Coming Home to the Sunflower Cliffs

Chapter 8

Gabriel went to accompany Daisy out of the housekeeper’s office, but she called him back.

‘One minute, Gabriel,’ Mrs Vines said, as he held the door open for Daisy to leave. Daisy gave him a surreptitious grin and raised an eyebrow. He wasn’t certain but he could have sworn he heard her giggling to herself as she limped down the corridor towards the staff quarters. He closed the door and turned to face the woman who had been his parents’ housekeeper at the Encore since the hotel opened when he was in his early teens.

‘Take a seat for a moment, will you?’

He did as she requested, wondering what she could wish to speak to him about.

‘Gabriel,’ she said, sitting opposite him at her desk. ‘You may not think it my place to speak to you about this, but as housekeeper here at the hotel, I take great interest in the well-being of all the staff, especially the young ladies.’

Ah, he mused, so this was about Daisy. ‘It’s not—’ he began, but immediately stopped talking when she held up her hand.

She smiled at him. ‘Gabriel, we both know you are a lovely young man, but I don’t think you realise quite how you come across to the girls we have working here, not to mention the guests.’

He didn’t like the way this conversation was going, but waited for her to finish.

‘You’re very good looking and your job, by the very nature of it, might be perceived as, shall we say, rather intriguing. So, I think you need to be aware that where you might think you’re being kind to someone like young Daisy, she might take it that you’re more interested her in a—’ she hesitated ‘—romantic way. Do you see what I’m trying to say?’

He nodded sagely. ‘I understand what you’re saying, Mrs Vines.’ Although he thought she was wrong. In his experience, women were more interested in the likes of Sebastian or Luke, men with solid jobs, with homes and a solid lifestyle. Not like him with his nomadic way of life. ‘But I can’t see that anyone would think my job heroic in any way.’

‘Daisy certainly seemed to perk up when you entered the room,’ she said, looking unimpressed at his disagreement.

‘Daisy and I know each other from our travels in Vietnam, so she’s an old friend.’

She studied him, her pale blue eyes boring into him. Could Mrs Vines see how he felt about Daisy? She had known him a long time, but he hoped he was able to hide his true feelings for Daisy well enough to stop her from worrying. Daisy had made it perfectly clear that she wasn’t going to consider being with him until he was divorced from Bella. If only there was a way round this divorce nonsense of having to wait for another two years. ‘Seriously,’ he said, hoping he was giving the housekeeper his most sincere look. ‘I have no intention of hurting Daisy in any way.’

‘Good, you keep it that way. Because, as much as I like you, Gabriel, I won’t hesitate to bring this to your mother’s attention, or even your father’s if I have to.’

He doubted his father would have much to say and all his mother would be worried about was losing Daisy as a member of staff. No, he mused, the one person she should speak to if she was so worried about his behaviour towards Daisy was his grandmother. He could see how fond of Daisy she was. The mere fact that she’d invited Daisy to the house to dinner and then gave her an open invitation to use her garden in which to paint spoke volumes to him. He supposed Daisy assumed that his grandmother was this welcoming at her home to everyone. He wondered how Daisy would feel if she discovered that she was the first member of staff to have been invited to his grandmother’s home, as far as he was aware.

‘I promise you have nothing to worry about,’ he said, standing up and giving her a smile.

She relaxed, her severe expression softening now that the awkward business of his private life was over with. ‘Good. Off you go then,’ she said, as if he was still a teenager.

Gabriel walked to the door and pulled it open.

‘Oh, and Gabriel?’ she said.

‘Yes?’

‘You’re a good boy really, I do know that.’

He smiled; no one had called him a boy for about fifteen years. ‘Thanks.’ He turned and left, closing the door gently.

There was a gasp behind him. Gabriel looked over his shoulder to see Fi, her mouth open in horror.

‘What’s the matter, Fi?’ he asked.

‘Someone’s been a naughty boy?’

‘She doesn’t just call people into her office to tell them off you know,’ he teased.

Fi glanced at the closed door and then walked up to him and lowered her voice. ‘No, but…’ She hesitated. ‘I know you said I shouldn’t gossip but it’s not gossiping if I’m talking to you about you, is it?’

‘No,’ he agreed, eager to see what she had to say.

‘I think she must have been telling you off about Daisy. Wasn’t she?’

He turned to face her. ‘Why? What’s being said?’ He knew how the other staff loved to talk. They were like a large, sometimes dysfunctional family, some bickering, but all working towards the same goal to make the hotel run as smoothly as possible. He loved being a part of this place, but sometimes, when you tried to keep your private life to yourself, it could be a little irritating to know there were others trying to second-guess everything you were doing.

