A Winter Wedding at Primrose Hall (Primrose Woods #6)

Chapter 13

13

‘That’s the best news ever. I can’t believe it!’ Pia clapped her hands together excitedly and danced around the kitchen. The dogs leapt up from their beds and joined in with what they must have thought was a new game.

Jackson had just come off the phone to his solicitor and was telling Pia the news.

‘Harry really wants to sell us the cottages and let us have the alpacas as well? That’s amazing. I wonder what made him change his mind.’

Jackson pursed his lips and looked at her wide-eyed. He knew exactly what had swung the deal in their favour.

‘Well, apparently the agreement is on the proviso that we home Humphrey, Marvin and Jack together and that we allow Harry regular visiting rights. Your name was mentioned in the drawing up of the contract.’

‘Really? Well, of course! We would have done that anyway. I’ll have to go and see Harry again to thank him and to reassure him that the alpacas will have the best home here. Can you imagine how excited little Rosie will be knowing that we’ll be getting more animals? Honestly, they’ll be such a great attraction for the visitors. Most of all, though, I’m pleased for Harry. It must be a great weight off his mind.’

Pia paused for breath and Jackson nodded, smiling.

‘And you must be pleased that Harry’s had a change of heart about the cottages because it looked as though we might have had to walk away from that opportunity entirely.’

‘It’s a good result all round. It will probably take a few weeks to get all the paperwork signed so I’ll be looking to make a start on the rebuild in the new year.’

‘What’s this then?’ said Rex, who’d caught the tail end of the conversation. He came bowling along the passageway into the kitchen, with his usual distinctive gait, a wide smile on his face.

‘You know those cottages I told you about at Rosewood Farm? Well, it looks as though we’ve agreed on the purchase. I’m going down to my solicitors in the morning to get the paperwork moving.’

‘Well, that is good news. Congratulations, boy. There’s a certain thrill in closing a deal. I know I was always chasing after the next big one, but invariably it never quite materialised in the way I’d hoped. You’re a much better businessman than I ever was, Jackson.’ Rex chuckled. ‘What will you do with the cottages?’

‘We’ll give them a complete overhaul. Take everything out and start over again. They’ll need damp proofing, repointing, new electrics, kitchen and bathrooms. Then we’ll do some landscaping, tidy up a bit outside and then they should be done. I’ll hang on to them a while, offer them as rental properties locally.’

Jackson made it sound so straightforward and Pia admired how he had the skills and know-how to approach a project of that size. He wasn’t at all fazed by the amount of work involved. He had the type of brain that could visualise a project and see how the finished product would look. Invariably, problems would crop up in the same way as they always did, but Jackson took those things in his stride, being an adept problem solver.

‘Well, that deserves a glass of something to celebrate, I reckon,’ said Rex, who was always ready to mark an occasion.

‘Good idea,’ said Jackson, heading for the fridge and pulling out a bottle of champagne, plus a bottle of alcohol-free fizz for Rex. ‘Where’s Ronnie? Will she be joining us?’

‘Maybe a little later. She’s headed to the van. There’s some sorting out she needs to do.’

‘Honestly, only Ronnie, eh? She’s got a wonderful room here, all the space in the world, but she can’t stay away from that old jalopy. It’s like her comfort blanket.’

‘I know,’ said Rex, with a fond smile. ‘It’s… what do they call it? Her “happy place” where she can really be herself and fully relax and unwind. I’m not sure she’d ever get rid of the van now, even though our last trip in it wasn’t the best. She has a spiritual attachment to those four wheels, more so now after it got us home safely from France after my funny turn.’ Rex was keeping shtum about the real reason why Ronnie kept disappearing off to the van; she was grabbing any available moment to add some rows to the wedding blanket she was crocheting as their present.

Jackson eased the corks out of the bottles with a satisfying pop and poured the enticing fizz into three glasses before handing one to Pia and Rex.

‘Well, here’s to Rosewood Farm Cottages and their successful refurbishment.’

They all took a sip of the bubbles and clinked glasses, enjoying the moment of celebration.

‘But we haven’t told you the best thing yet, Rex.’ Pia beamed, hardly able to contain her excitement. ‘Harry Adams, who is selling the cottages, has some alpacas and wanted to find a good home for them before signing the contract, so we are shortly going to be welcoming Humphrey, Marvin and Jack to the family. Can you believe it? I’ve met them and honestly, they are the most gorgeous animals ever with really soft coats and funny expressions. You can’t help but fall in love with them. It’s the way they look at you, as though asking a question of you.’

‘Well, the animal family is certainly growing around here then,’ said Rex, chuckling.

