Forever and For Always

by Sophie Love

  “I do. They’re amazing! Thank you.” Emily hugged her friend, overwhelmed with gratitude and touched by the sweet gesture, even if Serena was trying to make it sound like no big deal.

  “Right, so what needs doing next?” Serena asked, all businesslike.

  “There’s nothing more for you to do. Honestly. You’ve already done so much, getting the bedding and business cards. Just go in the kitchen, have a coffee, and eat some chips.”

  Just then, a man appeared at the front door. “I have a delivery for Miss Mitchell. Fresh salmon.”

  But just as Emily went to the door to sign for the delivery, the reception phone began to ring.

  “I’ll get it,” Serena said brightly.

  Emily rushed over to the door and signed for the delivery that had come from a local fishing company two towns over.

  “Are the chips for anyone?” the salmon seller said with a cheeky grin.

  Emily giggled, surprised. “I’ll tell you what. If you put all the salmon away in the freezer for me then you can help yourself.”

  She grinned and the salmon man looked delighted as he stepped over the threshold in search of goodies. As he passed, Emily noticed Parker Black’s van coming up the driveway and parking alongside the salmon supplier’s truck. Parker had a suspicious look on his face as he went around the back of his own van and brought the boxes of organic fruits and vegetables Emily had ordered up the porch toward her.

  “I hope you didn’t just order salmon from someone other than me,” he said with a warning tone. “I thought I was your wholesaler.”

  Emily took the box from him. “You’re my fruit and veggie guy, not my freshly caught salmon guy.”

  “Why can’t I be both?” Parker asked, sounding hurt.

  Emily handed him over the cash for the delivery. “Well, you don’t catch fresh salmon on a daily basis, do you? Because you know I can only have the best for my B&B. And if you’re not catching it that day then I have no interest in it. But I’m very pleased with all these beautiful misshapen carrots and potatoes you sell me, so there’s really no need to be jealous of the salmon guy!”

  Emily thought they had been sharing a joke as they often did, but Parker looked glum as he hovered on her doorstep.

  “Parker, are you okay?” Emily asked with concern.

  The young man turned his blue eyes up to her. “I’m actually having some difficulties at the moment with cash flow.”

  “Oh. I didn’t realize. I’m sorry.” Emily knew all too well what it was like to struggle with money and the demoralizing effect it had on one’s confidence. She felt embarrassed to have mocked him so mercilessly. “I promise I’ll get salmon off you next time I order. How about that?”

  Parker chewed on his lip. He looked suddenly very young, much younger than twenty-three. “Actually, I was wondering if you needed any help around the house.”

  “I need nothing but help around the house,” Emily said. Behind her she could hear the footsteps of workmen running up and down the staircase while Daniel directed them where to go. “But I can only pay you in coffee.”

  “I meant something more permanent,” Parker said.

  Emily frowned. “Parker, are you asking for a job?”

  Parker shoved his hands in his pockets. “I thought you might need a cook,” he said, suddenly shy. “I actually spent a couple of years in culinary school. It was my dream to become a chef before everything happened with the wholesaler’s.”

  Parker’s usual arrogance had deserted him entirely and Emily was stunned by the turn of events. Not that long ago she had looked up to the younger man for running a successful business when she herself was floundering. Now suddenly the tables had turned. She was on the other side of the divide, on the cusp of success, which meant she now had the opportunity to help others.

  “You know what,” she said kindly, “I probably could do with some help at breakfast. I mean I’m not going to be able to juggle twenty breakfasts in one go, am I?”

  Parker’s face instantly lit up. “Really? Are you sure? You’ll hire me?”

  “If you say you can cook,” she said, “then I’m willing to give you a chance.”

  Parker grinned his usual cheeky grin, transforming back into the same confident guy she’d come to know. “Emily, you’re a lifesaver.”

  “I need you here six a.m. sharp,” she said, raising a warning finger as if to say, Don’t mess this up.

  The young man smiled handsomely. “Sure thing, boss. See you tomorrow!”

