A Surprise Christmas Wedding: from the best selling author of A Perfect Cornish Christmas comes one of the most feel-good winter romance books of 2020

by Phillipa Ashley

  ‘Really?’ Lottie said.

  The Connor she remembered had been meticulous and ambitious, but he’d never really struck her as a hard-talking high-flyer. Although for all she knew, the new shiny version could have turned into a corporate megastar.

  ‘You have no idea,’ Keegan said then laughed again. ‘But this is a wedding not a business deal and we’re meant to be on a break. Connor’s a big softy when it comes to his family – and me. I’m so lucky.’

  ‘I’m sure he’s lucky to have you,’ said Lottie, through gritted teeth. ‘Now, would you like that tour of the guests’ rooms?’

  Sometimes families celebrating special occasions could take over the house and its ten bedrooms exclusively – and at a price, of course. However, neither Connor nor Keegan had batted an eyelid when Lottie had told them the cost of their wedding package. Given how obsessed he was with figures and planning, she guessed he’d hate all these hasty plans – either that or he’d changed.

  Lottie opened the door to the bridal suite and let Keegan walk ahead of her. It was a huge room with high ceilings and a large bay window that overlooked the lake.

  ‘Wow. This is magnificent.’ Keegan shook her head in admiration. ‘That’s a huge bed.’

  ‘It’s an original frame from the Edwardian era,’ Lottie said, trying to focus to the facts about the bed, not what might happen in it.

  Keegan ran her hand over the cover and lay back on it. ‘It’s gorgeous.’ She closed her eyes. ‘I always dreamed of spending our first night in a bed like this. Our first married night, that is. We’ve been living together for over six months now.’

  Six months? Lottie stifled a gasp. Connor really had wasted no time in accepting the job and moving in with Keegan.

  Keegan got off the bed and Lottie opened a door off to the side of the bedroom. The bathroom was reached through a vestibule lined with wardrobes on both sides.

  ‘There’s a full en suite and a dressing area, and we’ll provide fizz and flowers in your room.’

  ‘And a claw-foot bathtub big enough for two,’ Keegan said. ‘How romantic.’

  ‘I’m glad you like it.’ Lottie’s forced smile was beginning to hurt her jaw. ‘Would you like to see the other guest rooms now?’

  ‘Yes, please although I could run a bath right now, fill it with bubbles and sink into it. I’m exhausted, with the jet lag and all the excitement and secrecy. We love a nice soak in the tub together.’

  ‘How lovely,’ Lottie murmured, unable to avoid picturing Keegan and Connor in the massive tub, toasting each other.

  She moved back into the bedroom. ‘Now, as part of your package you get the rooms exclusively of course and we deliver a champagne breakfast for the um … the day after, and provide flowers for all the guest rooms …’ She reeled off the list of services and extra touches that were part of the package she’d put together for her first Firholme wedding, trying not to dwell on the idea of Keegan and Connor in the tub. Not that she’d ever been a bath-sharing kind of person – and come to think of it, neither had Connor. Not that their bath in their little house would have accommodated the pair of them at once.

  She steered the conversation onto who would be staying in which room, which seemed like safe territory.

  ‘We’ve plenty of room for your bridal party. The best man, parents and bridesmaids …’ she realised that unusually, they hadn’t been mentioned. ‘Are you having any attendants?’

  ‘Just Alicia – Connor’s sister,’ Keegan said. ‘I expect you might remember her?’

  ‘Yes, we’ve – er – met a few times,’ Lottie said.

  ‘You certainly couldn’t forget her,’ Keegan said. ‘Between us, I mainly asked her because I wanted to include her in the main bridal party. None of my friends could get here at such short notice but that’s a sacrifice I’m prepared to make.’

  Lottie smiled and continued to show Keegan the rooms where her bridesmaid – Connor’s sister – could stay over after the wedding party. She couldn’t help remembering Alicia. She was definitely a character and never afraid to speak her mind.

  After Keegan had inspected the guest rooms, Lottie led the way down the grand staircase.

  Keegan ran her hand along the polished handrail. ‘My mum’s so stoked about the idea of staying here,’ she said. ‘She’s never been to Europe so they’re making the wedding part of a longer trip.’

  ‘That sounds exciting,’ Lottie said, relieved to be on ground she felt more comfortable with.

