‘Okay, we are definitely not having anything like that,’ Giles said.

‘It’s amazing.’

‘No, not that one. That one.’

Holly followed his gaze to the other side of the room, where two large thrones had been built entirely out of foliage. There had to be some sort of structure beneath them, Holly thought. Something to stop them from losing their shape. Though even if they were sturdy, how would you sit on them? Surely you’d get grass stains on your clothes. Not to mention stains from all the flowers too. As certain as she was, she still felt the need to check with Giles.

‘They’re just for decoration, right?’ she said. ‘People don’t actually sit on them, do they?’

‘Oh, you can guarantee someone will try,’ Giles replied.

As they continued to study the piece from a distance, a couple approached the thrones, nodding towards one another as they pointed.

‘I think they might get one,’ Holly whispered to Giles. ‘Go on, I think you should ask to sit on it. You know, get a proper feel.’

‘You just want to get us kicked out of here.’ Giles chuckled. ‘No, there’s no way I’m having one of those things.’

‘Well, whatever makes Sienna happy, makes you happy, so maybe she’ll decide she must have them and you won’t have a choice?’ Holly smirked before taking out her phone. ‘Come on, we need to get photos – that’s why we’re here.’

Whether every piece was to Holly’s taste or not didn’t change the fact that every piece was truly phenomenal. The way the artist used the flowers to create colours and textures was absolutely mesmerising, and Holly took photos of them all, although not once did she see anything that looked remotely like a bouquet. There were several arches, though, which she could easily see as places to say your vows beneath.

‘I probably shouldn’t show Hope any photos of this,’ Holly said. ‘She’ll start pulling up Mum’s flowers and trying to make her own creations.’

‘And why shouldn’t she?’ Giles said. ‘You never know – maybe it’s her calling to be a flower sculptor, and she’ll never know because you didn’t allow her to try. Really, suppressing your daughter’s natural talent? I expected more from you, Holly.’

‘Okay, well, how about she tries in your house then? See how you like it?’

‘Fine, you’re on. When we get back, I’m taking her out for the day, and we are doing nothing but flower sculpting.’

‘Oh, that I would absolutely love to see.’

As she rolled her eyes, Holly noticed a sign directing them outside.

‘Come on,’ she said. ‘I heard someone saying that all the biggest sculptures are outside. I can’t wait to see what those look like.’

56

‘Oh wow, now this is amazing! Come on, Giles. Why are you so slow?’ Holly practically sprinted out onto the grounds. It was beautiful. Such a stunning setting, with rough rock faces sloping down to the rolling waves of the sea. The lush lawns were covered in such soft, green grass, Holly could only imagine the fun Hope would have performing cartwheel after cartwheel. But it wasn’t the grass or the sea that held her attention the most.

‘Is that a giant rabbit?’ she said, still racing towards a sculpture. ‘Oh my God, this is amazing. This is my favourite. Jamie and I are getting one of these for the garden. I don’t care what it costs. I need it.’

‘You’d want a giant rabbit?’ Giles’s lips were tight, his expression almost scathing. For a second, Holly feared he was about to say something cutting and mean, like he’d done in the car, but then a wide slanted grin spread across his face. ‘Would you really choose a giant rabbit when you could have a giant polar bear instead?’

‘What?’ Holly said, still grinning. Giles pointed behind her.

The creature was immense – at least twelve feet high and covered in more white flowers than Holly had ever known existed.

‘There’s an otter over there too.’

‘No, it’s the polar bear. We need a polar bear. Come on, I want us to get a selfie underneath it.’

‘Are you serious?’

‘There’s no way anyone will believe I saw a twelve-foot polar bear made out of flowers unless we have a photo under it. Now hurry up!’

She turned to move towards the polar bear, only for a loud horn to stop her in her tracks. It only took her a moment to realise where the sound had come from.

One of the golf buggies was cutting its way through the exhibition. From the way they were zigzagging, it didn’t look like something they were supposed to be doing.