  Emily watched him stroll casually down the driveway and hop into his van, wondering if she’d made a terrible mistake. That she was now someone’s employer all of a sudden was another thing to wrap her head around.

  When she went back into the corridor she saw that Serena was still on the phone, politely dealing with what sounded like an overly persistent salesman. Emily grimaced but Serena kept smiling as brightly as ever. It dawned on Emily how amazing Serena was with people, with a natural charisma and a dazzling smile.

  As soon as Serena hung up the phone, Emily said, “Hey, do you think you’d be able to help out at the B&B this weekend? Cover the reception desk when I’m busy, help greet the guests and show them to their rooms, serve breakfasts, that sort of thing? I’d pay you.”

  It seemed to Emily that if she was going to entrust Parker Black with any sort of responsibility, she ought to at least get someone she trusted more to oversee him when she couldn’t. Plus, Serena was a student and always desperate for some extra cash.

  “Really?” Serena said, grinning. “That would actually be awesome. But would I be able to stay over? I can’t drive home every night.”

  Of the available rooms in the B&B, all of them were going to be taken up with guests. There were still some rooms on the second floor that hadn’t been renovated yet, like her father’s office, for example. She would just have to set a bed up for Serena in there.

  “Yes, I can set up a room for you no problem,” Emily replied.

  “Okay then,” Serena said. “I’m in.”

  Emily smiled. She was starting to collect a team. It amazed her how quickly everything had flipped on its head. She was really starting to enjoy this.

  The day wore on, and Emily constantly kept a check on the time. It seemed to be going way faster than normal! The floors were done by 2 p.m., leaving the mammoth task of dusting and vacuuming. By 3.30 p.m. all the items of furniture had been maneuvered into the rooms on the third floor and everyone got straight to work making up all the beds. At 5 p.m. Emily called for another break. Everyone congregated in the kitchen for food and coffee, but Cynthia was nowhere to be found. Emily went into the living room and found her sitting at the piano, pressing down on some of the out-of-tune keys.

  “I was just thinking that you should get this thing tuned,” Cynthia said, “if Gus and his friends are St. Matthew’s alumni. You know how much they love a good sing-a-long at St. Matthews.”

  Emily walked over to her father’s old piano. It hadn’t occurred to her to even check whether it worked or not; she’d simply had it cleaned and thought of it more as a decoration than an instrument.

  “Do you know someone who might be able to do it today?” Emily asked. She looked at her watch. “Within three hours?”

  “Of course!” Cynthia beamed brightly, snatching the cordless phone off the couch.

  “Wait,” Emily said, before Cynthia had a chance to punch in any numbers. “Will it be really expensive to get repaired? I don’t know how much more money I can part with.”

  Cynthia gave Emily a look. “It’ll cost no more than two hundred dollars. And you’re about to make tens of thousands of dollars, my dear, so the least you can do is get this beautiful old relic back to playable standard. Jeremy has piano lessons with this lovely guy named Owen. I’m sure I’ll be able to get him out this evening to tune it.”

  Just then, Emily heard the doorbell ring. So she relented, leaving Cynthia to sort out the piano issue, and went to answer the door. It was
Jason, the firefighter she’d met the night her toaster had blown up.

  “You’re here for the pups,” Emily said, feeling a tug of sadness inside her. Jason had agreed to look after Mogsy and Rain for the weekend since the house was going to be so crowded and loud. “I’ll go and fetch them.”

  Mogsy must have sensed Emily’s emotions because as soon as she entered the utility room, she immediately cast her sad eyes and began to whine, which set Rain off in turn.

  “Don’t make this harder than it already is,” Emily said, hearing the hitch in her voice.

  She clipped their leashes on and led them down to Jason’s car, where baby Katy was sleeping contentedly in her car seat. Whether it was from the emotion Emily was already feeling at saying goodbye to the pups or something else, she felt a sudden overwhelming pang of longing. Baby Katy looked so perfect, so peaceful and innocent. Just like when Emily had seen the kindergarten kids in the parade, she felt the urge for children intensify.

