Chapter Twenty-Seven
Kate stared at the screen on her laptop and typed the last few words of the chapter. She was engrossed in her writing and, with the help of the outline she’d prepared, now knew exactly where the plot was going and how the book would end.
The Deadly Dating Game was flowing. Her main character had depth and Kate was pleased with the way things had developed. It gave scope for a series and she had to stop her mind from racing ahead, planning the next story.
Kate smiled. The novel she’d yearned to write was born and although she knew that she still had a considerable amount of work to do, she was thrilled that she was achieving something she’d always wanted.
As Kate relaxed in a comfortable chair beside the fire in the Red Room, she wondered why she’d agonised for years, for the writing process hadn’t been as painful as she’d anticipated.
Inspiration at Boomerville had triggered all her natural instincts for words and, once started, with guidance from James, she was managing to achieve a goal she’d always thought impossible.
She put her laptop to one side and looked out through the windows where clouds drifted across a forget-me-not blue sky.
It was a perfect autumn day and Kate felt at peace with the world.
The hotel was quiet and the tranquillity welcome.
Many of the residents were attending classes and others, at Hattie’s suggestion, had gone out early, on a shopping trip to Carlisle.
Kate heard voices. Jo and Alf were in the hall discussing a small leak in the ceiling earlier in the week and with the paint now dry, the room was ready to put back in use.
Jo stood in the doorway and, seeing Kate on her own, stopped to check that all was well. ‘Can I get you a drink or something to eat?’ she asked.
‘Morning, Jo,’ Kate replied. ‘I’m fine at the moment but thank you.’
‘No classes today?’
‘No, I’ve been writing.’
‘How’s it going?’ Jo perched on the arm of a chair.
‘There’s a great deal to be done.’ Kate frowned. ‘Even though I’ve masses to do, James says writing the book is the easy bit.’
‘That’s interesting,’ Jo said, ‘why does he think that?’
‘Editing and re-writing can take just as long and then of course there’s the trawl for a publisher. It may never see the light of day.’
‘I doubt that. A woman with your experience will treat it like a business and bring her product to market like any other.’
‘If it’s good enough.’ Kate thought about the long lines of books on her shelves at home. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see her own work alongside? Even better, she imagined the book in a bookshop window, at an airport shop or online as a download.
‘I’ll be off,’ a voice called out and Alf poked his head around the door. ‘Tha’s all done and dusted.’
‘Thanks so much. I do appreciate your hard work,’ Jo said as Alf doffed his cap.
‘Is the room ready to use?’ Kate asked.
‘It just needs a clean.’
‘Was there much damage?’
‘Hardly any. Bob tends to exaggerate; anyone would think the place had been flooded out. It was a tiny leak.’
‘Is it ready for your Taste of the Raj evening?’
‘Yes, thank goodness and the restaurant is fully booked tonight. All the residents are looking forward to it.’
‘How’s Bob?’
‘He was mortified. The leak trickled onto a painting, causing minor damage, but I’m sure we can have it restored. I’ll find a replacement. Accidents happen.’
‘I’d better make a move.’ Kate began to gather her things. ‘I’m meeting Andy and we’re going for a walk.’
‘It’s a perfect day for an outing. Are you going anywhere nice?’
‘He says it’s a surprise.’
Kate picked up her tote bag and tucked her laptop inside.
Andy had been in particularly good spirits and she was looking forward to the walk.
Any doubts about Andy had diminished in the last few days and Kate had scolded herself for being worried about a couple of careless remarks he’d made.
After all, everyone had faults and she’d probably over-reacted.
Kate knew that she was fortunate.
She had the man of her dreams on her arm and in her bed and had begun to write.
Things she’d always yearned for. Boomerville was her salvation and she’d come a long way from the lonely days at her schoolhouse.
Soon, she hoped, she would be sharing her home with Andy and the place would come to life.
Her dad would be happy for her. The emotional turmoil and pain of his dementia was lifting.
‘Got your outfit for tonight?’ Jo asked.
‘Yes, I asked Hattie to find something that will work for me.’ Kate smiled. ‘Andy isn’t too keen on fancy dress but he’s a good sport.’
‘I know he doesn’t like spicy food. I’ve asked Sandra to tone some of the sauces down.’
‘He’ll be fine. It’s going to be a lovely evening.’
‘I hope so. Hattie has put a great deal of effort into the preparations.’
There was the sound of an engine revving and gravel crunched as a coach pulled onto the driveway outside.
‘Looks like she’s here now.’
Kate and Jo went over to the window where a coach from William’s Wheels juddered to a halt and Hattie trotted down the steps.
She had armfuls of packages and placed them on one side.
Willie hopped out of the driver’s cab and raced around to help Hattie assist the passengers.
Boomers, also weighed down with packages, chatted excitedly as they trooped into the hotel and called out goodbye to their driver.
‘I’d better make a move. This lot look like they need refreshments.’
‘Have fun,’ Kate said. ‘See you later.’
* * *
Jo was in reception checking the guest accounts. Bills for the week were up to date and earlier she’d printed off and placed them in envelopes, to leave in the residents’ rooms.
She liked to distribute the accounts herself and, as a personal touch, Jo added a handwritten card of thanks, which she would place on a coaster on the desk in each room. The pottery coasters had been made by Potter Paul and were embossed with the Boomerville logo.
