3
Zach
Zach had been rushed off his feet the last couple of weeks. Half the staff had a week off with flu, and the hotel was fully booked.
He’d just sat down when Nadia entered his office. ‘You wanted to know if any changes with the Penthouse Suite came up. There has been a development with Miss Farringdon. Someone just called to pay her bill.’
‘Is she leaving today?’
‘No. It’s paid till the end of the month, but the man was very clear that any charges to the suite from this moment on won’t be paid by him. Made me repeat everything back to him. Told me he would sue us if we used his card.’
Zach raised his brow. ‘Thank you, Nadia.’ As she turned to leave, a thought occurred. ‘Oh, and let me know if she orders room service tonight.’
‘Yes, sir.’
Zach strolled over to the door, a little less weight on his shoulders. If Miss Farringdon did leave without paying, at least now it would only be for food and drink or phone calls she made from their phone. That wouldn’t hit the hotel with such a scandal.
He really wished he was home already, away from potential problems like Miss Farringdon. What was he even thinking facing her to talk baubles of all things? The memory hadn’t stopped haunting him.
Get a grip, Sullivan, you’ve got work to do .
He raised his chin and stepped outside to the lobby to greet some guests and make small talk with the staff.
The large white foyer was his favourite part of the hotel. Light poured in from the ceiling-to-floor windows by the main entrance, and the lighting was bright but gentle on the eyes. The faint scent of sweet flowers from potpourri filled the air as always, and the fruit display welcomed all guests, not that anyone ate anything from the table.
Zach checked the pastel blooms brought in that morning. All in order. Perhaps a touch to the right. He moved the large gold vase.
Nadia came out from the desk to hand out small foil-wrapped chocolates just as Christmas songs started quietly playing overhead.
Zach smiled. Christmas at the hotel was always a joyful time. He just wasn’t expecting to still be working. It would be the first year without Cody around. They’d agreed to video chat on the day, which was better than nothing, but it would still be strange.
His mind drifted to Olive Farringdon. He guessed it wouldn’t be much of a Christmas for her either. He realised he wasn’t just worried for the hotel’s good name, he was concerned about her as well. He just wasn’t sure why. After all, he’d never involved himself with a guest before.
Her big dark eyes had held sadness, and after reading about her dad in the news, he could understand why. Shame she didn’t want a Christmas tree in her room. He was sure it would help bring some joy.
He glanced at the flowers. Perhaps a small bunch could be sent to her room. He mentally shook his head.
I’ve got to stop thinking about her .
Adrian caught his eye, so he wandered over to see how he was getting on. Anything to help clear his head.
‘Just heard the good news. Lady Muck is out the poorhouse, well, for this month,’ said Adrian, nudging Zach’s elbow.
Zach cleared his throat ‘That’s enough of that. No more gossiping.’
Flipping heck, they’re still talking about her .
His phone buzzed in his pocket, so he headed back to his office to answer the call coming in from his brother.
‘Hey, Zach. Just letting you know the roof still isn’t on.’
‘Yes, I know. But it is winter, and roofers don’t work during bad weather. It’s dangerous up there.’
‘I know, but it feels as though the house is taking forever to rebuild.’
Zach knew the feeling. ‘Are you thinking about moving in when it’s finished? I thought you were happy at Silver Wish Farm.’
‘I am, and I’m staying here, but it’s still our home, and it’s depressing seeing it half done. Makes me wonder what Mum would think.’
‘She would be glad we’re restoring the old place.’
There was silence, and Zach knew his brother was missing him. They’d always been so close, especially after their mother died. Even throughout Cody’s uni years, he’d called Zach often.
‘It won’t be long before I’m home.’
‘I can’t believe it’ll be Christmas soon. Feels strange this year.’
Zach smiled to himself. ‘That’s because you’re married now. You have a new family and new memories to make.’
‘You’re my family.’
‘I’m not going anywhere. It’s just a matter of weeks now. And anyway, you’ll be away on your honeymoon when I do get back, seeing how it’s too busy for you lot at the farm right now.’
Cody’s sigh vibrated down the phone. ‘I know.’
‘Why don’t you tell me what you’re buying Willow for Christmas?’ Zach thought it best to keep his brother’s spirits high. One way or another, he was going to make sure Cody had a great Christmas.
* * *
A microwave curry meal was Zach’s dinner, as he was home for the evening, which wasn’t often, even though the hotel had a night manager. Like Adrian, Zach pretty much lived at the hotel, so much so, his flat hardly looked lived-in, especially since Cody had moved out.
He sat at the small table by the window and opened a book, not that he could concentrate much. Even when home his mind was at the hotel. At least at home he could slip into a pair of pyjamas and put his feet up, not that he sat still for long.
Reading whilst eating kept him occupied for a while, then he figured he’d check through his to-do list for the Boat Hut. Everything seemed to be in order, apart from the delay with the house, but that was okay. He had somewhere to stay once home.
I wonder where Miss Farringdon will go when she leaves the hotel .
Why he was thinking about her again was anyone’s guess. It was starting to get annoying. He could call and find out if any charges had been made to the Penthouse Suite. Had Miss Farringdon ordered dinner?
He gazed at his half-eaten chicken curry and rice. What if she was hungry? What was he supposed to do about it? Someone obviously cared a little bit about her to pay for her room, so surely she must have others willing to do the same.
