Confetti Hearts (Confetti Hitched, #1)(77)

“Well, you know how it is,” I say lightly over Isla’s gasp. “Or maybe not.”

“Pardon?”

“So, we’re having chilli,” I say, giving a smile that shows all my teeth. “How lovely. I must go and supervise Lachlan.”

I flee into the taproom. It’s lovely and warm in here, the fairy lights sparkling. Most of the group seem to be clustered around the bar, their voices loud and laughing. I spot Lachlan. He’s placing dishes on a long table against the back wall. It’s been decorated with a snowy white tablecloth and a couple of the table arrangements from yesterday, and it looks great, as if all along we planned to be snowed in.

A man stands beside him, talking. He’s about Lachlan’s age, but that’s the only similarity. He’s plump, red-faced, and has a receding hairline. I think he works with Ryan.

Lachlan is listening to him, a small smile playing on his lips. He looks almost as edible as the food, dressed in his jeans and a grey jumper.

He spots me and a wide smile spreads across his face, making my heart speed up. “Joe. Come and meet Alistair.”

I wind my way around a couple of tables and when I come up next to him, he places his hand on my arm. It’s warm and I feel the customary spark under my skin. “I was at school with him.”

“Oh, nice to meet you.”

“And you,” Alistair replies, looking a little confused, as Lachlan hasn’t clarified who I am to him. I don’t blame him. It’s hard enough for me to work out.

We shake hands and then Lachlan smiles at me. “We were at Repton together.”

“Only until you got expelled, though.” Alistair chortles. “Naughty boy.”

Lachlan winces and I widen my eyes, delight soaring through me. “Oh my god, you were expelled? You?”

He grimaces. “That was in my wild, impulsive days.”

“Was that in the flapper era?”

Alistair looks horrified but Lachlan just chuckles.

“Why were you expelled? Tell me everything right now,” I demand.

Lachlan shrugs. “They used to let us out of school to do cross country on the roads near the school. I wandered off.”

My brow wrinkles. “And you got expelled for that? That’s outrageous. We used to go to the shop during cross country and the other boys made me go in to buy cigarettes. Lots of children had a stroll as well.”

Mischief sparkles in his eyes. “Yes, but did they get seventy miles away?”

“Oh my god, it’s like being married to Phileas Fogg.” I start to laugh and then memory returns. “Hang on. You said you didn’t have any embarrassing moments to tell me about.”

“I don’t. That wasn’t embarrassing. It was excruciatingly awful having to face my father afterwards.” He shrugs. “And it took me fucking ages to pay off the train fare.”

“Hang on. You’re married?” Alistair exclaims.

I refocus my attention on him. As usual, my attention has been captured by Lachlan.

Lachlan nods. “This is my husband Joe.”

I narrow my eyes but keep quiet.

Alistair looks at me with more interest. “So, you’re the one who finally caught Lachlan?”

I shrug. “I was aiming for a trout but what can you do?”

He stares at me for a second and then bursts into laughter and slaps me on the shoulder.

Lachlan grabs my arm to stop me taking a header into the chilli.

“Wow,” Alistair says. “I never thought you’d get married.”

Lachlan laughs. “I don’t blame you.”

Isla steps out of the kitchen and gestures at Lachlan. “Excuse me for a second,” he says. “I’m needed.”

He walks away and Alistair and I exchange glances. “Married, eh?” Alistair shakes his head. “Well, that’s nice. I’m so pleased for him.”

I relax a little. “You knew him well?”

“I’ve been friends with him since school, but I’ve been working in Dubai and only came back to England last month. I couldn’t believe it when I looked up and saw him at a wedding in Scotland.”

I edge close, my curiosity sparking. “I suppose he’s changed a lot.”

“Haven’t we all.” He shrugs. “He’s a great bloke. One of the best. Loyal to a fault and kind too, in a funny way of his own.” He chuckles. “He definitely hates to lose, though.”

“Really?”

“Oh yes. He was notorious for it at school. He took competition very seriously. I remember him breaking a leg once when he fell off a roof. He was determined to win the bet.”

“What bet?”

“Who would be the first boy to tie their underpants to the school weathervane.”

I blink. “Well, I suppose it seemed important at the time, and Lachlan’s underpants have always been very special to me.”

He misses this statement, as he’s obviously taking a little trip down memory lane. “I wasn’t sporty at all, but Lachlan stuck up for me, and he was very popular. Everyone wanted him on their team, because he’d go hell for leather to win. Failure isn’t something that features in the Lachlan Moore handbook of life.”

I wonder idly how Lachlan felt about our marriage failing. That must have been a blow to a man who was used to winning at everything in life. The gong sounds interrupting my thoughts, and Lachlan emerges to announce that dinner is served.