51. Chapter Fifty-One
Chapter Fifty-One
‘Right, tell me what I can do to help,’ Margot said, wobbling on the soft sand. She squinted into the sun. ‘The weather’s doing its bit, thank goodness. Meant to hold for tomorrow, too.’
The sun shone in a cloudless, windless sky. White caps glinted on the gentle swell of the bay. Cillian breathed in the salt air and agreed with Margot that the weather was working hard for them.
‘Um … to be honest,’ he said in response to her question, ‘May’s the best person to ask.’
Margot stopped, hands on hips. ‘I thought you were planning this wedding together,’ she said. ‘I hope you haven’t been leaving that poor girl to do everything by herself. Running out on her once was bad enough.’
‘No, no, not at all,’ Cillian assured her. ‘May’s the boss, that’s all.’
Margot rewarded him with a smile. ‘I’m pleased to hear it. Now, before you or May put me to work, I’d like to have a quick word with you.’ She linked arms with Cillian and pulled him away from the group of men setting up wooden chairs on the beach.
‘Is everything all right?’ asked Cillian. What did this woman he’d had very limited interactions with want with him?
‘Everything’s fine,’ said Margot, ‘at the moment.’ She placed her hands on her hips again.
‘I have a word of warning for you, young man. May is very special to me. I’ve known her since she was a teenager, and she’s blossomed these past few years.
’ She bit her lip. ‘Something’s happened while she’s been away which has dented her confidence and made her doubt herself.
And the last thing she needs is a good-looking chap toying with her heart.
’ She stared meaningfully into Cillian’s eyes.
Cillian threw out his palms. ‘I promise you, Margot—’
Margot held up her hand. ‘I haven’t finished yet.
It’s fairly obvious May’s rather keen on you, and I have to say I can understand why.
But she’s vulnerable, Cillian.’ The stare grew harder.
‘I’m asking you this as May’s friend, treat her with kindness.
She’s not like those screaming fans of yours who took over the village.
She deserves respect and love for the strong-minded, independent, yet bruised woman she is.
’ She paused to ensure the message had sunk in.
‘Do you promise, whatever happens between you, you’ll treat her with respect? It’s all I ask.’
Cillian offered a reassuring smile. ‘I can promise with one hundred percent certainty,’ he said. ‘May and I are only friends, but she’s become very special to me. I never want to do anything to hurt her.’
Margot squinted to test for sincerity. Apparently satisfied, she gave a short nod. ‘Good. In that case, let’s get on with our work, shall we?’ She gazed out over the busy scene. ‘The chairs are all under control, and I must say I’m enjoying the driftwood aisle. Who put that together?’
‘That was my handiwork,’ said Daniel, coming to join them. ‘Margot’s reading you the riot act, is she, Cillian?’
‘Something like that,’ muttered Cillian with a grimace.
Daniel laughed and put an arm around Margot’s shoulders. ‘Don’t let her fool you. She’s a softie at heart.’
‘Shush,’ said Margot. ‘You’ll ruin my reputation.’
Daniel laughed again. ‘We’ve just taken delivery of the dried flowers, Margot. I don’t suppose you’d be able to help put them up around the arbour?’
‘I’ll have a go,’ said Margot, ‘although I think you’ve got more of an artistic eye than I do.’
‘Let’s do it together, then,’ said Daniel. ‘You’ll help too, won’t you, Cillian? You’re at least a foot taller than I am, and about ten feet taller than Margot. You can reach the highest points.’
‘Sure.’ Cillian was glad to be of use, even if only for his height.
They gathered up the boxes of dried wildflowers and carried them to the end of the driftwood aisle.
As they tied bunches of bright, wind-dried blooms to the archway, conversation flowed freely, and Cillian was grateful for an unfamiliar sense of peace.
Despite the last-minute stresses of organising the wedding, he was sure he was in a place he belonged.
The ceremony venue began to take shape around them, and he silently admitted he and May made a good team.
