Chapter 17
Abby
Abby wasn’t sure what to expect when she arrived at work the next morning, but it certainly wasn’t Donna pouncing on her the moment she arrived.
“You need to see this—” She thrust a piece of paper into Abby’s hand.
“What is it?”
“It’s the memo Evie sent when she stepped up into the role, telling us her ideas for improving the place.”
“Yes, I’ve—”
“She’s a star is our Evie.”
“I know that, and—”
“And if people don’t listen to her, then that’s on us.
And it’s going to change. Evie called everyone together.
She levelled with them. Told the truth about the fact that the hotel isn’t doing as well as it should, and that we need to find ways to do better.
Bit of a shock to hear it to be honest, but everyone is on board.
We’re going to make this work. So you can tell the boss, or your mother or whatever you call her at work, not to write off The Alexandra, Cornwall just yet. Wait—what did you just say?”
“I said I know she’s a star. My mother also knows she’s a star. It was in my reports. And no one has written off the hotel, Donna.”
“Oh.” Donna looked thrown. “Right. Well, good. But still, you should read the memo. You probably think you already know it all, but she has some good ideas.”
“Yes, I’ve—”
“Wait a moment—” Donna interrupted her and smiled as a woman walked past. “Good morning, Mrs Beresford. How was your breakfast?”
“It was delicious, Donna.”
“That’s because Chef is a genius and he buys all the food locally.
Those eggs came from our own hens. Can I tempt you and Mr Beresford to afternoon tea later?
It’s going to be a beautiful day, and I can reserve you the best table on the terrace.
Think about it—the strawberry jam is homemade from our own home-grown strawberries, chef ’s scones are the best you will ever have tasted and don’t start me on the clotted cream. ”
Mrs Beresford was almost drooling. “I’m sure it’s delicious, but I’m trying to be good—”
“You could always order a nice pot of Earl Grey and enjoy the view. But you’re on holiday. Good is for when you’re home.”
The woman caved in. “You’re right, of course. Do book us a table, Donna. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Have a happy day.” Donna waited for her to walk away and then looked at Abby, pride in her eyes. “There you go. Upselling. Point number two on the memo Evie sent.”
“You were good at it,” Abby said faintly. “I almost wanted you to book me a table, too.”
“You’re staff. No sitting down for you,” Donna said.
“I had no idea that would be so much fun. Gerald never used to let us suggest anything. He said it was wrong to put any pressure on guests. But I didn’t strap her to the chair and force-feed her scones, did I?
She could have said no, but she didn’t. Next I’ll persuade her to book a session at the spa. ”
Abby laughed. “Go for it.” She handed the memo back. “I don’t need this, Donna. I’ve already seen it.”
“You have?”
“Yes. And sent it to the boss.”
“Right. Well, that’s good.” Donna straightened her uniform. “So you’ll tell us if there’s anything else we can do to impress her. And in the meantime, Mandy wants to know if you’re still available to clean the odd bathroom, or are you above all that now?”
Abby felt emotion build in her chest. “I wasn’t sure any of you would want to work with me again after Evie told you who I was.”
“You saved little Holly, so that gives you pretty much a free pass.”
“You know about that?”
Donna gave her a pitying look. “You’ve been here almost a month and you have to ask that question?
Everyone knows, Abby. Chrissy is on her way back with the children now.
Edward has gone to collect her from the hospital because her no-good husband is still prioritising his work, and we thought a familiar figure might be comforting. You were brave.”
“I was in the right place at the right time.” Abby felt a lump build in her throat. “I thought you’d all be mad at me. You have a right to be mad with me.”
“If we hadn’t worked with you, we might have been mad, but we’ve seen you getting stuck in like the rest of us.
You’re one of the team. Should you have told us who you were?
Maybe, but if you’d done that, we wouldn’t have dared ask you to scrub a toilet, so in the end it was probably for the best. Now I have to go.
We have guests checking in and I want to try and persuade them that they can upgrade to our finest suite for a small fee.
Evie has just finished walking round the dining room charming everyone, so you’ll probably find her in her office. ”
She walked away and Abby headed to Evie’s office.
After that encounter with Donna she wasn’t sure what to expect.
Evie was on the phone. “If you definitely saw him then yes, it’s time we intervened.
He can’t keep showing up here … right … okay, well, let me know.
And let me know when Chrissy and the girls get back.
” She put the phone down and saw Abby and immediately rushed across the room.