  Downstairs, Connor had finished his call and was back in the ballroom. He seemed to be lost in thought when Lottie and Keegan walked in. She thanked her lucky stars he hadn’t been in the bridal suite when Keegan was relating their bathtub tales.

  She made some more notes about the logistics of the day, to double-check she knew where and when everyone was supposed to be at the agreed times and found she’d relaxed a little now; organising was her forte.

  ‘Dad’s transporting Mum, but we’ll be bringing his wedding suit here because Mum definitely would be suspicious if she spotted him in a suit and tie for a family lunch,’ Connor said. ‘Dad normally only wears suits under duress.’

  ‘Good idea,’ said Lottie, nodding. ‘He’s far happier in his gardening clothes or cycle jersey, I bet.’

  Keegan gave them both a hard stare. ‘What do you mean? His cycle jersey?’

  Connor’s expression contorted.

  ‘I um … meant like most fathers. They don’t like dressing up and er … I know Connor’s dad loves cycling. He marshalled one of the races round the lake a while ago. I saw it in the local paper …’ Lottie babbled.

  ‘Yes, I have mentioned it to you, Keegan. Dad loves his bike.’

  ‘Oh, yes. Maybe you have.’ Keegan smiled. ‘It will be an even bigger surprise for your mum when she sees him in a formal suit, then.’

  ‘Yes, it will,’ said Connor, avoiding Lottie’s eye.

  Keegan’s phone rang. ‘It’s the dressmaker. I have to take this. I’ll be back shortly.’

  After she’d gone, Lottie heaved a sigh of relief. ‘I’m sorry about that, Connor. The cycling, I mean.’

  He sighed. ‘Don’t be. Keeping two lots of secrets is harder than I thought.’

  ‘I did warn you.’

  ‘It’s too late now,’ he replied with a sigh. ‘Keegan really will be pissed off if I tell her the truth after this length of time.’

  ‘You do know that people might tell her we were together on the day, don’t you?’

  ‘Possibly, though I’ve asked my sister and Dad not to say anything. My best man, Kai, doesn’t know anyway and I haven’t asked that many friends from round here.’

  ‘You seem to have covered every avenue,’ Lottie said.

  ‘I had to. Jesus, how has it come to this?’

  ‘Like you say, it’s too late now.’ Lottie wondered what Fiona would make of things when she discovered who’d organised Connor’s wedding. That would be a very awkward moment, but it was Connor’s problem, not hers.

  ‘If someone gossips on the day, then I’ll deal with it but the wedding’s so close now, I just want to get it done.’

  That didn’t sound very much like an excited groom to Lottie, but then again, she knew that many grooms – and a few brides – were secretly relieved when the big day finally came and went. No matter how exciting, it could be a very fraught time.

  ‘How’s your dad handling keeping the secret?’ she said.

  Connor pulled a face. ‘Stressed out, if I’m honest. He keeps asking me if it wouldn’t be better to tell Mum, or at least let her know a day in advance but Keegan’s having none of it. She said that after all the planning, it’d be crazy to ruin the surprise and I guess she’s right.’

  Lottie stayed neutral, even though she was dying to say that Fiona might have enjoyed all the planning and certainly would have wanted to choose a new outfit.

  ‘I’m sure it’ll be a lovely surprise,’ she said, trying to inject genuine enthusiasm into her voice
.

  Connor still didn’t seem convinced. ‘They hadn’t met her until a week ago and I could tell Mum was shocked when we announced our engagement.’

  Stunned at Connor’s frankness, Lottie was in two minds whether to close down the conversation. However, she couldn’t resist the chance to find out more, even if the answers might be uncomfortable to hear. ‘Keegan’s going to be their daughter-in-law and they’ll get to know her a lot better … So, you two met at work, did you?’ she asked.

  ‘Yes. She was my line manager until I was promoted to the same level. We just sort of clicked straightaway.’ A smile crept onto his lips but vanished immediately, as if he’d suddenly realised who he was talking to. ‘We moved in a few months after and now here we are,’ he added briskly, and glanced at his wristwatch. ‘I hope Keegan comes back soon. We need to be at the photographer’s by noon.’

  He strode to the doorway and called loudly. ‘Keegan! Can you get a shift on? We’re going to be late for the photographer.’