Jo picked up a basket and filled it with envelopes. Bunty looked up and wagged her tail.
‘No, you stay here,’ Jo said and reached down to stroke the puppy. ‘I won’t be long.’ She hooked the basket over her arm and closed the door, then headed into the hotel.
‘Going shopping?’ Hattie called out. She was halfway up a ladder at the entrance of the restaurant, draping a garland of paper flowers across the doorway.
‘Just taking the weekly accounts to the residents.’
‘Nice end to the week, slapping that missile down on their desks. It will put them in a good mood for tonight.’ Hattie jingled a brass bell as she pinned it to the garland.
‘It’s the same every week, Hattie, no one seems to object and I like to keep the accounts up to date.’
Alf wore his cap back-to-front and had a hold on the ladder. He steadied Hattie as she came down. ‘Where’s tha want it now?’ he asked as Hattie picked up a box.
Jo stood back and watched the pair reposition themselves. ‘I’ll leave you to it,’ she said.
‘See you later,’ Hattie, who was back on the ladder, mumbled through a mouthful of pins. She leaned precariously on Alf’s head to hook a wall-hanging onto a beam.
‘Be careful you don’t damage anything,’ Jo said, and went on her way.
Andy wore leather gloves as he picked up a neatly stacked pile of photographs and tucked them into a large brown envelope. He removed the sticky seal and ran his fingers along the closure then placed the envelope on his desk and stuck a label to the front.
Private & Confidential
For the attention of Hugo Mulberry
The envelope was to be delivered today and, as the weekly accounts were doing the rounds that afternoon, Andy decided that a double delivery was in order. He would drop the envelope off later by pushing it under the Mulberry bedroom door when no one was about.
In the meantime, he had Kate to contend with.
Andy had promised to take her out for a walk, stating that their destination was a surprise and now he wracked his brains as he thought about suitable locations.
He tore the gloves off and moved to the wardrobe where he pulled out his briefcase, then turned the combination until the lock slid back.
Rummaging through a side pocket, his fingers fell on a small leather box and, flicking it open, he looked at the contents.
An emerald surrounded by diamonds, set on a platinum band, twinkled as he held it to the light.
Andy stared at the ring.
He’d found it on the dressing table in a suite on the Queen Victoria cruise liner, the night before the ship docked in Santiago.
The woman he’d been screwing had slept, having drunk one of Andy’s drug-laden nightcaps which led to her comatose slumber, as her husband, who knew nothing of his wife’s indiscretions, gambled through the night in the casino.
Andy had managed to take a considerable amount of jewellery and cash too, confident in the knowledge that the woman’s illicit fling with Andy would never come to light.
He was long gone in the morning when the ship docked and the delights of South America soon covered his trail.
Andy tucked the box in his pocket.
It was worth putting the ring on Kate’s finger, anything to keep her happy in their final days and a small price to pay when compared to the spoils to come.
He closed the wardrobe doors and began to get ready.
Warm clothes and a decent coat. It was cold out despite the sunshine and as he dressed, he hummed a happy tune.
Soon he’d be in balmy climes wearing thinner garments, far away from this godforsaken joke of a hotel.
Happy days indeed!
* * *
Kate walked across the hotel driveway to her car.
She opened the boot and reached into a canvas bag for her walking boots.
The boots were muddy from a previous walk and holding them in one hand she moved over to a border and began to bang the soles together.
Clods of hardened soil fell onto the flowerbed.
‘Namaste.’ A voice whispered and, startled, Kate spun around.
The Shaman stood under a canopy of arching branches that flowed from a willow tree in the corner of the garden. Camouflaged by his dark clothing, Kate was surprised as he stepped out and bade her good day.
‘I didn’t see you there,’ she said. ‘Do you always creep up on people?’
‘Your fingers?’ the Shaman asked, ignoring her question. He stared into Kate’s eyes. ‘You have no pain?’
‘Well, no, actually there isn’t.’
‘Your words?’
‘My words? Do you mean my writing?’
The Shaman nodded.
‘Er, yes, thanks, my writing is excellent, for some reason I seem able to put pen to paper.’ Kate felt silly. Why was she telling him all this? But unable to stop she went on. ‘I’ve always wanted to write and now, since I’ve been here, suddenly the words have flowed and in time I may have a book.’
‘There will be more.’
‘Well, that’s good to hear. I was thinking only this morning that I could expand my stories into a series.’
‘Your heart?’ the Shaman interrupted Kate.
Kate was puzzled. She frowned as she looked at the weathered face. ‘My heart is good, thank you. Never been better, every beat a bonus.’ She knew that she was babbling nonsense but couldn’t stop herself. ‘In fact, it’s a very happy heart. The happiest that it’s been in a very long time.’
‘There is danger.’
‘Danger?’
‘There is a power amongst us that threatens.’
‘Oh, right-o, I’ll keep a look out for it.’
‘The spirits are with you.’ The Shaman held up a heavily carved staff and drew a circle in the air around Kate.
‘Kate, darling, are you ready?’ Gravel crunched and Andy appeared. ‘Why are you standing here, staring into space?’
Kate turned to look at Andy. ‘I’m just cleaning my boots,’ she replied. She peered under the branches of the willow but the Shaman had disappeared.
‘Come on.’ Andy took the boots. ‘I’ve got a surprise for you.’ He grabbed her hand. ‘I think you’re going to like it.’