‘Well, I haven’t been invited, technically. Jay wants to surprise his family by taking me with him.’
‘In that case, you must go,’ her mum said. ‘We can spare you for a few hours.’
Lottie hugged her mother.
‘As long as we hear all about this Jay and get to meet him.’
Steph was in, like a flash. ‘He must come to lunch!’
‘He’ll want to be with his own family,’ her dad said.
‘I have a better idea,’ Steph said. ‘What about if we have our lunch at dinner time. That way, Lottie and Jay can go to his family early and then come here later.’
‘Are you sure?’ Lottie said, wondering how much family Christmas cheer Jay could actually handle.
‘Totally. It makes no difference to us. Gives me longer to cook that massive turkey to be honest.’
She laughed. ‘That’s very kind of you but I’ll have to ask him first. It’s – um – complicated,’ she said. ‘And then there’s Trevor …’
‘Trevor’s welcome too. The girls would love to have him.’
Her dad was utterly confused. ‘Who’s Trevor?’
‘A dog,’ Lottie said.
‘Ah. OK,’ her mum said, clearly itching to know what kind of ‘complicated’ but trying not to pry. ‘Can we at least know how you met Jay? Where does he live? Can we see a picture of him?’
‘And Trevor,’ her father said wryly.
Smiling to herself, Lottie got out her phone, shared every photo she had, happy to be interrogated on the subject of Jay and Trevor until the cows came home.
Later, Steph and Lottie were in the kitchen, while the twins were entertained by their grandparents.
‘This year had ended a lot better than it started,’ she said. ‘I’m on the mend, Mum and Dad are staying, and you’re with Jay.’ She had a sly smile on her face. ‘And I’ve got a date with Kerr.’
‘Woo! That’s great. When did it happen?’
‘I called him and asked him. You were right. He was waiting for some encouragement and didn’t want to put any pressure on me. We’re going to go out for a meal over the Christmas holiday so I’m going to need a babysitter … not that I have to look far with Mum and Dad here. I’m guessing you’ll be otherwise engaged.’
Lottie laughed. ‘I might be. That’s very exciting news. I really like Kerr and I promise to grill you as hard about him as you have me about Jay.’
Steph rolled her eyes. ‘I’d expect nothing less.’
Lottie left, feeling more hopeful about Steph than she had for so many months, but wondering how the next day would go with Jay and his family. He’d taken a massive leap of faith by arranging to meet Ben and Nadia on Christmas Day but as Lottie was painfully aware, just when you thought everything was going well in your world, it could all come crashing down.
Chapter Forty-Three
Christmas Day
Standing outside his parents’ place, Jay took Lottie’s hand in his. Even though he’d made his peace with Ben and they’d sworn a pact to make the day a happy one, this would be the first time they would all be together for a very long time.
Steph had insisted on inviting him to Christmas evening dinner, despite his not very serious protests that she wouldn’t have enough food and that Lottie’s family would want to be together. He’d been nervous but, for Lottie’s sake, had accepted readily. He already felt comfortable in Steph’s company, the twins were a hoot and if Lottie’s parents were anything like she was, he couldn’t fail to have a good time.
He felt a squeeze on his hand. ‘Ready?’ Lottie said.
He let out a breath. ‘As I’ll ever be. Trevor! Come on, boy.’
The dog pulled his nose out of a hedge, and followed Jay and Lottie down the garden path, wagging his tail. The three of them were the only living creatures in the street, although almost every window of every house had lights in it. Jay hoped all the people inside were happy, or at least content. It was too much to expect them to be as happy as he was.
He rang the bell and it was answered almost immediately by his father, wearing a comedy elf apron.
‘Nice apron, Dad,’ Jay said, trying to hide his nerves. ‘This is Lottie, my girlfriend.’
His father smiled at Lottie. ‘Hello … Thank you for bringing Jay to the hospital last week.’
‘No problem,’ she said. ‘And sorry for landing on you unannounced …’
Jay rested his hand on the small of her back. Her physical presence, not to mention her support, gave him courage. Why had he waited so long to realise how much he needed her? What an indispensable part of his life she suddenly seemed.