‘Oh, yes,’ said Jackson, with a roll of his eyes. ‘We’ll have to start charging an entrance fee to the zoo soon.’

‘Jackson, you love the animals as much as I do, you just like to grumble about them, but the alpacas are going to be such a great addition to the hall and they’re going to be a hit with all our visitors. I honestly can’t wait until they arrive.’

‘Sounds to me as though you’re more excited about the alpacas than you are about the cottages,’ said Rex, with a grin on his face.

‘Definitely. Jackson can take care of the cottages and I’ll look after our new four-legged friends. That’s what makes us a great team,’ she said, smiling.

‘Absolutely. If it hadn’t been for Pia then I’m not certain Harry would have agreed on the sale, so you’ll definitely have to be involved with any future negotiations. You’re obviously a lucky charm.’ Jackson winked at her, with that familiar half-smile on his lips, a gesture that always felt to her like a virtual hug.

Just then their attentions were distracted by the sound of an approaching car outside. Pia peered through the side window but she didn’t recognise the silver hatchback or the figure inside.

‘It’s probably a delivery; let me go and see,’ she said, dashing off.

Rex took a seat at the oak table while Jackson filled bowls with cashew nuts and crisps, to accompany the fizz, and then took a seat with his dad. Moments later, Pia was back.

‘Look who’s here!’

‘Luke!’ Jackson jumped out of his seat. ‘How great to see you. How are you doing?’

‘Good, thank you.’ Luke’s gaze ran over their drinks and nibbles, and immediately apologised. ‘I’m really sorry to intrude and I won’t keep you long, I promise, but I was passing and thought if I didn’t stop and ask you, then I might never get round to it.’

‘Absolutely no problem at all. We didn’t have plans. Look, why don’t you join us for a drink? We’ve just opened a bottle.’

‘No, I won’t, thanks. As I say, I don’t want to take up too much of your time; and besides, I’m driving.’

‘Just half a glass, maybe?’ Pia suggested. ‘Or we’ve even got some alcohol-free, if you prefer. We’re celebrating a business deal and it would be great if you could join us.’ Pia went across and picked the bottles out of the cooler.

‘Go on then. You’ve twisted my arm, but I will go alcohol-free, thanks,’ said Luke with a smile, taking the seat at the table Jackson offered him. ‘How are you doing now, Jackson? You’re looking well.’

‘Good, thanks. I haven’t got full mobility back in my left leg, but I’m getting there. The physio’s ongoing so I’m hoping to be pretty much back to normal by the time our wedding rolls round as I’m told I’ll need to be throwing some shapes on the dance floor.’

Pia rolled her eyes indulgently. Jackson was a reluctant dancer and all her previous attempts at persuading him to bop around the kitchen had been met with a firm refusal, but she’d told him that there could be no wheedling out of it on their wedding day. He would have to glide her around the floor of the barn in a romantic waltz for their first dance of the night whether he liked it or not.

‘Well, that will be a sight not to be missed and it’s not too long to go now. Rhi and I are looking forward to it, sharing your big day with you. Actually, the reason for my visit is in a way loosely connected, I suppose.’ Luke took a breath and looked from Jackson to Pia as though bracing himself for whatever it was he had to say. ‘I have a favour to ask of you. And I hope you don’t think it’s too cheeky.’

‘Ask away,’ said Jackson, expansively.

‘Well, Rhi and I will be coming along to the Carols by Candlelight evening again. We’ve been to them all since they started a couple of years ago. The first one was when Rhi and I had only just got together. We always talk about that night because we mark it as the proper start of our relationship. Rhi loves Christmas and she was swept away by the romance of the occasion, seeing the lights and the huge twinkling Christmas trees, and huddling up together listening to the carol singers against the backdrop of the hall. All our friends were there as well, which made it extra special. Anyway, I’ve been thinking about this for some time now, but I’ve decided I’m going to propose to Rhi and I thought what better place and time than at the Carols by Candlelight evening. I know that it would be really special for Rhi. Only if that’s okay with you both, of course.’

Pia swooned, flapping a hand against her chest.

‘That will be so romantic.’

‘I hope so,’ said Luke with a sheepish smile. ‘I’m not going to take anything for granted, but I was hoping I might be able to put aside a bottle of champagne with some glasses so that if or when she says yes we can celebrate with a toast.’

‘Absolutely,’ said Jackson. ‘We can organise that for you no problem, and if there’s anything else we can do to help make the moment even more special then you know you only have to ask.’

‘Cheers, Jackson and Pia. Now I’ve run it past you, I can begin to make some proper plans, which is nerve-racking. I do hope she says yes or else I’m going to look pretty daft, not to mention heartbroken.’

