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‘Where were you before that?’
‘Up in the Highlands, in Beauly, near Inverness.’
‘Oh, that’s where Steve is from.’
‘I know. Small world, eh?’
Amy wondered if that was why they had bonded. They did seem very friendly with their easy banter and the way they had embraced when they’d arrived.
‘It’s a beautiful spot. I loved it there and worked in a few of the distilleries, learning the trade. I always hoped to come back here one day.’
‘And what a place this is,’ said Amy gesturing around.
‘Thank you. I’m really pleased with it, and we’ve had excellent feedback so far.’ He glanced over at a couple of people who had arrived. ‘Give me two minutes and I’ll be right back.’
Amy tried not to stare at James’s athletic frame as he turned and walked away, but it was hard not to. Her cheeks flushed every time he caught her eyes and there was a flutter of butterflies in her stomach. This was ridiculous. She was behaving like a lovesick teenager rather than an independent woman who had just come out of a long-term relationship and had no plans to look at a man any time soon.
‘Incredible,’ said Amy, in awe.
‘This place or James?’ said Kirsty, coyly.
Amy’s cheeks flushed as he walked back towards them. ‘I still can’t believe you didn’t tell me,’ she muttered under her breath. Then turning to smile at James as he rejoined them, she said, ‘The view is incredible.’
‘I know,’ said James nodding. ‘That is what’s going to get people through the door.’
‘Then the whisky will make them want to stay?’
He chuckled. ‘Exactly.’
‘No wonder Emma chose it for the wedding.’
‘Sorry guys, I just need to take this call,’ said Kirsty, pulling her ringing phone from her bag. ‘You go ahead and I’ll catch up.’
Amy narrowed her gaze as she saw Steve hold back too. Did they think she didn’t know what they were up to?
James brushed his hand against her arm as he took a step forward to open the bi-folding doors which opened onto a large decking area. ‘I know the original plan was to have it at the house, but I think Steve realized Kirsty was getting a bit stressed about it and then when he saw this place he thought it may be a good alternative.’
Amy smiled as she thought about Steve and the way he knew how to step in and take charge when Kirsty got overwhelmed.
‘I just hope Emma likes it,’ said James.
‘She will.’ Amy shrugged. ‘Who wouldn’t? When Kirsty suggested it and sent her the pictures, she thought it was a great idea. Means we can all get dressed together at Meadowbank and Kirsty isn’t running around worrying about caterers and so on.’
‘Yip. That is what we are here for. To take the worry away.’
‘How many weddings have you held?’
‘This is actually our first,’ admitted James. ‘We weren’t quite sure if we’d be open in time and wanted to do a soft launch.’
Amy gasped. ‘Well, you better make sure you get it right for Emma!’
‘It’ll be fine. Let me show you around.’
She followed him through the doors, and they weaved their way between the tables and chairs. Then he led her to a small set of steps which led directly onto the beach. It was surprisingly sheltered, given the breeze in the air. The golden sands looked like crumbled digestive biscuits.
‘This is amazing,’ she said, looking around in wonder.
‘I know. Isn’t it such a glorious setting? I think this,’ he said, gesturing to the sea stretched out before them, ‘is what tempted me back.’