She raised a shoulder in a cocky shrug. ‘Nothing much, but we all know Bella’s been here and that you and Daisy were at your grandmother’s the other night for dinner, so there’s a tote running on who you’ll end up with.’ She giggled.

Gabriel was sure she’d expected him to find this amusing, but he couldn’t imagine why. His heart pounded and he realised he’d clenched his teeth together in fury. He took a deep breath to calm down, not wishing to add fuel to their furnace and said. ‘Fi, firstly, I think you need to remember that you work here, for my family and I’d therefore like to suggest that you stop and think before commenting to any of us about the things you might overhear.’ Fi had the grace to blush. ‘Secondly, if Daisy gets to hear of this she’s going to be upset. I want you to tell me who’s set up this bet so I can go and put a stop to it.’

Her eyes widened and she shook her head. ‘Hell no, I’m not a grass.’

He thought she’d say that. ‘Fine, then you go and speak to whoever is behind this and stop it, right now. Tell them I’ve discovered what’s going on and I’m bloody furious.’ He calmed down a little realising she was beginning to look upset. ‘Look, I’m not having a go at you. You’re young and still learning how things work here.’ He sighed, feeling tired of the whole situation. ‘You’re also only the messenger, but Daisy’s your friend too. Surely you don’t want her to be hurt?’

‘Of course I don’t,’ she said, tears welling in her eyes.

‘Then you need to help me stop this. OK?’

‘Yes.’

‘Thank you.’

He walked away from her, seething with irritation. Sometimes working closely with others could be a hindrance on your life. He hoped Daisy didn’t think he’d been discussing their business with others. He knew she’d hate something like that. The divorce might take two years but he needed to make an appointment to see a lawyer and set the divorce in progress. He was sure Bella would agree to sign the paperwork.

The following morning he was sitting in his father’s office ready to call his lawyer as soon as nine o’clock rolled around. He dialled the number of his father’s close friend and legal advisor but could only get hold of his secretary. Gabriel explained the situation to her about Bella and their failed marriage. The secretary claimed it should only be a matter of weeks to draw up the papers, and an elated Gabriel hung up, happier than he had been in weeks.

Later, he walked passed Daisy and Fi at reception and opened his mouth to wish them a good morning when a piercing scream made them all turn sharply towards the swimming pool.

‘Damn,’ Gabriel said, recognising the panic in the voice calling for help. He ran out of the entrance, across the driveway and down to the nearby pool area where he saw a small boy floundering and the mother shouting at him to swim.

The panic on the child’s face as he disappeared down under the water shot through Gabriel. He kicked off his trainers and dived into the pool, surfacing under the child, grabbing him under his arms and lifting him up out of the water. Then swimming to the side of the pool where Daisy bent down to reach the child, he held him up to her, helping her pull the spluttering boy onto the side to his crying mother.

The child coughed, crying noisily, reassuring Gabriel that he was perfectly fine, if a little shocked by his accident. He checked that the little boy wasn’t cut anywhere and looked up at the mother. ‘He’s fine,’ he soothed. ‘I’ll get him a towel and maybe he should sit quietly with you for a few minutes until the shock has worn off.’

There was a commotion behind him.

‘You stupid bloody woman,’ Gabriel heard a man say. He was about to look and see what was going on when he noticed Daisy gasp. The colour faded instantly from her face and Gabriel stood up and walked over to check if she was all right.

‘What’s wrong?’ he asked quietly.

She shivered despite the heat of the day, but didn’t say anything. Staring in the same direction her large eyes widened. Gabriel turned to see what was upsetting her so much. There was an older man, his face puce with rage, arguing with the mother of the boy he’d just rescued.

‘He’ll calm down,’ he said, assuming the man’s reaction must be what was bothering her so much. ‘He’s just had a fright, that’s all.’

Daisy didn’t speak. She stared past Gabriel towards the pool, silently focusing her attention on the man and woman, who was blowing her nose on a tissue while her son settled down on the sun lounger next to her.

‘Daisy?’ Gabriel asked, trying to take her attention from the scene that was disturbing her so much. ‘What’s the matter?’

She shook her head. ‘I don’t believe it,’ she murmured. ‘I never saw them arrive. Fi must have checked them in.’

He had no idea what she was going on about. He stood in front of her to block her view. ‘Daisy,’ he whispered.

She sighed heavily. ‘Sorry, Gabe.’

