Cherry Blossoms

by Patricia Keyson

  Pat’s face lit up. “That’s fantastic. I’ll be able to save a bit and take Maurice away for a few days. We haven’t been anywhere for ages. We could visit some of our old haunts at Hunstanton. We used to go there regularly when we were younger. It will do him so much good. He hasn’t been right since the operation, and the treatment gets him down. Thank you so much, Oliver.” Pat walked round the desk and gave him a peck on the cheek, “Your mum would be so proud of you.”

  “She often told me how the hotel would fall apart without you, Pat, and that she was never going to let you retire.”

  “Well, we’ll see about that. I don’t intend carrying on forever. Not even for you. Is there anything else before I go?”

  “Just that if you’re thinking of going to Hunstanton, I could give you the name of a hotel. A friend of mine runs it, she’ll give you good rates if you mention my name.”

  Pat grinned again. “I’d forgotten Rebecca’s living there now. Your old flame.”

  “Yes,” Oliver looked abashed. “I know Mother kept you informed with all the ups and downs of our relationship.”

  Cherry, who was enormously relieved that Pat was being given a pay rise and not the sack, was beginning to feel like a spare part. But she was intrigued by the conversation. One thing that amazed her was the easy familiarity between employer and employee. But she was surprised at how jealous she felt as they talked about Rebecca, obviously a serious girlfriend of Oliver’s.

  “In fact when you’ve set a date, how about I run you and Maurice down there? I could catch up with Rebecca over lunch. It will be great to see her again. I’m looking forward to it already. Good, sorted.” Oliver looked pleased.

  Cherry felt like bursting into tears. Nothing was going right for her. Ever since the boat had flooded she’d made a mess of things. Now Pat was looking at her with a worried expression.

  “Oliver’s friend, Rebecca, has just had twin girls. Oliver was best man at the wedding. No doubt he’ll be a godfather too.” As Pat left the room after kindly explaining the situation, Cherry resolved to take a firm grip of herself. She really must get a hold on things; her feelings for Oliver, keeping a job and finding somewhere permanent for Jay and her to live. She wanted more than anything to keep Jay and give him some security and she was determined to concentrate on that and not her feelings for this man who was now glaring at her. His expression was set hard.

  “There’s nothing for it. You’ll have to move immediately.”

  Cherry’s face crumpled. She couldn’t believe this was the same man who’d just shown such consideration to Pat. Nor could she believe that she was such a bad judge of character. She fled from the room, tears streaming down her face.

  Chapter Nine

  “I can’t believe he shouted at you,” whispered Pat. She looked across her sitting room to where Maurice and Jay were doing a jigsaw puzzle at the table. They were so engrossed, Cherry doubted that they could hear what was being said, but all the same she was pleased Pat was keeping her voice low.

  Cherry couldn’t believe that Oliver had shouted at her either, but he had. She would never have believed he had a nasty side. For a second she wished she hadn’t told the truth, but then she looked at Jay and knew that she had done the right thing in sticking to her principles. Besides, to him, it was a good solution even if he didn’t realise all the implications. It had been an adventure to live in the chalet and have a bedroom to himself and play games with Darius. Now it was another adventure to be staying with his mother in Pat’s spare bedroom, doing jigsaws with Maurice and being fed delicious things by Pat. Cherry sighed deeply.

  “Thank you so much, Pat. I know you offered us a roof over our heads before, but we really are in need now.” She sat forward in her chair, looking around the room. “You’ve got a lovely home. It’s so cosy and inviting. I hope I can find somewhere quickly. We don’t want to be a nuisance.”

  “You’re welcome to stay as long as you like,” replied Pat. “Just look at Maurice. I haven’t seen him so contented for a long time.” The two women looked over at Maurice who, absorbed as he was in his jigsaw puzzle, had a smile playing at his lips. From time to time he nudged Jay and held out a cardboard piece. Jay would frown and then point excitedly at a space. At this rate, the jigsaw would be done in no time. Cherry resolved to buy some more from the charity shop next time she went to town. Or perhaps she could borrow some from the hotel. She pulled herself up sharply as she remembered that she didn’t work there anymore. She also remembered that she had to sneak back there and get the rest of their belongings. Now that was going to be a very difficult mission.

