Chapter 33
Alice
Alice woke in Jamie’s arms, feeling snug and warm.
The worries of yesterday were gone, and all that remained was the love surrounding her.
She had the idea to stay in bed all day, but Benny would think she was ill, so best stick to the plan of wrapping more presents and helping her mum with a Christmas food shop, even though none of them needed much, especially as they were having dinner that day at the pub and had already paid for their meals.
Jamie stirred, and Alice kissed him. ‘Morning to you too,’ he said, smiling before opening his eyes.
Alice kissed him again, not wanting to stop.
Jamie grinned on her lips. ‘I’m surprised you’re not tired after keeping me awake half the night.’
‘Oh, I kept you awake, did I? Or was it your wandering hands?’
Jamie stroked along her side. ‘You like my wandering hands.’
‘I love them. And I want them right now.’
‘Oh, is that right?’
‘Yep. Get busy.’
Jamie chuckled, then peppered kisses along her neck.
Alice took thirty-seconds’ worth before cupping his face and bringing his mouth to hers. She couldn’t spend the day in bed with him, but she was sure another hour would be okay.
Her mobile phone started buzzing on the bedside table, causing them both to groan.
‘Leave it,’ mumbled Jamie, back on her neck.
‘It’s early for someone to call. It might be important.’ She leaned over, surprised to see it was Sophie calling. ‘Hello, Soph. Everything all right?’
Sophie sniffed down the phone before answering. ‘Oh, Alice, there’s been a big flood last night.’
Alice shot up. ‘Where?’
‘At the hotel where my wedding reception is due to take place in two days. Two days, Al. And now . . .’ Sophie started crying.
Alice lowered the phone to whisper to Jamie. ‘The hotel they booked for the wedding had a flood last night.’
His brow lifted. ‘Oh no, that’s terrible.’
Alice went back to her call to hear Sophie still sobbing. ‘It’s all right, Soph. I’m sure the hotel can arrange something.’
‘No, they can’t. There’s too much damage.’
‘Bloody hell.’ Alice looked at Jamie as he held her hand. ‘I don’t know what to say.’
‘Ginny’s already calling other hotels to see if they have halls or rooms for hire.’
‘That’s good. I can ring around too if you like.’ Alice could feel poor Sophie’s heartache. It was stressful enough for her arranging a white wedding, let alone having a disaster take place two days before the event.
Sophie sniffed again. ‘Let’s see what she can find first.’ She sighed. ‘Bless her. She did offer use of her barn, but it’s a bit draughty. Having said that, if everything is booked up for Christmas, then the barn might be our only choice.’
Alice gasped, not meaning to sound so dramatic. ‘It’s not your only choice, Soph. You can use the B&B for the reception. We’ve got the dining room, the foyer, a big kitchen. All the place needs is some decorations.’ She smiled at Jamie as Sophie started mumbling to Matt in the background.
Jamie bobbed his head. ‘Good idea,’ he mouthed.
Sophie was back. ‘You know what, Alice, we’d love to have our reception at yours. How wonderful would it be to celebrate on the same street as our shop, where we first met. Matt’s nodding away. Do you really think it’s possible at such short notice?’
Alice scoffed. ‘Please, this is us you’re talking about. We can arrange fundraising events in days. We can manage a wedding.’
‘But it’s Christmas.’
‘Not yet, it’s not.’ Alice beamed. ‘You leave this to us, Soph. You want a wedding party at mine — you’ll have the best Port Berry has ever seen.’
Sophie stopped sniffing. ‘Oh, Alice, thank you so much.’
Alice smiled down the phone. ‘Right, you call Ginny and let her know you’ve got a venue, and I’ll get Lottie and Spencer over here to see where they can put flowers. Don’t you worry about a thing, Soph. We’ve got this.’
‘That was nice of you,’ said Jamie as soon as the call ended.
Alice tapped his arm. ‘Come on, love. We’ve got a busy two days ahead.’ She stood by the wardrobe, not knowing what to do first.
Jamie grinned. ‘You can make some calls while I fix us brekkie, then we’ll see what’s in storage that can be used.’
‘Yes, good plan. And we’ll need a checklist.’ She hurried to the bathroom, taking her phone with her so she could ring everyone to let them know of the new wedding plan.
The porridge Jamie made went down well and she was sure she’d need the energy for the long day. Lottie and Spencer were due in soon, and Ginny was on her way over, as was Robson.
‘What do you want me to do?’ asked Benny, grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl on the kitchen table.
‘Would you be able to help your nan with a food shop?’ asked Alice.
‘Yep, I can do that.’
Alice ticked that off her list and told him to eat breakfast.
‘I’ll have something at Nan’s.’ Benny opened the front door, letting Robson inside.
‘Ooh, Rob, you’re here.’ Alice splayed her hands to the foyer. ‘What do you think?’
‘Sophie just called to say the hotel has already refunded her, so she’s giving me the money now for food and drink, so I’m going to have the food cooked in the pub, then brought round by my staff. As for the drinks, I want to set up a small bar.’
Alice waved him to the dining room. ‘We have the serving hatch. What about that? You can put the drinks on tables in the kitchen and serve from there.’
‘Perfect. I’ll have a couple of bar staff work the night.’
‘Do you think they will?’
‘Yep. Everyone wants more money this time of year. I’ve got staff coming out of my ears at the moment wanting shifts. This will help out a couple, and Demi is going to lend a hand in the kitchen.’
Alice smiled warmly. ‘We have to make it so wonderful for Sophie and Matt. She sounded heartbroken earlier.’
Robson put his arm around her. ‘We will, Al.’
