Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
The hotel residents in the bar were, Rosie assumed, mostly the wellness retreaters.
They certainly had the look of Vybe’s target market – expensively maintained women, basking in the results of their afternoon pampering: buffed skin, plump lips, beautiful nails, shiny hair.
Glasses of Prosecco were boosting their glow-ups.
At some point she’d grab a few words from them, see how they were enjoying their weekend. But not now.
Rosie spotted Ashley at the bar, talking to Jono. There was no sign of Dale or Madison, or any of the other crew members.
Ashley greeted her with a warm smile. ‘Rosie! All booted up for tomorrow?’
‘Yes! Amazing boots. I walked up a rock face like Spiderman.’
‘You did what?’ said Jono.
‘Well, a smallish rocky slope in a field, but it still felt cool.’ She looked around the room. ‘Where’s everyone else?’ she said, meaning Dale.
‘Madison’s probably getting ready for dinner – she’s saying a few words. You’re doing some pics, right?’ Ashley said to Jono, who nodded. Rosie didn’t miss the way their eyes locked.
‘Let’s get you a drink,’ said Ashley, beckoning to the barman.
‘Gaz, this is Rosie; she’s writing about us for a magazine.
Your finest Xanadu, if you please, and don’t spare the gin.
In fact, make that three Xanadus. I’m off duty,’ he added with a wink.
Judging by his flushed cheeks and the way his green eyes were glittering, Rosie guessed he and Jono had been in the bar for a while.
As Gaz lined up bottles and began pouring measures into the cocktail shaker, Rosie said, ‘Xanadu – is that a Lake District reference? It was like, a paradise, right?’
‘From Coleridge’s poem “Kubla Khan”,’ said Ashley. ‘In Xanadu did Kubla Khan a stately pleasure dome decree. We’re not quite a pleasure dome here at Grasmere Heights, but believe me, Rosie, the hot yoga sessions come close. Especially when they’re taken by the very bendy Caleb from Cockermouth.’
Rosie snorted. ‘I must partake, for research purposes. Will Caleb be coming tomorrow?’
‘Undoubtedly,’ said Ashley. ‘He usually comes early. Before breakfast.’
Gaz was busy mixing Rosie’s cocktail in stages, carefully pouring each into a long, tall glass.
At the bottom the liquid was green, blending into yellow, then mauve, and now he was topping it with something blue.
With a flourish he placed a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint on the rim, which had been dipped in what looked like purple salt.
He placed it in front of Rosie and said, ‘Enjoy,’ before picking up his shaker and starting again.
‘Christ almighty,’ said Jono. He lifted his camera from where it sat on the bar and snapped a pic of the drink. ‘I thought this was a health spa.’
Rosie was thirsty, but it was with some degree of trepidation that she took a sip of the psychedelic concoction. And then choked. ‘Holy heck,’ she said. It had set fire to her throat, but it was delicious. ‘How can something that looks so disgusting taste this divine?’
‘A tribute to Coleridge’s opium-fuelled vision,’ said Ashley.
‘What’s in it?’
‘The milk of paradise,’ he said.
‘For she on honey-dew hath fed,’ offered Jono.
‘And so I find myself in Poet’s Corner,’ said Rosie. ‘And there was me thinking Oop North was all coal mines and brass bands. How come you can quote Coleridge?’ she asked Jono.
‘I can’t – I read it in the cocktail menu,’ he said, handing it to her. ‘The hotel’s being very generous. So far I’ve had a Daffodil, a Lady of Shallott, and a Grecian Urn.’
Rosie frowned. ‘Do they do a hangover cure too? Big day tomorrow, Jono.’
‘Good point. I should probably eat something.’
Rosie was thinking the same. She’d had only a banana, a scone and a couple of chocolates today.
The Xanadu swiftly got to work, and she fanned herself with the menu as she felt her face flush. Five short minutes later, her glass was empty.
‘Another over here!’ called Ashley.
‘Have you seen Dale?’ Rosie asked. ‘From the boot shop? I was meant to meet him here for a pint.’
‘Dale – that’s the guy I pointed out to you,’ said Ashley to Jono.
‘Timothée Chalamet?’
‘Him, yes. He was here earlier,’ Ashley said to Rosie. ‘You have a date with him?’
‘Yes … no! No, I meant no. He and the other shop guy walked Madison and me back so we could break our new boots in, and Dale said we should all have a drink. Ant and I stopped to see Wordsworth’s grave but–’
‘Where’s Ant?’ cut in Ashley.
‘He had to go.’
‘Damn,’ said Ashley, under his breath.
Rosie was about to ask if they were friends, when Jono said, ‘Here’s Timothée,’ and she saw Dale making his way to the bar.
‘Beware! Beware! His flashing eyes,’ hissed Ashley.
Rosie didn’t miss how the heads of the wellness weekend women whipped round as Dale strode past them and up to the bar.
‘Hi – what the fuck’s that?’ he asked, as a second Xanadu was placed in front of Rosie.
‘The milk of paradise,’ she said. ‘You should definitely have one.’
‘Pint of Theakston’s, mate,’ Dale called to Gaz. ‘Alright, Ashley?’
‘Good thanks, Dale,’ said Ashley. ‘Have you met Jono? Photographer up for the wellness weekend.’
‘Ah,’ said Dale. ‘You doing the thing with Madison tomorrow? Up Loughrigg Fell?’
‘I am,’ said Jono, gazing at Dale.
‘Me too,’ said Dale. ‘That woman from Vybe wants me to model their stuff.’
‘Have you modelled before?’ asked Jono, his eyes taking a slow journey down from Dale’s luscious curls to his feet.
He was wearing a teal-coloured fleece, unzipped to reveal a pale-grey top, tight across his toned chest and abs, and dark blue walking trousers.
