Christmas Weddings

Chapter 6

Eleri twisted over. The water caressed her wet-suited body like silk. Lying on her back and floating, she stared up at the moonless night. As she’d done as a child, she located the familiar shape of the Plough and then traced the route to Cassiopeia. It gave her satisfaction to see them still there. The stars were often the only constant in her ever-changing life.

The only sound was the quiet wash of the sea around her. The only colours black and silver. Closing her eyes, she surrendered herself to how alive her senses felt. She was more at home in the sea than anywhere. A tremor ran through her. She was getting cold. The sea temperature on a Devon November night didn’t compare to the tropical seas she was more used to. She needed to get moving again. Besides, if Davey found out she was swimming at night, alone, he’d be furious. Reluctantly, she twisted again and power-crawled to shore.

Chapter 7

Millie sat at the table in the window. A grey pall of fog hung over the promenade. It blanketed out the sea and all was peculiarly hushed. Ever since she’d returned from Thailand nothing had seemed to go right. Even the weather had been unremittingly grim. Usually she didn’t mind. In fact, she used to take pleasure in the quiet, out-of-season days when she had the place to herself. It was a time to catch your breath before everything revved up again.

She stirred her hot chocolate without interest and glared at her mobile, willing Jed to return her call. It remained stubbornly quiet. She’d rung him several times and he hadn’t bothered to get back to her. The one bright thing in this sea of grey was Ri. The girl floated in and out of the café, working without seeming to put any obvious effort in, getting things done and spreading a palpable calm in her wake. Millie couldn’t afford help, but she found she lacked the enthusiasm or the stamina to do everything herself any more. Not for the first time, she wished the café sale had gone through and she was free of it. It had become a burden she no longer wanted.

The bell on the café door had her looking up in the vain hope it was Jed.

‘Hello Millie,’ Alex said. ‘I wonder if I might have a word?’

Too disappointed to speak, Millie gestured to the empty chair beside her. Behind, she heard the sudden silence as Arthur and Biddy stopped bickering. Whatever Alex’s business, it would be all over Berecombe by tomorrow.

‘Hi bach, I’m Eleri. What can I get you?’ Ri appeared from nowhere, with order pad in hand. She smiled down at Alex.

‘Oh. Um. Ah.’

The tops of his ears turned pink. Millie took pity on him. Eleri had this alarming effect on most of her male customers. It was making for good repeat custom. ‘Why don’t you have one of Ri’s special hot chocolates?’ she suggested. ‘ Just the thing for a foggy day like today.’

‘Thank you. I will.’ Alex eyed Millie’s mug. ‘But without the marshmallows, if I may.’

Eleri made a face. ‘It’s not my special hot chocolate without them. See, I make them into little white chocolate and marshmallow flowers. They’re magic. Go on. Have the marshmallows. Live a little.’

‘Right.’ Alex gulped in the face of all her gorgeousness. ‘Okay. Whatever you say.’

‘Wonderful. Can I get you another, Millie?’

‘No, I’m fine, Ri. Thank you.’

Alex twisted to watch her as she made her way back to the kitchen. ‘My word.’ He unwound his scarf and unbuttoned his coat. ‘Eleri. What a pretty name.’

Millie smiled. ‘Welsh, apparently. And yes, it is pretty, but she prefers Ri.’

‘What a shame to abbreviate it. Eleri.’ He sounded it out with relish and shook his head. ‘Never encountered an Eleri before.’

‘I think she’s one in a million. Alex, it’s lovely to see you, but I can’t imagine you came to discuss my staff.’

‘Ah. No I didn’t.’ He took off his specs, de-misted them and popped them back on his nose, clearing his throat slightly as he did. ‘Bit awkward this. I’ve come to apologise, actually.’

‘Whatever for?’ Millie was taken aback.

‘For blurting out that Jed is working for Blue Elephant. I had no idea he hadn’t told you.’ Alex tugged at the collar of his crew-necked sweater. ‘I feel awful. I had no right. It was Jed’s news and I understand Blue Elephant has caused some, shall we say, friction between you.’

‘Just a little.’

‘I really thought he’d mentioned it.’

‘Strangely enough, Jed forgot to email me the news that he is working for my biggest rival.’

‘Ah yes.’ Alex paused to take off his coat. He folded it neatly, put it on a chair and then remained standing as Eleri returned with his chocolate. ‘Wonderful. Thank you.’ Pushing his glasses back up his nose, he added, ‘Marvellous.’