‘We definitely will,’ said Lottie, appearing in the doorway with Spencer. ‘And, as Sophie was keen to mix Christmas into her day, we can fix this place up to look quite magical.’
Spencer agreed, perusing the area. ‘Our flowers will fit in nicely, that’s for sure, and I’ve called the balloon lady to let her know where we’ll be now. She’s going to pop by at lunch for a size-up.’
Lottie raised both hands. ‘Winter wonderland meets Seaview. Christmas, wedding, love and—’
‘A Nutcracker,’ said Ginny, trying to heave a six-foot one through the door.
Robson sprinted over to help. ‘Where did you get that?’
‘It’s mine, chick. Thought it would look good on the doorstep of the farm, so I bought one. Now I think he’d make a brilliant usher for the wedding.’
Everyone stared wide-eyed at the tall festive statue, that did look rather elegant.
‘Impressive, Gin,’ said Spencer, taking a selfie with it.
Alice pointed at the dining room. ‘I’m going to need help moving the tables around, and I was thinking we could use the foyer for the DJ and music. Oh, has anyone called him?’
‘Yep,’ said Samuel, walking in. ‘He gave me the measurements of his setup, so I’m here to see where he can fit, then I’ll call him back.’
Alice looked over by the storage cupboard. ‘Here’s a good space.’
Samuel pulled out a measuring tape and got on with his task.
Lottie and Spencer started taking their own notes, and Robson went into the kitchen to see how he could create a bar.
‘Poor Soph, eh, chick?’ Ginny linked arms with Alice. ‘And the owners of that hotel. And just before Christmas as well.’
Alice thought about her own B&B, grateful she didn’t have that problem. ‘As long as we’ve got each other, we’ll always be okay, won’t we, Gin?’
‘That’s right, chick. You know what we’re like when we join forces. Nothing can stop us.’
Alice glanced at the ceiling. ‘We need garlands up there.’
Ginny laughed. ‘Well, we’ve certainly got enough mistletoe. Why so much?’
‘Jamie did that. Thought he was funny.’
‘I am funny,’ he said, approaching.
Alice chuckled. ‘You can kiss me anytime, you know. You don’t need mistletoe.’
Jamie kissed her cheek. ‘Good to know.’ He frowned on seeing the Nutcracker. ‘Where did that come from?’
‘He’s with me,’ said Ginny.
Alice nodded. ‘The new usher.’
Lottie called out for more assistance in the dining room, so Jamie went off to help.
‘How’s it going with you two?’ Ginny asked, gesturing towards Jamie.
Alice smiled inside and out. ‘Great. He’s really settled.’
‘And you?’
‘Yep, me too.’
Ginny nudged her arm. ‘Come on then, chick, let’s get over to the pub to find out what Demi has planned. We might need to clear some fridge space in your kitchen. We can use the tearoom and café as well, if need be. Lots of fridge space in both.’
Alice went to tell Jamie she was popping to the Jolly Pirate.
‘Before you go,’ he said, motioning at a back wall. ‘Where do you think the wedding cake should go?’
Lottie opted for the corner. ‘We wouldn’t want anyone knocking it over.’
‘Or it could be wheeled in from the kitchen,’ said Spencer.
Lottie scoffed. ‘They stand more chance of toppling when on the move. Corner, I say.’
Sophie walked in with Jed. ‘There’s more room in here than I remember,’ she said softly, her eyes red and puffy.
Jed gave his granddaughter a hug. ‘I thought it best to bring our Sophie along to see what will be done. Settle her a touch.’
Alice leaned in to give her a hug as well. ‘You won’t recognize the place by the time we’re finished.’
Jed chuckled. ‘We already love the Nutcracker.’
‘He’s on loan,’ called Ginny, making everyone laugh.
Robson came out of the kitchen. ‘You go rest for your big day, Soph. Pamper session tomorrow, I hear.’
Sophie nodded. ‘I think I need a week in a spa now.’
‘No more worrying,’ said Jed. ‘You’ve seen for yourself now. Your mates have got it covered.’
‘We certainly have,’ said Lottie. ‘So, do as you’re told, and feet up.’
Sophie wrinkled her nose. ‘Fat chance. We’ve got huge seafood orders to get ready for our customers, and Matt’s in the shop by himself.’ She tugged her grandfather’s arm. ‘Okay, I’m ready. Let’s get back.’
Jed gave her a reassuring smile. ‘That’s my girl.’
Sophie stopped in the doorway. ‘Thank you all so much.’
Ginny waved her off. ‘No thanks needed. It’s what friends are for.’
Alice and Ginny followed Sophie and Jed as far as the pub, then parted ways to go see Demi in the kitchen.
‘I’ve got it covered,’ said Demi as soon as they entered, sitting them down to talk through her menu plans.
Alice made notes, took mental notes, and arranged to collect any decorations on offer that would add to the magical theme they were going for, then headed back to the B&B.
It certainly was a full-on day, though Alice enjoyed every moment, knowing how happy Sophie and Matt would be. She only wished she’d experienced such magic on her wedding day.
Alice watched Jamie while he helped move tables. What did it matter if they’d had a secret wedding with no guests or photos? They had each other. But it didn’t stop her wondering what it would have been like to walk down the aisle with him waiting for her.
As though sensing her moment of sadness, Jamie came over and put his arms around her waist. ‘You all right, Angel?’ he asked quietly.
‘Yeah, just pacing myself.’ She wasn’t sure he bought that, but he didn’t say anything. She got back to work, sorting through tablecloths.
Someone switched on Christmas songs, then once everyone started singing along, Alice forgot all about her own wedding day and focused on Sophie and Matt’s instead.
After all, it had been a marriage she wanted more than a wedding, and now she had one.
So as far as she was concerned, she had nothing to grumble about.