Chapter Four
Friday, 27 th October
A watery sun was struggling through the thin mist hovering over Lake Constance as Stacy set out for the village the following morning. She’d found cornflakes and long-life milk in the flat and had breakfast there, though a good handful of guests were in the restaurant when she went downstairs, so she could have gone there instead. Never mind. She would get the hard part of the day behind her first, the bit at the town hall where she had to deal with the formalities of registering her residency in Grimsbach. Then she’d go into the minimarket on the way back home and get some provisions. Was Lakeside home? Well, yes – for the next year, it was.
The village was deserted as she walked along the main road and on up a little side street to the centre square, where the town hall was. It was an impressive building, grey stone with a fat pillar on either side of the three wide steps leading up to the door, but help – she’d walked all the way from the hotel without meeting a soul to say ‘Guten Morgen’ to. Grimsbach wasn’t the hub of the universe on Friday mornings. Or were they all inside having a coffee break?
She pushed the town hall door open and found herself in a wide hallway with glass doors right and left, and a staircase straight ahead. A woman was on her way down with an armful of folders, and Stacy mustered her best German.
‘Can you help me? Where–?’ She waved her registration documents under the woman’s nose.
Most of the answer was incomprehensible because it was in Swiss German, but the woman’s arm pointing to the door on the left helped. Stacy smiled her thanks and trailed through into a big open plan office with a counter near the door. She presented her documents to the girl there, who was kind enough to speak slowly and clearly in High German, and with a bit of gesticulation and more pointing, Stacy found herself successfully registered and exiting the building twenty minutes after she’d gone in. First mission accomplished, then. Now to tackle the minimarket further along the village. More people were out and about now, so–
‘Stacy! Hallo?’
Shocked rigid, Stacy wheeled round. Who on earth…? It was a woman’s voice, and – she gaped across to the other pavement. Yes! It was Kim, the mother of the little boy she’d saved in the summer. He wasn’t with her today, though the younger child was, riding one of those little bikes without pedals. Stacy rushed across the road. It was ridiculous to be so pleased to see a friendly face, but this was amazing. Best of all, Kim’s English was almost perfect, so getting to know her better would be easy.
‘Hello! Kim, isn’t it? And Ben.’
Kim was beaming from ear to ear. ‘I was thinking about you yesterday, and decided you weren’t coming after all! Say hello to Stacy, Ben.’
The last sentence was in German, and the little boy gave Stacy a shy smile.
‘I only arrived yesterday,’ said Stacy. ‘I’ll be working at the hotel for the next year. You’re on my list of people to call next week.’ She laughed. ‘To be strictly accurate, you are my list of people to call next week!’
‘Why don’t we go for a coffee? My treat. The bakery has a few tables.’
‘Lovely. I guess Elijah’s at school? How’s he getting on after his, ah, fright in the summer?’ If you could call almost drowning a fright…
‘He’s at kindergarten, and he’s absolutely fine. Recovered one hundred per cent and thank you–’
Stacy stopped her. ‘No more thanks, huh? We’ve done that bit. But tell me, where did you learn your English? It’s amazing.’
‘School first, then later I spent five years working in London. It was supposed to be one year, but it stretched. Here’s the bakery.’
Kim took charge of Ben’s bike, and they all went inside and sat at a round bistro table in one corner. Stacy shrugged out of her jacket and scarf. The air in here was like bakeries everywhere, warm and heavy and aromatic, and now she was homesick for their little local baker’s shop in Elton Abbey. She shook the feeling off as Kim went up to the counter and gave their order, Ben following on. And oh, this was lovely. The other woman was a little older, possibly in her early thirties, but they were going to be friends, Stacy could tell. She was putting down a little root in Grimsbach, one that wasn’t connected to the hotel.
Kim returned with two coffees, a glass of something red for Ben, and a basket with fat and flaky croissants. She pushed the croissants across the table. ‘Have a Gipfeli. They’re sensational, the best this side of Zurich.’
Stacy took one and bit into it. They were buttery and delicious, but heavens, she’d need to find a fitness centre pronto if she was going to eat these regularly.