  Emily coaxed Rain into the trunk of the car with a dog chew, but Mogsy was a little more reticent and proved to be more stubborn. She dug her back legs in as Emily yanked on the leash.

  “It won’t be forever,” she told the mama dog, crouching down and stroking her rough fur. “It’s just for a little while. I’m not abandoning you, I promise.”

  Mogsy flopped her head heavily on Emily’s knee, making Emily’s heart ache even more.

  “She’ll be fine once she sees Thunder,” Jason said gently.

  Emily nodded sadly. Jason was right. They would have a great time hanging out with Mogsy’s other puppy, but it was still heartbreaking to say goodbye. She’d grown far more attached to them than she’d intended over the last few weeks. They felt like her children, in a way, part of the odd little family she’d created with Daniel.

  Emily finally managed to get Mogsy into the car, then watched as Jason revved the engine and waved goodbye. She kept watching the car until it had completely disappeared, the sound of Mogsy’s whining audible the whole way up the drive.

  Finally, her throat tight with emotion, she turned back to face the B&B. From here she could see through the open front door as people raced up and down. She could see Cynthia through the living room window on the phone to the pianist, persuading him to come and tune the piano. Several of the third-floor bedroom windows were open to air the rooms, and she could hear the sound of drilling and hammering coming from them. There was still so much to do before Gus and his friends arrived at eight.

  Emily rushed inside to help finish up the last few bits. The last toilet was finished at 7.30 p.m. and Emily quickly ushered the army of plumbers out of the house. Then there was more sweeping and vacuuming to do, as well as scented candles to light in each of the rooms to dispel all the smells of varnish and glue. One by one, Emily’s friends began to leave. Birk first, then Karen, then Cynthia and George, each wishing her good luck.

  As the clock ticked ever closer to eight, finally it was just Emily, Daniel, and Serena. Emily suddenly realized that the special liquor delivery hadn’t yet arrived. Gus had specifically asked for certain brands of wine and port to be in the living room on arrival. And while he was going to reimburse the cost of it all, it had been up to Emily to order it and pay for it up front. Parting with $1,000 was not something she relished doing.

  Just then she heard wheels coming up the drive.

  “Cutting it a bit close!” she cried as she rushed outside to the liquor van.

  She handed a huge stack of dollar bills to the delivery guy as Daniel and Serena unloaded the boxes.

  “Quick, guys, pour the wine,” Emily commanded as she ran back inside to the living room.

  As the last drop of wine splashed into the twentieth glass, the grandfather clock struck eight.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Emily stood on the porch steps, her stomach a knot of anticipation. She couldn’t tell if it was excitement or apprehension, though it was probably both. She’d never felt so nervous.

  The sun was just starting to set so Emily quickly lit the candles that led up the porch steps to the front door.

  “Chill out,” Serena said. “You need to relax.”

  Emily looked up at the young woman, looking every inch the hostess in a crisp blue shirt and black pencil skirt. She had her signature bright red lipstick on, which brought out her striking features and complemented her long, black hair.

  Emily nodded. “I just really need this to go well.”

  “It will,” Serena replied. “Don’t worry.”

  Emily tried to relax, but Serena didn’t know just how much was resting on this weekend. She couldn’t help reeling things through her mind, panicking that she’d forgotten to do something. Her head was filled with everything from baked salmon to marine blue pillowcases, miniature shower gels to Denby crockery. She was certain everything had been done, that every box had been ticked, but that still didn’t stop her from mulling every eventuality over in her mind.

  Just then, a cream Rolls Royce turned into her drive and Emily tensed. “It’s him. He’s here.”

  Serena nudged her. “Smile, will you? You look like a funeral director!”

  Emily transformed her expression into a welcoming smile, despite the sudden anguish she felt over her choice of an all-black ensemble.

