Chapter 8
Hannah paused at the doorway of the Pebble Street Hotel to peruse the current menu in its glass-fronted display case… and then promptly wished she hadn’t. Mainly because it set her stomach growling, despite its recent offering of honey cake and coffee.
Everything sounded mouth-wateringly delicious.
Hannah recognised a couple of the dishes from the one time she’d convinced Gareth to eat there.
The food had been sublime, but she couldn’t say she’d really enjoyed the evening.
Gareth had been a stroppy, embarrassing nightmare, and they’d ended up leaving early.
‘Enough!’ she muttered.
Hadn’t she promised herself she wasn’t going to waste time thinking about him today?
Unfortunately, that was easier said than done, though.
That was the problem with Seabury—it was a place full of wonderful memories layered with totally crap memories…
and Hannah wasn’t sure how to enjoy one part without disturbing the other.
Well… there wasn’t much point figuring it out now, was there? All she had to do was stay relatively sane for the next two weeks, and she’d never have to come back.
A wave of sadness threatened to overwhelm her, but Hannah shook her head. She didn’t have time for this particular rabbit hold right now. She was on a mission - she needed to find out Mr Eaves’s first name before this evening, otherwise things were going to be more than a little bit awkward.
‘Who better to ask than Lionel?!’ she said, glancing at the menu again, and clocking the prices. Not cheap, but given the restaurant’s stellar reputation, that wasn’t exactly a surprise.
Plus… it gave her an idea.
Straightening her shoulders, Hannah headed inside the gleaming reception, feeling decidedly underdressed in her jeans and tatty jumper.
Hmm… that was another thing she was going to have to sort out before this evening!
‘Ah, the wanderer returns!’
Lionel was up on his feet before Hannah had even taken three steps towards the reception desk. His beaming smile and arms—wide open with a greeting that felt like a hug—made Hannah grin right back.
‘Hi Lionel,’ she said. ‘It’s lovely to see you.’
‘You too, my dear,’ said Lionel. ‘I hear we have the pleasure of your company for dinner tonight?’
Hannah’s mouth dropped open. ‘I only got invited ten minutes ago. How on earth do you know already?’
‘The magic of mobile phones,’ chuckled Lionel.
‘Oh. Right.’ Hannah felt a blush sting her cheeks. Of course it was something as simple as that. Just because things happened as if by magic in this place, it didn’t mean there was actual magic going on!
‘Jason called me to confirm about two minutes before you arrived,’ said Lionel. ‘Though, if I’m being honest, his dad’s had you booked in as part of the party for at least a week.’
‘He has?! But… I only arrived yesterday!’ said Hannah, frowning in confusion. ‘And no one knew I was coming… I don’t think.’
‘Seems someone knew you’d be here,’ said Lionel, his eyebrows bristling with amusement.
‘Erm… well, yeah… I guess so,’ said Hannah, shaking her head. There was bound to be some kind of straightforward explanation, though for the life of her she couldn’t imagine what it was right now! Either way, there wasn’t any point worrying about it. She had other things to sort out.
‘So… I’m sorry to do this the minute I see you, but I’ve got a favour to ask,’ said Hannah, fidgeting slightly. ‘Two favours, actually.’
‘Ask away, dear girl!’ said Lionel, looking delighted.
‘Well, the first one’s a bit embarrassing.’ She glanced over her shoulder to check that they weren’t about to be overheard. ‘It’s about Mr Eaves…’
‘Oh?’ said Lionel, suddenly looking intrigued.
‘What’s his first name?’ said Hannah, feeling more than a little bit daft. ‘Aunty Millie always called him Mr Eaves, and… well… we’re well past the point where I can just turn around and ask him!’
Lionel grinned. ‘It’s David.’
‘David?’ said Hannah, her eyebrows shooting up.
‘Why do you look so surprised?’ said Lionel.
‘He always seems so… different,’ said Hannah, doing her best to choose her words carefully. Odd. Strange. Maybe a little bit magical… as well as supremely annoying. ‘I guess I just expected his name to be…’
‘Different?’ said Lionel, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
She nodded.
‘Like what? Bee Daddy?’
Hannah hooted out a surprised laugh. ‘Bee Daddy?! Oh my goodness... I’m never, ever going to be able to look at him in the same way! Oh no… what if I slip up and actually call him that?!’
‘If you do, you have to promise me one thing?’ said Lionel.
‘What?’
‘I want to hear all about it!’
‘Happy to promise you that because there’s no way it’s ever happening,’ Hannah giggled. ‘We don’t know each other that well.’
‘That’s not what I heard,’ said Lionel.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Sounds like you were very helpful with a bit of sheep wrangling,’ said Lionel, looking curious.
‘Oh that,’ chuckled Hannah. ‘That was more of a disgruntled neighbour thing. Bernard let himself into my garden, so I didn’t have much choice but to help.’
‘Fair enough,’ said Lionel. ‘Now then, what was the second favour?’