‘Just pop the flowers in the hot chocolate when you’re ready,’ she said, in her soft Welsh accent.

She and Alex gazed at one another. Even through her fugged-up state Millie could feel the attraction zinging between them. Goodness me, she thought. Now, that’s a match I wouldn’t have predicted. Opposites must attract.

‘If there’s anything else you need,’ Eleri added, staring wide-eyed at Alex. ‘Just let me know.’

‘Eleri, I need another coffee.’ Biddy’s overloud voice broke the moment.

‘Coming right up,’ Eleri murmured, her eyes not leaving Alex’s face.

‘And I’d like it now, please!’

When Eleri had gone, Alex subsided into his chair. ‘I say,’ he breathed. As instructed, he put the white marshmallow flowers into his hot drink and was taken aback to see them open up. ‘Now, how does that happen?’ he murmured in astonishment.

‘Some of Ri’s magic, I think. Actually, I think she got the recipe off the net. Fun, though.’ Millie watched him sip his drink, fascinated to see him approach it as if it were something alien. ‘Alex, thank you for your apology, but I don’t really think it was yours to make. What I’d really like, what I really need, is an explanation as to why Jed feels he can do this to me.’

Alex fidgeted with his serviette, nervously. He cleared his throat again. ‘Millie, my dear, I’m afraid I can’t add much to what you already know.’

‘But that’s it,’ Millie burst out. ‘I don’t know anything at all. Jed was pretty good at keeping in touch when I was in Italy but it all tapered off a bit last month.’

Alex nodded. ‘That’s about when he got the job.’

‘Figures,’ Millie said acidly. ‘What exactly is he doing?’

‘He’s in charge of buying, from what I can gather.’ Alex shrugged. ‘If I’m honest, he hasn’t said all that more to me, but then I’ve been busy.’

‘I just don’t understand why he’s working for that company again, of all people.’

‘Well, he had to get some kind of employment. He’d been fund-raising for the theatre and the Arts Workshop, but that wasn’t paid.’

‘Isn’t his trust fund enough?’ Millie tried not to sound bitter.

‘Ah.’ Alex stared into his mug. ‘Oh dear. You haven’t heard about that either?’

‘What? Oh what now, Alex?’

‘Jed hasn’t been taking his allowance. I understand it has something to do with how you feel about trust funds? Something to do with proving he can manage without it?’

Millie let out a breath. One she hadn’t known she’d been holding. She felt very tired. ‘We had a conversation, an argument, I suppose.’ She shot Alex a rueful look. ‘I made it quite clear I don’t approve of those who don’t have to work for a living.’

‘Yes, he mentioned that.’ Alex spooned out a marshmallow flower and ate it cautiously. ‘I would imagine, by taking on this job, that Jed is trying to prove to you that he can work his keep.’

‘But why Blue Elephant, of all places?’

Alex shook his head. ‘I’ve no idea. He was rather keen to stay in Berecombe for when you came home. And from what I’ve gathered since I’ve been here, there are not many employment opportunities, and especially at this time of year. Maybe he had little choice?’

‘True,’ Millie said slowly. A thought struck. ‘Your mother can’t be very happy about it.’

Alex gave a short laugh. ‘I think that might be the understatement of the year. She’s apoplectic.’ He sighed. ‘Jed’s never really found what he wanted to do with his life. Or hadn’t until recently.’ He smiled kindly. ‘I’ve never known him so enthusiastic over anything as he was about your café. Your lifestyle. It really speaks to him. And this,’ he spread his hands to include the town. ‘Having spent some time in this part of the world I’m beginning to see the appeal.’

‘Then why hasn’t he said all this to me? Explained himself?’

‘Ah. May I tell you something about Jed?’

Millie nodded. ‘Please do. I feel as if I’ve never really understood him. Never really go to know him properly.’

‘I understand.’ Alex took a deep breath.

Chapter 8

‘Jed has always had, shall we say, a difficult relationship with our mother. I seemed to fulfil her expectations as a son. Did what I was told, did well at school, university, went into a career of which she approved. Jed, on the other hand, was rebellious, even as a baby. Fought her on everything and anything.’

‘I can well believe it.’

