“I’ve been to see André. You were right, he was anxious. When I told him I was impressed with him and his kitchens, he was very pleased. We had a chat about this and that and he’s going to make some suggestions, too. That’ll keep you happy with yet another list.”
“That’s not what I meant, Oliver, and you know it,” snapped Cherry. “I just don’t know where I am with you. One minute you’re kissing me and the next you’re ignoring me. I don’t know whether you like me or if you’re upset with me. I’m doing my best for your hotel, I’ve got Jay to think of and, although the cottage is fantastic, I’ve still got to think and plan for the future.”
As she paused for breath, Oliver came and perched on the desk, facing her. He put out a hand and stroked her cheek. “Cherry . . .” There was a loud knock on the office door. Oliver leapt to his feet, strode over, and opened it.
“Can I see you a minute, Oliver? I need to change my day off next week.” One of the waitresses stood apprehensively in the open doorway. “I’m really sorry, but we’re having problems at home.”
Sensing that it would be much better for Oliver to be left in private with Suzy, Cherry took herself and her tray of dirty crockery out of the way.
What would have happened if Suzy hadn’t come in then? Was Oliver about to declare undying love, or tell her off for reading too much into everything? Her chaotic mind needed something to set it straight again, so she began cleaning, starting with her own cup, saucer and plate. When the room was as she wanted it, she realised that enough time had elapsed for her to return to the office. Not sure whether she should pretend nothing had happened, or insist that Oliver continue the conversation where he’d left off, she was saved the worry.
The man at reception was very familiar to her. At the same moment she saw him, he waved at her and threw his travel bag on the floor.
“Cherry,” he called. “What a relief. I thought I’d gone to the wrong hotel. No one here seems to know who Mrs Hinton is!”
They wouldn’t, thought Cherry. I’m Cherry to everyone. As she let herself be held close, she wondered what had happened to bring him here.
* * *
Oliver came in search of Cherry. Poor Suzy had a very difficult home life it seemed. Hopefully, she’d be able to sort out her current troubles and he’d told her to ask him if she needed any extra time off. If anything, Suzy’s problems had reminded him that happiness doesn’t come to your door, you have to seize the day. Rounding the corner to reception, Oliver quickly hid himself behind a convenient screen and peeped out. Who was that man embracing Cherry? So, Cherry wasn’t interested in him romantically after all. She just saw him as an employer and, possibly, a friend. Thank goodness Suzy came in when she did or he’d have made a complete idiot of himself. How on earth could he imagine that a wonderful, adorable woman like Cherry wouldn’t be taken? Mentally kicking himself, he waited until he could slip away unseen.
* * *
“Alan! What on earth are you doing here?” Cherry was annoyed that her ex-husband had just turned up out of the blue. Didn’t he realise she worked here, that her job depended on her being reliable and keeping a professional profile? Pushing him away from her, she repeated, “What are you doing here?” As far as she knew, he was supposed to be in Scotland.
“I thought you’d be pleased to see me,” spluttered Alan. “Honestly Cherry, you haven’t changed a bit. You’re never satisfied. First of all you beg me to see Jay and then you shout at me when I arrive.”
“Now just a minute.” Cherry made herself count to at least ten before taking a deep breath and saying, “Shall we start again Alan? I’m sure Jay will be delighted to see you and that’s what matters. Whatever your personal arrangements are with your other family, thank you for coming to see him.”
“That’s better. I remember that hot temper, but I’d hoped you’d got rid of it by now.”
Cherry knew he was baiting her and decided not to give in. She was only like this with him. It was such a pity that relationships which started out so lovingly should end in acrimony. Swallowing hard, she said, “Jay’s with friends at the moment, but I’m due to pick him up in an hour or so. Where are you staying?”
“Well, I shall stay here,” replied Alan. He put his arms around Cherry and murmured, “I’m so sorry about the boat, I know how much it meant to you and Jay.”
When he was like that Cherry could remember why she’d married him. He hadn’t changed completely, then. That was comforting.