‘Tell me, maybe I can help.’

She shook her head slowly. ‘No one can help me with this,’ she said quietly, almost under her breath.

He looked over his shoulder at the arguing couple. ‘Why are they bothering you so much?’ He wanted to put an arm around her to comfort her but didn’t dare overstep the boundary she’d put up between them. ‘Do you know them?’

She nodded slowly. ‘Yes,’ she said, after a moment’s hesitation.

‘Who are they?’ They looked perfectly ordinary to him. The man was a few years older than the woman. In fact, she looked a bit like the classic trophy wife, very blonde, and sexy in an obvious way. Their rowing wasn’t noisy enough to bother other guests and the boy didn’t seem at all fazed by their exchange, so he didn’t feel like he should be asking them to quieten down. ‘Do you want to come to my dad’s office and talk about this?’ he offered, wanting to help her.

‘No, that’s not necessary,’ she said, staring blatantly at them.

Gabe moved so that his back was towards the couple and they couldn’t see Daisy staring at them. ‘Daisy, come along. You can’t keep watching them so openly, it looks odd.’

‘He’s my father,’ she murmured.

Had he heard right? ‘Sorry?’

She looked him straight in the eyes and said loud enough for the couple to hear her. ‘He’s my father.’

‘That’s what I thought you’d said,’ he replied, turning slowly as he became aware that the arguing had ceased. The man was now peering around Gabriel trying to see who’d just spoken. Aware that Daisy didn’t care if they’d heard her, Gabriel stepped back to let her face the older man. He was surprised when neither of them spoke, but simply studied each other. She’d never mentioned her father before and he’d assumed he must be dead.

‘Daisy?’ The man eventually said. ‘What are you doing here?’

Gabriel looked at Daisy to see how she’d react, but her cold expression didn’t change. He couldn’t help wondering what sort of relationship she had with this man. It wasn’t good, that much was obvious. He was distracted by a whimper and turned to the couple. The man’s wife looked as if she was about to pass out.

Gabriel said, ‘Maybe you’d like to come into the office, sit down and have a chat?’

He wasn’t sure what they wanted to do but standing outside around the pool area with other guests arriving wasn’t the best audience for them to have this reunion. When no one reacted, apart from the boy showing interest in the girl who had helped haul him out of the pool, Gabriel added, ‘Grab your things and follow me.’

He didn’t wait for them to reply, but started collecting their towels. The man moved first, glaring at the woman and murmured for her to be quiet and that he’d explain everything later. Gabriel presumed by her reaction that he’d never thought to mention anything about Daisy’s existence.

He glanced at Daisy, and seeing she was still glaring at the couple, walked over to her and pushed her back gently to get her moving.

She looked up at him in surprise, as if she’d just registered his presence even though they’d spoken only moments before. ‘Where are we going?’

‘Inside. Somewhere private. You look as if you’d like to talk.’

‘About what?’ she frowned.

He lowered his head to hers. ‘I think you’ve come as something of a surprise to this man’s wife and son.’

‘You can say that again.’

Gabriel pushed her gently and she began walking inside, slowly, staring at the man as she passed. He gave his daughter a sheepish look and then focused his attention on collecting his wife and son’s belongings together.

‘But I want to swim,’ the boy whined.

‘Later.’ His mother snapped. ‘Your father has something he wishes to discuss with us.’

Gabriel wasn’t sure that the boy needed to be a witness to what was coming next. He glanced at his watch and said, ‘The lifeguard should be on duty any second. If you like, your son can wait with Fi at reception until he arrives. She’ll make sure the lifeguard keeps an eye on him while you’re not there.’

The mother nodded.

They followed Gabriel inside, Daisy occasionally giving looks at the couple who were now whispering furiously. Her father dragged the boy along with them towards the reception area.

Gabriel asked Fi to watch over him until the lifeguard arrived for his shift. ‘Please also send in a tray of tea and biscuits to the office,’ he said. ‘And don’t put through any calls until I say.’

Fi nodded. ‘You all right?’ she asked Daisy.

‘Fine,’ Daisy said, looking anything but. ‘I’ll be back as soon as I can.’

‘It’s fine, I’ll ask Jo to come and cover for you if I need to.’

The four adults made their way to the office. He indicated for them to take a seat on one side of the desk and for Daisy to sit in his father’s chair. Gabriel then went into the next-door office to collect a fourth chair for him to sit on.

