Page 12 of An Italian Wedding Adventure

‘A pity. He’d look amazing in a suit. But first, we need that Garda adventure weddings file and our first event to be a success. Let me know if you need any support on this, but I have every confidence in you.’

Sophie stared miserably out of the window as drops of rain dribbled down the pane. She was so far out of her comfort zone that even Reshma’s confidence wouldn’t help her. Only Andreas could do that and it was another thing to resent him for.

5

Six weeks later, Sophie was back on the A350, heading to Weymouth determined to keep her head this time. She’d decided she was looking to the future – she had to. The past was a dead-end of frustration and disappointment, there only to rob her confidence.

Her friend and colleague Virginia Weller was behind the wheel; they’d voted Ginny’s bright-blue Fiesta as the best vehicle for the two-hour journey. She wasn’t the smoothest driver, but the trip down the A-road was no excursion into the Cornish hedgerows or the Scottish Highlands. Sophie could grit her teeth and bear it, even seated in the back. In the passenger seat was Tita Pirnat, the longest-serving member of Reshma’s staff and the self-proclaimed heart and soul of I Do.

‘To be honest, if Reshma had expected me to book white-water rafting or crevicing or what-have-you, I wouldn’t have known where to start!’ Tita exclaimed with a huff.

‘Do you mean canyoning?’ Ginny asked brightly. Ginny did everything brightly. Usually, Sophie loved her for it, but that afternoon it was blinding and Sophie needed her wits about her.

‘I wouldn’t know! I’m glad Reshma decided to keep the other lady on. I always thought getting married was its own adrenaline rush. Who knows why people need to add real danger to it.’

Sophie chuckled, leaning forward to pat Tita fondly on the shoulder.

‘If it means we can draw on their staff occasionally for extra hands, then I’m all for it,’ the older woman continued emphatically. ‘It’s the bane of my existence, finding waiters and drivers and assistants in these far-flung places – not to mention the nightmare I’ve been having with photographers lately – plus we’ve turned down a client or two already this year and it’s only April.’

The extra hands were sorely needed. Sophie was flying to Elba in a few days for her next big occasion. The venue was one they’d used many times and she’d worked with the local businesses before, so she wasn’t expecting any hiccoughs, but she had another six weddings booked – including the Tran-Welbon wedding – and they wouldn’t plan themselves.

After a few stilted phone calls with her surly mountain guide, they’d blocked out two weeks in May and agreed a rough schedule. Andreas had assured her that was plenty of time before September, especially since the wedding party was less than twenty, but Sophie was itching to tick things off her list. She’d booked the hotel overlooking the lake for the week of celebrations and the historic lemon grove Lily and Roman had chosen for the reception, but the rest of the programme was alarmingly blank.

‘I can’t wait to meet everyone, now the merger has been finalised. What are they like, our new colleagues?’ Ginny asked, prompting Sophie with a look in the rear-view mirror. The labret stud just below her bottom lip moved as she smiled.

They wouldn’t be meetingallof their new colleagues, thankfully. Andreas should be safely at home in Italy teaching rich people to ski up mountains.

‘I don’t know them well. I think Toni is nice – that’s their receptionist. She’s a bit older than me. Willard – Mr Coombs – said she’ll like helping with weddings although—’ She paused with a grimace.

‘Hmm?’

‘Her husband died,’ Sophie explained. ‘I hope it’s not going to bring back difficult memories for her.’

‘We’re all poor advertisements for our services!’ Ginny said with a grimace. ‘I’m chronically single, Reshma’s never been married and you’re—’ She wisely cut herself off.

‘I’ve been happily married for eleven years,’ Tita pointed out emphatically. ‘Tied the knot as soon as we were allowed to.’

‘That’s true,’ Sophie said warmly. ‘You and Sally restore our faith in relationships.’

It was a wonder Ginny was single, given how much she loved romance. Although now Sophie thought about it, perhaps that was her problem. She still had her ideals.

‘And the others?’ Ginny asked.

‘They’re climbers.’ That was self-explanatory to Sophie.

‘Let me guess, they think we’re frivolous stylists more concerned with flowers and flawless place settings than the important things in life.’ Ginny seemed more amused than upset at the prospect.

‘Getting marriedisone of the most important things in life!’ Tita said emphatically.

Sophie wished Andreas could have been there to hear this conversation – actually no, she wouldn’t look forward to being in the same room as Andreas again, even with the opportunity to see him fidget.

‘And place settingsarelife!’ Ginny said with a giggle.

‘Kira is the only other full-time employee and… I can’t see her appreciating place settings.’

‘I don’t mind. I can’t wait to meet her anyway.’

Ginny pulled the Fiesta into the parking lot at Great Heart after a trip that had felt too short to Sophie. Willard had apparently booked part of the local pub for an informal dinner and meet-and-greet for the whole team. They were a little early, but before Sophie could suggest they take a walk instead, Ginny headed for the glass doors, full of curiosity.

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