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

Chapter 24

24

Pia had deliberately arranged the charity coffee morning for a couple of days after her hen night, thinking that it would be enough time for everyone to have recovered from the excesses of the evening. While her thumping headache and lethargy had just about lifted, she still harboured a small worm of anxiety that had gripped her as soon as she’d woken up the following morning. She couldn’t quite put her finger on what was troubling her, but she’d vowed, there and then, much to the amusement of Ronnie and Rex, that she would never drink again. Not that she could really complain. She’d had the best time ever, remembering clearly the fun they’d had during the day, the amazing food they’d sampled, the endless laughter and the free-flowing champagne. The events of the evening were a blur, small snapshots of time when she’d been laughing, drinking, dancing, being swept off her feet by Jackson. Had that really happened? She could hardly believe it, but they were memories she would cherish forever.

She shook her head and brought her focus back to the kitchen at Primrose Hall. Today was a thank you to everyone who had supported Jackson and Pia at the hall throughout the year: the whole team at Primrose Hall, their local suppliers and all their friends within the locality. She’d put on a similar event last year when the annual Christmas bazaar held in the village hall was cancelled due to asbestos being found in the roof. Pia and Jackson had stepped in to host instead and it had been such a success that Pia had been asked by several people if the event would become a regular fixture on the social calendar, and Pia had agreed that it should. If there was one thing she loved, it was a get-together of all her favourite people with tea and cake, and with Ivy and Ronnie on hand to help serving drinks, it made for a lively sociable affair.

The autumn wreath that had sat on the kitchen door for a few weeks had now been replaced with a Christmas one, brimming with frosted berries, holly, ivy and mistletoe, and the oak beams in the kitchen were decorated with garlands made from the foliage of noble firs and pinecones, the scent of the local woods transported into the country kitchen.

People came bearing gifts: Christmas cards, poinsettias, cyclamens, jars of homemade chutney, bottles of sloe gin and a sense of festive goodwill. Chatter and laughter rang out to the rafters and Pia made a point of speaking to everyone who had made the effort to attend.

‘Not long to the wedding now then?’ Sam Finnegan said with a big grin on his face, before taking a bite from the slice of gingerbread traybake in his hand.

‘I know!’ Pia’s face lit up. ‘It’s feeling very real now.’ For so long it had been a distant vision on the horizon and there was a part of Pia that thought the day might never arrive, but now it was within touching distance and her excitement was tinged with trepidation. Normal bridal nerves, she hoped.

‘Anyway, Sam, thanks for coming and for all your help this year.’ With Sam being a senior ranger at Primrose Woods, their paths often crossed during the working week. He’d become a good friend to Jackson, who often consulted Sam about the maintenance of the trees on his land and borrowed equipment when it was needed.

‘Absolute pleasure. The Christmas trees are looking good.’

‘Aren’t they? I know we can rely on you picking out the best specimens for us. There are definite perks to having you as our neighbour.’

‘No problem, that’s what friends are for, right?’ He gave an amiable wink. ‘Besides, it’s what people come to see at the hall at Christmas so it’s good for us all if they’re looking their best,’ said Sam with a smile.

‘And how’s my adorable little goddaughter doing?’

‘Well, I might be biased, but I think she gets ever more gorgeous by the day. She’s entranced by our tree at home. Her little legs kick excitedly and her hands reach out to grasp the baubles. Honestly though, there are so many presents around the tree already, and of course, they’re all for Willow. I don’t know how one small person can be quite so popular or need so many presents and clothes.’ Sam laughed, looking bemused, although utterly proud. ‘This Christmas is going to be a lot of fun, that’s for sure. Anyway’ – he took a glance at his watch – ‘I think Abbey should be down soon. I think she’s just about recovered from your hen do.’ He gave a wide-eyed glance, a smile twitching at his lips. ‘I hear it was quite the night!’

‘It was great! The girls certainly made it an evening to remember,’ she said, laughing. At that moment she spotted Jackson and Harry coming through the back door, their faces red and ruddy from the cold. ‘Harry!’ Pia went across and took hold of his hands, kissing him on the cheek. ‘Ooh, you’re freezing, come and sit down and I’ll get you a cuppa and some cake. What would you like?’

A few minutes later, with Harry settled in the window seat with a warming mug of tea, and a selection of cakes and biscuits on a plate, Pia sat down beside him.

‘So what did you think to seeing the alpacas in their new home? They seem to have settled in well. The vet came over a couple of days ago to give all the animals a welfare check and she gave your boys a clean bill of health. She said that they’d clearly been very well looked after.’

‘I was saying to Jackson how pleased my Vera would be to know that the boys had found such a good home. They came running over to see me in the paddock. I’m sure they were telling me “thank you”.’

‘They’ve made themselves right at home. Everyone loves them and their inquisitive funny faces make us all smile. Remember, anytime you want to come down to see them, let us know and we can get something organised.’

‘Thanks, sweetheart,’ he said, patting Pia’s hand. ‘You’ve certainly got a lovely place here.’ Harry looked all around him, soaking up the convivial atmosphere in the kitchen.

‘It’s not bad, is it?’ She giggled, always appreciative of seeing the hall through the eyes of any visitors. ‘Anyway, much more importantly, how have you settled into your room at Rushgrove Lodge?’

‘So far, so good. People told me I would find it hard to move, but quite honestly I was pleased to get away from that place. Don’t get me wrong, it holds lots of happy memories, but that’s all they are, memories. The cottage was never the same once I lost Vera. It lost its heart and soul and I knew it was crumbling down around me. I didn’t get to see anyone down there, only the carers, and I was worried about everything that needed doing, and of course the alpacas too. You made it possible for me to forget those worries and think about myself. As much as I might not like it, I have to face up to the fact that I’m not getting any younger and I can’t do the things I used to. I’m unsteady on my feet so it’s a relief to be somewhere I can move around a bit more freely.’

