Chapter 17
The day of the wedding dawned with an unexpected brilliance – the threatened rain was nowhere to be seen, the sun was shining and the birds were singing.
It was fairy-tale perfect and everything Eliza had hoped for.
Before sunrise, Eliza’s phone was already buzzing with a million questions from suppliers, and panicked messages from Fenella.
‘It seems like a bloody miracle,’ she told Luke when he called to check in.
‘There are clear skies for the rest of the day, according to the forecast, and I have to say that despite it being lucky for it to rain on your wedding day, it’s even luckier if it doesn’t – especially on this muddy island! ’
‘I told you it would be all right on the day; you just need to trust me! Anyway, Farmington has this way of surprising you when you least expect it.’
‘You don’t say,’ said Eliza, tucking her phone under her ear.
She smiled to herself, thinking about how attentive Luke had been since their night at the farmhouse.
The way he texted her good morning every day.
The coffee he’d drop off at the cottage, exactly how she liked it.
The flowers that had appeared on her doorstep with a note saying, ‘For the hottest wedding planner in town’.
Meanwhile, she’d barely crossed paths with Bella – they’d handled the flower arrangements via email, and somehow their Pilates schedules never seemed to align.
Whether by luck or by design, the distance had given her space to breathe, to focus on the wedding, and to let herself fall just a little bit harder for Luke.
Taking another glance out of the window at the fluffy clouds, she checked her contingency list. ‘But I still want those yellow umbrellas on standby. The English weather is nothing if not fickle!’
‘Already arranged,’ Luke confirmed. ‘Dan’s dropping them off at Stanley’s before he starts on car parking duty. There’s nothing the Farmington Agricultural Society can’t deliver on.’
Eliza laughed and ticked the umbrellas off her list. ‘Well, you’re a lifesaver, thank you. Now, I have to go, as I’m meant to be at Fenella’s in thirty minutes.’
‘Yup, go for it. I need to check Stavros hasn’t turned the bar into a Greek taverna for the night.
I’ll see you later, and good luck—’ He hesitated just long enough for her pulse to quicken, and her to feel that familiar flutter she couldn’t seem to control lately.
‘Make sure to save me a dance, won’t you. ’
She let out a shaky breath. ‘As the wedding planner, I should probably maintain some professional distance, Luke. But if everything falls apart, you might find me at the bar, three glasses in, doing the Macarena.’
Eliza felt in her total element. She hadn’t felt this excited for a long time – it was so great to be working again, and it reminded her that this was what she really loved.
And also, what she was damn good at. Pulling up to Stanley’s, she nearly gasped.
Here it was, her vision for this wedding brought to life.
The whole of Stanley’s had been transformed, and there were fairy lights twinkling from the exposed beams, creating a warm glow over the long rustic-style tables adorned with Bella’s floral arrangements – even Eliza had to admit they were pretty stunning.
Yellow roses and wildflowers were spilling out of antique milk jugs, surrounded by sprigs of lavender and wheat.
The whole vibe was just beautiful. She couldn’t quite believe it herself and quickly snapped some pictures to use in her portfolio.
‘You’ve outdone yourself,’ came a voice from behind her. Eliza turned to see Marjorie, who was resplendent in a floral dress and elaborate fascinator. She really had gone to town.
‘Thank you, although to be honest, I really can’t take all the credit for this – it has definitely been a team effort.’
‘Oh, what utter nonsense,’ said Marjorie, waving her hand dismissively at her.
‘Everyone knows this wedding would be a total disaster without you, and in fact I’m not sure it would be happening at all.
You’ve breathed new life into this village since you arrived, and not just for that young stallion of yours! ’
Eliza felt herself blushing. ‘Well it’s very kind of you to say so, Marjorie.’
‘I mean it! Even Dan agrees with me, and it’s very hard to impress that old bugger you know.’ Marjorie winked. ‘Speaking of which, have you seen him yet today? He’s looking rather dashing – I’m hoping to corner him for a dance later!’
‘I think you absolutely should!’ said Eliza with a smile, delighted at the prospect of Marjorie and Dan running off into the sunset together. ‘You also look rather ravishing today, Marjorie, might I say. Is this a new floral dress you have on?’
‘Oh, do you really think I should ask him to dance? I have to admit I did enjoy our dance at Bill’s recently,’ said Marjorie, totally ignoring her compliments. ‘But I’m not sure I’m that forward. Maybe when I was in my prime, but I’d feel ridiculous doing it now.’