He re-entered the silent room and realised that he needed to take charge if they were going to get anywhere. ‘OK, it seems to me that Daisy is surprised to see you here,’ he said to her father. ‘Mr, erm…’

‘Baxter. Peter Baxter,’ said the man, trying to take his wife’s hand but she snatched it away and glowered at him in supressed rage. He cleared his throat. ‘This is my wife,’ he said by way of introduction to Daisy. ‘Stella.’

‘Yes,’ said the woman, finally finding her voice. ‘And that poor unsuspecting child out there, who—’ she directed her venom at Peter ‘—almost drowned not ten minutes ago, is in shock to discover that he is not after all an only child but has a sister who must be, what? Twenty, twenty-one?’

‘Twenty-six,’ Daisy replied.

‘So,’ continued Stella at her red-faced husband. ‘I’d like to know who Daisy’s mother is and why you hadn’t thought to mention either her or her daughter to me or our son before now?’

Peter shrugged. ‘I meant to tell you.’

‘When? Next week, next year?’

He shook his head. ‘I’m sorry, darling, I really was going to?—’

‘But it was easier to pretend I didn’t exist,’ Daisy interrupted. ‘Isn’t that more like it, Dad?’ She put the emphasis on the word and the man winced.

‘Daisy, I’m sorry, really I am.’ He took a deep breath. ‘You know it wasn’t all my fault.’

She immediately stood up. ‘Don’t you dare start blaming Mum for this; I won’t have it,’ she shouted. ‘She brought me up single-handedly, while you went about your happy daily life without a care in the world.’

‘That’s not true,’ he said, looking red in the face. Gabriel wasn’t certain but he suspected Peter might be close to tears.

‘Daisy,’ Gabriel said, trying to calm the tension in the room.

She turned on him. ‘And you know nothing whatsoever about my life, so don’t start trying to pacify me, Gabriel.’ Her expression softened. ‘I don’t mean to snap at you.’ She looked back at her father and Gabriel couldn’t miss the hurt in her pretty face as she said, ‘She died, you know.’

Peter gasped and now Gabriel was sure he was about to cry. ‘No,’ Peter whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. ‘Penny died? When?’

Daisy sat back down. Gabe could see she regretted telling him in such a cruel way. ‘A few months ago. I don’t want to discuss it in front of others, but I’ll tell you more when we’re alone.’

‘Well, really,’ Stella said. ‘I think it’s a bit much you wishing to discuss someone who, by the sounds of things, was my husband’s mistress.’ She narrowed her eyes and added, ‘Not while we were together, I hope?’

Gabriel saw Daisy clench her fists. ‘She was not his mistress, thank you very much. She was his fiancée, became pregnant with me and before they could be married, your husband buggered off to “find himself”.’

‘I came back though, Daisy, surely she told you that.’

Daisy glowered at him. ‘Not until I was born and she’d had her trust for you shattered. Why would she take you back and fret that you could leave again at any time?’

He leant forward. ‘But I wouldn’t have done; I loved Penny with all my heart.’

Stella cried out. ‘Peter, how could you say such a thing?’

Gabriel could see by the look of horror on Peter’s face that he’d forgotten for a moment that Stella was in the room with them and regretted his outpouring about Daisy’s mother. ‘Darling, I didn’t mean… Well, that is to say…’

Stella wiped away tears. ‘Did you love her more than me?’

He shook his head. ‘No, of course not, dear. I loved Clarissa, but then I met you.’

‘Clarissa?’ Gabriel asked, thinking that maybe he’d made matters worse by insisting they all come to the office to chat.

Stella addressed Gabriel as if the other two people in the room weren’t there. ‘His first marriage – to Clarissa – was a disaster, but she was so devastated about miscarrying all her pregnancies that he didn’t feel he could leave her.’ She looked at Daisy. ‘She died too.’

‘So I gather,’ Daisy said, her expression cold. ‘So, how long have you two been together then?’ she asked. ‘I take it that the little boy out there is my half-brother?’

Stella sat up straighter in her chair. ‘Alfie is our son. He’s six and we’ve been together for seven years.’

‘So, before Clarissa died, then?’ Daisy sneered.

Gabriel could see she was struggling with her emotions and guessed it was because Daisy had just discovered that Peter must have still been seeing her mother when he’d begun a relationship with Stella. He wondered what the story was behind this situation and resolved to speak to her later, hoping she’d confide in him.

He stood up. ‘I think you’ve all been dealt a few unexpected blows today, so maybe you’d like to take some time to let everything sink in. If you need to meet up again and use my office, please let me know, or if there’s anything else I can do to help the situation in any way.’