‘We wanted to surprise you,’ he said.
‘We weren’t expecting you now …’ He smiled broadly. ‘But that doesn’t matter. It’s wonderful to see you both but …’ The grin was replaced by an anxious frown. ‘You do know Ben and Nadia are here with Seb?’
‘Yes,’ Jay replied gently. ‘I do.’
His mum appeared behind her husband, her eyes wide in amazement. ‘Jay! You’re early!’
‘Yes. I am and I know it’s a bloody cheek and you won’t have enough food but we don’t care about that. Lottie and I – we wanted to share Christmas lunch with you like I used to. Ben knows too, and Nadia. We wanted to surprise you and I wanted you to meet my new partner.’ He slipped his arm around her. ‘Someone very special to me. Lottie.’
Jay’s mum threw her arms around him and started crying, but then invited him in. Ben shook hands with him.
‘Good to see you, bro.’
‘You too.’
‘You must be Lottie,’ Nadia said.
‘Yes. I’m so happy to see Seb is better.’
‘We are too. We all are.’ She seemed genuinely happy for Jay. He could honestly say that he felt … nothing – nothing but relief that Nadia hadn’t had to go through an imaginable loss. Nothing but regret that he hadn’t let her go sooner, and then a quiet recognition that regret of any kind was wasted energy. That today was about enjoying every second, and being thankful that he was surrounded by so many people whom he loved and who loved him.
Their parents vanished into the kitchen, leaving Jay with Lottie, Nadia and Ben. He felt strange, and she was obviously nervous about his reaction but he tried to keep things light.
Nadia smiled. ‘Would you like to hold Seb?’
Jay remembered the time he’d seen Seb at the school. That had been a huge shock and he hadn’t known how to react but now, he felt far more at ease with holding his little nephew. ‘Yes – but is it OK?’
‘Yes. He’ll be fine.’ She handed the baby to him and he looked remarkably well for a little boy whose life had been in danger a few days previously. Jay wasn’t quite sure how to hold a baby and Seb was a lively wriggler, who seemed none the worse for his ordeal.
‘He’s very excited with all the new people and presents,’ Nadia said, watching him struggle with Seb who was grabbing at Jay’s hair again.
Lottie caught his eye, obviously remembering Seb’s fascination with Jay at the nativity play.
‘I remember the first Christmas with my nieces,’ she said, tickling one of Seb’s feet to distract him.
‘How old are they?’ Nadia asked.
‘Five, and they could hardly contain themselves this morning, according to my sister. We’re going to see them later today so I’ve saved my own presents for them.’
‘That reminds me,’ Jay said, ‘I bought Seb a present. It’s only small but it’s from Firholme.’
‘Oh, thank you. Shall I take him?’ Nadia said. ‘He probably wants to go onto the carpet.’
Taking Trevor with him, Jay went out to the car and collected the gifts. When he returned, Nadia and Lottie were chatting about the twins, children and Christmas. He thanked his lucky stars for someone like her, willing to be sensible and tactful. Ben walked in with some fizz and soft drinks on a tray, and exchanged a tentative smile with him. It was a green shoot of reconciliation, one that would need to be nurtured, i
f it were to bloom. Jay was ready to do what it took.
With Trevor settled with a chew, Ben sat on the carpet with Jay, and helped Seb tear at the wrapping paper. Inside, there were some woodland animal stacking blocks, which Lottie had helped him choose from the Firholme café gift shop.
Seb picked one up and promptly threw it at his grandad. Everyone burst out laughing.
‘Thanks, I think he likes them,’ Nadia said and Ben nodded.
After Jay had given his parents their gifts, Lottie went to the car and fetched a Firholme gift hamper. ‘We’ve landed on you unexpectedly and this is a small contribution.’
Jay’s mum looked delighted and gave her a peck on the cheek by way of thanks.