‘Marjorie, it’s plain to see that Dan is very taken with you, just go for it!’
Marjorie went beetroot. ‘Oh, Eliza, don’t be silly. At our age, it’s hardly appropriate to be flirting around the place.’
‘I simply don’t agree with you, I’m afraid. Age is irrelevant; you can’t use that as an excuse. We all have one life to live, and we need to damn well live it.’
‘Is that what you’re doing with Luke?’ whispered Marjorie sneakily. ‘Living your life? I do hope so. I would, if I was your age, and Luke was knocking on my door!’
Before Eliza could respond, Agatha rushed out of the kitchen, looking harried in her chef’s coat over a magnificent emerald dress. ‘Eliza, I need help with a delivery. I’m not sure where to put it, it can’t be in direct sunlight.’
‘Excuse me,’ Eliza said to Marjorie, who gave her a knowing smile and waved her off. With her crisis management mode engaged, Eliza hurried after Agatha towards the kitchen area.
As they neared the kitchen, Agatha turned around. ‘Mum’s here by the way.’
Eliza stopped in her tracks. ‘What do you mean Mum’s here?’
‘Don’t stop,’ hurried Agatha. ‘And yes, do I need to repeat myself? Mum is here! She said she couldn’t bear to miss out on tasting my cooking and seeing you in action. She said Dan even helped her park, and she’ll sit herself in the back so as not to get in the way.’
Eliza had to laugh. ‘That is so Mum. You can’t just gatecrash a wedding! Well, I suppose she can. It’s not like I’m going to throw her out, is it? Oh well, here’s hoping she has a good day.’
‘I believe she even bought a new dress for the occasion,’ said Agatha. ‘I think she just wants to spy on your sexy holiday fling. But what do I know, she might just fancy a bit of a dance with Dan. You know Dad’s never been one for throwing himself around the dance floor.’
‘Shush, Ags! It’s fine, Mum will have fun and hopefully every single other plan will go off without a hitch. I’ll just squeeze another chair in somewhere.’ Eliza pulled out her phone and made a quick adjustment to the seating plan. ‘Right where’s this delivery, then?’
The day proceeded to unfold in a blur of activity.
From making sure Marjorie’s cake was in pride of place, to directing the folk band to the right position and, of course, ensuring Jean Pierre’s wines were all being properly chilled to the exact temperature he had specified no less than ten times in the last week.
Jean Pierre’s sparkling wine ‘heritage vintage’ was making its debut today – a soft launch before hitting the market.
Eliza felt a weight of responsibility for it to go well.
After all, this was her first major client since going freelance, and seeing ‘Eliza Fox Events’ on the contract had made her heart race with excitement.
The first payment had already made a satisfying dent in her mountain of debt, bringing it under ￡20,000.
She hadn’t liked having the number two at the front of the debt, but she couldn’t afford a single misstep now.
Through all the madness of the wedding day, Eliza caught only fleeting glimpses of Luke, who was looking outrageously handsome in a suit that had been tailored to fit him perfectly. Eliza was somehow managing to keep her cool, and everything seemed to be running just fine.
Just before the ceremony began, Eliza managed to steal five minutes to herself to throw on her wedding outfit.
To celebrate the occasion, she was wearing an old favourite.
Even she was aware she could not justify a new designer outfit.
Slipping on her own beautiful floral dress, she was pleased it still fit perfectly.
It was nipped in at the waist, with a deep V neckline and a pretty lace trim on the sleeves.
She knew she was a guaranteed knockout in it, and it was perfect for an early summer wedding.
She stationed herself at the back where she could see everything as she waited for Fenella to arrive.
Then she heard the now familiar rumble of the tractor on the gravel.
It was even cooler than she’d imagined. Duke was so clean he gleamed in the sunlight, and Bella had decorated him with white flowers, so the yellow tractor looked rather beautiful in a rustic kind of way.
It came to a shuddering stop outside the barn, and Luke quickly stepped forward to help his sister climb down, keeping her sweeping white gown out of the mud.
As she landed safely on the ground, Fenella’s copper red hair caught the sunlight, and she looked exquisite.
With her hair loose around her shoulders, adorned with a crown of wildflowers, and her simple elegant gown, she was every inch the bride.