Chapter 24 #2
old. It took us an hour to clean you up.” She stood up. “I’m delighted you’ll be taking the job. I feel fortunate to have
you at the helm of my most important hotel. I’ll make the announcement immediately. I’m sure there will be celebrations. Possibly
even chocolate cake.”
Evie laughed but she also felt a quake of nerves. She hoped she was worthy of the faith Alexandra seemed to have in her.
“Thank you.”
“I should also praise your decision to reach out when you saw the place was in trouble. That was the right thing to do. I
apologise for the fact that you didn’t receive support when you asked for it. That won’t happen again.”
“Is there someone specific I should contact?”
“Yes, Abby. She will be the new UK manager, covering all our hotels here.” Her phone buzzed and Alexandra reached into her
bag and silenced it. “I’m sure that will be welcome news. And of course you can always reach out to me directly, at any time
either at the office or at home.” She hesitated. “Your father has my number.”
He did? What did that mean exactly?
There was more that Evie wanted to say. Questions she wanted to ask, but it didn’t feel appropriate to ask them. At least, not at this moment. She had no idea what exactly was happening between Alexandra and her father, but no doubt she’d find out in time.
It could be nothing, but she hoped it was something.
In the meantime, she had a hotel to run.
After Alexandra left she dealt with a couple of mundane problems and then had a message from Donna saying that there was an
issue with the King Arthur suite.
Given that they had new guests arriving in under four hours normally she would have felt stressed, but today nothing could
stress her. She all but floated up the stairs. Whatever state the previous guests had left the place in, they’d deal with
it somehow.
Braced for disaster, she pushed open the door and saw Donna and Abby studying the carpet.
“What is it?”
“It looks like sheep droppings.”
“I think we’d know if someone had brought a sheep into the hotel.”
“You never know,” Donna said darkly. “People are weird. Someone once sneaked in their pet rabbit. We spent two hours trying
to coax it out from under the bed. It ignored carrots, but in the end it was tempted by dandelions.”
“I think it could be chocolate.” Abby glanced up and saw Evie. She sprang to her feet. “It’s the boss, Donna. Stand up. Show
some respect.”
“I have creaky limbs,” Donna said. “It takes me longer than you. If I jump the way you did I’ll dislocate something and that
wouldn’t be fun for anyone. Pull me up, there’s a lamb.” But she was smiling as Abby tugged her upright. “Congratulations.
We just heard.”
“Thank you.” Evie was both delighted and embarrassed. “I’m very happy. And surprised.”
“I don’t know why you’re surprised. You’ve had us running around after you since you were a baby so nothing much has changed there.” But Donna crossed the room and gave her a great big hug. “That’s my girl.”
Evie felt a lump build in her throat and Donna gave her a pat and released her.
“Right. Well, I need to get something to remove those sheep droppings, or whatever they are. I’ll leave you two here for a
minute.” She left the room and Evie turned to Abby.
“You’re staying! You have no idea how thrilled I am. I hope you’ll spend as much time in Cornwall as you can. I’m sure the
rest of the hotels can take care of themselves.”
“I intend to spend plenty of time here. And congratulations.”
“I was surprised when she offered me the job.”
“Why? My mother makes a point of never losing good people, and you’re a good person in every way.”
“She’s impressive.” Evie wondered how honest to be. “I applied for a new job. In London. They invited me to interview. Somehow,
your mother knew. I have no idea how.” She looked at Abby. “You don’t look surprised.”
“I’m not. My mother knows everything. She’s well connected.” Abby took a breath. “I’m glad you didn’t go for that interview.”
“I probably wouldn’t have got it.”
“You would have got it,” Abby said softly. “I’m glad you’ve chosen to stay.”
Evie’s phone buzzed and she checked it. “We’re needed downstairs in my office. Both of us. Is this something to do with your
mother?”
“I have no idea.”
They headed downstairs and Evie noticed that there was no one at reception, and that there was no sign of her father either.
Where was everyone?
She pushed open the door to her office and was met with a sea of people and a chorus of cheers.
While she’d been talking to Donna and Abby, they’d decorated her office.
There were balloons, and a banner that read Evie—Five Star Boss.
Evie felt her eyes fill. “Oh.” Someone pressed a glass into her hand, and she noticed then that Alexandra was also there,
looking relaxed.
Was she the one who had arranged this?
She tapped the side of her glass and said a few words, praising Evie but also the whole team, and Evie stood in a daze, enjoying
the moment but also excited about the future.
There were so many things she wanted to do. Ideas she wanted to try.
And she’d be doing it right here, in the place she loved with the people she loved.
And talking of people she loved—
Everyone moved aside and there, in the middle of her desk, was a large chocolate cake covered in chocolate buttons and Luca
was standing next to it, a grin on his face.
He winked at her and Donna leaned in.
“Just because we’re being discreet,” she muttered, “don’t think we don’t know that you’re having a wild affair with Luca.
You’ve been spotted.”
“Now, why doesn’t that surprise me?” Evie laughed. It was good to know that some things never changed.
But other things would. And that would be good.
She turned to Abby, who was by her side. “Now that you’re not rushing off anywhere, does that mean you’ll be free for a run
on the coast path tomorrow night?”
“Yes. And for supper in your garden after.” Abby looked at her. “I thought we could ask Luca and Tris to join us for that part. If that works for you. Of course that means we won’t be able to gossip about them and exchange intimate details that would totally horrify both of them.”
“We can do that another time. I like your plan. It works.” Evie thought of everything that lay ahead and smiled. “It definitely
works.”
* * * * *