‘Thank you,’ Peter said, offering his hand for Gabriel to shake. He looked at Daisy. ‘I really am sorry, sweetheart. I honestly didn’t know about your mum.’ He hesitated. ‘She was a very private lady.’

‘She was,’ Daisy said, ‘But when she was dying she asked after you many times. I left messages at your office for you to call me but you never did.’

He frowned. ‘I promise I never received any messages.’

‘Well, I did leave them.’

‘I’ll look into it, see what happened to them.’

Gabriel thought that if he was trying to pacify Daisy he wasn’t going the right way about it and wondered just how well this man did know his daughter. They’d obviously spent some time together over the years because she seemed to be fairly familiar with him, if a little distant, but something wasn’t right, that was certain.

‘I shouldn’t bother,’ Daisy said. ‘It’s too late now anyway.’ She walked towards the door. ‘I think I’d better go in case I say something I might regret.’ She looked at Gabriel. ‘Thank you for letting us chat in here,’ she said. ‘And I’m sorry I was rude earlier. None of this is your fault.’

He followed her to the door. ‘It’s fine. Anything I can do to help.’ He instinctively took her by the shoulders and bent down to give her a kiss on her cheek.

Daisy left the room without saying anything further to her father or his wife.

Gabriel turned and held the door open. He looked at the couple, both lost in their own torment. ‘I hope you all find a way to overcome what’s happened.’

Peter waited for Stella to leave the room. ‘So do I,’ he said.

Gabriel closed the door after them and walked over to the office window, staring out at the car park at the back. He hadn’t seen Daisy going to her room, so assumed she must have returned to reception. How like Daisy, he thought, to have a shock like this and immediately return to work. His heart contracted. Seeing her so stunned and hurt had upset him. Despite her seeming resilience and constant insistence that she was perfectly fine by herself, he couldn’t help thinking that everyone needed someone in their lives, and at the moment it seemed to him that she didn’t have anyone at all.

As he stared out of the window and went over what he’d just witnessed, he could see why she’d refused to be with him when he was still married to Bella. She wasn’t going to allow anyone to push her back in their affections. He didn’t blame her. He needed to sort out this divorce, and as quickly as possible if he wasn’t going to lose his chance of being with her.

He sat down at the desk and dialled his lawyer. He was put through immediately. ‘Hi, this is Gabriel Wilson,’ he said.

‘Gabriel, I’ll have to be brief,’ replied his lawyer, an old family friend. ‘I’ve got a client waiting in reception for a meeting.’

‘I was wondering if you’ve been able to find a way that Bella and I can bring this divorce forward somehow? Your secretary seemed to think it was possible.’

‘Unfortunately my secretary is new and doesn’t fully understand the divorce laws. Other than in special situations – of which your divorce is not one – your request for a divorce cannot be heard by the court until you’ve been married for at least three years. I’m afraid there’s nothing you can do apart from wait.’

He felt like someone had punched him in the stomach. ‘There must be some way we can make it happen,’ he said, trying not to sound pleading. ‘I’ve met someone,’ he admitted, hoping it would help sway the lawyer, but knowing that if there was any way he could help Gabriel he would have done so by now.

‘I thought as much,’ he said, sounding sympathetic. ‘But there really isn’t anything I can do. Sorry, I’m in a bit of a rush, but if I do come up with anything I’ll let you know. I can’t see it happening though. I’m sorry, but I won’t give you false hope.’

Gabriel sighed. ‘I’m grateful for your honesty. Thank you.’

He hung up and replaced the phone on the receiver. Lowering his head into his hands he closed his eyes. He was usually so positive about everything, but this time there didn’t seem to be an upside to his situation. He needed to stop panicking in order to think more clearly. There had to be a way to sort this out.

After leaving the hotel for the day, Gabriel headed over to his grandmother’s house for a bite to eat.

‘What’s wrong, darling?’ Lydia asked, when he could only manage half of the omelette she’d cooked him. ‘You’ve barely touched your food and you usually have such a good appetite. Is there something wrong at the hotel?’

He shook his head.

‘Then is there a problem between you and Daisy?’

He smiled at her. ‘You know me so well,’ he said, wondering how it must feel to Daisy not to have someone like his grandmother in her life. ‘I’ve discovered that in Jersey a request for a divorce can’t be heard by the court during the first three years of a marriage. I’ve only been married to Bella for nine months, so I can’t get divorced for over two years and Daisy won’t consider being with me if I’m married to someone else.’

He watched his grandmother mull over this news. ‘Three years? That’s ridiculous.’

