29
The Lodge
“What time are we supposed to be there?” Chloe was changing Rosie on the living room floor as she called out to Dani.
“Anytime after twelve. It’s an open house kind of thing. So don’t stress,” replied Dani from the hallway.
“Well it’s just gone twelve now. Shall we get going, then I can feed Rosie her lunch when we get there and she’ll be happy to sit in her pushchair.”
“Sure. We could even go to Betty’s afterwards.” Dani stepped through into the living room.
“Oh, Dani you look lovely. Where have you been?”
“Uverly,” repeated Rosie as she sat up.
“L-l-l-lovely,” corrected Chloe.
Dani was wearing her cream polo necked cashmere jumper over a camel coloured leather pencil skirt and knee high boots to match. She’d dressed up purposely from the morning not knowing what time she’d finish with Gia.
“I had a few errands to run. Thanks.” Dani looked down at herself.
“Well I don’t get to wear these so much.
” She shrugged. “What with working in uniform and on my day off I wear jeans. It’s nice to wear something a bit smarter for a change.
” She dropped her cream coat on to the sofa. “Do you need me to do anything?”
“I’ll just quickly change into something less casual. Can’t let the side down,” grinned Chloe. “Just sit with Rosie. I’ll be five minutes tops.”
CHLOE TURNED IN THROUGH the huge iron gates of The Lodge and drove up the wide driveway to the parking area.
The Lodge was a large grade II listed residence dating back to the seventeenth century, which was nestled next to a large wooded area.
Joseph had bought the then, only fifteen-bedroom house and converted it into a boutique hotel and spa.
The original building housed the hotel, which had at present, twelve rooms and four suites.
It had been extended at the rear of the house where the spa was situated.
The hotel was set in extensive beautifully kept grounds of over twenty acres and was perfectly secluded from any other residence, as well as from the main road.
“Wow this place is really something.” Chloe was suitably impressed as she turned off the engine, glad she’d worn something a bit more glamorous than her usual jeans and sweatshirt.
There were already many cars and Dani spotted a large van from the local TV station.
“Well Joseph certainly knows how to throw an opening. It’s only one o’clock and there’s so many people here. Come on, let’s feed Rosie, then we can have a snoop around.”
Chloe pulled out a small plastic box with Rosie’s lunch in and moved to the back of the car to feed her.
Within fifteen minutes Rosie was sitting comfortably in her pushchair and they had headed up to the rather grand entrance. Thankfully the sun was out and even though it was mid December, it was unseasonably mild.
The reception area was set out with large tables, which held rows of glasses filled with champagne, along with orange juice and peach juice. Dani picked up two and passed one to Chloe.
“Just this one.” Chloe winked, glad that Dani had persuaded her to accompany her. “It’s very grand isn’t it?”
“Yes. It’s really elegant. They’ve managed to make it modern without detracting from the original style. I bet the rooms are lovely. I’ll see if we can have a look.”
They walked through to the bar area that had the feel of a gentleman’s club, with leather sofas and armchairs and a huge marble fireplace.
The ambiance however was not at all stuffy and the lighting, along with the large windows made the whole room feel fresh.
There were already many guests sat down, so Dani and Chloe made their way through to the restaurant.
Dani loved it the moment she walked through.
It had been set up for today’s event with a buffet table housing various canapés both hot and cold along the far side, and then tables and chairs were scattered around the luxurious room.
There was another huge fireplace and timeless chandeliers hung from the ceiling.
The room was warm and classic, in hues of cream and sandstone but what Dani loved was that the chairs were upholstered in an array of different vibrant jewelled colours, giving the restaurant a modern edge.
“It’s gorgeous,” whispered Chloe, as they stood taking in the room. Dani nodded in agreement.
“We should check out the spa area. Come on, and then we’ll come back in and try some of those.” Dani signalled to the canapés. Chloe grinned and accompanied Dani in following a sign, which led them to the spa.
A long glass walkway led to the recently constructed spa.
Dani and Chloe entered the warmly lit, marbled reception area.
There were four light wooden doors that seemed to lead to different treatment rooms, and an archway off the circular room.
Dani spotted Jenny talking to a small group of visitors, she caught her eye and Jenny smiled broadly at her.
“That’s the manager of the spa, Jenny,” explained Dani. She signalled to Jenny that they were going to look around and Jenny nodded indicating she’d catch up with them.