  Keegan strolled back in. ‘OK. Calm down. I was only refreshing my make-up for the shoot. We’re having some engagement shots done,’ Keegan said to Lottie, with an eye-roll. ‘Haven’t had time yet.’

  ‘Surely you can do that at the studio? Come on,’ he urged, his hand at Keegan’s back.

  Lottie almost laughed at his haste to be out of her sight.

  ‘Enjoy yourselves!’ she called after them.

  ‘Thank youuuu!’ Keegan gave a little wave but Connor left without a word.

  The room was suddenly silent and empty, leaving Lottie marooned in the centre of it. She let out a huge sigh. In the past half an hour, she’d been through enough emotions to last a lifetime. Disappointment, sadness, amusement, jealousy and yes – relief. Connor was as attractive as ever – handsomer, in fact – and she couldn’t be in his presence without remembering the intimacy and pleasure of their physical relationship, no matter how hard she tried.

  She’d also glimpsed some of the traits of the ‘old’ Connor that she’d loved, the little insecurities that once seemed endearing, and she’d warmed at his acknowledgement that she’d been so very close to his family. He was obviously aware that he and Keegan had got together very quickly.

  Surely, Connor wouldn’t have been railroaded into a wedding by Keegan?

  Lottie had to tell herself that every meeting like this was a step forwards and like aversion therapy for a phobia. The more she faced her fears, the less she would fear the next time.

  She took a deep breath and walked out of the house to her office. She had the Christmas party to finalise and that was one event that the past couldn’t spoil in any way.

  Chapter Ten

  Four and a bit weeks to the wedding

  ‘Oh hello, Keegan … Yes, I’ve spoken to the florist and it’s all in hand … Yes, there’s still time to change the toast to Australian sparkling wine. Good timing because I was putting in the final order today … Yes, we can have personalised jars of pink jelly beans in all the guest rooms … oh, a firework display at the end of the party? Hold on, let me get a pen … OK, go ahead … I’ll do my very best and let you know asap.’

  Lottie scribbled on notes on her pad, while Keegan reeled off a list of last-minute ‘tweaks’ to the schedule. In less than two weeks since she’d first met Keegan, Lottie had mobilised a host of wedding suppliers into action. She’d been on the phone several times a day to them to relay her bride’s changing plans and thanked her lucky stars she’d developed such good relations with them in her previous role at the hotel.

  ‘Fabulous, I’ll get all that sorted, so you can relax,’ she said brightly before adding the stinger. ‘One thing I would suggest though … is there anything else you can think of because we’re at the stage where we have to give final numbers to the suppliers and we won’t be able to change things easily. Yes … yes, I’m looking forward to the run-through with the photographer. I’m sure it will all feel a lot more real then too.’

  She put down the phone, realising she’d been smiling fit to burst, even though Keegan couldn’t actually see her. At least everything should now be in place. The photographer had actually suggested to Lottie that he come along to test out camera angles to get the best shots for the ceremony. He liked to have a run-through with the bride and groom if possible, especially as Firholme was a new venue to him. And so Lottie had suggested the run-through could also serve as an informal rehearsal and give Keegan and Connor a better idea of how things would work on the day. Keegan had been massively excited about the prospect so it was all arranged for the week before the wedding.

  Shayla had been working on the other side of the office and came over as Lottie sank back in her chair with a sigh. ‘Demanding bride?’ she asked. ‘Do I need to put a cup of soothing chamomile tea on?’

  Lottie threw her a confident smile in case Shayla thought she wasn’t on top of the planning. ‘Not yet … Keegan wants me to arrange a firework display. One of those frameworks to display “Mr & Mrs Moran” in fireworks as a surprise for Connor. I’ll phone the pyrotechnic company and see if they can do it at short notice.’

  ‘Good job he’s not called Featherstonehaugh,’ Shayla said. ‘Or it could have cost her.’

  She laughed. ‘I’m not sure they can build a frame that big.’

  ‘Well, if anyone can sort it, you can, Lottie. You’re a star. I get the impression this wedding has been difficult for you.’

  ‘It’s only the haste of it that’s a challenge but it’ll all be sorted.’