“We’ve got staff accommodation now.” She shot him a watery smile. “I could sleep in with Jay I suppose, or you could. What do you think?”
“I think it’s better if I stay in the hotel. What about if I book a twin and then if Jay wants to stay with me, he can?”
Cherry took his arm and led him away from the desk. “It’s very pricey here,” she hissed.
“Do I look as if I count the pennies?” asked Alan.
Wondering uncharitably if they were his pennies or Imogen’s, and why he couldn’t increase his child support payments, Cherry just said, “Fine. Let’s get you booked in, then I’ll fetch Jay. He’ll be so pleased to see you.” Knowing how true this was, Cherry added, “Thank you for thinking of him, Alan.”
“That’s one thing we always see eye to eye on, Cherry. Jay’s a star!”
* * *
Sitting on her own in her cottage that evening, Cherry was happy. The look on Jay’s face had been enough to tell her he was ecstatic to see his dad. She hadn’t minded changing her plans of taking Jay bowling over the weekend. The fact that he was with his dad more than made up for anything she could have treated him to. Content to take a back seat, she’d got up-to-date with the ironing, baked some flapjacks, and was now sitting out on the little deck, wrapped in a fleecy jacket reading a thriller from the hotel library.
“Good evening, Cherry. I was just getting some fresh air. Is everything all right?”
Looking up from her book, Cherry replied, “Fine, Oliver. Do you want to come in for a cup of tea, glass of wine, or something?”
“I don’t want to interrupt anything,” he declared.
“I’m only reading,” she smiled. Now that Jay was happy, she felt a radiant glow about her. If only things could be that good with her and Oliver. She got up, closed the book and led him inside. Not sure what he’d like, she took a bottle of white wine from the fridge, put the kettle on, and laid out a plate of the newly baked flapjacks. They had turned out quite well, all sticky and soft with honey.
Uncorking the bottle, she indicated the plate and said, “Help yourself. It’s homemade, but nice all the same.” He was so easy to tease.
“Thank you,” said Oliver, formally. “Where do you find the time and energy to do all these things?”
“All what things?”
“Looking after Jay, working at the hotel, thinking up new ideas for the hotel, baking . . .” He was going to add and finding time to meet new men, but stopped himself as he knew it would sound petty.
“I suppose I wouldn’t have done the baking if Jay had been around,” shrugged Cherry.
“Where is he tonight? With Pat and her husband? He could have had another go on the computer. You were right, he is easy to get to know.” Then he blurted out, “I wish I could say the same about his mother.”
Cherry frowned. “I’m not difficult to get on with, Oliver. Perhaps you don’t want to get on with me.”
“What’s the point? We have to have a working relationship, but that’s all it can be, I understand that. Don’t worry, Cherry, I won’t cramp your style.” Oliver felt ashamed of himself. How could he be this mean to Cherry? If only he’d spoken to her before of his feelings, she mightn’t have looked elsewhere.
Taking him by the arm, Cherry led him to the sofa and sat down next to him. “Oliver, what’s going on?”
Letting out a breath, Oliver admitted, “I saw you in reception. You were with someone. I didn’t want to intrude. I was . . .” He was going to say jealous, but ther
e seemed no point in his confession now.
He looked surprised when Cherry burst out laughing. “Oh Oliver, is that what’s annoying you? I’m sorry if my behaviour wasn’t proper in the public area, but it was my ex-husband, Alan. He turned up out of the blue and he seemed to think I’d be pleased to see him.”
“And were you?” asked Oliver, holding his breath waiting for her reply.
“Yes, of course I was.”
“I see,” said Oliver downing the remaining drops of wine from his glass. “I’d better go.”
“You can’t go yet, you haven’t had any flapjack. Here, help yourself while I explain.”
Oliver sat back down on the sofa and listened.