“I can’t believe what happened. If you hadn’t been there—you saved Holly.
I couldn’t sleep last night imagining different scenarios.
I’m so sorry about what I said to you yesterday. ”
She hugged Abby and Abby hugged her back.
“You have nothing to apologise for. What I did was inexcusable.”
“It was completely excusable. You were in an impossible position. I should understand that better than anyone because I also work with a parent and it’s complicated!
I saw that once I calmed down. I hope you’ll forgive me.
I should have calmed down first and then reacted.
I’m working on that.” Evie stepped back and sniffed.
“Whatever I said, nothing changes the fact that I’ve loved working with you. ”
“Me, too. I meant it when I said this has been my happiest time at work ever.” It was a struggle to keep her emotions in check.
She’d expected this to be difficult. She hadn’t expected such warmth from Donna and now Evie.
“On the phone just now you were saying someone kept showing up. Is it our weasel man again?” She was still part of the team.
If they had a problem, then she had a problem.
“Yes.” Evie pulled a face. “One of the gardeners just saw him a moment ago loitering at the edge of the terrace. It’s creepy.”
“I’m going to call my mother and I’ll ask her about it.” In a way it was a relief to no longer have to pretend. “I’m confident she doesn’t know he’s still sniffing around the place. She’ll speak to the lawyers and deal with it.”
“Right. That would be good.” Evie gave a weak smile. “I suppose it could be a good thing that you have the ear of the boss.”
“Don’t overestimate my influence. She doesn’t pay much attention to me, but I can make sure she’s informed.” She stopped as there was a knock on the door.
Sylvie who dealt with procurement staggered in with a massive basket filled with toys and snacks. “This was the best we could do at short notice.”
“It’s great, Sylvie. You’re a star.” Evie took a closer look. “Holly will love this.”
“Edward called to say they’re five minutes away. I’m going to get this into their suite and then see what Chrissy needs. We were going to do a welcoming committee but then we thought Holly might not like the fuss.”
“I think you’re right,” Evie said. “I’ll give them time to get settled and then I’ll go up to the room and see what we can do for them.”
Sylvie smiled at Abby. “You’re the one who did the most for them. You’re a hero around here.” She left the room and Evie smiled.
“She’s right. You are a hero.”
“I feel like a fraud. I was in the right place at the right time, that’s all.”
“That’s not the way Chrissy tells it.”
“You’ve seen her?”
“Luca and I went to the hospital last night as soon as we heard. We took snacks and stuff for the baby and things we thought Chrissy might need.”
“You and Luca?”
Evie grinned. “I may be in trouble. But that’s a conversation to have another time.”
“How about this evening? We could—” She broke off as Evie’s door opened again.
It was Donna again. “Someone to see you, Abby.”
Chrissy walked into the room carrying the toddler and holding Holly’s hand. “I hope we’re not disturbing you, but Holly painted a picture for Abby and she wanted to give it to her.” She let go of Holly’s hand and the little girl walked shyly to Abby.
“This is for you. Thank you for saving me.” She handed over the picture and Abby dropped into a crouch next to her.
“You did this?” She studied it and then pointed. “Is that me?”
“Yes. And that’s me in the water, and that’s Mummy.”
“I can see that. It’s a great picture.” Abby pointed to the sea of blue. “And what’s that, poking up through the water? Is it a rock?” She had a brief flashback of the rocks. Of feeling the sudden splitting pain in her leg and the panicked feeling that she wasn’t going to find the child.
“It’s not a rock. It’s a shark.” Holly frowned at the picture as if it was obvious. “That’s his fin.”
“Oh! I didn’t see that. Did you see a shark?”
“No, but it might have been watching.”
“Right.” Abby held back laughter. And she’d thought the rocks were bad. “Can I keep this?” She took it carefully. “I’d like to put it on my wall.”
“It’s all sharks and dinosaurs at the moment,” Chrissy said. “How is your leg, Abby?”
“It’s nothing. A scratch. I’m just relieved Holly is okay.” Chrissy’s eyes filled. “I don’t know what to say—”
Abby could see how shaken up she was and didn’t know what to say either. If she was having flashbacks, she could imagine what Chrissy’s were like. It could have been an emotional moment but fortunately Evie stepped in.
“Just make sure you give us a good review, Chrissy. Top marks for customer service.”
Chrissy gave a laugh that was close to hysterical. “I think it’s fair to say you went above and beyond in this case.”