Page 83 of Too Busy for Love

I smile as I glance up at the picture of Reginald and Annie above the reception desk. ‘It’s company policy to contribute to employee weddings.’

‘We’re ready for you now,’ the MC interrupts, cutting off further explanation.

I hover in the doorway as the MC announces Ella and Noah and the dining room erupts with applause. Once they’re seated, the service starts and appears to flow seamlessly. After the main courses have gone out, I risk stepping into the kitchen to check up on Jock.

‘All OK?’ I ask him.

‘Yup. A couple of glitches, but nothing serious. How’s it looking out there?’

‘Everyone looks like they’re having a great time. James’s wine choices seem to be going down well too, if the number of empty bottles stacking up is anything to go by.’

‘That man is a walking encyclopaedia of wine. I’m so glad we’ve got him on board. Do you think he and Abby will marry?’

‘I wouldn’t be surprised. They’re very different, but they seem to work really well together.’

‘What about us? Could you see yourself married to me?’

‘What brought that on?’

‘I don’t know. We’ve talked a lot about commitment, but never marriage. I was just interested, I suppose.’

‘So it’s a hypothetical question,’ I clarify.

‘As opposed to?’

‘A proposal.’

He thinks for a long time before replying.

‘I think it depends on your answer,’ he says. ‘If it’s no, then it was a hypothetical question and I’ll never mention it again. If the answer is yes, however…’

‘And they said romance was dead.’ I laugh, before clocking the expression on his face. ‘Oh God, you’re serious, aren’t you?’

‘I wasn’t to begin with, but it seems to have gone there. Will you marry me, Beatrice? I realise this is a bit sudden, and probably not the most romantic environment, so I’ll understand if you need time to think.’

I look around the pristine kitchen. Nobody has noticed our conversation; everybody is concentrating on their work, but I realise something.

‘It’s the perfect location,’ I tell him. ‘Right in the beating heart of our favourite place in the world. I’d love to marry you.’

‘Really?’

‘Were you expecting me to say no?’

‘No, I guess… Oh, wow! I really want to kiss you right now, but I don’t think the food hygiene people would like it.’

‘Kiss me later. I’d better get back.’

I’m in a daze as I wander back to the dining room. Did that really just happen? Somehow, I’d always expected it to be a magically romantic moment when someone proposed to me, rather than a curious question over the kitchen pass that escalated rapidly. As I think about it more, however, I realise that it’s typical of us. He did catch me by surprise, but once I’d got over the initial shock, it was totally obvious what my answer would be. Doing my best to snap back into work mode, I cast my eyes automatically around the guests to check if anyone needs help. Ella and Noah look as happy as songbirds, chatting with the other people on the top table. Abby is deep in conversation with James on one of the other tables, while her father chats easily with the woman on his left. John is looking relaxed and gives me a little wave when he spots me. I’m feeling stupidly happy, and it takes me a minute to realise I’m not alone.

‘This is superb,’ Flo tells me. ‘I mean, I knew it would be, but I just thought I’d tell you anyway. How’s it all going? You look pleased.’

‘I am, but that’s not why I’m smiling. Jock just proposed.’

‘What??’ She looks outraged.

‘Is it bad form to propose at someone else’s wedding?’ I ask, trying to work out what she’s so upset about.

‘No, it’s not that. It’s just seriously off to propose when you’re both working. He could have taken you out for dinner at least.’

‘I think it was a spur-of-the-moment thing. It’s fine.’

She’s silent for a moment. ‘Can I be a bridesmaid?’ she asks. ‘I’ve loved being a bridesmaid for Abby.’

‘Of course.’ I laugh. ‘You and Abby and Ella can all be bridesmaids if you like.’

She grabs me in a fierce hug. ‘I’m so happy for you. I’d better get back to my duties.’

I glance around the room once more, smiling as I catch various people’s eyes. I’ve always accepted that loneliness comes with the territory in a job like mine, and it was a sacrifice I made happily for the work that I love. Now, however, standing in the dining room of my own hotel, surrounded by people who have become close friends and with the man I love so much just the other side of the pass, I realise that I don’t need to make that sacrifice any more. I thought I’d always miss the bright lights of London, but I don’t.

This is where I belong, and exactly where I want to be. The man of my dreams has just proposed. And, hopefully, somewhere up there, Reginald is cheering us on.