‘Absolutely no chance.’ Pia was quick to reassure Luke. ‘Rhi is going to be thrilled. Do you think she has any idea that you’re planning to propose?’

‘I don’t think so. I hope it’s going to come as a complete surprise. We’ll see,’ he said, laughing.

‘It’s bound to be. I can remember every detail of Jackson proposing to me as though it was yesterday and that was at last year’s Christmas event. Honestly, I had no idea what he had in mind. We were relaxing in the hot tub at the end of the evening, beneath the stars, and Jackson produced a ring from out of nowhere.’ She closed her eyes briefly, transported back to that time. ‘I was totally speechless.’

‘And as you can imagine, that’s a pretty rare occurrence,’ quipped Jackson.

‘Well, you know what we must do? We’ll have to have someone nearby to capture the moment on camera. And maybe, I don’t know’ – Pia looked from Luke to Jackson – ‘I really don’t want to interfere, but we could always help with the set-up if you wanted us to. We could put the proposal up in lights – can you imagine how amazing that would look? – arrange flowers or…’

‘Pia! It’s Luke’s proposal. I’m sure he has in mind exactly the way he wants to deliver it. But yes, we can be around to help in whatever way you want us to. Just ask.’

‘Congratulations, young man,’ said Rex, who’d been observing the interaction with a great deal of interest.

‘Thanks,’ said Luke, beaming. ‘I’ll be in touch if I think of anything else. Well, I suppose I ought to go and source a ring now. I’m guessing diamonds are the way to go?’

‘Yes, or you could go for rubies or sapphires, which would both suit Rhi’s colouring, or…’ She was stopped in her tracks by a warning look from Jackson. ‘Although you can’t really go wrong with diamonds,’ added Pia, which seemed to be the answer Luke was looking for.

Later, after Luke had left, Jackson topped up their glasses and Pia took another sip, the bubbles matching her excitable mood after all the good news of the day.

‘I love Rhi and Luke, they make such a gorgeous couple and I’m going to make sure I’m exactly in the right spot so that I can see her reaction when he proposes. It will make the evening all the more special. Like reliving our proposal from last year. It’s such a romantic gesture from Luke!’

‘Yeah, but not quite as romantic as my proposal in the hot tub though?’ Jackson furrowed his brow, a look of mischief in his eyes.

‘Oh, absolutely not! Nothing could ever beat that, my darling!’

It had been a perfectly clear December night with the stars sparkling in the sky complementing the lights in the trees and on the buildings. Jackson had arranged champagne too and it had been so romantic and intimate. They’d enjoyed the bubbles in their glasses while luxuriating in the warm bubbles of the hot tub as they discussed the success of the evening, recounting the conversations they’d had with their friends. They might have sat there all night enjoying the moment of peace and satisfaction, against a twinkling night sky, but Jackson had taken Pia’s breath away when he proposed, totally unexpectedly. Now, as she retold the story to Rex, one he had heard several times before, she could conjure up all those feelings she’d felt in that special moment: disbelief, wonder and excitement. There was no doubt she had been swept away by the romance of the occasion.

Now, with the big day fast approaching, she presumed it was only natural to have some last-minute nerves. Sometimes she woke in the middle of the night, her heart thumping, an indistinct anxiety taunting her as she tossed and turned. Was she doing the right thing in marrying Jackson? Might it cause a subtle shift in their relationship and affect the running of the hall, or was she worrying unnecessarily? What would her mum be advising her to do if she was still around? Every girl needed their mum’s support in the run-up to her wedding and it was at moments like these that Pia missed her being here hugely. She suppressed a sigh and focused her attention back in the room.

‘I’m not sure how I proposed to Ronnie,’ Rex was saying, his face scrunched up as he tried to recall the moment. ‘Or if I even did? It’s certainly not very memorable, although you can rest assured Ronnie will remember.’ He gave that distinctive throaty chuckle. ‘I probably won’t ask her about it because she’ll only tell me! And I know I will have been sadly lacking.’

‘Yes, but what’s important is that you’re back together now, Rex.’ It might have taken them a couple of decades, but they’d reached a point where they both appreciated and respected each other. ‘You’re both happy and enjoying each other’s company, and it doesn’t get any better than that.’ Pia took another sip of her champagne, thinking how fortunate Rex and Ronnie were to have found each other again in their later years, her mind flittering to where she and Jackson might be in twenty, thirty, forty years’ time. It was hard enough to look beyond the wedding, let alone decades ahead.

All she did know was that today had been a particularly auspicious day and she wouldn’t allow any niggly doubts to spoil the mood. Hadn’t she been long convinced that there was something magical in the air around Primrose Hall? She had to keep believing that it was true.