoreline while we’re waiting for Tia?’
When I look over his shoulder to the curve of white sand and the sparkle of the turquoise sea beyond and think of posing for him, my insides turn to stone.
‘Or you could ask Salvador to help and we can stick to the original format.’ It’s not ideal, but it’s better than the alternative.
‘You lead the way and I’ll phone Sav.’
I was in too much of a panic when I arrived to see much at all, but wandering along the edge of the beach now and taking itall in, it hits me how beautiful this place is. There’s a cluster of smaller tents interspersed with trees and planting that opens out onto a wide-open tipi structure looking out to sea on one side, and the new gin bus and the meadows on the other.
Lando catches me up as I reach the bus and looks at the tasteful dark green paintwork. ‘We’re not fully set up yet, but we can move the tables and chairs around to give different views, and there are plenty of bottles at the bar.’ He’s frowning at my back. ‘I’m no expert, but is everything okay with your dress? It seems to be… flapping.’
Damn. Trust Lando to seize on every detail when I thought I could wing it. ‘It’s a back fastening chiffon over-top with pearl buttons and rouleau loop fastenings.’ I’m intending to baffle him with the detail. ‘It’s gaping at the back because Tia wasn’t here to do it up and I can’t reach myself.’
He considers. ‘You should have said. I’m not wedding shop trained but if you don’t mind that I can have a go?’
It’s the worst idea I’ve heard all day– there’s nothing I’d hate more– but I’m taking one for the team here. ‘Thank you, Lando, that’s very kind. Start at the bottom and work up. If you don’t need a back shot, you can miss out every other pearl.’
I can feel the warmth of his breath on the back of my neck as he works, and given he’s behind me it’s disconcerting that I’m breathing in so much of his scent. What’s more unnerving still is that he smells so good I’m secretly wanting it to last.
Even Tia takes a while, but Lando isn’t fumbling. His touch is deft and confident in a way that makes me shiver inside. By the time he gets to the bare skin at the nape of my neck, my shivers grow into a shudder that’s so big he has to notice.
His voice is full of concern. ‘Are you cold?’
It’s only when I let out a sigh at the end that I realise I’ve been holding my breath the whole time. ‘I’ve been standing still in the breeze. You did that very fast– without missing any out either.’
He rolls his eyes. ‘It’s buttons, not rocket science, Maevey. All those years of school shirts, we had plenty of practice.’
I beam and step away. ‘Just in time for Salvador, too. Shall we start by sitting at the table outside the bus, then move onto the open platform at the back? We can vary what we’re drinking, and how we’re interacting.’ I turn to Salvador. ‘If you don’t mind being David Bailey until Tia arrives, I’ll give you my phone.’
Lando looks around. ‘Don’t worry, we’ll get into position then tell you how close to zoom in. What have you done with Martha?’
Salvador hesitates. ‘I left her in the office barking her head off. Will that be okay?’
I try not to show my despair. ‘Some of them chew when you leave them alone.’
Salvador shrugs. ‘I haven’t had her long enough to tell yet. I left the window open so she’s got plenty of fresh air.’
I can’t resist the tease. ‘I’m sure Lando will overlook a few teeth marks on that lovely blonde wood desk.’ Their eyes widening in sync is the only satisfaction I need to relent. ‘Only joking, I’m sure she’ll soon settle.’
I move across to a table by the bus and pull out a pretty metal seat.
Lando takes the next one and calls to Salvador. ‘Nothing too formal. This is meant to be us kicking back after the ceremony.’
I take a lead from him, slip off my strappy gold platform sandals and hold them towards the camera, letting them dangle from my fingers. ‘Here you go, Sav, start with these.’
Lando laughs. ‘And then I’ll go and get us some drinks to pose with.’
I’m playing for time, willing Tia to come over the horizon, and Lando’s happy to milk every possible angle of his new purchase, which is how we manage to spend a full hour messing around the bus taking photos of every drink behind the bar. Then we do a few pictures around the prettiest planting areas on our way back down to the beach to pose on sun loungers in front of the individual tipis, and after that we wander along the sands for shots along the shore with the sea in the background. We’re pretty much coming to the end of the obvious possibilities when Salvador pipes up:
‘We haven’t done the stepping stones yet.’
I try not to let my heart sink. ‘Keep going?’
‘They cross the water meadows in the wetland area.’