Zach had good instincts, and they were telling him she was very much alone. He felt that way at first after his grandfather died, shortly followed by his mum. It was a terrible time for him, and one he wasn’t sure he would get over. If it weren’t for Cody, he could have easily found himself drowning in red wine too.
It was getting late, and there was no point worrying over strangers. He had his own business to take care of, and his brother would be happier once he was around.
Zach went to bed that night thinking about how great the Boat Hut was going to look once it was up and running. Everyone enjoyed their time on the river when he was a kid, so they would again.
* * *
Zach had tossed and turned all night, which wasn’t like him. Normally he slept like a log. He was itching to get back to work and was glad he had a full day, as sitting home alone was boring. He knew he worked too much, but he liked to be on the go. It made him feel better to have things to do.
The hotel looked the same as he had left it, which came as no surprise. He ran a tight ship, and his managerial skills were on point. The florists were already changing the display, even though the fresh bunch from the day before was still in full bloom.
Debbie had been front of house for the night, and was soon to leave for the day, so he approached the desk to say hello.
‘Any problems during the night?’ he asked casually.
‘All good, sir.’ He went to walk away, happy with her reply, when she added, ‘Except for one thing.’
The lobby had no guests mooching around yet, and none of the staff was close by, so he knew they could speak openly.
‘Yes?’ he urged.
‘Late last night, I saw,’ she pointed upwards, whispering, ‘Miss Farringdon taking some grapes.’ She gestured towards the fruit display.
Zach had never seen anyone eat from that table in all the years he’d worked there. It was allowed, and some of the fruit was changed daily.
Debbie twisted her dark-red lips as she shook her head slightly. ‘Weird, eh?’
‘The fruit isn’t just there to look pretty.’ It totally was, but he had to say something to take away the shame aimed at Olive eating the display.
Debbie lowered her neatly shaded eyebrows and went back to tapping away on her keyboard.
Zach leaned closer to the desk without looking as though he were angled forward. ‘Did she order dinner last night?’
It would appear Debbie already knew, as she shook her head without the need to look at her monitor. ‘I guess the grapes filled her up.’
Zach frowned. ‘There’s no need for sarcasm, Debbie.’ He went to the kitchen to check on things, not that there was a reason for him to interfere with the breakfast rush. The kitchen staff were more organised than him.
‘You want some brekkie, Zach?’ asked Harold, the head chef.
All hotel staff were entitled to free meals whilst they were on duty, but Zach had already had some porridge at home.
‘I’ll sort a tray, thanks.’
Oh, what am I doing? I can’t take my food up to her .
‘I’ll have someone bring it to your office, Zach.’
‘No need, Harold. I’ll just grab a few bits while I’m here.’ He quickly moved out the way to grab some cereal and juice.
All the way up to the Penthouse Suite he cursed himself for being an idiot. For all he knew, Olive had eaten. Perhaps took a banana when Debbie wasn’t looking, or maybe she’d popped to the shop and bought a pastry. How would he know? Since when did he know what any of the guests ate. They could all be starving.
‘Oh, what does it matter? I’m leaving soon,’ he mumbled to the lift.
As soon as he reached the small foyer outside her door, he hesitated. If he stood there any longer, the small silver jug of milk was sure to warm, probably from the heat coming from his neck.
Just get on with it .
He balanced the tray with one hand, then knocked.
It took a moment, but she opened the door.
Zach wondered if she knew that what he was doing was highly unusual. He was the manager, after all. ‘Breakfast,’ he said, making his way inside.
‘Oh, I didn’t order anything.’ Her croaky voice and tired eyes had his heart go out to her.
He placed the tray on the table, turning his back on her. ‘You didn’t? Let me just check.’ He pulled out his phone and started to send a message.
Olive moved around his side, gazing at the cereal bowl filled with cornflakes, and Zach adjusted his position so she couldn’t see him send a text to Cody.
‘There seems to be a mix-up, Miss Farringdon. I do apologise. You’re right, you didn’t order this.’ He turned to see that sadness in her eyes again. ‘When this sort of thing happens, we’re not allowed to take the tray onto the correct room. We have to throw it away and start again. So, could I interest you in a free meal? It would be a shame for it to go to waste, and at least if you accept, it stops my head chef wanting to fire someone.’
‘Oh, well, if that’s the case. I’d be happy to help. I mean, sure, I’ll have the breakfast.’
He waited for her to say thank you, but when it was quite clear those words weren’t going to be added to her sentence, he headed for the door. ‘Thank you,’ he said.
‘You’re welcome,’ was her flat reply.
Zach bit his lip at her coldness.
‘Oh, Mr… was it, Sullivan?’
‘Yes.’
‘I might like a tree. Something small.’ She pointed to a wall. ‘It could go there.’
‘Real or artificial?’
‘Fake is fine.’
‘Would you like it decorated for you?’
Olive poured the milk onto her cereal. ‘I can do it. With your help.’
Even though it had been his suggestion, he still froze for a moment, feeling caught off guard. ‘Me?’
‘You said you would.’
He had another stupid idea. ‘The only time I have free today is lunch, so as long as you don’t mind me eating up here—’
‘That’s fine. I’ll see you then.’
He stared at her hand waving him away as though he were a bothersome fly. ‘Right,’ he mumbled, wishing he hadn’t bothered helping her. Using his polished customer service skills, he said farewell and left.
Great. Just great. Well done, Sullivan .