Miles followed Kiera and the manager around the posh hotel at the furthest end of Swallowtail Bay’s seafront. Set far back from the promenade and within a couple of acres of lush green gardens, it had opened last year after a huge renovation. Miles had enjoyed watching the historic manor house returning to life. It was part of what had inspired him to look for a business here. Every time he had come home from a sales trip away, a new part of the stately home had been restored to its former glory, and now the eighteenth-century mansion welcomed visitors at an extortionate amount per night.
On their approach, Miles had eyed the three-storey building and imagined the views from the top rooms. Through the large sash windows you’d be able to see not only the extensive grounds, but also out towards the sea and the curve of the bay. It was a view he loved: a sweeping arc of coastline with nearby towns outlined on the horizon.
The plush deep-red carpet cushioned his heavy boots while Kiera, marching ahead with the shiny blue-suited manager, seemed oblivious to his pain. While she was correct that they needed to visit the hotel to make sure it would be large enough for the forthcoming celebrations (especially as Kiera had drawn up a provisional list of guests that amounted to over two hundred and fifty people – something he was yet to do), he was supposed to be spending this Friday scoping out some potential new clients for meetings next week. That meant a lot of work. Visiting this place in a couple of weeks would have been fine, he could have scheduled it in, but he didn’t really have time for this today. If it made Kiera happy though, he was glad to do it.
The Langdon Mansion Hotel had made quite an impression on Kiera when they’d entered through the large automatic doors at the front. A receptionist had immediately walked over and greeted them in the enormous lobby. It was all very grandiose and expensive and Kiera had been swept away even though they hadn’t yet got down to details. When the receptionist had fussed over her, complimenting her figure and dress, and then forced a glass of champagne into her hands, Miles knew he would be hard pressed to convince her it was too big and expensive for them. A few moments on a large purple velvet sofa and the manager had arrived. Miles had peered at him, sure he was wearing eyeliner and possibly mascara, and then they’d been whisked away on a grand tour.
Although she’d initially seemed a little reticent at the idea of actually setting the date, once Kiera had begun looking at dresses and table decorations, she’d become almost obsessed, turning down clients in order to do wedding research at home. Miles had tried to get her to slow down and not jeopardise her work, but there was no stopping her. Still, she deserved the wedding of her dreams and he assumed that she was just taking a holiday like everyone else did from time to time.
‘So,’ the manager began as he walked ahead with Kiera. ‘You were thinking of having just the wedding reception here, is that right?’
‘Yes, that’s right.’
‘Because we can offer civil ceremonies as well. A lot of people prefer to have the whole thing in one place to save transporting guests between different venues. It can get very stressful.’
‘I understand,’ she replied. ‘But I’m happy to sort out any transportation. Anyway, I want a church wedding. We’re not particularly religious but the church near us is so pretty; it’ll be an amazing setting.’
The manager nodded and smiled, revealing a set of teeth he was clearly looking after for a horse. They hadn’t just been whitened, they’d had at least three coats of Dulux Brilliant White, plus varnish. He ostentatiously opened a door. ‘This is the ballroom,’ he announced with a grand sweeping gesture that was more suited to Strictly Come Dancing. ‘Our largest room, which can hold up to three hundred and seventy people, seated. We do have a smaller room called The Parlour that—’
‘No, this will be lovely,’ Kiera replied turning to Miles. ‘Isn’t it gorgeous? We can have the head table over there in front of the stage and circular tables with bright white cloths. The chairs can be covered as well with big gold bows on the backs. This will be just perfect.’ The manager stood back as she surveyed the room.
Peering in through the doorway, Miles had to admit the grand ballroom was beautiful. Large windows lined one side with big draping curtains in a rich, dark red velvet that matched the carpet under his feet. The polished wood floor of the ballroom shone under the light from several ornate chandeliers hanging imposingly from the ceiling. ‘It’s lovely,’ he replied, but he had the feeling it was also incredibly expensive.
Taking his subdued response as enraptured silence, Kiera held a hand to her chest and said, ‘Oh, Miles, you love it too, don’t you?’
The manager grinned and cocked his head. ‘Wonderful. So when is the happy day?’
‘We’re flexible, actually,’ said Kiera. ‘But I definitely want a spring wedding.’
He sucked some air in through his enormous gleaming teeth. ‘I should warn you we’re pretty booked up for next year with weddings and other events.’
‘And is everything confirmed, or are some bookings provisional?’ Kiera asked.
Miles watched as the manager gave her a warm smile. ‘Some are provisional, I have to admit.’
‘Well, surely if we’re willing to pay the deposit now we should get the booking over someone provisional who may later change their mind?’
Miles felt a rush of panic. They had no idea how much the place even was yet. He loved how she was throwing herself into the wedding preparations but it was important to be sensible. ‘Kiera, hang on, we need to find out the price first.’
Her expression suddenly hardened and she walked over to him to whisper, ‘Don’t make a scene, Miles.’
‘I’m not,’ he mumbled back. ‘But this place is undoubtedly horrendously expensive. It might not be worth the money. We haven’t even looked anywhere else yet.’
‘Of course it’s worth the money.’ Her eyes narrowed on him. ‘And Daddy can pay the deposit if you don’t want to—’
‘No, Kiera.’ He tried hard to keep his hand gestures calm so the manager wouldn’t know they were arguing. ‘We’ll pay, this is our wedding. I’m just saying that—’
‘We can talk about this at home, darling,’ she said through a tense jaw though her voice was light. Pound signs must have been flashing before the manager’s eyes going by the look he gave Kiera, and Miles was sure he’d overheard her saying her father would pay.
