Cherry Blossoms
Page 9
As she entered the hotel car park Oliver was escorting the woman to her car, his huge black umbrella sheltering her completely from the rain. Cherry couldn’t possibly let them see her now, so she hid behind the nearest car. Peering over the bonnet, she could see the two of them quite clearly. Even if she was of no interest to Oliver, she still didn’t want to be compared to this immaculate woman stepping gracefully into a sleek car. Her own hair hung down in dripping rats’ tails and her feet squelched in her shoes. She was starting to feel shivery and wished they’d hurry up with their goodbyes. It was nothing more than a peck on the cheek, but maybe Oliver was being careful in case a member of staff saw him. At last he’d waved her off and was making his way to the main door. Cherry sneaked round the back and through the staff entrance where she bumped straight into Oliver.
“What on earth?” he asked.
“I’ve been working, taking photos for the brochure. Here,” she said, “take this. You’ll have to download the photos and go to the printers tomorrow. I’ve had enough for today, in fact I’m resigning.” She nearly burst into tears, but knew she had to collect herself ready to find Jay. She rushed off, only then remembering her see-through blouse. No wonder Oliver had looked aghast.
Chapter Sixteen
Cherry felt slightly better after she’d been home with Jay, showered, and changed, but in need of some company. Jay had jumped at the chance of calling in to see Maurice and telling him about Mahjong.
“You don’t look yourself,” Pat said to Cherry, ushering her into the cosy kitchen. “We’ll let them have the sitting room and we can have a good chat.” She busied herself, filling the kettle and putting coffee in mugs, while Cherry sat at the table and said nothing. “What is it then? You might as well tell me now you’re here.”
“I’ve fallen in love . . .”
“That’s not news. I know that. You two need your heads knocking together.”
“Oh, I didn’t realise.”
“We all know. You can’t keep secrets in a hotel. So what’s happened?”
“The trouble is he keeps giving me different messages. One minute I think he likes me and the next he doesn’t seem to care for me at all and is seeing another woman.” Cherry was determined not to break down.
“That’s not possible!” Pat was shocked. “He wouldn’t do that.”
“I saw her at the hotel. They seemed very close and comfortable together. And he was embarrassed when I caught him talking on the phone to her just before she turned up.”
“I still don’t believe it, he’s not that sort of man. He just wouldn’t do it. Anyway he’s crazy about you. Any opportunity he has, he talks about you, wants to know if I’ve seen you, where you are, what you’re doing, if you’re all right.”
“Really?” Cherry was amazed. “But who was the woman?”
“Do you know what I think? The best thing would be to go and talk to him, ask him a few questions and get some answers. It’s ridiculous carrying on like this when you could be enjoying being with each other. Why not go now? We’ll look after Jay. And if you’re late I’ll walk him home, see him to bed, and wait until you get back.”
Tears welled in Cherry’s eyes. “You’re such a good friend. I couldn’t manage without you.” She stood up and went over to give her friend a hug. “I won’t go now, but tomorrow I’ll see Oliver. I told him I was resigning, but now I don’t know what to do.”
“Don’t even think about it. Wait until you hear what he says. You’re indispensable. Everyone likes you, you cheer the place up.”
Cherry resolved to have a good night’s sleep so that she could be strong when she faced Oliver the next day.
* * *
The following morning she found Oliver in reception huddled over a pot of strong coffee looking much the worse for wear. He was unshaven and wearing the same clothes she’d last seen him in.
“So you’re back to hand in your notice?” he asked, barely looking at her.
“I’m here to talk to you, Oliver,” she said, sitting next to him, taking the solitary cup and gulping down the scalding liquid. “I’m not sure about anything right now. Sometimes I think you like me and sometimes you can barely speak to me. When I caught you on the phone yesterday you . . .”
“Shh,” Oliver said placing his finger to her lips. “Let me explain.” He took her hand and cradled it briefly before bringing it to his lips. Feeling his mouth brush her hand made her quiver.
There were so many questions she needed to ask. “I can’t keep quiet, Oliver. You were put out when you saw me with Alan, but then yesterday you were with another woman and you looked very close.”
“You were jealous? That was Rebecca, you know about her. She’s happily married with twin girls. We’re great friends, but that’s it.” He ran his hands through his hair and said, “But she annoys the hell out of me when she calls me Olly.” Suddenly his eyes twinkled. “You didn’t have to expose yourself to get my attention!”
Cherry’s face grew hot, then she laughed. “It wasn’t intentional. I’d been out in the rain working.”
“Ah, yes, work. Are you still intent on resigning? I thought we had a future together, here at the hotel. It was going to be so vibrant and exciting, but I can’t do it on my own. I need you.”
She still didn’t know what he meant. Did he simply want her to work at the hotel or did he need her to love him, be his partner in both areas of their lives?
“As for the phone call. That was all to do with something I need to show you. It’s a big surprise I’ve been planning. But Jay must come too. It’s for him as well,” Oliver explained.
“He’s at school until three, can’t we see it without him?” Cherry felt mean, but was curious to find out what this was all about.
“Definitely not. You’ll have to be patient and wait.” With that Oliver kissed her quickly on the lips and left.
Cherry gritted her teeth. She’d hoped she’d know where she stood by now. Just then Pat breezed through reception. “Come on, Cherry, six bedrooms have been vacated and need cleaning. But first, tell me the latest about you and Oliver.”
* * *
Cherry didn’t have a good day, but she managed to finish her cleaning and work in the office. Thankfully Oliver wasn’t about, only appearing miraculously when Jay arrived home from school.
“Ready, Cherry?” he asked, grinning. “Come on, let’s go.” As they left the building he took their hands and led them towards the river. Cherry couldn’t imagine what they were going to see. As they drew closer to the river Jay exclaimed. “There’s a boat on one of your moorings!”
“I’m pleased for you,” Cherry said politely. She tried to sound happy, but was disappointed that Oliver thought this was a nice surprise for them. In fact it made her feel sad again because the roof of the boat, the only part they could see so far, looked very much like their old boat, Dream Maker.
Jay suddenly pulled his hand out of Oliver’s and ran to the boat shouting, “It is, it is!”
Oliver gripped Cherry’s hand firmly and started running with her.
“Look, Mum, it’s Dream Maker,” Jay called back before leaping onto the boat to investigate. By the time Oliver and a breathless Cherry had reached it, Jay had disappeared into the cabin.
“It’s yours,” Oliver said, proudly, “yours and Jay’s. I had it restored and refitted. I know how much it means to you both, but you seem happy in the cottage, so it’s up to you. You can do what you like with it, live on it, hire it out, use it for holidays.”
Cherry was speechless so Oliver kissed her firmly on the mouth. This time it wasn’t a snatched kiss, but long and lingering, making her insides melt and her heart pound against her chest.
As they pulled apart, Oliver said, “I’m always excited at the thought of seeing you or hearing your voice. I couldn’t bear it if you walked away from me. Please, Cherry, stay with me, I love you and I want to be with you. I want to know everything about you.”
Cherry wrapped her arms aro
und him and responded with surging passion.
“Ugh,” Jay giggled, appearing beside them. Cherry guiltily sprang apart from Oliver.
“Come here, you two,” Oliver said, embracing them both. “Could we have a future together? Do you think there’s room for the three of us on the Dream Maker?”
Cherry didn’t say a word, but as Jay bounded off cheering, she hoped that the kiss she gave Oliver left him in no doubt as to what the answer would be.
THE END
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