‘What am I going to do?’

She thought for a moment. ‘Does Daisy know that you and Bella aren’t a couple in any way?’

‘Yes, I’ve told her and I’m pretty sure she believes me.’

‘It’s not as if you and Bella are still together and you’re seeing Daisy behind her back,’ she said thoughtfully. ‘I don’t understand why she’s got a problem seeing you.’

‘I understand her reasons,’ he said, thinking about what he’d learned of her mother’s situation with her father. When his grandmother shrugged one shoulder and raised her eyebrows wishing for him to enlighten her, he shook his head. ‘I can’t tell you, it’s her story. But I do know why she feels this way. I just don’t know how to sort things out between us.’

Lydia placed one of her hands on his forearm. The cool touch of her palm soothed him in the warm evening. ‘Gabriel, you never give in to problems,’ she said. ‘You always see them as a challenge. Why are you being so defeatist this time?’

He sighed heavily. ‘I don’t know. Maybe because this time I’m more emotionally involved than I usually am, or because I’m still hurting about losing the baby.’

He realised he was being very negative and forced a smile. ‘Take no notice of me. It’s been a lousy day and I’m being an idiot. I’ll try to think of something, but I’ve tried the legal avenue and there doesn’t seem to be anything I can do to hurry up my divorce.’

‘That’s a shame,’ she said.

She stared at him silently and he knew what she was about to say. Gabriel hated sharing anything with his grandmother that could upset her. Although telling her about his legal situation was something she’d insisted upon knowing, he knew she couldn’t do much to help him.

‘Gabriel, what was in that envelope I asked Daisy to take to you at Noirmont? Was it about your research project?’

He nodded. ‘It was, but it’s fine. Nothing to worry about,’ he lied.

‘Rubbish. They’ve pulled the funding, haven’t they?’ she said, giving him a sharp look.

‘They’ve rescinded all funding.’ He frowned. ‘How did you know?’

‘I guessed it might be something like that. I’m so sorry, darling. What are you going to do now?’

He had no idea. Working for his parents at the hotel went a little way to fund his expeditions, but he always needed sponsorship. ‘I’m not sure yet, but I’ll think of something.’

She smiled. ‘Now that’s the attitude I’m used to. Stop fretting about Daisy. She’ll come round if she loves you. You just haven’t known each other long enough for her to want to ignore these other things. After all, what’s a few years?’

‘We both know that’s a very long time when you love someone, Nan,’ he said. He bent forward and kissed her on her cheek. ‘It’s fine though, I’ll think of something,’ He wished he felt as positive as he sounded.

‘I know, darling. You just have to believe it.’

He hugged his grandmother tightly, wishing he had half the faith in himself that she had in him. ‘You always think the best of me,’ he said, smiling at her.

She stared at him. After a moment’s thought she said, ‘Darling Gabriel, you’ve achieved so much in your young life already with your conservation activities and those projects. I admire how much you care and how you’ve put that caring into saving marine life. You’ve also always been there when your parents or I needed you. I’m sure once Daisy gets to know you better she’ll trust you as I do.’

He wasn’t so certain. Not now he’d seen Daisy’s reaction to her father and realised just how deep her hurt went. He might come second best to his parents’ career, and even maybe to their own feelings for each other, but at least he came first where his grandmother was concerned. He supposed Daisy must have had a similar relationship with her mother, but it had sounded as if Daisy’s mother had needed her far more than his independent grandmother needed him. He wished Daisy hadn’t been so scarred by her past. The haunted look he saw crossing her face sometimes concerned him and he wished she’d open up to him more.

‘She’s been deeply hurt,’ he said quietly. ‘I’m not so sure I’ll be able to make her understand how important she is to me.’

They sat in silence, the only sound entering their space being birdsong and the lapping of the waves onto the beach at the end of the garden.

‘What will you do about the project?’ his grandmother asked. He might have known she wasn’t going to leave it alone.

‘They’re having a meeting tomorrow to discuss the funding,’ he said. ‘I’ll send them a report urging them to rethink their decision and assuring them that we’ve gone too far now to back out of the work.’

She rested her hand on his arm. ‘Is there anything I can do to help?’

He shook his head. ‘Thanks, but no. I’m sure it’ll be fine.’ He hated lying to her, but didn’t need his grandmother worrying about having to bail out his project. It was his problem and he was going to have to find a way to solve it. His parents would be back in Jersey in a few weeks and he’d have time to return to South Africa and find a way to keep things going. Until then, he needed to keep track of what was happening at the hotel, with his divorce, and maybe think up new ways to fund his failing enterprise.

