Chapter Three
‘He burst into the dining room like James Bond.’ Hattie chuckled and reached for a slice of toast. ‘Even Lucinda sobered up and went into a Pussy Galore routine.’ She sat at the table in Jo’s house, which adjoined the hotel and was accessed through a doorway leading to the panelled restaurant.
Hattie recalled the previous evening. Andy Mack had certainly made an impression on everyone.
Pete, Jo’s partner, looked up. ‘Are you going to eat all that?’ he asked as Hattie piled breakfast into her mouth.
‘Think of your cholesterol,’ Jo said.
‘It’ll be lower than yours, that’s for sure.’ Hattie reached for a napkin. ‘I have the BMI of a baby.’ She dabbed at her mouth. ‘My appetite merely feeds my beautiful soul.’
‘And your hips.’ Pete chuckled and ducked as Hattie swiped at his head with a napkin.
‘Was there ever a time when we didn’t worry about what we eat?’ Jo sipped a coffee and flicked through the Sunday papers.
‘Not something Andy Mack will worry about,’ Hattie said. ‘I bet he’s got a six-pack you can dance on.’
‘He certainly doesn’t look his age.’ Jo thought about the booking form they’d received from Andy Mack. He came within their boomer category, but at fifty-three looked far too young to be a widower, newly single and retired.
‘He ticks all the boxes,’ Hattie said, ‘but mark my words, there’ll be trouble.
You won’t be able to move in Hair and Beauty tomorrow.
’ She thought about the flood of requests she’d received that morning from female guests who’d been dazzled when Andy had made his late appearance the previous evening.
Even Lucinda had booked a manicure. ‘Sir Henry won’t be happy,’ Hattie continued, ‘with a young buck on the loose he’ll be well and truly put out. ’
‘Hattie, you do exaggerate, although I have to say that Kate was very taken.’
‘Taken?’ Hattie was aghast. ‘She was as red as a raspberry from the moment he sat down. No one needs a course on Clairvoyance in Midlife to see which way the wind blows there.’
‘Kate is very vulnerable at the moment.’ Jo folded the newspapers. ‘She’s still getting over the death of her father and we need to keep an eye on her.’ She reached down to stroke Bunty, who’d appeared from under the table. ‘Come on, Pete, it’s time we took this one for a walk.’
Pete flicked a scrap of bacon and Bunty wagged her tail as she caught it. He stood and followed Jo to the utility room.
Jo grabbed a coat and handed Pete a pair of wellingtons. He pulled them over thick walking socks. ‘See you later, Hattie,’ they both called out.
‘Aye, you two lovebirds, have a good time.’ Hattie watched them slip out of the side entrance of the house and head for the village and fells beyond.
She poured herself another cup of coffee and sat back.
She loved Sundays. It was the one day when there were no classes and guests were left to amuse themselves.
Some got together and went for a walk by the River Bevan or into the Lake District, while others lingered around the hotel and sat by the fire to catch up on the week’s gossip.
Later they’d dine on a roast dinner, then relax with a good book or perhaps a game of scrabble or chess.
Hattie made a mental note to call her family later.
Her two sons had left Marland several years earlier and both were now married.
One in the army living abroad, the other settled in Australia having married an Aussie girl he met when travelling.
She missed her boys terribly but was proud of the life they’d made for themselves and even though they were far away, looked forward to their phone chats.
She finished her drink and decided that she’d have a bath. The bathrooms in Jo’s house still had the old roll-tops, which were deep and a comfortable place to relax. She grabbed the last piece of toast and, selecting the gossip section from the papers, headed up the stairs.
* * *
Kate lay in the bubbles of her jacuzzi and wondered what the hell had happened.
Had a lightning bolt struck Boomerville the previous evening?
For something had rendered her senseless and her heart felt like it might explode.
For the first time in years, Kate had feelings.
Feelings that were not connected with pain and sadness over death and illness, but those of romance and passion.
Suddenly life felt a little bit scary but incredibly exciting too.
She sat up and ran cold water, splashing it on her face. ‘You can call me Andy.’ Kate buried her face in her hands as she remembered his words.