  The car halted and Gus got out. He looked almost identical to how he had when Emily had met him the night before, in a pair of cream chinos and matching cricket sweater, his cane at his side. Emily wondered whether the old man owned everything in cream and whether she should have decorated one of the bedrooms in cream specifically for him.

  “There she is,” Gus said with a smile as he climbed the porch up to Emily. “My angel from heaven.” She took his hands and he bestowed a kiss on each of her cheeks. “And who is this divine creature?” he asked, looking at Serena and kissing her cheeks also.

  “This is Serena,” Emily said. “She’ll be hosting this weekend alongside me.”

  Gus seemed utterly delighted and Emily was pleased that she’d made such a good choice in employing Serena for the long weekend.

  “So the others are on their way,” Gus said. “I must say we’re all very excited. We hold a reunion as often as possible but this one is the most attended by far. I’m afraid we may keep you ladies up with all our singing. We St. Matthew-ites do love a good song. Ah, here they are now.”

  The familiar sensation of anguish returned to Emily as she watched several expensive-looking cars turn into the driveway and begin parking. Her heartbeat began drumming an even faster rhythm.

  “Georgia!” Gus cried, greeting the first woman to reach the porch steps. “Come and meet Emily. Emily, this is Georgia Walters. Oh, and here’s Hank! Hank Lloyd, this is Emily and Serena.”

  More and more people began getting out of their cars, greeting each other loudly. Gus made sure Serena and Emily were introduced to each of them in turn, and Emily recited their names over and over in her head, determined to remember each and every one of them.

  “Please, this way,” Emily said, showing the guests who had arrived into the living room for their welcome glass of wine, while Serena stayed on the porch to greet the rest.

  “Oh gosh, isn’t this a gorgeous room!” a woman named Sally exclaimed. “And your artwork is lovely. Is that a Turner?”

  “Yes, it is,” Emily replied.

  “Oh, Georgia, come and look at this fireplace!” Sally exclaimed. “Real marble?”

  Emily nodded as Georgia Walters joined her friend.

  “I just love this lamp,” Georgia added, gesturing to the Victorian brass lantern.

  The two women continued to gush over the furnishings as Emily handed glasses of wine to the men, who were already sharing an apparently hilarious conversation. The house had never been so noisy. For some reason, Emily had expected her elderly guests to be timid and quiet, but they were anything but. They were downright raucous.

  More and more people filed into the living room, and after fifteen minutes all t
wenty guests were congregated, a glass of wine in hand. All but Gus, who had a glass of port instead.

  “Where’s your drink, Emily?” Gus asked as he approached her, port glass in hand.

  “I’m not drinking tonight,” Emily replied. “I am working, after all.”

  “Working?” Gus exclaimed. “I’ll have nothing of the sort. I want you to enjoy yourself. Relax. Join in!”

  “That’s very kind,” Emily said, “but really, I have to stay sharp.”

  Gus tutted and shook his head, but he did it in a well-intended way. “Well, you’ve done a sterling job so far, I must say,” he said, smiling. “I’ve never seen them so thrilled. I have a feeling this is going to be our best reunion yet.”

  Emily swelled with pride, though she still felt tense and apprehensive. “That’s great. I’m really pleased everything is to your liking so far.”

  Gus was quickly distracted by another one of his friends and went off to chat.

  Serena filed up to Emily. “How are you holding up?” she asked out the side of her mouth.

  “So far so good,” Emily said.

  “They seem nice.”

  “They seem loud,” Emily added. “We had better start checking them in. I have a feeling it’s going to take quite some time to show everyone to their room.”

  “I think you’re right,” Serena said. “But there’s no rush. Let’s just do it one or two at a time. As soon as someone empties their glass, we’ll grab them.”

  “That’s as good a system as any,” Emily said, laughing.

  Emily scanned the crowd and saw that a man wearing checkered pants and a black tank top under a yellow shirt was now holding an empty glass. She went up to the ruddy-cheeked gentleman.

  “Boris?” she asked, hoping she had remembered his name correctly.

  “Yes, my dear,” the man said.

  “May I show you to your room?”