He checked his watch and drank the last mouthful of his coffee. ‘I’d better get back,’ he said. ‘We’re expecting a few late arrivals and they’re return visitors who come several times a year and they’ll expect us to welcome them properly.’

‘Do you need me to come along to the hotel?’ she asked.

He shook his head. ‘No, you stay here and enjoy the sunshine. I shouldn’t be too late. Maybe we can have a drink out here and a stroll on the beach.’

She beamed at him. ‘I’d love that,’ she said.

He stood up, kissed her on the top of her white hair and walked away. She was always there for him, he thought, as he got into his car and drove off to the hotel. If only Daisy could experience the same sort of love.

He just wished Daisy would trust him enough to let him devote his time to her so that they could enjoy this beautiful place with its peaceful, meticulously designed garden and valley divided by tiny geometric ponds.

He checked with Fi at reception that everything was in order for the Johnsons. They were the hotel’s most honoured ‘RVs’. Gabriel knew from their records that almost seventy-five per cent of the visitors to the hotel were ‘RVs’, or return visitors, and the Johnsons had been coming to stay at least three times each summer since his parents had bought the place. Each time they arrived, his parents always ensured that there was a champagne bucket filled with ice and one of their best bottles of champagne waiting for the couple to drink as they settled in their room. An arrangement of fresh flowers sourced from the well-stocked gardens were always displayed for them on a table and Mrs Johnson’s favourite local chocolates stored in the small fridge in the room. It was the least they could do for such valued guests.

He was about to speak to the concierge about booking their favourite restaurant on the Sunday, when he heard a hum of excitement behind him. Turning with a smile on his face, Gabriel saw Mr and Mrs Johnson, arms linked, as they greeted the staff they’d come to know so well.

‘Wonderful to see you both again,’ Gabriel said, his hand outstretched to shake Mr Johnson’s before giving his wife a welcoming hug. ‘You’re both looking very well. I was sorry not to be here for your last visit to the Encore.’

‘My lady wife missed seeing you here,’ Mr Johnson joked.

She reddened and nudged him. ‘He’s such a naughty man, Gabriel,’ she said. ‘You take no notice of him.’

Joseph, the concierge, immediately appeared next to Gabriel, welcoming the guests and waving his assistant porter over to take their bags to their room.

‘Can I offer you a drink in the bar?’ Gabriel asked. ‘Or would you prefer to go to your room and settle in first.’

‘I think we’ll go to our room and take a shower,’ Mr Johnson said. ‘It’s blistering hot out there.’

‘No problem,’ Gabriel said. ‘I’ll see you a little later when you’re ready to come down.’

He waited for them to leave, followed by Joseph and his assistant, and then went to reception to see Fi. He was surprised when no one seemed to be there and was about to walk around behind the desk when Daisy popped up.

‘Oh, I didn’t know you were here,’ she said, eyes wide with surprise. ‘Did you want something?’

‘I was looking for Fi,’ he said. ‘I just wanted to be sure that everything had been covered for the Johnsons’ arrival.’

Daisy nodded. ‘All done,’ she said. ‘We double checked earlier. Our main priority now is the party that’s happening on the weekend. The family start to arrive tomorrow and the rest follow on the next day. I’ve told the host and hostess that you’ll go through everything with them. I hope that’s OK.’

‘It is,’ he nodded. He was used to these occasions, although this one promised to be a little different, but no doubt still fun. He preferred it when his mother or grandmother took over, if he was honest. ‘I’m more of an outdoor guy, but I enjoy seeing people having fun, even though I don’t seem to have the finesse that my mother or grandmother have for these events,’ he said. ‘I’ll do my best though. Do you have the list of everything I need to go through?’

She looked down at the desk and handed him a copy attached to a clipboard. ‘I’ve given you the checklist the hotel uses for weddings, but it should be similar enough, I think.’ She leaned over to him slightly and lowered her voice. ‘Is the decorating in the orangery complete now? Francesca said the reception will be held in there and she was concerned that Luke might not be able to finish everything in time.’

‘I’ve arranged to meet him there in half an hour,’ he said. ‘I’ll go through everything then.’

Fi came back to reception. ‘All OK?’ she said, with a glint in her dark blue eyes. She looked at Daisy. ‘If you want to go with Gabe and check through everything on the list, you know, for any future weddings you might have to arrange…?’

‘This isn’t for a wedding reception though, is it?’ Daisy asked.