Andy Mack sat beside her throughout dinner and his dark eyes had studied her carefully.
When he spoke, his hands moved to emphasise a point and Kate noted that they were strong and expressive.
She’d been glued to his words as she listened to his story unfold as he explained that he’d been a busy entrepreneur who’d recently sold a chain of clothing stores, following the tragic death of his wife who’d suffered from an incurable tumour on her brain.
Kate had tears in her eyes as she remembered her mother’s similar death and, over a glass of port, they swapped stories.
They nibbled from a platter of cheese and Kate talked about her father and how devastating his spiralling illness had been.
Andy was sympathetic and showed concern.
He dismissed his own pain and cheered Kate up by declaring that life had to go on and what better way to start than by enjoying an interlude at Boomerville?
Andy said that he hoped for some like-minded company and activities that would distract from his mourning.
His friends had told him that life could begin again and, taking their advice, he was determined to find out.
Kate lathered soap across her skin. She had a fluttering sensation in her tummy and remembered their walk to her bedroom door.
Andy asked if they might catch up the next day.
Perhaps a stroll on the fells and a drink at the pub?
When he kissed her lightly on the cheek, it was all she could do not to crumple and her knees had threatened to give way as she gripped the handle and fumbled about with the key.
Andy’s steadying hand had assisted and, once she’d said good night and closed the door behind her, Kate had collapsed on a rug, wondering what the hell had happened.
A hammer had hit her heart! It had awakened feelings of emotion and need, something she’d not experienced for years.
She climbed out of the bath and reached for a towel. Wrapping it around her hair, she slipped her arms into a robe and stepped into the bedroom where she began to daydream, closing her eyes as she swayed to an imaginary love song.
Andy Mack was too good to be true!
The perfect age, he had money, charm and good looks. Kate hadn’t been in the hotel for more than twenty-four hours and already she was planning her wedding. Boomerville would make a wonderful venue, the place where the happy couple met.
Kate opened her eyes and caught a glimpse of her flushed face in a mirror.
She flopped into an armchair and told herself to calm down and not be so foolish.
She mustn’t get so carried away. Clearly, she’d been intoxicated the night before and anyone would look good after that amount of alcohol.
Even Sir Henry seemed to have charm and Kate vaguely remembered giving the old lecher a peck on the cheek when he tottered off to bed, aided by two waiters, while Lucinda snored loudly in a chair by the fire.
Kate looked out of her window at the front of the hotel and toyed with the thought of what she might wear if Andy’s invitation still stood.
There were plenty of outfits to choose from.
A shopping trip to Harvey Nichols and Selfridges had ensured that she’d covered all options.
She watched a weak sun break through passing cloud where, in the distance, mist shrouded the top of the fells.
As Kate stared at the hazy vapour, it lifted to reveal mysterious peaks and she wondered what the day might bring.
She’d an urge to walk over the hills, hand-in-hand with Andy, but he’d probably forgotten that he’d asked her.
A puppy appeared from the side of the building and as it reached the drive, Kate saw it skid to a halt on the gravel, where a woman bent down to clip a lead to its collar.
A man followed. He smiled as the dog skipped ahead and, wrapping an arm around the woman’s shoulder, leaned in to kiss her cheek.
Kate realised that the woman was Jo and the man, who was clearly besotted, must be her new partner.
She watched the couple leave Jo’s house and head for the fells.
They paused to cross the road and stroll through the village, then the happy trio disappeared into the mist.
A man, a woman and a dog.
A picture postcard moment, and Kate wondered if Jo had always been so happy in her new relationship, for she was clearly happy now. Her body language spelt out love in capital letters and Kate felt a pang of envy.
Suddenly, Kate had doubts. Had the previous evening been a dream, a trick of her imagination?
Andy had appeared out of the Westmarland ether and he’d seemed as drawn to Kate as she was to him.
Could it really have happened? Surely there were other female guests who would catch his attention?
She must get a grip and not get so carried away.
There were lots of women at the hotel. He could pick and choose.
Kate was probably just a pleasant dalliance over dinner and his invitation for a walk no more than a chivalrous courtesy as he helped a tipsy woman to her room.