Chapter 14
M irren and Theo stood out in the freezing cold, looking at one another.
‘Thanks,’ said Mirren, suddenly shy. It was a while since a man had done something so nice for her.
‘No problem,’ said Theo.
‘Now I just have to charge my phone and ... find somewhere to stay.’
‘You are very bad at booking ahead,’ observed Theo.
Mirren looked down at her wet feet. She was completely freezing again. In fact, it was worse this time, having come out of a nice warm shop.
‘I wanted to go home tonight,’ she said, and for some reason, ridiculously, her bottom lip started to wobble. ‘I just want to go home. But my car’s broken down. And my phone didn’t charge. And ...’
She stopped then, because she was sounding ridiculous.
Theo blinked. ‘Okay,’ he said, as if he’d decided something.
‘What do you mean, okay?’
‘Okay, follow me.’
The snow had settled on his long dark eyelashes. It rather suited him; he still looked slightly like a vampire.
On the other hand, he almost certainly wasn’t one, and Mirren very much felt short of options at this time. Chilled and exhausted, she docilely followed him across the road, not even knowing where she was going, something she would not have recommended to a single one of her girlfriends, ever.
They were only a short way up the road, into the main section of town, and Theo bounded up the steps of a solid old honey-stone building, respectable looking, lit with round outdoor lights, with The Town Hotel written in a smart font above the old wooden doorway.
‘I’m sure they can sort you out,’ said Theo.
Inside, the lobby was so very lovely Mirren wanted to cry. Luxuriantly warm, there was a large fire burning in the grate, with copies of recent magazines carefully splayed on a low table. Tartan carpets were soft and cheery, and the reception desk had a proper old-fashioned bell. Ahead, a beautiful ornate staircase with a carved banister led upwards; everything felt hushed and there was an expensive hotel smell, as well as a smell of something nice coming from the bar. Mirren knew immediately that she wouldn’t be able to afford to stay there. The car was going to take every last penny she had to fix.
‘This young lady needs a room,’ said Theo.
‘Of course, madam,’ said the man. His smart yellow-and-black striped waistcoat alone suggested to Mirren that it was going to be pricey, which was confirmed when she saw the rack rate.
‘Oh no, it’s okay,’ said Mirren. ‘I’ll ... I’ll find somewhere.’
Theo realised immediately, looking at her cheap shoes, which hadn’t even been able to keep out the weather, what was going on. The problem was, his uncle’s largesse very much extended to the business, and keeping himself, and to the same extent Theo, in lavish comfort. However, he combed the accounts with a sharp eye, and certainly wouldn’t stretch to a second room. And he, Theo, had absolutely no money at all; impoverished at the end of his studies, he was essentially an intern, for all his expensive clothes.
So. A dilemma.
‘Well,’ he said, as the wind outside blew harder; the snow had really started to settle now. ‘Do you think you could put an extra bed in my suite?’
‘Of course, Mr Palliser,’ said the man quickly, making a note.
Mirren looked at him, concerned.
‘You don’t have to take it, of course,’ he said. ‘Just ... charge your phone and have a drink and figure things out?’
He held the key out to her, mentally checking he hadn’t left his boxers on the floor.
Mirren realised she was dripping on the polished wooden floor of the lobby. The smart young receptionist was politely not looking at her. She looked at the proffered key.
‘I assure you, madam,’ said Theo, ‘my intentions are quite honourable.’
Mirren smiled. ‘Exactly what a blackguard would say, I am afraid, Mr Palliser.’
‘Alas! Hoisted indeed, by the keenness of your wit. Nevertheless ...’
He dangled the key at her, and Mirren took it.