Alex gave Millie an old-fashioned look and pushed up his glasses. ‘I’m not sure mother knew how to handle him after sailing though motherhood with me. But, even though Jed can be rebellious and doesn’t take orders very well, underneath it all what he most likes to do, especially for those he loves, is please them. Make them happy. The more pressure mother put on him to settle down to something, the more frustrated he became that he couldn’t find a career that both he and mother wanted. And I’m afraid, when Jed is in that position, he simply clams up. Keeps his secrets very secret.’ Alex leaned back and pursed his lips. ‘We all thought he’d settled to his management consultancy, he was certainly very good at it and then he met you and went in another direction altogether.’

Millie was silent for a moment, digesting this new information. It made a mad kind of sense. Whenever Jed had done something he thought she disapproved of, he’d simply avoided telling her.

‘It still doesn’t explain why he felt he needed to work for my biggest rival.’

‘No,’ Alex agreed. ‘It certainly doesn’t explain that.’ He stood up. ‘I’m sorry I can’t shed any light on that, my dear. But there must be a good reason. Jed doesn’t do anything to hurt people in such a blatant way. It’s simply not in him. He’s a loving man.’ Alex coughed again, embarrassed at all this talk of emotional matters. ‘And I think he loves you very much.’

Millie stood too. ‘He’s got a funny way of showing it.’

Alex’s eyes twinkled. ‘That, I can’t argue with.’

Eleri came to collect their empties. ‘Was everything alright?’

‘It was delicious,’ Alex said. ‘Especially the marshmallow flower things.’ He reached into his pocket. ‘I nearly forget to pay. That wouldn’t do at all, would it?’

Millie stayed his arm. ‘On the house. I appreciate you coming and trying to put things right.’

‘Just trying to help.’ He shrugged back into his coat and wound his scarf around his neck. He reminded Millie of a well-meaning giraffe.

‘Good morning, ladies,’ he said and went.

Eleri picked up their mugs. ‘What a lovely man,’ she said. ‘Such a kind face.’

‘He was very taken with you.’

‘Was he?’ She concentrated on clearing the table, but Millie detected a quickening of interest.

‘Absolutely. Wound up tighter than that cashmere scarf he was wearing, though.’

‘Yes, I got that impression too.’ Eleri laughed. ‘I’ll just have to try and do something about that then, won’t I, cariad?’ Then she rolled her eyes as Biddy shouted another demand from behind them.

Chapter 9

Eleri was delighted when, only a few days later, Alex made a return visit to the café.

‘Um. Ah. Hello Eleri. Message for Millie.’

‘I’m so sorry, I’m afraid she’s not here this morning but she’ll be back in later, mind. Can I pass it on?’ Eleri was aware Alex was staring.

‘What?’

‘The message. Shall I pass your message on?’

‘That would be wonderful.’ He gave a heartfelt sigh.

Eleri put her head on one side. ‘If you don’t mind me saying, you look exhausted.’

Alex gave her a weak smile. ‘Knackered, actually. Bloody roofers.’

‘Ah. Having work done on the hotel, aren’t you? Millie mentioned something. Look, sit yourself down, lovely, and I’ll get you a coffee. We’re quiet at the moment, so I can join you and you can tell me all about it.’ As she went to go into the kitchen, she stopped and turned. ‘How about a bacon roll too? One left over from breakfast.’

Alex gave her a painfully grateful look before sinking into the same chair he’d sat in the other day.

Once he’d eaten and Eleri had served a couple clad in cagoules and walking boots, she joined him with two more Americanos.

Alex sat back in his seat and sighed again, this time happily.

‘Now then, you look a much happier man.’

‘I am. That was just what I needed.’

‘Can’t go wrong with a bit of bacon and some caffeine. Sure to hit the spot. Whatever the spot is that’s in need.’ She nudged his coffee nearer. ‘Got some orange marmalade cake as well, if you’ve room.’

‘Thanks, but no thanks. Haven’t got a terribly sweet tooth.’

Eleri gasped. ‘That’s the most shocking thing I’ve ever heard. Please don’t let Millie hear you say that.’

Alex grinned, appreciating the joke. ‘I won’t.’

‘So, what’s got you all tense and stressed?’

‘How did you know I was stressed?’

‘Not difficult to guess, lovely.’

Alex pushed up his specs and blew out a breath. ‘The hotel. It’s a nightmare. It’s been a nightmare ever since I bought it.’ He stopped and a rueful expression overcame his thin face. ‘I don’t usually talk about my problems, especially not to a stranger.’

