8. Theo
8
Theo
‘ W e have an issue.’ I took a seat at my father’s desk.
I’d thought about calling him straight after the disastrous dinner with Edwin last night to break the news, but I was still trying to wrap my head around this crazy development.
How could he seriously expect me to live in that town for three weeks? The pitch and meeting for a couple of dinners was reasonable, but forcing me to stay there to secure a deal was overkill.
And there was no way I could live and work in a B&B for that long. Especially with my competitor in the same building.
I didn’t have a hope in hell of concentrating with Jessica around.
When she’d first stepped into Edwin’s office, I’d had to fight to stay focused. Although her dress was loose, it couldn’t hide those curves, and I’d struggled to keep my eyes off her all night.
God knows what she must’ve thought of me, wearing a fucking tuxedo to a fish and chips restaurant. I’d never felt so out of place.
And when she teased me about the fact that I holidayed in the South of France and had a cook, it just reminded me that we came from completely different worlds. Maybe that was why I found her so intriguing.
She was right about the whole fish and chips thing. Although we’d eaten it at boarding school, it was never something Father would’ve allowed at home. He would’ve considered it too common.
But just because I’d enjoyed one meal in the town, that didn’t mean I wanted to repeat the experience for another twenty-one days.
‘What’s the problem? Don’t tell me you’ve lost the opportunity to pitch?’ Father sighed, preparing himself for disappointment.
‘No. I’ll still be pitching, but in three rather than two weeks’ time.’
‘Considering I wanted this deal wrapped up ASAP, that’s not ideal, but it’s not a disaster either. Don’t be so dramatic.’
‘The real issue is he’s insisting I live in the town—for three weeks.’
I filled him in on Edwin’s community spiel and the fact that if I didn’t accept, I’d automatically forfeit the deal and it’d be given to our competitor.
‘And you’re sure he can’t be swayed by more money? Perhaps I should speak to him.’
‘I’m certain,’ I snapped. Father was always looking for a way to undermine me. ‘He’s one of those annoyingly happy community-minded types. A tray of homemade biscuits would mean more to him than a plate of cash. ’
‘What a strange man.’ He shook his head. In his eyes, everyone had their price. But Edwin was an anomaly.
‘Maybe we should forget about this site and focus on other locations.’
‘Absolutely not!’ He slammed his fist on the table. ‘This town has been on the list of best places to live in the UK for five years running. I’ve wanted to build something here for much longer than that, but no one ever sells. Now an opportunity to buy a prime piece of land has presented itself, we need to snap it up. There’s no guarantee if or when it’ll happen again.’
‘Understood.’
Foolishly I’d hoped Father would say to forget pursuing it, but deep down I’d known he wouldn’t. Because the land was so rare and in high demand, we could sell the apartments at a premium, which meant more profit. And he never turned down the opportunity to make more money.
‘You have no choice. As long as you continue working on other projects remotely whilst you’re there and keep me updated regularly, then it’s acceptable. Provided of course you secure the deal.’
‘I will.’ I nodded. If I was going to be forced to stay in Sunshine Bay, I was more determined than ever to make it worthwhile.
I pulled up outside of the B&B, got out of the car, took my suitcase from the boot and sighed.
The town was pretty, I’d give it that. With its sandy beach and striking blue sea just across the road from the B&B, I understood why people might like it. But it wasn’t my kind of place.
I liked the buzz of the city. The excitement. Knowing that if I needed something at three in the morning, I wouldn’t have to go far to find a shop that was open. I bet everything here closed ridiculously early, including the bars.
Assuming, of course, they had one. So far, I’d only spotted a tiny pub. Who even went to pubs anymore?
I pushed the door and stepped inside. As I took in the decor, my face fell. The floral-patterned carpet and curtains looked like it’d been there since the seventies. So did the beige wallpaper.
As I pictured my penthouse with its polished wooden floors and freshly painted white walls, I instantly felt homesick.
There didn’t seem to be anyone around. I headed to the reception desk and saw there was a gold bell on the counter, so pressed it.
‘Helloooo!’ A smiley woman with short dark hair and white skin who was probably in her late fifties bundled into the hallway. ‘I’m Glenda, the owner of this fine establishment. You must be Theodore! Ooh, you’re a handsome one. Edwin should’ve warned me we were getting some eye candy! Welcome!’