He was glad she’d missed Fi’s point. Today wasn’t the day to be joking with Daisy about weddings.

Fi laughed. ‘No, it’s a Never-Going-to-Retire party.’

‘Seriously?’

Gabe understood Daisy’s confusion. He found it a little odd and he’d grown up with his parents holding parties for made-up occasions. ‘The couple have been acting for half a century,’ he explained. ‘They wanted to celebrate it in some way.’

Daisy smiled. ‘Does that mean we’ll meet some famous people, then?’

Fi nudged her. ‘You work for three of them,’ she said. ‘Don’t let Francesca ever hear you saying you’re excited about meeting other well-known people.’

Gabriel pulled a face at Fi. ‘Stop teasing her.’ He smiled, hoping Daisy would relax a little. ‘She’s joking, and yes you will meet people you recognise from the big and small screen.’

‘OK, then,’ Daisy said. ‘I’ll come with you and see the routine. I suppose I should know how everything is set up for future reference.’ She looked up at Gabriel and he felt his stomach contract. Hell, he wanted to kiss her, he thought. ‘Is that OK with you, Gabe?’ she asked.

‘Sorry?’ He wasn’t sure to what she was referring and then noticed that both women were looking at him strangely.

‘Do you want Daisy to come with you to the orangery?’ Fi asked, shaking her head.

‘Sorry, yes, that’s a great idea,’ he said, irritated for acting like a teenage boy in front of them. ‘I’ll meet you outside the orangery in half an hour.’

Daisy checked her watch. He was late, but she supposed he must still be chatting to the Johnsons and couldn’t really get away. She spotted a tall man with untidy blond hair working inside the room, and by the look of his paint-smeared shorts doubted he could be one of the guests. She went inside to meet him.

‘Hi,’ she said holding out her hand. ‘I presume you must be Luke Thornton.’

He turned to her, a gruff expression on his face. She thought he was probably very handsome under all that facial hair; his eyes were certainly piercing enough. She cleared her throat. ‘I’m Daisy, from reception. Gabriel said to meet him here to go through a few things.’

The man seemed to know who she was, though she couldn’t imagine how.

He smiled, and after wiping his hand on his T-shirt shook her hand. ‘Yes, I’m Luke. You’ve come to check that all the work’s been finished in time for the weekend, I suppose.’

She nodded, a bit stunned at how his face lit up when he looked cheerful.

‘There’s some damp paint over in that corner,’ he said, pointing to an area hidden by a plant stand. ‘But that’s all. The cleaners are coming in here first thing in the morning to clean up and it’ll be dry by then.’

‘You’ve done an incredible job,’ Daisy said. ‘There seemed to be a lot of damage.’

He shook his head, reminding her of a lion when his untidy hair moved around.

‘It was bad enough not to be able to use the place for the guests, but not as bad as it could have been.’

‘Luke, hi,’ Gabriel said coming up behind her. ‘You’ve done a great job in here, thanks.’

‘No problem, I was glad to be able to help your folks out.’

‘Are you and Bea coming to the party on Saturday night?’

Luke nodded. ‘We are, and a couple of her friends. It should be fun.’

Gabriel nodded. ‘I think it will be.’ He looked down at Daisy. ‘I hope you’ve had your invitation to come along?’

She shook her head. ‘I thought it was for the guests?’

‘Not this party. Everyone here is invited. The kitchen staff will be preparing the food, but extra help is being laid on by a small events business, Lapins de Lune. They’ll be keeping an eye on the evening.’

Daisy couldn’t help being excited. She’d never been invited to such a splendid occasion before and was sure she wouldn’t have anything to wear.

‘It’s going to be fun, you really should come along,’ Luke said, glancing at Gabriel. ‘You can meet my wife, Bea – she’ll introduce you to anyone you don’t know.’

Daisy laughed. ‘Well, that will be pretty much everyone, then.’

‘Then you’ll come?’ Gabriel asked. ‘Unless… your foot? How is it now?’

She looked down and smiled. ‘It feels a little bruised but it’s already much better, and not nearly bad enough to hold me back from attending the party.’ She looked so hopeful that he couldn’t help being flattered. ‘OK then. I suppose it’s not like I have far to go if I decide to return to my room.’

‘Good point,’ Gabe said. ‘Though I hope it doesn’t come to that.’

She laughed. ‘My foot’s perfectly fine; I barely feel the bruising now. I’m only teasing you.’

‘Great,’ Luke agreed. ‘This party should be so much fun that you’ll be too busy enjoying yourself to worry about it.’