“I was pleased to see Alan because I knew it would make Jay happy. They are spending the evening together. I haven’t seen Jay as cheerful for a long time.” That wasn’t true, reflected Cherry. He’d been equally as cheerful when Oliver had been showing him what you could do on the computer. But somehow she felt shy admitting that. While she’d been thinking of Jay, Oliver had placed his empty glass on the table and was pulling her towards him.
Holding her very gently, his mouth came down on hers, and his fingers stroked her hair and neck.
This time there was no mistaking his desire, and Cherry responded to him with all her heart.
Chapter Fifteen
Cherry was pleased Oliver had come round the previous Friday evening and she’d been able to explain about Alan, although she still wasn’t quite sure how he saw their relationship. However the air had been cleared, and she hoped that when she arrived for work they would have the easy-going relationship they sometimes achieved when they were working together. Considering how little experience she had, she was surprised at how much notice Oliver took of her suggestions for the hotel. He’d given her complete freedom to design the brochure, and she was very excited about her progress so far. Today she was going to take the photos and make a trip into town to the printers so that they could produce the proof. But first she needed to find a digital camera.
Before starting on the cleaning she decided to go to the office to see if Oliver had one. She felt a need to see him and reassure herself that he was still the same Oliver she’d spent those precious, intimate moments with. On entering the room she was disappointed to find him on the phone. He quickly finished the conversation with “I’ll call you later”, but looked rather secretive, a bit like Jay when she caught him doing something she didn’t approve of.
“Is everything all right, Oliver? You look a bit flushed.”
He mumbled, “Fine,” then shuffled a few papers on his desk.
“Good. I wanted to say how much Jay enjoyed spending time with you on the computer. He had great fun. Thanks.” She was getting no response. He looked engrossed in the paper he was holding. She gave up. She just couldn’t fathom him. Back to business then. “I just wondered if you had a digital camera I could use. I want to take the photos for the brochure.” She hoped he would suggest going with her. They could turn it into another outing. Just the two of them by the river, but this time she’d make sure he didn’t get wet.
“Yes, here.” Oliver hurriedly reached into his desk and passed her the camera before busying himself again.
“Right, thanks.” Cherry realised things weren’t back to normal between them and she was puzzled as to who could have been on the line to make him so distracted. She felt let down, but it was a lovely day and she decided to rearrange her timetable and head for the river to take a few pictures in the morning light.
As she approached the bank a narrow boat chugged into view. Theirs had been a bit smaller, but very similar with the same traditional stern and a few small round windows. She admired the colourful painted containers on the roof, bursting with flowers and herbs. She’d had a small garden too and Jay had helped her care for the plants. She felt a little lump in her throat and tears forming. She liked their cottage and knew they were very lucky, but the time they’d spent on the boat had seemed somehow magical and special. It had been just her and Jay facing the world. The woman at the helm waved, and after Cherry had acknowledged her, she took a few shots with the boat in the foreground. They were just the type of picture she wanted. Slightly cheered, she made her way back to the hotel, ready to start cleaning the bedrooms.
As she passed reception she noticed a woman waiting at the desk. Cherry wondered if Oliver knew how much time the receptionist, Emma, was spending in the kitchen with André and how little time actually working.
“May I help?” she asked the attractive blonde, hoping she didn’t look too scruffy, but knowing her hair was all over the place. She patted at it frantically.
“I’m here to see Mr Fingle,” the woman replied with a gravelly voice. Cherry immediately assumed she must be a friend of Darius, probably an ex-girlfriend giving chase.
“I’m sorry, Darius has gone to Spain.”
“Not Darius, I’m here to see Olly,” the woman smiled, showing pearly white teeth.
Cherry asked her to take a seat while she called Oliver on the phone. “There’s someone to see you, but I think you were expecting her,” she muttered, having suddenly realised why Oliver had been so embarrassed about the call he’d been making. Cherry was annoyed when he feigned surprise.
“Who is it?” he asked.