  * * *

  Meanwhile, back at the hotel, Oliver had marched around the grounds trying to make sense of the last couple of hours. He’d been to the chalet, where he’d hoped to find Cherry, and knocked at the door. There was no reply. He didn’t like to peer through the windows, but she had to be there. As she’d said, she had nowhere else to go. Then it struck him. Of course, Pat would offer her and Jay a room.

  He strode off to his office intent on phoning Pat. As soon as he punched in the numbers, he knew he couldn’t phone Pat. What would he say to her? It would seem as if he were checking up on Cherry and it would intrude on Pat’s privacy. Since taking over the hotel, Oliver had made a decision to draw a line between work and home with his employees. That way they would know that when they were home, they could switch off and enjoy their leisure time. His intention was to make the lives of the staff as easy as he could. That was why he couldn’t understand what he’d done or said to make Cherry storm off like that.

  He looked across at the desk which he’d hoped she’d occupy. It was starkly tidy. He remembered how alive the office had seemed when she’d sat there. As he inhaled deeply, he caught the scent of her perfume and looked around quickly, half expecting to see her smiling at him, assuring him that she’d made a mistake and she wanted to put the clock back to when everything was all right between them. But the room was empty.

  Unable to settle in the oppressive office, Oliver made his way through the hotel reception, pausing only to take an umbrella from the stand just inside the door. The fine rain freshened everything except him. Automatically, he headed around the side of the hotel to the river. It reminded him of Cherry. He often wondered about her life on the narrow boat, imagining her and Jay sitting together in the evenings reading or chatting. It must be wonderful to have such a close relationship. A sudden constriction in his throat made him realise that he missed his mother; he wished she’d been there for him when he was a boy. Increasing his pace, he scolded himself for harbouring grudges from so long ago.

  It was getting dark now and the moon cast its light across the river. How beautiful everything looked. Oliver was surprised at himself for noticing. Normally he was indifferent to such romantic notions. Grunting to himself, he continued his walk which he knew would take him past Cherry’s chalet once again. He resolved that he’d only knock if there was a light on. After all, he had to consider Jay who might be in bed by now.

  Scarcely aware that he was holding his breath, Oliver exhaled noisily when a light showed at the front window of the chalet. Marching to the door, he rapped hard.

  * * *

  Cherry was startled when she heard the knock. Pat had lent her a large wheeled suitcase, and Cherry had by now very nearly filled it with Jay’s things. She had to put a light on, but had hoped that no one would be about to see it. Who could be at the door? As she wondered this, she instinctively knew that it would be Oliver. Probably checking to make sure she’d gone. She poked her head around the sitting room door and saw his familiar outline through the glass front door. Catching her breath, she knew she was trapped. He could tell she was there; the light was on. It would be rude to ignore him. She decided that she’d ask him in out of the rain and make sure he knew she was packing. She’d be out of his hair very soon.

  “Hello Oliver. Come in.” Cherry stood back to allow him to enter the chalet. However, he didn’t move.<
br />
  “Where have you been?” he shouted. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

  Cherry wondered if all their conversations from now on would be shouting contests until she remembered that this was probably the last time she’d ever see him.

  “We’re living with Pat. I just came to get the last of our things. See.” She indicated the case and empty cupboards. “It won’t take me long to pack these last few things and then I’ll be out of your way.” Cherry felt her chin wobbling and ducked her head so Oliver wouldn’t see.

  But Oliver purposefully walked through the chalet. Cherry suddenly felt furious with him. “There’s no need to check up on me,” she snapped. “I know it was wrong of me to live here without telling you, I’ve apologised and now I’m packing. What more can I do?”