Pia nodded, listening to Harry intently. Already he appeared so much brighter in himself. His curly white hair had been tamed into shape, he was now clean shaven and his clothes were unstained and neatly pressed.

‘Well, you’re looking good on it, Harry. About ten years younger, I’d say.’ Pia patted his knee.

‘I’ll tell you something. I’ve spoken to more people in the last week, since moving into the lodge, than I reckon I did in the previous five years. It’s been exhausting but suddenly I feel a part of life again, as though I belong somewhere. And I get an endless round of teas and meals made for me. Something else I don’t have to worry about.’

‘That’s great, Harry. I’m really pleased it’s working out. Oh, look, here’s Wendy.’

Pia’s old next-door neighbour and fellow resident of Harry at Rushgrove Lodge came over, a big smile on her face.

‘Is there room for a little one on there?’

Pia shuffled up closer to Harry.

‘Of course!’

‘I’ve been to see Bertie. He’s as daft as ever and we had lots of fun in the other room, throwing his tug toy. I do love that boy! You see, Bertie was my dog originally,’ Wendy explained to Harry. ‘Well, actually, he was my son Simon’s dog first and then when he went to live abroad, I offered to look after Bertie, not realising quite how energetic he was and how much walking he required. It soon became clear that I couldn’t manage him, but luckily Pia stepped in to help. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without her. She lived next door then, you see, and she would come in every day to check on me and Bertie.’

‘It was no hardship. I always loved walking Bertie, and you’re one of my dearest friends, so I was always going to look out for you.’

‘That’s Pia, all over. She’s such a kind and caring soul. She looked after the house and Bertie when I was in hospital and then gave him a home here when I had to move into the lodge,’ Wendy said, addressing Harry. ‘Rest assured your alpacas will be very well looked after.’

‘I’ve seen them. They’ve got better living quarters than me,’ he said, chuckling. ‘I couldn’t be happier with the arrangement.’

‘You know Jackson and Pia are getting married soon? They deserve all the success and happiness in the world. They do so much for other people.’

‘Aw, Wendy, that’s such a lovely thing to say, but let me tell you a secret: it really doesn’t feel like work at all. It’s a privilege to be a part of the events here, and it’s very much a team effort. We’re all working towards the same common goal. As for the animals, they’re part of our rapidly expanding family now.’ Pia’s attention was distracted by more visitors coming through the door. ‘Look who’s here! Let me go and say hello and I’ll catch up again with you later.’

Leaving Wendy and Harry to chat, Pia swooped over to see Abbey, who came in from the cold with little Willow in her arms.

‘Hello, you two. You’ve just missed Sam.’

‘We saw Daddy on the way out, didn’t we?’ she said to Willow. ‘How are you? Not long to go now!’

It was a standard greeting from everyone that she met now, which only added to the air of excitement and trepidation. ‘Any pre-wedding jitters?’ asked Abbey, unceremoniously dumping the baby into Pia’s arms.

‘Yes, lots,’ said Pia, ‘but that’s normal, right?’ She attempted to remove Willow’s puddle suit, which proved to be a much more difficult task than she’d anticipated. There were little limbs everywhere that refused to move in the right direction and Willow was no help whatsoever, she just looked up at Pia, cute and bemused at her godmother’s incompetence. ‘There!’ Pia exclaimed after struggling for what seemed like ages, managing to free Willow from her suit. ‘Crikey, that was a proper work-out.’ Pia giggled, hugging Willow tight and kissing her on her forehead.

‘As long as it’s only nerves and not second thoughts,’ said Abbey, which did nothing to allay Pia’s concerns.

Her gaze travelled across the room to where Jackson was chatting with some visitors. He was easily distinguishable in a crowd, his tousled dark hair and tall and broad frame easy to pick out across the room. More than his undeniable good looks, though, it was his energy, a certain composure and self-assurance, the way he held himself, that drew attention from all quarters. She loved him with all her heart. That much she did know.

‘Thanks again for organising the other night. It was great, although there are whole swathes of the evening that I simply can’t remember.’

‘I think that means I must have done a good job then,’ said Abbey, laughing.

‘You did! It was amazing, but I had far too much to drink. I just hope I didn’t say or do anything stupid. I can’t even remember how I got home.’

‘Oh, I know exactly how you got home. You were whisked off into the night by a tall, dark, handsome stranger…’

Pia put her hand up to her brow.

‘It’s all coming back to me now,’ she said with a small shake of her head, her gaze travelling across in Jackson’s direction. ‘I feel a bit guilty actually.’

‘Why?’ asked Abbey, concerned.

‘Well, you’d given me such a fantastic day and evening and then, at the last moment, I deserted all my lovely hens for the sake of a man! Without thanking you properly or even saying goodbye.’

‘Ah yes, but not just any man,’ said Abbey, her gaze following Pia’s across to Jackson. ‘It’s allowed when it’s your future husband, and I can perfectly understand why. What woman’s head wouldn’t be turned by the lord of the manor?’

Pia giggled at the memory.

‘As long as you know how much I appreciated everything you did. I couldn’t have wished for a better night, and sorry for abandoning you all at the midnight hour!’

‘Don’t worry, honestly. The main thing is you had a good time and you got home safely in one piece. That’s all I was worried about!’

Pia knew she could trust Abbey with her life. She’d supported her through all her ups and downs, the good decisions and some bad ones. There wasn’t anyone else she would want at her side as her maid-of-honour.

‘It will be all right, won’t it?’ Pia asked in a moment of uncertainty.

‘The wedding? Your marriage?’ Abbey pulled an arm around Pia’s shoulder. ‘It will be absolutely fine, you’ll see.’