  ‘Well, I do appreciate it. The revenue is much needed.’ Shayla eyed her. ‘How does seasonal hot chocolate from the café sound? With all the works on top of course. You seem a little frazzled.’

  ‘Sounds great. Thanks.’

  While Shayla went to fetch the drinks, Lottie sank back in her chair and closed her eyes. No matter how much she tried to convince herself this wedding was as normal as any other, it didn’t feel normal at all.

  Keegan’s requests weren’t even that bizarre compared to some of the demands she’d received in her previous job. She’d once commissioned bridesmaids’ ‘outfits’ for two Chihuahuas. It never ceased to amaze her how seemingly mild-mannered brides, grooms and their in-laws turned from nice, civil people into divas and despots as soon as the wedding was booked.

  If she was brutally honest with herself, this was one of the more sensible weddings. Keegan was polite and seemed well aware of the issues created by such a last-minute wedding, but it still felt like a trial. Lottie had vastly underestimated how much effort she would require to show genuine enthusiasm for the event, not to mention she had to conduct it like a covert military operation in terms of secrecy.

  She could handle keeping the surprise from Fiona, but deceiving Keegan was a big strain. She’d almost slipped up so many times, and let out little clues as to how close she and Connor had been. At any moment, she expected Keegan to have heard about their relationship from someone else and come charging up to Firholme, demanding to know why Lottie and Connor hadn’t told her the full story.

  Shayla came back into the office with their reusable cups. ‘Here you go. Caramel syrup, marshmallows and edible gold stars for us both – because we’re more than worth it.’ She put the cups on the desk, with a grin.

  ‘Thanks. I needed this.’

  Lottie ate some of the cream and marshmallows off the top, thinking she’d need to climb a hill to cancel out the calories. It was a delicious treat, though, and Shayla was a fun boss. She reminded herself how lucky she was to work at Firholme and that Connor’s wedding would be over by Christmas, and she could start to move on with her life again.

  ‘Lottie. Do you know if Jay is coming to the team meal at the pub on Wednesday night?’ Shayla asked.

  ‘No, I don’t,’ Lottie replied, after licking cream from her lips, thinking there was more chance of him landing on Mars.

  ‘Hmm. He keeps himself to himself, but it would be lovely if he would join in. It would help the rest of th
e guys bond with him. Do you think you could persuade him? He seems to talk to you as much as anyone.’

  ‘I – don’t know him that well and I have mentioned it but I can ask him if you like.’

  ‘Great. I don’t expect the Bull will be very busy but they still need some notice of numbers for a large party. They’re not well staffed this time of year.’

  ‘OK, I’ll mention it next time I see him. I can’t promise to persuade him, though.’

  ‘OK but if anyone can do it, I’m sure you can.’

  Lottie finished her chocolate, convinced that Shayla had vastly overestimated her influence with Jay.

  Lottie spent the next few days dealing with more arrangements for the wedding and finalising arrangements for the Edwardian-themed festive evening, which was being held at Firholme on the first Thursday of December. As the first really big public event at Firholme, Lottie hoped it would showcase Firholme to many more people for the coming year and Lottie had worked hard to make it happen. She was also in charge of organising the staff Christmas ball, to which Jay hadn’t RSVP’d … She reminded herself to broach the subject at the same time as the pub invite.

  By four p.m., she had a headache from being hunched over staring at the screen and decided that some fresh air and exercise would be a better treatment than aspirin. She popped home, pulled on her boots and headed past the brightly lit café and outbuildings towards the forest. Her excuse was to see how the Christmas tree sales prep was going, but it would also be an opportunity to have another go at persuading Jay to come to the pub event. She took her phone, intending to take a few pictures and upload them to the Firholme blog and social media.

  A large canvas banner had been hung at the entrance to the estate advertising that sales would be open at the weekend. Firholme’s own trees were now all in place, their lights glistening as dusk fell.

  Chatter and laughter drifted from the small marquee, bedecked with coloured lights. Around it, the Christmas tree area itself was packed with felled trees, all with tags attached and illuminated by industrial lighting, which had been set up so that the public could access the area safely. Forestry workers in hi-vis gear and Santa hats buzzed around, dragging cut trees into rows, and putting drums of netting in place. It was a much bigger operation than Lottie had imagined. Next to the tent was a wooden hut with Santa’s Grotto marked on it.