“Don’t give me all that after giving me a hard time about Alan. Hypocrite!” She slammed the phone down and stamped off up the stairs. That morning she broke a cup in one of the bedrooms and cracked a toilet seat when she slammed it down. And she was very nearly rude to one of the guests who complained about the lack of a towelling dressing gown. Suddenly remembering she was now part of the management team she smiled sweetly, promised to bring one immediately and said she’d inform the owner of the hotel. If she ever spoke to him again, she added to herself. She couldn’t believe Oliver was doing this to her, letting her believe there was a possibility of a relationship with him and then meeting some other woman, right under her nose. But maybe he’d hoped the woman would be more discreet, maybe at least he’d wanted to break things to her gently.
When she’d finished the cleaning she passed back through reception, but hurried away when she saw Oliver and the woman sitting close together and laughing uproariously. Had she and Oliver ever laughed like that? She had a horrible feeling Oliver was holding the woman’s hand.
Pat wasn’t about so she wasn’t able to give vent to her feelings. She ate her sandwiches and drank her tea and began to feel less and less angry and more and more upset. For the first time since her split from Alan she’d met a man she really cared for. But just what were her feelings for Oliver? He made her heart beat fast, made her emotions dance . . . The truth was she’d fallen in love with him. And now he was going to let her down. Well, she’d steer clear of men for the rest of her life. Banging the lid back on to her sandwich box she prepared to get back to work, but just at that moment Emma floated in bringing a hint of jasmine with her. She had a dreamy look and Cherry wondered whether she should throw a glass of cold water over her to bring her back to reality.
“Do you believe in love at first sight?” Emma asked languorously.
Cherry wasn’t sure she believed in love at all anymore and said nothing.
“The first time I saw André I was smitten. It was the same for him, too. Can you believe it? Have you ever been really in love?”
Cherry didn’t answer immediately. She’d thought she’d loved Alan, and she didn’t want to delve into her feelings for Oliver. “I’ve been married,” she said, dodging the question.
“We’re going to get married. As soon as we’ve told our families and arranged things. How long will that take? I can’t wait. Do you think Oliver will give us a reduction if we hold the wedding here?” Emma’s eyes sparkled.
“Who’ll do the cooking? André?”
Emma laughed. “You’re really funny. It’s no wonder Oliver fancies you.”
Cherry hadn’t meant to be funny, she was too upse
t to be humorous, but Emma’s comment intrigued her. “What d’you mean about Oliver fancying me?”
“Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed. We’re always laughing about it. In a nice way, we think he’s cute. He’s always gazing at you with a soppy look. Wandering round the hotel when you’re cleaning, hoping he’ll bump into you. All the staff know he’s crazy about you. We thought you were getting quite friendly with each other.”
For an instant Cherry glowed, but then she remembered the secret phone call and the woman who called him Olly. “I think you must all have it wrong,” she said.
Emma shrugged and gazed dreamily into space.
* * *
Cherry felt strongly that she ought to go to the office for the afternoon, but once again wondered whether or not she was doing the right thing working so closely with someone she had such strong feelings for. She really didn’t want to be near Oliver right now so she decided to take the camera and get some more pictures. That could be called working, surely, not that it mattered anymore.
Having walked in the woods, taken pictures of everything that appealed to her, including the intricate patterns in the bark of some of the trees, she headed back to the river. The sky was darkening and she hoped for some dramatic shots. Lying on the ground, trying to catch a last shaft of sunlight piercing the foliage of a tree, she suddenly understood how exciting the new job would have been. She’d have to resign even though it was just the sort of work she needed both mentally and financially. She closed her eyes and wondered why things never quite worked out for her. Suddenly she felt huge drops of rain falling on her face. She rushed to stand up and shelter under the tree, but the rain was torrential and soon even the cover of the leaves wasn’t enough to protect her and she was soaked. Her blouse clung to her and looking down she saw it was now pretty much see-through. Checking her watch she realised Jay would be back from school. She’d have to nip back to the hotel hoping not to be spotted, change into her overalls and meet Jay. She didn’t intend working anymore today and she’d have to give her future some serious thought.
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