  “This chalet’s in an appalling condition,” he fumed.

  Cherry felt as if she’d been slapped in the face. One thing she’d been very careful about was keeping the place clean. “I’ll scrub it again before I leave.” Now she couldn’t wait to go. It would be a relief to get away from this man, this chalet, and everything.

  Oliver stood in front of her. “Cherry, I didn’t mean . . . The chalet’s beautifully clean,” he said softly. Gently putting his hands on her shoulders, he said, “There seems to be a misunderstanding. When I said that you’d have to move, I meant that this place is far too ramshackle for you and Jay. Look at it. It’s not fit to live in.”

  “But it’s our home.”

  “My plan was that you and Jay should move to one of the pretty cottages nearer the river.”

  Cherry gasped. “But you shouted at me,” she said biting back a grin as she realised she sounded like a sulky child.

  “I didn’t mean to be unkind. Forgive me?” Oliver asked.

  “I’m not sure,” she teased. “What are the cottages like inside?”

  “Come with me and I’ll show you,” urged Oliver, relief washing over him as he heard the mocking tone in her voice. His world was back the right way round now, and he wanted to make sure it stayed that way. He’d never met anyone as sensitive yet strong-willed as Cherry and he knew he was falling in love with her.

  “This is so pretty,” enthused Cherry as they went into the renovated cottage. She’d forgotten that she’d ever been cross with Oliver. Now that he’d explained, everything made sense. The cottage really was lovely. There were two bedrooms, a kitchen cum living room, and a little deck at the front where they could sit and look at the river. It was perfect. There was only one problem now. “How much is the rent?” she asked, crossing her fingers and hoping she’d be able to afford it.

  Oliver puckered his lips and frowned. “Well they are quite expensive of course with their prime river location and superior furnishings. However, there is a staff discount and you’ll be offered a generous expense account now that you’re my adviser.”

  Cherry opened her mouth to object to this obvious charitable gesture, then closed it again as she realised she wasn’t in a position to haggle. “So what will the rent be?” she repeated.

  Oliver muttered to himself, putting his head comically on one side as though working out some great arithmetical challenge. “From what I can tell, you and Jay will live here free and have your meals at the hotel. They’ll be included as part of your salary, of course.”

  Cherry couldn’t contain herself any longer. She put her arms around Oliver and hugged him tightly. “Pat said you were a lovely man,” she breathed.

  “And what do you say?” asked Oliver.

  “I say she’s right.” So close to him, Cherry sank her face into his damp jacket and felt that if the world ended now, she’d be happy.

  After what seemed like an age, Oliver gently disengaged himself. “I’ll help you move your things. Come on.” He took her by the hand and led her back to the chalet.

  Used to being independent, Cherry had to stop herself from saying that she could manage on her own. She could, but she didn’t want to. For once she forgot about Jay and surrendered herself to the pleasure of spending time with Oliver.

  Chapter Ten

  On Monday, Cherry had mixed feelings about going into work. She wanted to see Oliver, but didn’t know if he would ignore her, perhaps regretting their physical contact. Usually she felt quite cheerful when she was preparing for work. She changed into her overalls and tied her hair back in a ponytail without saying a word to Pat.

  “Are you all right?” Pat asked as Cherry stuffed her clothes into her locker.

  “Fine,” she replied, plastering a false smile on her face. “Must get on.”

  “It’s not like you not to stop and chat. I’m worried about you. I thought you would have been singing with joy, now that you have somewhere decent to live and it’s all above board. You’ve had so many setbacks, it was no wonder you’ve been down, but surely you should be happy now.”

  “You’re right, Pat. We are lucky.”

  Cherry felt embarrassed when she bumped into Oliver as she made her way up the stairs to the first floor. She could still feel the roughness of his damp jacket on her cheek.

  “Let me,” Oliver said, taking the box of cleaning materials she was carrying.

  “I’m sure you have better things to do with your time,” she said, as she unlocked the door of the first room she had to clean.

