I took a deep breath and exhaled. “Oh, don’t mind me. I’m probably overreacting. Mum’s always been a bit too zealous when it comes to family celebrations.” I thought back to mine and Sal’s childhood. “Take birthday parties. I bet when you were young, you had cheese and ham, or egg and cress sandwiches for lunch, followed by jelly and ice cream. Stuff that children actually like.”
“I did.”
“Do you know what Mum put on for us and our friends? Canapés. Bitesize sweetcorn fritters with avocado salsa.”
Leo shook his head. “Please tell me you’re exaggerating.”
For the first time since leaving the house, my face broke into a smile. “I wish I was.”
“Very sophisticated.”
“Which is exactly what Mum said at the time.” I scoffed. “Believe me, the concept behind goat cheese and walnut tartlets is lost on a bunch of eight-year-olds. The stick Sal and I got thanks to Mum’s party food. Now she wants me to be a laughing stock on what should be the best day of my life.”
My mobile bleeped and I reached down into the footwell to retrieve it from my bag. Unable to help but smirk, I shook my head at the incoming photo that had landed. “Even Abbey and Chloe find the whole thing hilarious. Do you know how many wedding gown memes they’ve sent through? My phone’s full of them.”
Leo chuckled, while I stuffed my mobile away again. “Why don’t we forget about Patricia and her dress for now?”
That was easy for him to say.
“And focus on something positive. Like why we’re here.”
Seeing Leo’s hopeful expression, I suddenly felt guilty. There we were, about to tour our number-one wedding venue, and I’d spent the whole journey there doing nothing but grumble. I straightened in my seat, determined to perk up. “You’re right. Today is about having a great day out while doing something constructive.”
Leo smiled. “That’s my girl,” he said, as we carried on down the drive.
“Oh my word,” I said. As Gregbrook Manor, at last, rose in the distance, all my worries immediately vanished. “Look at the place… It’s massive.”
Leo stared ahead, equally impressed. “Wow! I did not expect that.”
As we approached, the building was both dramatic and enchanting. A Victorian gothic mansion, with huge turrets and limestone mullion bay windows, it exuded grandeur and romance. Before Leo had even pulled up, my seat belt was off. I couldn’t wait to get inside. And neither could Otis, who bounced around and whined, desperate to go exploring.
We jumped out of the car and clipping Otis onto his lead, headed for the entrance. Coming to a standstill in the giant stone porch, we were awed by the sight that met us. The area was double ceiling height, from which hung a modern, black and glass, six-bulb light fitting. The floor was tiled in a simple geometric pattern, which contrasted perfectly with the pale limestone walls. Well-stocked, fresh flower displays brimmed with colour and countless pairs of yellow wellington boots lined the shelves of an ancient storage unit; no doubt, for guests to avail themselves of. Having read on their website that there were thirty acres of grounds, I thought the wellies were a great touch. The owners were obviously keen for visitors to go exploring.
Leaving the porch behind, we led Otis into the main foyer. With an enormous reception desk lining the far end, grey Chesterfield sofas and tan leather armchairs sat to the left. While to the right, there was an imposing wooden turn staircase that wound its way upwards.
As I moved to take a closer look, my regard lifted skyward. The stairway appeared never ending as it snaked from floor to floor to floor. I stroked the well-worn banister. “I’d put money on this being original.”
Continuing to soak up my surroundings, for all its olde worlde charm, the space also had a contemporary, almost jovial, feel. Thanks to pieces like the bronze top-hatted deer head that hung high on the wall.
“So far, so good,” Leo said.
“Better than that,” I said. “It’s perfect.” I took Leo’s hand and pulled him and the dog towards the bank of receptionists. “Next stop, the orangery.”
Chapter 19
Leo smiled my way as he guided Otis onto the back seat, but no matter how much he tried to hide the fact, I knew he was as disappointed as I was. Letting ourselves into the front of the vehicle, Leo and I sat in silence for a moment. We sighed as we stared straight ahead.
“There’ll be other places,” Leo finally said.
“There will.”
“Places just as good as this, if not better.”
“I agree.”
“We’ve simply got to find them.”
“We do.”