‘Well, no one’s a stranger in Millie Vanilla’s. And it can be good to share problems.’ Eleri picked up her coffee. Holding it between her hands, she closed her eyes and breathed in the aroma. ‘Got to be one of the world’s great pleasures.’ She drank, aware Alex was watching her avidly.

Putting her cup down she said, ‘Now, come on, why are the hotel repairs causing you so much hassle? Money?’

‘You’re very direct, aren’t you? Funnily enough, no.’ Alex took off his coat and scarf. He seemed flustered. ‘Got rather warm in here, hasn’t it?’

‘Millie likes to keep her customers cosy.’

‘Yes, it’s jolly cold today. Somehow hadn’t thought it would be by the coast.’

‘Arthur thinks we’re in for a harsh winter.’ Eleri smiled kindly. ‘I suspect he says that every winter, mind.’ She watched as Alex drank his second coffee. He ate and drank as if it was purely fuel, she observed. There was little sensual pleasure in it. A closed-up man, she decided. ‘It’s usually money that causes the renovation stress, but not with you, so what is it?’

‘Oh, it’s the untidiness of it all,’ he blurted out. ‘The men seem to turn up when they like, leave their stuff all over the place, don’t finish one job before going onto the next.’ He wrinkled his nose in such disgust, Eleri wondered what he was about to say. ‘And have Radio Two blasting out at all hours.’

‘Shocker. I’m guessing you’re a Radio Four man?’

‘Three, actually.’

Eleri sat back and laughed out loud. ‘They sound like fairly typical builders to me.’

‘Do they?’

‘Are they doing a good job? Are you pleased with the results?’

‘Well, yes, I suppose.’

‘And are you providing them with tea and biscuits?’

Alex looked at her in horror. ‘Should I be doing?’

Eleri shrugged. ‘Can’t hurt. How about you set up a drinks station with a kettle and teabags and coffee and such? Even Kit Kats maybe? Might oil the works when you ask for the radio to be turned down.’ She laughed. ‘Have you never lived with builders before?’

‘Never.’

‘I think they run on tea and Radio Two. Chocolate digestives help too.’

‘I’ll try that. Thank you.’

‘You’re welcome. My Da runs a building firm back in Wales, so call it insider knowledge. Or a plea on behalf of good will to the building trade.’ Alex didn’t comment, so she added, ‘What are your plans when the building work is done, then?’ She was dismayed to see his face crumple and his shoulders sag.

‘That’s the other, enormous black hole of a problem. I don’t know.’

‘Surely you’ve got a design consultant or an interior designer on the go?’

He shook his head. ‘Thought I’d get one on board when I’d decided what sort of place to go for. And, apart from an outline plan, I have absolutely no idea. The hotel is a bit of a gamble for me.’ He shrugged. ‘Oh I’m used to gambling with money. That’s what I did in the city, I suppose. But this,’ he spread his long-fingered hands, ‘This is something else. I’m rather out of my depth.’

He looked so forlorn, Eleri wanted to hug his too-thin shoulders. She contented herself by putting a comforting hand on one of his. ‘Oh cariad. I think you were meant to walk into Millie Vanilla’s. You were meant to meet me. You lucky, lucky man. I just happen to have a degree in interior design and I’m dying to have a look at your hotel!’

Chapter 10

They were so engrossed in discussing ideas that they didn’t see Millie burst into the café. She brought with her a snarl of vicious sea wind and had trouble closing the door against it. A shivering Trevor headed to his basket against the radiator.

‘Bugger, it’s cold out there.’ She rubbed her hands together before unwrapping her many layers and hanging them on the pink and blue hat stand. ‘Oh hi, Alex,’ she said, spotting him. ‘I’ve been trying to get hold of your brother. Again. I’m beginning to think he’s avoiding me.’

Alex blinked owlishly at her. ‘Message. Ah yes, I have a message. Jed told me to say he’s had to go abroad on a buying trip.’

Millie stood before them, hands on hips, expression mutinous. ‘How convenient.’

‘No really, it’s not, actually.’ A lock of dark blonde hair flopped forward and Alex flicked it away nervously. ‘He’s had to go to Bogota. I could have done with him being here.’