  “Probably, but I’d rather be here chatting to you. You’ll be pleased to know Darius set off for the conference this morning. No more gambling for Jay for a while. That brother of mine is a bad influence. Anyway, he seemed quite cheerful about going today. He seems to think there are going to be some attractive young women there. That’s all he seems to have on his mind . . .” He tailed off.

  Aware he was watching her, she stopped and turned to face him. “Oliver,” she said feeling her face flush, “we mustn’t get close again. I’m your employee. We’ve got to work together and I’ve got Jay to think of.” Looking at him now, she wanted to relive the moments when she’d hugged him and he’d taken her hand.

  “Mmm, you’re probably right,” Oliver said, gazing out of the window.

  Cherry was disappointed. He might have protested, made her feel that it had meant at least something to him. She turned and bashed the pillows into shape.

  “But as you say we do have to work together and . . . as your employer of course . . . I’d like you to go with me to look at the boats I was telling you about. I think we should make the decision together. Whether we like them and how many to buy. I’d like to go tomorrow if that fits in with your schedule.”

  “Tomorrow? I can’t. I’m so sorry, but as you know it’s half-term, and I can’t leave Jay all day to fend for himself. But I could bring him. That would solve the problem. Would that be okay?”

  “Will he be safe in a boat?” Oliver asked.

  Cherry laughed. “That’s a joke, right?” But Oliver wasn’t laughing. “You don’t want him to come, do you? We’ve just spent the last few years living on a boat. If Jay doesn’t know about the danger of water I don’t know who does.”

  “All right then,” Oliver huffed, “as long as we don’t have to eat fast food for lunch.”

  “He only eats burgers when we’re out,” Cherry teased.

  Oliver groaned. “I’m not very good with children. I’m never quite sure what to say to them. Do you speak to them in simple language or treat them like you would an adult?”

  “Just be yourself. I’m sure you’ll get on with Jay. He gets on with everyone.”

  “Thanks very much,” Oliver said, sounding annoyed. “You know Darius is the sociable one. He gets on with everyone, too, all ages: from babies to ninety-year-olds. Couldn’t Pat . . .”

  “No, she couldn’t. I’m not taking advantage of her.” Cherry was quick to dismiss that idea.

  But after Oliver had left the room she longed to rush off and find Pat to ask if she’d care for Jay. The thought of spending a day alone with Oliver was thrilling, but then she remembered what she’d just said to Oliver
about being his employee. There would be no more holding hands with him. Although she’d thought she’d never fall in love again after Alan had left, she was beginning to understand what falling in love was really like. She’d never felt quite like this before.

  * * *

  Oliver waited in the hotel reception. He’d decided to dress casually in jeans and a shirt. His mother, despite her general indifference to his welfare, would have insisted he take a change of clothes as he invariably fell in when he went boating. He remembered, as a teenager, punting in Cambridge with friends and getting the pole stuck in the mud and holding on a little too long until he fell in. And it was just his luck that it had been where the river was thick with tourists. He didn’t want to make a fool of himself in front of Cherry or Jay. He wanted Jay to like him.

  “Hi!” Cherry took him by surprise. He jumped up from his chair.

  “Hello,” he said, taking her hands and admiring her slim figure and pretty blouse. He peered behind her. “Where’s Jay?”

  “Maurice wanted to take him fishing and reluctantly I agreed.” Cherry pulled her hands out of his grasp and crossed her fingers behind her back. She’d called to see Pat and Maurice the previous evening and asked if Jay could spend the day with Maurice. Pat in particular had been very enthusiastic about the plan. Maurice and Jay were now down on the river with their fishing rods and would happily spend the whole day there. Cherry had made thick sandwiches along with two large thermos flasks of tea. She’d promised to pick up fish and chips on the way home, although Maurice had joked that she needn’t bother as they’d be catching their own supper.

  * * *

  Oliver lay back on the cushions clutching a glass of wine as Cherry rowed the boat. “This is the life,” he said.