That was one smart move by Veronica – he looked like the cover of an adventure sports magazine.
‘Did some while I was at uni, to pay the bills,’ he said, running his fingers through his hair.
The glossy curls immediately flopped back over his forehead.
‘Fuckin’ hated it. The way the agencies treat you, like some piece of meat.
It’s even worse for women. You’ll know that,’ he said to Jono.
‘The pressure an’ everything. I mean, look at the state of Madison. ’
There was an awkward pause, which was broken when Ashley said, ‘Rosie! I’ve something to show you. Bring your drink.’ He touched Jono on the arm and said, ‘Be right back.’
Rosie did as she was told, following Ashley over to the door.
‘What is it?’ she said, then gasped as they stepped outside.
The cloud had suddenly, miraculously lifted, and all around were mountains bathed in the golden light of early evening.
The low, slanting rays of the sun (sun!) were highlighting the vibrant new green of the trees and fields on the slopes around the lake, while the higher, more distant fells were a shadowy purple.
The few clouds that remained, floating high o’er vales and hills, were tinged with soft shades of pink and peach, reflected in the mirror-like surface of Grasmere.
‘Listen –’ said Ashley. The air was filled with birdsong. ‘And that smell – the earth after the rain.’
‘Oooh,’ breathed Rosie. ‘I get it now. And who’d have thought the weather could change so quickly!’
‘That’s where you’re going tomorrow,’ he said, pointing to a rocky hill on the far side of the lake.
‘That doesn’t look too high.’ After today’s brief rehearsal, Rosie was looking forward to the real deal.
He followed her gaze. ‘No – the one behind it,’ he said. ‘With the knobbly bit on top.’
‘Oh. Yikes.’ Rosie took a sip of her drink. But although higher, the knobbly fell was still dwarfed by the peaks beyond it.
‘That high one over there,’ he said, pointing the other way, ‘that’s Helm Crag. You’re staying next week, right?’
‘I am indeed.’ Rosie was filled with anticipation as she pictured herself writing at the desk-with-a-view in Tennyson, or in the lounge-library, sipping tea, nibbling on gingerbread, spinning words into a light-hearted yet insightful piece on the health benefits of the Lakes, and the no-doubt memorable experience of climbing a mountain with Madison Tyler.
‘If you like, we could climb it on my day off?’ said Ashley. ‘That’s Tuesday.’
She looked across at the dark form of the mountain. It was enormous, but she felt its pull. ‘That would be amazing. But isn’t it difficult?’
‘It’s not that high, and it’s a great walk. We’ll take the easiest route. And we do the best packed lunches. Shall we lock that in, then?’
‘Yes please!’ She raised her glass in a toast. ‘Here’s to Rosie and Ashley’s ascent of Hell Crag!’
Ashley laughed. ‘Helm Cr–’
The rest of the name was drowned out by a deep, melodic crash, which echoed around the hillside.
‘What the heck?’ said Rosie. ‘Was that an actual dinner gong?’
‘We pride ourselves on blending the traditional with the modern,’ said Ashley. ‘Yes – dinner is served. At least, that’s our ten-minute warning.’
‘But I haven’t had time to change! Or … aw, my bath! My bath with my Xanadu and the chocolates.’ And more to the point, my cosy drink with Dale.
‘Tomorrow,’ said Ashley. ‘You’ll appreciate a hot bath after your climb. And don’t worry about changing – you look adorable, darling.’ His eyes swept down her pink and white clothes, to her floral boots. ‘I’m such a fan of your look.’
She wondered if he was being this kind for the sake of a good write-up. But already, after just one afternoon in the Lakes (and one and a half Xanadus), Ashley felt like her new best friend.
‘Am I eating dinner with everyone else?’ she asked.
‘Yes – there are two tables for your crew,’ he said. ‘And Madison requested an extra place, for Dale.’
They made their way back to the bar, where said hottie was halfway through his pint.
‘You’re joining us for dinner?’ Ashley said to him, before turning to Rosie. ‘We have a special, locally sourced buffet for our wellness weekend guests. Anything you need to know about the food side of things, please do ask.’
‘Tell me it’s not Cumberland fucking sausage?’ said Dale.
‘Not on this occasion.’
‘The health-kick ladies probably wouldn’t appreciate a sausage-centric buffet,’ said Jono.
Dale looked over at the women, who were finishing up their bubbles. Most of them looked back at him.
‘Au contraire. No girls’ weekend is complete without a nice bit of sausage,’ he said, raising his glass to them.
‘Dale!’ spluttered Rosie. ‘They’re here for the sake of their health–!’
‘Trout,’ interrupted Ashley. ‘And Cumbrian lamb. Vegetables from local growers. Shall we wend our way?’
Dale downed his pint and Rosie skulled the rest of her cocktail. As they followed Ashley and Jono out of the room, Dale casually draped an arm around her shoulder and said in a low voice, ‘I’m only staying if I get to sit next to you.’
Rosie’s skin tingled at his touch, and her heart began to thump. This man was like those truffles upstairs: irresistible, delicious, undoubtedly bad for you. But as Ashley had said, A little of what you like does you no harm.
She looked up at him, meeting his dark gaze, then of their own accord her eyes moved to his full lips.
He removed his hand, his fingers brushing the back of her neck as he did, and a shiver ran down her spine …
gaining in intensity until it landed in the sweet spot between her legs.
Her knees wobbled as they entered the dining room.
‘Steady there, Rosie,’ he said, slipping his arm round her waist.
‘Need food,’ she said. ‘The Xanadu is the devil’s own brew.’ She blew out a breath. ‘But I sure am enjoying the Grasmere Heights pleasure dome!’
‘Wait until you meet mine,’ he said, and squeezed her waist before dropping his arm.