Chapter 7 #2
‘Posh pigs,’ Zoe amended with a grin. ‘Yes, this bit began life as a pigsty, but don’t worry, we converted it to kennels ages ago.
There are no signs of any pigs now.’ She sniffed the air as if worried there might be and then swung back the small gate with a flourish to reveal three very classy-looking kennels.
‘We do actually allow dogs in the hotel but sometimes a guest prefers not to take their dogs out on daytrips with them, so we offer a kennelling facility as well. So what I was thinking is that you might want to have Chocko and Mickey brought here after they’ve played their part in the ceremony where they can have a nice rest away from all the hubbub of the rest of the day.
We can provide fresh food from Mr B’s kitchen if it’s required.
Or you can bring your own doggy dinners. ’
‘Jade’s the animal expert,’ Sarah remarked. ‘Does that sound good to you?’ Both she and Zoe looked at her expectantly, and Jade nodded enthusiastically.
‘It sounds absolutely perfect. This way we can bring the dogs with us in the morning in one of the cars. And we can spare a guest for five minutes to bring the dogs round here afterwards, to save them going home too early. Thank you so much. You really have thought of everything.’
Zoe looked thrilled. ‘I know I don’t technically work for the Bluebell Cliff any more, but I like to think my mission statement is the same as theirs is.
I’m here to help you make your dreams come true.
Right then, I’ll take you back through to the restaurant, shall I?
I understand you have a reservation for lunch.
And I think Mr B has created you a special brides-to-be menu. ’
Zoe was right. Mr B had pulled out all the stops and once they were seated at a window table overlooking the velvet green lawns, they were presented with a lunch menu which actually had their names printed at the top.
‘There’s a meat choice and a vegetarian, but if you don’t like any of the choices, just let your waiter know and we’ll switch it for a substitute,’ Zoe told them.
‘Mr B’s very accommodating.’ She lowered her voice a little.
‘His bark’s a lot worse than his bite. Enjoy.
And don’t forget you can contact me any time if you have any last-minute issues.
I’m always on the end of the phone. Only six weeks to go now!
’ She looked as excited as if she were planning her own wedding.
She waved goodbye and left them looking at the menus. On the starter menu, Jade saw goat’s cheese and peach tartines, and on the main course her very favourite thing in the world, truffle-infused wild mushroom risotto.
‘I think I’ve died and gone to heaven,’ she murmured. ‘This all looks amazing.’
‘Yes, doesn’t it.’ Sarah licked her lips, the question clearly rhetorical. ‘If ever I’m rich I’m going to employ a personal chef.’
‘You’ve got one already. Callum’s an amazing cook.’
‘Yes, I know. His cooking’s divine. But divine cooking takes time and that’s something neither of us have. Wouldn’t it be amazing if you could go off to work in the mornings, having instructed your personal chef to have supper ready on the table for when you got back?’
‘It would.’
‘Does Finn ever cook anything exotic?’
‘Not on the vegetarian side, no, although he does do a mean Spanish omelette.’
‘I think I might join you on the mushroom risotto.’
A waiter appeared at their table with a tray. ‘Please accept our amuse-bouche, compliments of Mr B,’ he murmured, putting down a wooden serving platter with four little canapes. ‘Avocado bonbons with pickled ginger. And crispy polenta bites.’
They thanked him and he took their lunch order and disappeared again, only to return a few minutes later with homemade sourdough bread, served up with pots of butter.
‘We’re going to be too full up to eat our main courses at this rate,’ Jade remarked when he’d disappeared again.
‘I’m not.’ Sarah sat back in her chair for long enough to swish her napkin across her lip.
‘Just for today we have no children, no animals and no work. We are ladies wot lunch.’ She winked.
‘So let’s enjoy how the other half live.
’ She picked up her glass of sparkling water and raised it towards the glass of pinot she’d insisted Jade have.
‘To us.’
‘To us,’ Jade repeated with a huge smile.
They finally left the Bluebell Cliff at around 3.30 p.m. and Jade felt as though they’d left some magical alternative reality. ‘They certainly know how to live up to their mission statement,’ she remarked to Sarah as they drove away.
It was still sunny, the sky was still blue, and the hotel seemed like a prince among hotels, its art deco outline silhouetted against the beautiful sky, as Jade looked back at it.
‘I think we’ve chosen the right place for our wedding,’ Sarah agreed. ‘I can’t wait to get married with you and Ben.’
‘Same. Thank you so much for today.’
‘We just need to decide what we’re doing for the hen night now,’ Sarah murmured.
‘I know.’ The hen night had become a bit of an issue because they both wanted entirely different things and Jade had a feeling it was going to be difficult to find any common ground. ‘But let’s save that for another day,’ she added, and Sarah nodded.
Today had been too fabulous to risk spoiling by arguing about their hen night plans.