She kissed Jay too. ‘Now we’ve all landed on you for Christmas dinner, we were worried you might not have enough food, Mum.’
‘Me not have enough food for Christmas?’ She laughed in derision. ‘Don’t be ridiculous! I told you I’d ordered a turkey big enough to feed an army. Now, come on, let’s drink to Seb’s good health and to a very happy Christmas.’
Chapter Forty-Four
It was late before Lottie and Jay made it back to Firholme. Trevor flopped on the carpet in Jay’s cottage, worn out by strange smells, strange people and too many treats.
Lottie sank onto the sofa herself and put her feet up. ‘I know exactly how he feels.’ She rubbed her stomach. ‘Today has been like the Vicar of Dibley. I never want to see another sprout as long as I live.’
‘I had far too much turkey,’ Jay said, sitting beside her and lifting her feet onto his lap. ‘Trevor, mate, we’re going to go on some very long walks, starting tomorrow.’
Lottie laughed. ‘Can you take me with you?’
‘First thing in the morning.’
She smiled, struck by the happiness that seemed to have lit him up from the inside. It had taken a lot of courage to make his peace with Ben and face Nadia, but it had been worth it for everyone’s sakes. Jay’s mum had been in tears and dinner at Steph’s had been equally emotional, with her own parents’ unexpected arrival.
‘Why are you looking at me like that?’ Jay said, a little bemused.
‘Like what?’
‘As if I’m an alien who’s landed?’
She laughed. ‘I was only thinking that for a man who vowed he’d do anything to avoid Christmas, you seem to have enjoyed two of them on the same day.’
‘Three. They all came at once. You’re the third Christmas for me. Being with you makes up a hundred times for the one I didn’t have last year.’
Lottie leaned in to kiss him but then remembered something. ‘Oh my God.’ She sprang up from the sofa, causing Trevor to let out a yip of alarm.
‘What?’
‘I almost forgot your present!’
Jay slapped his forehead. ‘Me too, though I wasn’t expecting one from you.’
‘Wait. I need to go to the Bothy.’
‘Okayyy …’
She was back within a minute, with a large box. ‘I got this a couple of days ago before I knew about …’
Jay was waiting with a much smaller box.
‘Wow,’ he said. ‘You first.’
‘No, you.’ She thrust the box into his arms.
Lottie could hardly contain herself, while Jay put it on the coffee table and ripped off the paper.
He opened the flaps and peered inside. ‘Wow, it’s full of little parcels.’
‘Open one.’
It had taken her hours to choose the decorations and wrap each one in tissue paper, but it was worth it to see the look on his face, as he unwrapped each figure.
‘A red squirrel … more reindeer!’ He laughed. ‘An octopus?’
Lottie smiled. ‘The girls suggested that one. There’s tinsel too and a box of fairy lights. I’m sorry I forgot to give it to you in all the excitement.’
He gave her a long lingering kiss. ‘We’ll dress the tree tomorrow. Together.’
‘I hoped you’d say that. Now,’ he said, picking up the smaller box again. ‘Your turn.’
With slightly shaky fingers, Lottie pulled the ribbon from the small parcel and undid the silver wrapping paper. There was a small leather jewellery box inside.
‘Open it,’ Jay said.
She opened the box and nestling in the top was a gold chain with a tiny Christmas tree topped with a diamond star. It was the most exquisite thing she’d ever seen but she couldn’t speak for happiness.
‘Do you like it?’ Jay said, his voice unsure. ‘I could always change it?’
‘No!’ she cried. ‘Oh, no. It’s perfect. I want to wear it now.’ She picked it up and fastened it around her neck. ‘I don’t want to ever take it off.’
Jay laughed and she kissed him. ‘I don’t want to ever let you go,’ he said.
‘I’d hoped this year would be better than the last,’ Lottie said. ‘I couldn’t imagine how it would be worse.’
‘What I never expected is that it would be the best Christmas ever, thanks to you, Lottie.’ He kissed her until she thought she might soar with happiness.
Trevor let out a bark.
