Chapter 6
6
‘Thank you again for lunch,’ Anya said to Issy as she reached for the final bite of the chicken and salad sandwich her friend had made for her.
‘It was my pleasure. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you agreed to come and stay with Chloe and her folks for a while. I’ve missed you!’
‘I missed you too. I wish I could’ve come sooner, but what with everything that’s happened…’
Smiling, Issy reached across the table and touched her hand. ‘Hey, I know how tough things have been. All that matters is you and Freya are here now.’ The door opened and Issy slipped out of her seat to go and serve a couple of women who’d walked in.
Anya sipped her drink while she waited. They’d deliberately sat at the table closest to the counter so Issy could jump up and serve anyone who came in. It had meant their conversation was one of fits and starts, but Anya was happy to spend whatever time her friend could snatch between customers. Still, Amy and Ron hadn’t agreed to babysit so she could sit around chatting. Anya needed to get off her bum and get back to job hunting. There were plenty of shops around the village, and with the summer season fast approaching, surely someone would be looking for some help. She wiped her hands on her napkin then rose to gather their plates and mugs. Placing them on a clear spot on the counter, she waited for the two ladies to finish their order and head for a table by the window.
Issy frowned when she spotted her. ‘You’re not leaving are you?’
Anya nodded. ‘You’re busy and I need to get back on the job hunt.’
Issy moved away to the fancy coffee machine that took up a large part of the counter behind her. She placed a jug of milk under the steamer and turned one of the dials. Glancing back at Anya, she raised her voice over the hiss of the machine. ‘You can’t spare a few more minutes? Not even for a slice of caramel shortbread?’
Anya’s willpower wavered at the mention of her favourite treat but she resisted. ‘That’s very tempting, but I really should go.’
Issy nodded as she moved to another part of the machine and began measuring out fresh ground coffee. ‘Next time, then. Let me know how you get on, yeah?’
‘I’ll message you later if I have any news,’ Anya promised, taking a step back from the counter.
‘Message me anyway!’ Issy called as she turned her attention back to the drinks she was preparing. Her mobile phone started vibrating on the counter. ‘What now?’
‘That’s definitely my cue to leave!’ With a smile and a wave Anya headed out the door.
She was waiting at the crossing for the lights to change when she heard Issy calling her name. Turning, she spotted her friend waving to her from the door of the café, one hand holding her phone in the air. She pointed to the open door and disappeared back inside. Curious, Anya retraced her steps and reached the counter in time to hear Issy saying, ‘Here she is for you. You can tell her the good news yourself.’ With a grin she thrust her phone at Anya. ‘It’s Rick.’
Anya took the phone. ‘Hello?’
‘Oh hey, Anya. I didn’t mean for Issy to chase you down the street or anything; you could’ve called me later.’ Rick sounded different, not his usual confident self.
‘That’s okay, I was only at the crossing. What’s up?’
‘So you know I told you I was coming to see my uncle Davy?’
Anya frowned, wondering where the conversation was going. ‘I heard you saying something to your mum about Maud being worried about him. Is he okay?’
‘Yes and no. He had a nasty encounter with the edge of a cupboard door and cut his head.’
‘Oh, goodness, I hope he’s okay.’
Rick exhaled hard. ‘I have to tell you, when I walked into his office and saw the blood all over his shirt I feared the worst, but I’ve patched him up and given him a cup of tea and he seems fine. I’ll give him a ring later and check up on him.’
‘He’s lucky he’s got you to look out for him.’ Anya raised her eyes to see Issy still smiling at her over the counter. Feeling a bit awkward, Anya turned away slightly and lowered her voice. ‘Look, I’m glad to hear Davy is all right; I’m just not sure what him bumping his head has to do with me.’
‘I’m getting to that bit. He’s doing brilliantly for a man his age – hell, he’s doing brilliantly for a man half his age – but managing the hotel is a lot. He’s still sharp as a tack, but there’s no getting around the fact he’s slowing down a bit. I’ve had a chat with him and we’ve both agreed he could do with some help. And that’s where you come in.’
A flash of hope leapt inside her, but she tamped it down. She’d meant what she said about turning her hand to most things, including cleaning, but she had zero experience when it came to being a personal carer for someone. ‘That’s very kind of you, but I’m not sure it’s for me. I can look after a child, I have plenty of experience with that, but I wouldn’t know where to start when it comes to someone older.’
Rick’s deep laughter filled her ear, settling over her like a gorgeous cashmere blanket. ‘Oh, God, sorry no that’s not what I meant. Davy can look after himself just fine; what he needs is a personal assistant to help him with running the hotel.’
Warmth flooded her cheeks and she ducked her head even though he wasn’t there to see her blush. ‘Oh, I see! Well, again I’m not sure I’m any more qualified for that.’
‘There’s nothing that complicated, I promise. You’ll be answering the phone, greeting guests and helping them out with stuff like restaurant bookings and ordering taxis, maybe running a few errands for Davy. There’s a cleaning team that comes in and does the room changeovers, so you won’t have to worry about that. Look, I know this is out of the blue but you’d be doing me a huge favour. It doesn’t have to be forever, but it’d give you something to tide you over the summer while you find your feet and get Freya settled into life down here.’
‘It sounds like you’re the one doing me a huge favour.’
Rick chuckled. ‘Consider us even, then. It’s taken a lot for Davy to even contemplate it, and the fact you’re practically one of the family will make it that bit easier. We haven’t thrashed out all the details yet, I just told Davy I’d run the idea past you and see what you think. I’ll sit down tonight and work out what the going rate is and put together a draft contract for you to review.’
Legs wobbling, Anya groped for the nearest chair and sank into it. A job for the summer, working with someone she knew and trusted. Money in her pocket and bit of breathing space to figure out what she was going to do in the longer term. ‘I don’t need a contract.’
There was a long silence, followed by a sigh. ‘Okay. Well, look, I’ll keep my ear to the ground and if I hear of anything else, I’ll let you know.’
From the clear disappointment in Rick’s voice, he’d obviously misunderstood. ‘No, I meant I don’t need you to send me a contract first, because I’d love to help Davy at the hotel. I mean, I will need a contract at some point, but I know you’ll do right by me when it comes to salary and things.’
‘Oh, thank God!’ Rick burst out. ‘Look, I’m sorry to drop all this on you but I really need to get to the shop before Mum kills me. Can I call you this evening and we can go through the details properly?’
‘Of course.’ She remembered the card he’d given her earlier. ‘I’ll text you my number, or better yet, why don’t you come over and we can talk it through face to face? I’ll make us a bite to eat. It won’t be anything fancy: a bit of pasta?—’
Rick cut her off. ‘Anything would be fine, just tell me what time and I’ll be there.’
‘Oh great, umm, well I normally try and get Freya settled and in bed by seven. Why don’t you aim for just after then, if that works for you.’
‘Sounds perfect. I’ll print off one of the standard contracts Davy uses for the hotel and we can go through that, work out hours and what have you. I’ll see you later.’ He ended the call before she even had a chance to say thank you, never mind goodbye.
Anya stared at the phone in her hand for a long moment before she looked up at Issy who was still grinning at her like the Cheshire cat.
‘Well?’
Anya felt her own smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. ‘Looks like I’ve got time for that slice of caramel shortbread after all.’