‘Shall we have a coffee in the bar?’ the manager asked. ‘And take a look at the calendar? I’m sure we can find you a suitable date.’ Kiera nodded and her dark blonde curls bounced in agreement. Torn somewhere between resignation and dread, Miles shoved his hands in his pockets and trudged after them. He hadn’t expected them to be making any firm decisions yet. He’d joked that Kiera could take care of everything and he’d just turn up, but he hadn’t actually meant it. He wanted to be involved and make joint decisions.
Soon they were sat in one of the lounges, which had an old boys’ club feel to it. A long wooden bar ran the length of the room and the seating was a mixture of leather and velvet. The clever lighting of large glass balls and old elegant chandeliers gave the place a modern twist without being at odds with the period features. Some of the furniture was similar to what Miles had hoped to sell himself in the shop, but he refused to think about that anymore. It was time to force his life forwards, rather than looking back. The manager delivered a coffee for Miles and another glass of champagne for Kiera before disappearing off to get the calendar and the wedding pack, or as he liked to describe it, the best-day-of-your-life guide. As soon as he had gone, Kiera took Miles’s hand.
‘Oh, darling, isn’t it just brilliant? It has everything we need and it is so elegant.’ She sat back and stared around her. ‘Beautiful isn’t the word. Even the best hotels in London couldn’t compare to this.’
‘I’m glad you like it,’ he replied, calmly. ‘But we do need to think about the cost. I know you don’t want to and I don’t want to be miserable, but we have to be realistic.’
‘Oh, don’t be a spoilsport,’ she said, frowning. ‘Daddy will stump up a load. He’s ecstatic we’ve set the date. He’s been waiting for ages. If we ask him now he’ll be too happy to say no.’
‘That’s not quite what I meant.’ Miles frowned. He had always worked hard for everything he had and the thought of relying on Kiera’s father was abhorrent to him. A contribution towards the wedding was a tradition he was willing to accept, or them buying Kiera’s wedding dress he could understand, but he had no expectation of more and hoped Kiera didn’t either. ‘I meant that—’
‘I’m teasing, Miles.’ Kiera leaned forwards across the coffee table and stroked his knee. ‘I’m not an idiot, but I really want this. I think this place is perfect and I can’t imagine I’ll find anywhere I like as much.’
The manager returned with his iPad and sat down next to Kiera. ‘So, as you can see, The Ballroom is already fully booked for March and April, but I’ve got some space in May.’ He showed Kiera the screen.
‘Oh, but I really would like an April wedding though I’m flexible on the exact date. Is there nothing you can do to help me?’ Her eyes scanned his name badge. ‘Kevin?’
‘I understand, Miss Delany, but—’
‘Please, call me Kiera.’
The manager cocked his head, all sympathy. ‘The thing is I want you to have the day you deserve. If we look at May you can see there are a few more available dates.’
Kiera turned to Miles, inviting him into the conversation, but he couldn’t see what else could be done. ‘There’s not much we can do if it’s already booked,’ he replied.
Her eyes sharpened on him then went back down to the screen. ‘Why is this day in a different colour to the others?’
‘This one?’ The manager pointed to the screen. ‘This is a provisional booking.’
‘And have the people got back to you yet?’ Miles could see instantly where Kiera was going with this and a chill ran down his spine. He had no idea where this side of Kiera was coming from. The manager shuffled uncomfortably in his chair, clearly feeling backed into a corner.
‘Well, no, but they still have a few days left before I can release the date.’
‘I have an idea,’ said Kiera, taking a sip of her champagne. ‘Why don’t I give you my credit card now to secure the booking, and you can give them a quick call and tell them that you’ve had to release the date as they haven’t got back to you.’
A redness began to creep up his neck, turning his skin a ruddy colour. ‘I really can’t do that without giving them some notice, Miss … Kiera.’
‘Okay, well you could give them to the end of the day, couldn’t you?’ she replied, taking her credit card from her wallet and casually waving it back and forth. Miles felt like he was watching a different woman. Kiera had never acted like this before as far as he could remember. Something in his brain told him that since they’d got together he’d been away a lot but he pushed the thought away.
‘Well, I suppose I could. Let me see when the provisional booking was made.’ He turned the iPad away from Kiera and tapped the screen. ‘Ahh, yes, the booking was made some time ago. Let me give them a call now.’
‘Wonderful,’ Kiera replied, grinning.
‘Hang on,’ interrupted Miles, who had watched with mounting alarm. They hadn’t asked any pertinent questions yet. ‘First off, can you confirm how much this will all be? And how much is the deposit?’
‘Well, with maximum seating, a three-course meal, welcome drinks, table wine based on maximum seating, evening buffet – which is divine by the way – and the honeymoon suite we’re looking at approximately …’ He shifted away as he typed on his iPad. ‘I’d say about a hundred thousand pounds. And the deposit is twenty per cent.’
Miles swallowed in an attempt to stop himself shouting. ‘A hun—’
‘That’s fine,’ Kiera replied, giving Miles a warning look. ‘My father is happy to pay. I thought you were going to say more, actually.’
Hearing that number had made him a bit hot and sweaty and Miles ran his fingers over his forehead, tracing the deep frown lines that were appearing as he aged. He hoped he’d get a good bonus this year – a really good bonus. No matter what Kiera said there was no way Miles would let her father pay and he took out his wallet to offer his own card. At the same time his phone beeped as a new email popped up from his boss asking him about the new clients he should have been researching. Damn it. He’d better send a quick reply now. He had no idea that weddings were so expensive. It was going to cost him a fortune. First though, he had to wrestle that mysteriously refilled glass of champagne from Kiera’s hand before she spent any more money.