‘We’ve got really lucky with the weather,’ said Daniel.
‘Yes,’ said Cillian. ‘As much as I hate to admit it, May was right to pick this as a venue. It’s perfect. No wind, bright sunshine, and it looks set to continue for the next few days. Not only will the wedding be dry, we won’t have any issues when it comes to packing up afterwards.’
‘Those marquee men are coming along great guns.’ Margot pointed to the far side of the beach, where an open-sided marquee was being set up, complete with dance floor and bar.
‘Do you think everyone will be happy with the hog roast you’ve organised, Cillian?
I know some people might be disappointed it’s not a formal sit-down meal. ’
Daniel grunted. ‘This is Saffron Bay,’ he said. ‘We’re more relaxed around here than some places, and for this setting a hog roast is perfect.’ He turned to Cillian. ‘You’ve got tables for people to sit at if they get tired, haven’t you?’
‘Yes,’ said Cillian. ‘They’re arriving in about an hour. We’ll put them around the edge of the marquee. And we’ve got several baskets of blankets if people want to sit on the beach and eat alfresco.’
‘Sounds like you’ve thought of everything,’ said Margot, her tone approving.
Cillian gave a rueful laugh. ‘May’s thought of everything. I’m more the general dogsbody.’
Margot gave him a sideways look. ‘Nonsense. I’ve watched you both all morning, and not only do you make a great team, somehow the two of you make it look effortless.’
Before Cillian could reply, a soft thud sounded behind them. One of the boxes had tipped over, spilling a fragrant tumble of lavender and sea holly across the sand.
‘Oh! I’ll get that.’ Cillian bent to gather the stems.
‘Look out,’ said Daniel. ‘May’s heading this way, and I’m not sure how impressed the boss will be with our progress so far.’
Cillian straightened as May approached, cheeks flushed from the sun and work. She paused when she saw him, something unreadable flickering in her gaze before she smiled.
‘You three look like you’re causing chaos,’ she said.
‘Always,’ Daniel replied. ‘But we’re very charming while doing it.’
May rolled her eyes, then glanced at the arbour. ‘It’s going to look beautiful.’
‘I’ll admit I was sceptical when you suggested dried wildflowers,’ Cillian said. ‘Of course, you were right … again.’
May gave him another smile. ‘Believe me, it feels good to have made at least one correct decision lately.’ Her eyes lingered on him for a moment longer than necessary.
Margot cleared her throat loudly. ‘Right. Enough admiration. There’s plenty still to do.’ She clapped her hands. ‘May, why don’t you take Cillian to sort out the bar? Dan and I can finish off the arbour.’
Daniel shot Cillian a wicked grin. ‘Go on. You’ve been drafted.’
May gestured for Cillian to follow her, the sand warm beneath their feet. As they walked, the gentle crash of waves filled the gaps in their conversation.
‘Margot’s been talking to you, hasn’t she?’ May said. ‘I could tell from the guilty look on her face.’ She huffed softly. ‘I love her dearly, but that woman can’t resist interfering in other people’s lives.’
Cillian hesitated. ‘She may have had a quiet word with me,’ he admitted.
‘About me?’
He shot her a sideways glance. Her eyes were fixed firmly ahead. ‘About looking after you,’ he said. ‘About treating you properly.’ He lowered his voice. ‘Which I haven’t done a great job of so far …’
May stopped walking. ‘Cillian …’ She blew out a long breath. ‘You don’t have to look after me.’
Cillian’s eyes met May’s. She didn’t look away. ‘I want to,’ he said simply. The words were truer than anything he’d said all day.
May grinned, and his stomach flipped.
‘Come on,’ she said. ‘I want to get the bar sorted and then get back to the arbour to make sure it’s how I’ve been picturing it in my head.’
‘Yes, boss.’ Cillian saluted.
As the sun beat down and the beach transformed into a full-blown wedding venue, he felt lighter and happier than he had in years. He glanced at May and realised with a jolt he never wanted to leave her side again.