Luckily there wasn’t that many people walking around so Chloe could manoeuvre the pushchair without much problem. They stepped through an archway and walked along a wide slightly curved corridor, which opened up to an indoor pool.
“Oh wow, this is wonderful,” Chloe gasped.
The far wall was all glass showcasing the woodland area at the rear of the hotel. It effectively felt as though the pool was nestled amongst the trees. There were sumptuous loungers placed around the pool, far enough apart to ensure privacy.
“It is. Come on, let’s have a look at the other rooms.”
They turned back towards the reception and moved from one treatment room to the next.
The decor echoing the tones of the wooded area that was prevalent throughout the spa, rich browns, moss greens and warm rust. Each treatment room boasted an array of therapies, ranging from hot stone massages to mud and clay wraps.
There was a steam room and a sauna, both with views of the woods. It truly was stunning.
Chloe took in the view. “This place is amazing.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
Dani and Chloe swung around to see who had spoken and they were greeted with the friendly face of Joseph Mann. He stepped closer to them as his smile widened, his arm extended.
“Hello, Joseph.” Dani took his hand and shook it.
“Hello, and welcome. I’m so glad you made it.”
“I said I’d come. This is Chloe my sister and Rosie my niece.”
Joseph turned reluctantly away from Dani and shook Chloe’s hand. She immediately began to gush at how lovely his hotel was. Her overenthusiastic comments made his smile broaden and after thanking her, he smoothly steered the conversation to pleasantries.
“I believe I know your husband, Adam?”
“That’s right.”
“Yes, he oversaw the sale of this property. His firm have been our family’s lawyers for years. He said he was going to try and come today, but seeing as you’re with Dani, I presume he won’t be making it.”
“Oh he’ll be here later on. I came with Dani because she had no one to come with. I think he’s coming with one of the other partners.”
“Ah, I see.” Her comment seemed to please him.
Joseph gave them more details on the progress of the hotel and when he felt it would be fully up and running.
At present the spa was fully operational and half of the rooms were available.
Chloe noted he directed all his comments to Dani and sensed he had a lot more to say.
Not wanting to make him feel uncomfortable she excused herself and arranged to meet Dani in the restaurant after she’d strolled around the grounds with Rosie.
It was just past two by the time Chloe made her way out of the entrance and across the beautifully landscaped gardens. Rosie had become very quiet and Chloe knew if she just walked around a little more she was sure to fall asleep.
“So, did you manage to see all of the hotel?” Joseph asked Dani as they walked slowly back to the spa reception area.
“Very fleetingly, the bar area is beautifully decorated and the restaurant, well it’s stunning Joseph. You’ve done an incredible job here. I don’t know what state the place was in before but it’s certainly lovely now.”
“Thank you. It was in an appalling state when I bought it. I actually made up an album of the before and after photos and the work as it progressed.”
“What a great idea.”
“I’m thinking of framing the best ones and hanging them in the reception. Would you like to see them? They’re in my office just off reception.”
“I wouldn’t want to pull you away from your guests.”
“It won’t take long.” He stopped walking and turned to look at her. Dani didn’t want to offend him after he’d taken the time to talk to her, so she smiled and nodded.
“Sure, then. I’d love to see them.”
Chloe peeked into the pushchair and saw Rosie was sound asleep.
She sighed to herself. Well at least she would be able to sit and wait for Dani in the gardens.
The sun was out and it felt bizarrely warm for December.
Chloe found a seating area for smokers that had been purposely set up for today’s event and settled into a chair.
Within a minute a waiter came around and took her order for a coffee.
Chloe picked up the rather luxurious hotel promotional pack that had been left on the table and began to leaf through it.
“Chloe?”
Chloe’s eyes shot up, hearing someone’s unfamiliar voice calling her name. She was met by the mesmerizingly blue eyes of Jerome Ferretti.
Whoa… Sexpot!
Chloe gaped a little, then pulled herself together. Jeez, how did Dani work alongside that all day? He was gorgeous.
“Jerome! Hello.” Chloe managed to pull herself together.
“Hello. I thought it was you. I saw you pushing Rosie around over there.” He turned and gestured elegantly with his hand towards the area she’d just walked from.
“Yes. I took her for a walk, so she could take a nap.”