Coming up for air, Lottie laughed. ‘He’s overwhelmed by me doing far too much of this hugging and kissing thing.’
‘He’ll get used it,’ said Jay. ‘It’s going to go on for a very very long time. Happy Christmas, Lottie. I love you.’
Lottie told him the same, but no more words were needed. Leaving Trevor dreaming by the fire, she took him up to bed to make the most of what was left of Christmas Day, knowing there would be many more to come.
THE END
Acknowledgements
I started writing this book at the beginning of January 2020, unaware, like all of us, of the storm that was about to hit. It may sound trite, but the one thing I learned from this tough time was that the people I love are infinitely more precious to me than I’d ever realised. I hope this story reflects how much I value them.
My thanks go out to all of the people helped with research and supported me while writing A Surprise Christmas Wedding. If I’ve accidentally overlooked you, please accept my apologies.
Firstly, I’m hugely grateful to Hayley for sharing her recent experience of cervical cancer and send her every good wish for her continued recovery. I’d also like to thank my agent, Broo Doherty, Moira Briggs, the Coffee Crew, the Party People, the Friday Floras, Janice Hume and all the book bloggers and readers in my Facebook group who share their passion for books far and wide.
My amazing editor, Rachel Faulkner-Willcocks, played a massive role in helping me turn this story into the novel you have in front of you – she is awesome. I’d like to thank Tilda McDonald for commissioning the book last year and Helena for her copy editing skills. There’s no way my books would be on so many shelves or e readers without the wizardry and tireless enthusiasm of the Avon sales, marketing and publicity team, particularly Sabah and Ellie. Keep up the good work, guys!
Finally, to John, to my parents and Charles, and to Charlotte and James, you mean more to me than I can ever say.
Discover Phillipa Ashley’s bestselling Porthmellow series
UK readers, click here to buy now.
US readers, click here to buy now.
Don’t miss Christmas in Porthmellow Harbour
UK readers, click here to buy now.
US readers, click here to buy now.
Escape to Cornwall …
UK readers, click here to buy now.
US readers, click here to buy now.
About the Author
PHILLIPA ASHLEY writes warm, funny romantic fiction for a variety of world-famous international publishers.
After studying English at Oxford, she worked as a copywriter and journalist. Her first novel, Decent Exposure, won the RNA New Writers Award and was made into a TV movie called 12 Men of Christmas starring Kristin Chenoweth and Josh Hopkins. As Pippa Croft, she also wrote the Oxford Blue series – The First Time We Met, The Second Time I Saw You and Third Time Lucky.<
br />
Phillipa lives in a Staffordshire village and has an engineer husband and scientist daughter who indulge her arty whims. She runs a holiday-let business in the Lake District, but a big part of her heart belongs to Cornwall. She visits the county several times a year for ‘research purposes’, an arduous task that involves sampling cream teas, swimming in wild Cornish coves and following actors around film shoots in a camper van. Her hobbies include watching Poldark, Earl Grey tea, Prosecco-tasting and falling off surf boards in front of RNLI lifeguards.
@PhillipaAshley
Also by Phillipa Ashley
The Cornish Café Series
Summer at the Cornish Café
Christmas at the Cornish Café
Confetti at the Cornish Café
The Little Cornish Isles Series
Christmas on the Little Cornish Isles: The Driftwood Inn
Spring on the Little Cornish Isles: The Flower Farm
Summer on the Little Cornish Isles: The Starfish Studio
The Porthmellow Series
A Perfect Cornish Summer
A Perfect Cornish Christmas
A Perfect Cornish Escape
About the Publisher
Australia
HarperCollins Publishers Australia Pty. Ltd.
Level 13, 201 Elizabeth Street
Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
www.harpercollins.com.au
Canada
HarperCollins Canada
Bay Adelaide Centre, East Tower
22 Adelaide Street West, 41st Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5H 4E3, Canada
www.harpercollins.ca
India
HarperCollins India
A 75, Sector 57
Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201 301, India
www.harpercollins.co.in
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 Page 30
