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‘Do you really think you can organise it in time?’ Alec asked.
‘I’m pulling in a few favours.’ Nikki grinned. ‘And it will be nerve-wracking. But for me. Not you.’
‘It’ll be the first wedding we’ve ever had here,’ added Tamsin. ‘But if it works, then maybe it’ll be the first of many.’
‘Windcutter Weddings,’ said Nikki. ‘That’s my vision. And if you don’t mind being the guinea pigs …’
‘I completely manifested this,’ said Phoebe, her eyes shining. ‘Every day I thought about my dream wedding and here it is. It’s beyond my dreams.’
‘It’s a miracle,’ agreed Alec. ‘Given how little notice we’ve given you.’
‘There’s a lot of practical stuff we need to sort,’ Nikki warned. ‘But between me and Tamsin, I think we can manage it. If you trust us.’ Was she mad? This was a massive challenge, with lots of potential for disaster. But she and Tamsin would be a formidable team. If anyone could make this work, they could. ‘Obviously, I’m not going to go mad with the budget. I’ll keep in close touch and get your approval on everything before we green light it.’
‘Whatever it takes,’ said Alec.
‘It’s got to be within reason, if we’re going to trial it as a business model. So don’t worry. We’ll keep it real. Anything else you can think of that you want, just ping me an email.’
Phoebe was looking at Tamsin. ‘I’ve always had a fantasy about arriving at my wedding on a horse. Do you think that would be possible?’
Tamsin looked at Nikki, who nodded her approval. ‘I don’t see why not. Can you ride?’
‘I used to, when I was a kid. Every holiday, I’d beg to go riding. I don’t know why I stopped. Time, I suppose. And it’s weird. I put a horse on my vision board yesterday.’
‘Well, there we go,’ said Nikki. ‘Proof that manifesting works. I guess?’
Tamsin looked a bit puzzled. She was very practical and down to earth and wouldn’t have the first clue about manifesting.
‘Maybe you should get back in the saddle first?’ Alec looked anxious.
‘If you’ve got time to come down before, I can give you a few lessons,’ suggested Tamsin. ‘Take you out on Mercury. He’s very calm but very beautiful. Gold, with a white mane and tail.’
Nikki smiled to herself. Tamsin was really getting into the whole wedding fantasy and running with it.
‘I could be like Daenerys Targaryen, from Game of Thrones.’ Phoebe clasped her hands, overwhelmed with excitement.
‘I’m no Kahl Drogo, though.’ Alec looked a bit crestfallen. ‘I’ll have to get a personal trainer or something.’
Phoebe threw her arms around him. ‘Don’t be silly. You’re perfect as you are.’
Nikki’s heart melted. They were so sweet. It made her more determined than ever to make this wedding a day to remember, even if she didn’t end up making much money. It was more important to her for the bride and groom to drive off into the sunset happy.
As Nikki was about head back to her office, with Phoebe and Alec following behind, Tamsin leaned in through the car window.
‘I’ve got a good feeling about this,’ she said. ‘Though it’s kind of ironic. Us single girls in charge of a wedding.’
‘Maybe it’ll be one of us one day,’ said Nikki lightly.
Tamsin shook her head. ‘I’m married to the farm,’ she said. ‘And Andrew is married to his.’ Andrew was her long-term boyfriend, a gentleman farmer from Exmoor. ‘I’m not holding my breath.’
‘It’s never too late.’ Nikki grinned. ‘Anyway, we’ve got Bali to look forward to. I’m counting the days.’
Tamsin was coming with her to visit Bill, as she was his godmother. An exotic holiday for the two of them after a summer of hard work. Nikki couldn’t wait. As she waved her friend goodbye and drove back along the drive, she reflected that the two of them didn’t see each other often enough, even though they didn’t live far apart. They remedied this once a year, at Christmas time. They’d book a twin room at a boutique hotel in Exeter, nail their present shopping, dress up, drink cocktails and then go dancing. A ritual night of carefree indulgence that reminded them they weren’t all work and no play.
Once, after one too many espresso Martinis, the two of them had gone back to their hotel room and flopped onto their beds. Tongue loosened by the unaccustomed alcohol, Nikki had felt a terrible urge to spill her secret to her friend. She was tired of the burden and longed for a chance to talk it over. And perhaps even be told she wasn’t as wicked as she thought she was. She imagined Tamsin saying, ‘You’re only human, Nik. Good people do bad things sometimes.’ She relished the sweet relief that would bring, and the comfort of knowing she wasn’t evil. Perhaps it would silence the voice in her head, the one which endlessly reminded her of her transgression and told her she didn’t deserve happiness.
But Nikki knew once her secret was out, she couldn’t untell it. It was too much of a risk. And their friendship was more important to her than absolution. So she’d stayed silent. And now, she was glad she hadn’t ever said anything, for this venture could be a gamechanger. As her car rattled over the cattle-grid, her mind was racing with all the little details she’d need to snag to make this dream wedding a reality.
Back at the office, Phoebe and Alec tasted their way through the samples Nikki had organised through her caterer, all spread out on the antique table on big platters. She’d sent them the menus in advance, and now they were double-checking they were happy with their choices. Bruschetta with fresh peas and mint and local burrata, crab tartlets with aioli, trout with watercress and nasturtium vinaigrette, then venison drizzled with wild garlic pesto, new potatoes, and sugar snaps and purple sprouting broccoli. A gorgeously seasonal summer menu which would look beautiful on the plate.
