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Amy had been tasked with accompanying Emma to the distillery to check all was in hand. ‘I can go alone if that would be easier,’ said Amy, trying to be helpful. She saw Kirsty smirking at Emma.
‘No, I’ll come,’ Emma replied. ‘I feel like I’ve hardly done anything. It will keep me busy and anyway I want to check out the new manager. I hear he’s quite easy on the eye. She grinned.
‘He ishot,’ said Kirsty, her eyes twinkling in amusement.
Amy shook her head in disgust at both of them and could feel her cheeks flush. ‘I can’t say I’ve noticed. Anyway, how shallow of you to suggest that he’s like eye candy. He’s in charge of Emma’s wedding. That’s all. And a friend from the past.’
‘Aspecialfriend,’ said Emma.
Amy ignored her, just pleased that she could hear some lightness in Emma’s voice again. If winding Amy up helped her mood, then she was welcome to keep going. ‘Come on, we’d better make a move. I have lots to get through this afternoon.’
Emma and Kirsty began giggling again at their younger sister, but Amy turned her back on them, grabbing her sweater and handbag.
As they walked through the glass doors of the distillery, Amy felt all her senses heighten as she became aware of James standing at the reception desk. He was dressed in navy-blue shorts and a pale-blue polo shirt with the emblem of the distillery etched on the front pocket in gold thread. When he looked up, a smile slowly spread across his face. She was unable to drag her eyes away from him and a slow flutter of nerves started to gather in the pit of her stomach.
‘Hey!’ he called to them. ‘How are you?’ He walked over. ‘It has been a long time, Emma. It’s good to see you. Congratulations on your engagement.’ He leaned in to kiss her cheek. ‘We are so glad you chose us to host your wedding.’
‘No,’ said Emma. ‘Thankyou. It sounds like you have been amazing in handling everything.’ She threw Amy a meaningful wink.
‘Everything is in hand and the forecast is looking great for the big day which is brilliant.’
‘I know,’ said Emma, ‘I’ve been obsessed with checking the weather.’
‘Yip,’ Amy said, rolling her eyes. ‘On the hour every single hour.’
‘That’s fair enough though,’ said James. ‘I would be doing the same if it was my wedding. It’s a special day . . .’
Amy briefly imagined how she would feel if she was the one getting married today . . . to James. Then she gave herself a shake. What was the matter with her? When she looked up at him, he was looking curiously back at her.
‘Shall I give you the quick tour?’ he said.
Amy followed and listened as James guided Emma around the distillery, showing her where the ceremony would be and where they would serve the BBQ. ‘If it rains, which it won’t, but just to reassure you that if it does then we’ll just move things inside here and that way you still get the view,’ he said, showing her the spot right in front of the floor to ceiling windows. ‘The ceremony at 4 p.m. is the perfect time as it means we can serve fizz straight afterwards with canapés and there is plenty of space to mill about outside on the terrace and down on the beach. How does that sound?’
Emma’s eyes shone with happy tears. ‘It’s absolutely perfect, James. Thank you so much. It’s even better than I imagined.’
Amy reached for her hand and squeezed it.
James grinned. ‘I’m just glad you’re happy. But I do have another very pressing question for you,’ he said in amusement. ‘How do you feel about fairy lights?’
‘Fairy lights?’ said Emma, bemused.
‘Yes, fairy lights. I have ordered some and thought it would be nice to string them up around the terrace. I know you want to keep things simple, but I do think they add a little bit of romance to things.’
Emma sighed. ‘That sounds marvellous. Thank you.’
‘Great!’ He smiled and gestured inside for the two women to go ahead of him, but Amy misunderstood and as he shut the door behind him, her body was suddenly pressed close to his.
There was a suspended moment ofsomethingwhen they looked at each other and then Amy gently stepped inside. She could sense him watching her and she wondered if he was feeling the same connection that she was. She noticed Emma give her a questioning look.
‘Erm, I’ll just nip to the ladies if that’s okay? I would quite like to check them out,’ said Emma, leaving Amy and James alone.
‘It sounds like you have everything under control,’ Amy said, desperately trying to make small talk.
‘It will all be fine. The weather looks good, the bride is here and it’s a small gathering. What could possibly go wrong?’ He grinned at her and tilted his head to the side. ‘How long did you say you were staying?’
‘Oh, I didn’t,’ said Amy, slightly flustered. ‘Er, a couple of weeks at least.’
‘Let me know if you fancy a drink then? Either before or after the wedding? It would be good to have a proper catch up.’
