Chapter 50
50
Holly was still smarting from Giles’s comment. It was the harshness that had taken her by surprise. He knew she only ever babbled like that when she was nervous, and if that was the case, he was normally sweet about it. Usually, he made a joke to help ease her tension. But there was none of that today. It was just cruel, and it certainly hadn’t helped her nerves.
Trying to swallow back the torrent of emotions filling her, Holly approached the mammoth set of doors marking the entrance to the hotel, though before they stepped inside, it became apparent why an event like this could keep the riff-raff out without being ticketed. (And ignoring the fact that it was miles from anywhere. For the last thirty minutes of the drive, they had barely seen a house. Let alone something that would constitute a town.) Two large doormen – or bouncers, she wasn’t sure what the difference was – cut intimidating figures as they stood on the stone steps dressed in dark-green suits.
‘We’re here to see the flowers?’ Holly said.
‘The Leopold Garcia exhibition,’ Giles said as he stepped in front of her. Holly scowled. Of course he could remember the name, but it wasn’t like they wouldn’t know what she was talking about.
‘Of course. The exhibition is in the east wing of the building,’ one bouncer said. ‘There is a restaurant in the orangery in the west wing, but the rest of the hotel is reserved for overnight guests. This includes the smoking room and bar.’
‘Good job neither of us smoke, then,’ Holly said, instantly regretting her decision to speak. Why on earth had she thought now would be a good time to crack a joke? She didn’t do jokes, and this moment proved why. It was obviously the nervousness. That was the problem. Apparently, when she couldn’t get the babbling under control, she turned into a terrible stand-up comedian.
The bouncer nodded at Giles, ignoring Holly completely.
‘Let’s go in,’ Giles said. He took one step forward, then turned to the bouncer. ‘Where did you say the restaurant was?’
‘Down the corridor, turn right.’
Holly didn’t bother saying anything. Her stomach had been growling for the last forty-five minutes, and she definitely wanted something to eat too. Besides, it appeared she had to do whatever Giles said.
Holly had already expected that her friendship with Giles would change. There was nothing she could do about that. What she hadn’t thought was that it would disappear altogether, but it looked like it was going to go that way. Fast.