She brushed a crumb of pastry from her mouth. ‘What do you do? Or are you at home with the children? What’s kindergarten, exactly?’
‘Kids go there for two years before they start school aged six or seven. Eli’s in his first year, then when he starts school later, Ben starts kindergarten, and I’ll be able to go back to work!’
Kim was smiling, but there was a little frown between her eyes. Stacy sipped her coffee. Kim obviously missed her work.
‘What do you do?’
‘At the moment I’m running a manicure business from home, but it’s getting a bit cramped. My kids seem to take up more house space every week.’
That would explain the perfect nails. Stacy leaned over to admire Kim’s nails, which were a gorgeous turquoise that matched her top, sparkly bits and everything. ‘Wow – these look amazing. I must pay you a visit. I love doing my nails, but they barely last as long as it takes me to do them.’
‘Oh, that’s a matter of practise. I can’t wait to get back into salon work, and Tobias would be happy to have my business out of the house. I don’t have many clients, but he still says he’s fed up coming home to chaos and the scent of nail polish remover.’
‘Can’t you work part time? I don’t know what the job market’s like here.’
Kim sighed. ‘We agreed I’d stay at home with the kids until Ben starts kindergarten. Stacy, you must come and visit us sometime, and see our chaotic little house. Tobias would love to see you again too.’
‘That would be great.’ Stacy went on to answer Kim’s questions about what was planned for the hotel, and the little worry-line on Kim’s face ironed out as they chatted. Still, something wasn’t right in Kim’s world, that was clear. But this was their first real meeting, and with Ben at the table it wasn’t the time to talk about problems and worries. Kim would have other friends to confide in, too. People she’d known longer, and better, than someone who’d literally just flown in. The insistent little twinge of homesickness pulled at Stacy’s heart again.
She said goodbye to Kim and Ben half an hour later, when they went on their way back home and she turned into the minimarket. Kim had invited her for cheese fondue on Monday evening, so she’d be busy for the next few days, anyway. Stacy lifted a red plastic basket, and started a round of the shelves. The busier, the better, as far as settling in was concerned. After lunch she’d go for a long walk by the lake, or maybe get the train into Rorschach and look round the shops and harbour there. She was not going to be homesick.
***
Happy day, he was home. Rico drove past the ‘Welcome to Grimsbach’ sign at quarter to four on Friday afternoon, his head full of plans and anticipation fluttering in his gut. Stacy was here. At last.
Another two hundred yards and here he was, back at the hotel on its very last weekday of life as the Lakeside Hotel that had stood here for decades. Rico swung into a staff space in the car park, then hefted his bags inside. A handful of people in cycling gear were jostling around the reception desk, good. A load of one-nighters, but they were glad of whatever custom they could get these days.
He waved to Karen at the desk and popped into the storeroom for some wine. Sauvignon Blanc, yes, look – this was the one Stacy had enjoyed in the summer. He bundled his luggage into the lift. Going up…
‘Anyone home?’ He opened the door to his new quarters in the staff flat and took the wine through for a quick dip in the freezer.
Stacy was curled up on the sofa, her laptop balanced precariously on her knees. Rico strode up to hug her, but swerved to the side when she didn’t budge from the sofa. Maybe expecting her to leap into his arms was unrealistic. He made do with a wide grin.
‘Hello! Great to see you here. Good journey?’
She was smiling, but her shoulders were up to her ears. ‘No problems at all. How was your week?’
Rico leaned on the door frame. ‘The course was pretty boring, but it’ll be useful for the business. I’ve got loads of plans to discuss with you. You look a bit down – anything I can help with? Did you get fixed up at the town hall?’
‘Yes, they were very helpful. I guess I’m feeling like the only chocolate left in the box this afternoon, that’s all. Sorry, I don’t mean to moan.’
She was homesick. Rico perched on an armchair, searching for words. ‘I get that – you’re in a new place, and you hardly know anyone. But that’ll change. How about I show you round the parts of the hotel you haven’t seen yet, then we can have dinner in the restaurant and I’ll fill you in on the plans so far? And I’ll introduce you to more people tomorrow at the aperitif.’
A smile flitted across her face. ‘That sounds good.’