She threw her arms around me, and my body stiffened.
‘Pleasure to meet you, Glenda.’ I pulled back from her embrace and thrust my hand out. ‘And, please, call me Theo.’
‘I’m guessing you’re not a hugger!’ she chuckled.
Very observant.
‘Not really.’ Affection wasn’t something I was used to. Mum used to hug us, but when she died, all that stopped. Depending on the circumstances, sometimes I’d kiss a lady’s hand, but after Candace’s joke about where hers had been last night, I wasn’t feeling inspired to repeat the gesture.
‘Let’s see how long that lasts in this town!’ she chirped.
Good God . I didn’t understand how everyone in this place was so happy. Surely they must be exhausted, smiling all the time.
‘Is my room ready, please?’
‘Oh, yes, of course! Let me grab your key.’ She pulled out an actual metal key. ‘Follow me!’
I didn’t even realise that hotels used actual keys anymore. The places I was used to had key cards. My chest tightened as I braced myself for what would no doubt be a room that was last decorated before I was born.
She led me up to the first floor, put the rusty key in the lock, then pushed the door open.
‘ Ta da! ’ she said dramatically. ‘Welcome to your new home.’
I looked around the room. It had blue floral wallpaper, the same ugly carpet that was in the hallway and one of those hideous duvet covers that looked like they’d never been washed. Thank God I’d brought my own bed linen, pillows and duvet. I’d get them from the car later.
There was a tiny wooden desk, which was about a quarter of the size of the one in my corner office, a mini kettle and two mugs. I didn’t know how I was going to work from here for three weeks.
‘Do you have the Wi-Fi code?’
‘Course! It’s Sunshine Bay . ’
‘ That’s the code?’
‘Yes!’
Looked like I wouldn’t be using their Wi-Fi. That password was about as secure as a paper door.
‘Thank you. Well, I’ll just get myself settled…’ I said, hoping she’d take the cue to leave.
‘Before I leave, I need to show you the best bit!’ She marched over to the window and pulled back the flowery net curtains to reveal a set of double doors.
She opened them and summoned me over.
Oh.
Wow.
Now she had my attention. Directly in front of me was a prime view of the beach. The waves crashed against the shore and the scent of the sea air flooded my nostrils.
‘It’s beautiful,’ I said.
‘Isn’t it just! I know this B&B is probably different to what you’re used to in London, but mark my words, it won’t take you long to fall in love with this place!’
‘Right,’ I said politely. The view might be nice, but there was no way I’d be falling in love with this town. I’d be back to London the first chance I got.
‘What are your plans for lunch?’
‘I—no idea. I’ll probably just order a takeaway. What do you have here? Uber Eats? Deliveroo?’
‘Deliver who? ’
‘It’s a takeaway delivery service.’
‘Takeaways aren’t very popular here.’
Of course they’re not , I groaned internally.
‘Where’s the nearest Marks and Spencer or Waitrose?’
‘Don’t have those posh supermarkets here, love. Delia’s is where most of us buy our bits and bobs. If you like, I can make you a sandwich. That’s what I said I’d do for your colleague.’
‘My colleague?’
‘Yes, lovely Jessica.’
‘She’s here already?’ A shot of adrenaline raced through me and my pulse quickened.
‘She is indeed! In the room next door. You two are neighbours!’
Jessica’s bed was right behind that wall.
That wasn’t good.
‘Maybe we can all sit and have lunch together, around one-ish?’
‘I’m not sure how much Edwin explained,’ I jumped in, ‘but Jessica is not my colleague . We are competitors both vying for the land that Edwin owns. Having lunch together would not be wise.’
‘Competitors?’ She waved her hand dismissively. ‘No such thing in this town. It’s just having a sandwich out on the terrace. It’s harmless.’
‘Thanks, but I’ll pass.’
Being in the same building with just a thin wall dividing us was bad enough. I didn’t need to start complicating things by eating together. That would muddy the waters, and I had to be focused.
‘Well, if you change your mind, you know where we’ll be.’ She approached the door.
I nodded, knowing that I absolutely would not be changing my mind.