‘I’d like to pay in advance for Jason’s birthday bash, please,’ she said, rummaging in her bag for her wallet. ‘I’ll give you my card details, and you can just put the whole tab on there.’
‘Can’t let you do that, I’m afraid,’ said Lionel, shaking his head.
‘But… why?’ said Hannah. She didn’t want to get into an argument about it—after all, that was precisely why she was doing this in advance. ‘It’s the least she could do given the surprise invitation. Plus, I haven’t got Jason a present!’
‘I understand,’ said Lionel, ‘and normally it would be a lovely gesture. But our Bee Daddy supplies us with honey for the Pebble Street Pudding, and for that, the man eats for free, and so do his guests. It’s on the house.’
‘At least let me pay for my own meal,’ said Hannah, fidgeting uncomfortably.
‘Not a chance,’ said Lionel, crossing his arms and fixing her with a stern look.
‘But… I…’ Hannah met Lionel’s gaze and noted the hint of steel behind the kind smile. Okay, there was clearly no point in arguing. ‘Well, thank you. That’s really kind of you.’
‘It’s my absolute pleasure,’ said Lionel. ‘I hope you enjoy every bite.’
‘I’m sure I will,’ said Hannah. ‘The only question is, what am I going to do for Jason for his birthday? How about I pay Hattie to bake a special cake?’
Lionel shook his head again. ‘You can’t go stealing young Sarah’s thunder. There’s already a three-tiered chocolate masterpiece worthy of a Parisian pastry chef in the kitchen.’
‘Oh wow!’ said Hannah, her eyes going wide.
‘Did you know she only came home to celebrate his birthday?’ said Lionel with a fond smile.
Hannah raised an eyebrow. ‘She told me earlier that she’s on holiday from college for a few days.’
‘Mmm,’ Lionel didn’t look convinced. ‘She’s been telling anyone who’ll listen that she wanted to see Mike and Kate, but I think we all know it’s really Jason she was missing.’
‘Are those two an item, then?’ said Hannah curiously. They’d certainly seemed friendly earlier… though she’d been getting more best-friend vibes than anything else. Then again, what did she know about anything like that?!
‘I don’t actually know,’ said Lionel, cocking his head. ‘The pair of them were practically inseparable before Sarah went off to college, and they visit each other whenever they can. As for anything romantic… I have no clue.’
‘That in itself is an impressive feat in this town!’ laughed Hannah.
‘You’re telling me!’ chuckled Lionel. ‘In reality, I don’t think they really know, either. Mind you, they’re both so young and there’s no rush, is there?!’
‘You’re right,’ said Hanna. If nothing else, it would certainly give her something to watch with interest over the meal later! ‘Hey, Lionel… can I ask you one more thing?’
‘Of course!’ he said, leaning in, looking intrigued.
‘I didn’t really bring anything suitable to wear to a fancy night out, and—’
‘You’re perfect just as you are,’ tutted Lionel.
‘Well, thank you. But still, I’d like to tidy myself up a bit. It’s only polite.’
Hannah paused. Polite? Was that really the reason?
Or did it have more to do with that unexpected glimpse of toned stomach she’d caught earlier when Mr Eaves…
David… Bee Daddy… had been pelting around her garden?
She shook her head, doing her best to dislodge the mouth-watering image.
No, it definitely had nothing to do with that!
‘Earth to Hannah?’ said Lionel, looking amused.
‘Sorry, sorry…’ Hannah cleared her throat, suddenly grateful that Lionel wasn’t a mind reader. ‘I was just wondering if there’s anywhere in town I might be able to get something nicer to wear?’
‘You could try All Things Woolly?’ said Lionel.
‘The wool shop?’ laughed Hannah. ‘I’m afraid I don’t have the fairy-princess skills to knit myself a dress by this evening!’
‘You might not, but Ewan Pepper does,’ he said, his face serious.
‘That place sells more than just wool, you know. That boy has been filling every spare inch of the shop with all sorts of glorious things in between working on his big commissions. You never know… you might just find something that makes you feel like a fairy princess!’
‘Well, that would certainly take a miracle!’ chuckled Hannah. ‘I’ll take a look. I wanted to go in there and pick up a crochet hook and some wool anyway. I need something to do in the evenings other than staring at my laptop!’
Even as she said it, Hannah didn’t hold out much hope. Somehow, she couldn’t imagine turning up wearing a hand-knit dress.
‘Thanks so much, Lionel,’ she said. ‘I’ll see you later.’
‘Looking forward to it,’ he said with a little nod. ‘And… can I just say… Millie would be thrilled.’
‘About me doing more crochet?’ said Hannah.
‘No, daft girl,’ said Lionel with a warm smile. ‘About you being back in Seabury and staying in her house.’
‘Oh.’ Hannah swallowed as a wave of guilt crashed over her. ‘It’s… I’m… I’m only here for a couple of weeks. Then… well, I’m putting the house up for sale.’
‘We’ll see,’ said Lionel. ‘We’ll see.’