He stood up. ‘Give me half an hour to unpack, then we’ll start the tour.’
She nodded, and Rico hurried through to his room. Living in the staff flat still felt weird, but Dad had taken most of their furniture to Lugano so it made sense to move in here, for the time being at least. He pulled out a fresh shirt and dived under the shower. Operation help Stacy settle in had started.
When he returned to the living room, Stacy was wearing a different pullover and a more relaxed expression. Rico checked the bottle in the freezer. Perfect. He rummaged for the corkscrew.
‘Glass of wine to take with you? The first part of the tour is away from eagle-eyed guests, don’t worry.’
When they were both holding chilly glasses, he led the way through the flat. ‘Okay. As you’ve seen, this is the staff flat. We don’t have many live-ins, but I’m planning to keep these four rooms for staff.’
Stacy was definitely happier now they were doing something. ‘Makes sense, especially for the extra staff over the summer.’
Rico opened the door out to the top floor landing. ‘This is where the plans start. Over here is our old family flat. I’m wondering about turning it into some kind of self-catering option. Maybe for cyclists, as we get so many in summer, or the odd family with kids we might have staying.’
‘Or for someone who wanted to come for a longer stay, to convalesce? You could convert it for handicapped guests.’
‘Good thinking. That might be expensive, though, and I’m not sure how much it would be used.’
‘Why not keep the idea in mind, and have it as basic quarters for one-night cyclists in the short term?’ Stacy sipped her wine. ‘I’d forget the families option, though. Wouldn’t that mean kids thundering around on top of spa guests in the rooms below?’
Rico stared at her. ‘You’re good at this. It would. So, a nice cheap renovation into cyclist accommodation with a view to a possible handicapped flat longer term. Come and have a look at it.’
He fumbled the key into the lock, and oh, jeez, this was the hard bit. He was unlocking what had been the front door to his home. Today, it was a forlorn and deserted echo of the past, the few pieces of furniture Dad hadn’t taken sitting like faded ghosts of Rico’s old life. So many memories of his mother were in these rooms, but the flat wasn’t home any more.
Stacy followed him in. ‘Oh dear. This must be difficult for you.’
Rico’s throat closed. Why, oh why hadn’t she taken one look at him last summer and fallen in love? It happened – look at Emily and Alan, now living together in Stacy’s home town. Lucky Alan, and lucky Emily too.
He walked ahead so she wouldn’t see him blink the tears away. ‘Things change. What do you think about the bedrooms? I was wondering about making them all en suite, like in the staff flat. The master has its own loo, but the others share the family bathroom.’
His voice was grating away like an old bear. Rico took a big swallow of wine, glad when Stacy was tactful enough not to start comforting him.
She crossed the living room and looked out at the balcony. ‘Nice. It’s almost a waste, giving these rooms to people who’d be gone early morning. Why don’t you make this the staff flat, and put the cyclists into the one we’re in?’
Rico breathed in deeply – it really was as if a ton-weight was flying off his shoulders. He’d taken on the spa project to make peace with himself, because letting Grande, the company who’d wanted to buy Lakeside, demolish the hotel and build a casino would have meant a bitter end to his mother’s dream. But getting Lakeside up and running as a spa hotel was a huge undertaking and really needed someone with a shedload of know-how he didn’t have. He was feeling his way in the dark, but now here was Stacy, spouting amazing ideas all over the place.
He took another swallow of wine. ‘We’ll do that. You should ask your boss for a pay rise, you know. All this brilliance on a Friday evening must be worth more than he’s paying you.’
She giggled. ‘I will. Okay, what’s next?’
‘More wine?’ He started back to the door, but Stacy was shaking her head.
‘Maybe at dinner.’
Rico bit his lip as his mother’s voice echoed in his head, talking to Dad. We don’t want to drink all the profits, do we? On the other hand, it was Friday night – but he’d follow Stacy’s lead for now.
‘Let’s go down and see what’s on the menu, and I’ll show you the soon-to-be ex-conference rooms too.’
He followed her back to the landing feeling a lot more hopeful about the project. He would manage this – or he’d manage the part with the hotel at least. Convincing Stacy he was the guy she wanted to fall in love with was still a work in progress.