Wallowing in our disenchantment, we both let out a longer, more mournful, sigh.
“Gregbrook Manoristo die for though,” I said.
“It is.”
“And that orangery. It’s so beautiful.” Like the ones in my imagination, it cascaded with natural light. “All those glass panels…”
“What about its glass-domed roof?” Leo said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Me neither.”
“And I really like the walled courtyard.”
“Me too.” As with the manor’s interior, its exterior was a mix of old and new and I happily pictured its magnificent magnolia trees, still able to hear the babbling water that flowed from the beautiful French fountain. I could smell the soft fragrance of the rambling roses that snaked around the wrought-iron pergola. In my mind’s eye, I had no problem envisaging our wedding party, champagne glasses in hand, flitting seamlessly from one space to the other. Which, sadly, was never going to happen.
“Why did everything have to be so big?” Leo asked.
It was a question I kept asking myself. Set up to host over a hundred guests, the orangery didn’t exactly scream intimate. And although perfect in every other sense, it was way too large for our party of twenty-seven.
“Time to focus on the next venue on our list?” Leo asked.
I nodded. “I’m afraid so.”
Chapter 20
The weekend trip out to Gregbrook Manor had left Leo and me feeling a tad deflated. But neither of us went in for pity parties and pulling ourselves together, we’d decided to start afresh. Moving forward, Leo’s job was to arrange a visit to our second-choice venue, while mine was to deal with the dress fiasco.
“So we both know what we’re doing?” Leo asked, as he pulled on his jacket.
“We do.”
He tapped his jeans’ pocket. “I’ve got my phone, so I’ll make an appointment over lunch.”
I nodded to the laptop that sat ready and waiting on the dining table. “You can see how my morning’s gonna be spent.”
Leo grabbed his car keys off the hook, before kissing my cheek. “You’ll find what you’re looking for,” he said, confident. “I have every faith.” He turned to Otis. “Come on, boy. Time to go to work.”
I smiled as the dog chased after him, before diverting my attention to the matter at hand. Keen to get started, I quickly made a cup of coffee and headed for the computer. Diving straight into Google, I typed in what I was looking for and as the search screen sprang to life, I took a deep breath. Such was my determination not to wear Mum’s Diana affair, I was prepared to sit there all day seeking out the dress of my dreams if I had to.
Staring at image after image, I frowned. Every wedding gown available looked flamboyant and intricate, and thanks to Mum, I already had that. I realised if I was to get anywhere, I had to narrow things down, and deciding to be more specific, I keyed into the search bar every word I could think of to describe my perfect dress. I clicked enter and my face lit up as the results suddenly appeared. “Now we’re talking,” I said, taking in the simpler designs.
After scrolling through yet more pages, my initial delight proved misplaced. None of the dresses on offer truly matched what I’d been looking for and as frustration kicked in, I growled, half tempted to toss the laptop out of the window. “How hard can this be?”
I clicked on the cross in the corner of the screen and shut my search down altogether. Throwing myself back in my chair, it was clear I’d have to come up with a different solution. Sitting in the silence, my mind raced, a smile gradually forming on my lips, as inspiration finally struck. “That’s it!” I said, leaping forward to reopen the app. “Tess, you’re a genius.”
Re-enthused, I set about a whole new quest. Just like earlier, I refused to be deterred and after a job well done, relief swept over me. I smiled as I clicked the screen’splace orderbutton. “Dress dilemma sorted.”
My stomach rumbled and checking the clock, I couldn’t believe how quickly the hours had passed. The time suck had ultimately been worth it though and I decided to celebrate with a well-earned late lunch. Rising to my feet I stretched out my back, before heading straight for the fridge to grab a block of cheese, a bag of rocket, and some butter.
I retrieved a loaf from the bread bin, before making the thickest of sandwiches. I took a huge bite, appeasing my hunger, as I savoured the cheddar-licious gorgeousness. “Now for coffee,” I said, ready for a much-needed caffeine hit.
Halfway through making it, I paused, my eyes narrowing at the sight of Leo’s lunch pack and flask that sat on the counter. Aware that it was way past noon, I knew after a morning’s hard graft the poor man had to be starving. Deciding I could eat as I drove, I glanced around for my bag, stuffed Leo’s fare inside, and taking my sandwich with me, made my way out to the car.
Driving along in my battered old runaround, I was reminded of how quickly the months had gone by. It didn’t seem that long ago that the dormancy of winter was at its peak, when everything and everyone, including me, hunkered down.
Glancing around, what once appeared dismal and grey, was vibrant and clement. Sheep munched on lush green grass, while their fast-growing offspring danced and played nearby. Looking at the size of the so-called babies, even lambing season was almost over. I smiled to myself, comforted in the knowledge that while time was, indeed, moving on, we still had a few months to put our wedding plans in place.
I spotted Leo’s van in front of an old farmhouse and pulling up behind, I turned off the engine and unclipped my seat belt. I looked over at the property with its pale blue wooden porch, and blossoming wisteria pendants that spanned the stonework. There was no denying the presence of the woman who busied herself cutting blooms from the well-stocked flower bed that edged the front lawn.
