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45
CHRISTMAS
CERYS
“I’m a real princess!”shrieks Ella as she runs across the snow-covered grounds. “I’m staying in a castle!”
“We’re not staying in the castle, Ella, but in a cottage,” I tell her.
The Norman castle set in the Welsh countryside close to the beach is worthy of a fairy tale. The location an obvious choice due to the privacy we can achieve here, and because we’re close enough to St Davids and Liam’s family. That and Ella decided a castle is the most romantic place for her mum to marry Liam.
Liam drags a large suitcase out of the car as I run to catch up with the excited girl who’s heading across the wooden bridge into the grey-walled castle bailey.
Liam grabs my hand and pulls me back. “Have you persuaded Ella to wear the bridesmaid dress yet?”
I shove him in the chest. “No. All your bloody fault! You told Ella she could wear her Elsa costume.”
“I didn’t think she’d take me seriously.”
“One day, you’ll learn,” I mutter.
He pokes my nose. “Aww, well I don’t care. She can wear her cat pyjamas for all I care, as long as you’re there.”
We follow Ella’s footprints across the snow-covered gardens and reach the stone cottage where the footprints stop at the door. I find her in one of the bedrooms, lying on one of the beds staring up at the wooden beamed ceiling.
“Shoes off, missy,” I say and sit next to her.
“I’m sleeping here,” she announces.
“Tonight you are, but tomorrow you’re staying with Linda and Jim.”
“And then I can come back?” she asks.
“And then we’ll go to London for Christmas, remember?”
“And then you’ll stay with Emily while your mummy and me have a holiday,” says Liam from the doorway.
“Honeymoon,” Ella corrects him.
This time last year, I stayed with Ella at Liam’s parents, not knowing what the future held for us. This Christmas, I’m attending a wedding at Manorbier Castle. Our wedding.
Liam’s mouth tugs into a smile at Ella’s words. “Honeymoon. Since I’m not allowed to stay here tonight, will you make sure Mummy looks extra pretty for tomorrow?”
“Mummy always looks pretty.” Ella glares at him.
“And you’ll wear the special dress that matches Auntie Louise’s?” he asks.
Feigning deafness, Ella opens her small rucksack and begins arranging dolls on the pillow.
“Ella?” asks Liam
“Yes…” she sighs and gives an eye roll worthy of any teenager. “Now, I’m unpacking.”
Liam beckons me towards him with one finger and we leave the room for the small lounge. Two red velvet sofas are arranged in front of a small fireplace, old portraits of past castle owners hung on the distressed white painted walls either side.
“I’m not allowed to stay?” asks Liam, sitting on one of the sofas and stretching his legs in front of him.
“No, so don’t get comfortable. You’ll see me tomorrow.”