‘We could both do with him being here,’ Millie snapped. ‘He still owes me an explanation as to why he’s working for Blue Elephant, remember? And Bogota?’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘Where’s that?’

Eleri stood up gracefully. ‘Colombia. South America,’ she added, as Millie still looked puzzled. She turned to Alex in concern. ‘Not the safest of countries to travel in.’

‘I assume, as it’s work, he’ll be well-protected. But, as it happens, I agree with you, Eleri. I voiced my concerns at him having to go there.’ Alex shrugged. ‘He’s a seasoned traveller, though, he knows how to look after himself.’

Irritation battled with worry within Millie. She tried not to pout. ‘I just wish I knew what was going on in his mind.’

Eleri began to pick up the cups and plates littering the table. ‘All will be well, don’t you worry. Jed would never do anything to hurt you. Either of you. He loves you both very much. I’m positive he has a very good reason for working for them.’ She smiled enigmatically and drifted to the kitchen, bestowing a serene glance on the cagoule couple, who blinked back, startled by the vision of calm and beauty.

Millie stared after her in exasperation. ‘Much as I admire Ri, and I do very much, I sometimes think she comes from a different planet. How is she so certain about these things? I think she’s off her rocker most of the time.’

‘Do you?’ Alex murmured, also staring. ‘I think she’s the most marvellous creation I’ve ever met.’

Chapter 11

Eleri accepted Millie’s offer of a lift up to The Lord of the Manor on the following Sunday. She couldn’t wait to look around. Alex had rung during the week and they’d had long conversations over some of the things he hoped for the hotel. It was an exciting project and, for the first time ever, since graduating, she was itching to put the skills she’d learned into practice.

They trundled along the pot-holed drive in Millie’s Fiesta. She changed gear to slow down and swore when the car resented her clumsy driving.

Eleri knew Millie still hadn’t heard anything from Jed. More worrying was his lack of communication with his brother. Jed had been gone for the best part of two weeks and Alex hadn’t heard from him either. From experience, she knew parts of South America could be dangerous. She’d asked her Tarot cards on the previous evening. Relieved when the star came up – her favourite – she knew Jed was okay. She’d been slightly more troubled by the moon card. His way forward, although eventually having a positive outcome, was clouded with uncertainty. She just wished he’d get in touch with those who loved him. She heard Millie swear again as she braked harshly, scattering gravel, and sensed her pain.

Alex greeted them at the main door. He wore a bulky overcoat, a beanie and woollen gloves. He clapped his hands together, causing some crows to fly up from out of the trees lining the driveway. He glanced up, following their flight into a cloudlessly blue sky. ‘Think it might be warmer out here than inside. Hope you’ve got something cosy to wear.’

Eleri reached into the back of the car for the thick woollen poncho she used as a coat. ‘We’ll be fine,’ she said. ‘Can’t wait for the tour.’ Once she’d tugged the poncho over her head, she examined the front of the hotel. An elegant building, it had a symmetrical Georgian facade. The roofers’ scaffolding was shrouding its beauty, but she could see it would be stunning once repaired.

‘Any news?’ Millie asked Alex as she locked the car.

Alex didn’t need to ask about what. ‘Nothing, I’m afraid. Not a sausage.’

Eleri watched the hope drain out of Millie. ‘It’ll be fine, Millie. Colombia is a lot safer than it used to be for Western travellers.’

‘Great,’ Millie mumbled, not looking convinced.

Alex shivered. ‘Shall we begin? It’s a little cold to be standing around too long. Thought we’d go over to where I hope to put the spa.’

He led them behind the main building of the hotel to what must have been the old covered swimming pool. The water had been drained from the pool and it lay forlorn and lonely in the echoing space under the shabby glass dome. The sharp winter sunlight only emphasised the neglect.

‘Hoping to get the glass replaced,’ Alex said. ‘I rather like the shape of the roof, although the glass has seen better days.’ He nodded to the wall of white-painted breeze blocks. ‘That’s all coming out. It’ll be bi-fold doors that can be opened in warm weather. Not like today, eh?’ He smiled kindly at Millie.

He was so obviously trying to be extra nice to her that Eleri’s heart melted.

‘We’ll have treatment rooms behind and maybe a small café. I’d like some advice from you, Millie, about what to serve.’ He grimaced. ‘I’d like to think the fad for green smoothies is over now but I’d like healthy stuff on the menu. That will fit into the whole ethos.’