by Clare Revell
“Me? On a bike?”
“Yes, you, on a bike.” Carter laughed. “It’d be just like when we were kids.”
“OK.” Cal followed him slowly. He’d just have to make him promise not to tell anyone. The last thing he wanted was anyone else finding out. Though on reflection, if it was all over the internet and in the Courier, that would be like shutting the barn door after the horse had bolted.
7
Hattie sat in the kitchen nursing her tea, the menu for the coming week on the table in front of her. It had been a month and she still couldn’t get Cal Trant out of her mind. What was it about the former footballer that held her attention after so long? There was no chance she’d see him again, not unless he rebooked for next year. And even then, Steve would prevent her seeing him. He’d probably refuse the booking.
She just wished she knew what her brother had against her dating, or just seeing a bloke as a friend. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was trying to set her up with Markus Kerr. She hadn’t seen him in years, not since the last family holiday to Penry Island to stay with her aunt. Now, Steve managed to bring Markus into the conversation at least twice a day. And his name didn’t even start with a P.
The postcard Cal had sent of the weir was still attached to the fridge with a magnet. Alongside one Aunt Laurie had sent of the local lifeboat station. She looked down at the menu again, only glancing up as Steve came in and called her name.
“Hattie, when do you go away again?”
“Day after tomorrow,” she replied. And it couldn’t come soon enough. She loved her job, but needed a break. Plus, Steve had been on her case ever since Cal left. She put this down to him being his normal irritating self. She’d never known anyone to sulk and hold a grudge the way Steve did. She hadn’t even had an afternoon off in the last month. “You know that very well. You’ve only got two rooms booked, that’s a total of four guests. I’ve done your menus to fit around the shopping you’ve already bought. You’ll be fine.”
“That’s the thing. I’ve just got off the phone with a late booking. A returning client wanted to bring a small conference or house party. He’d been let down by the hotel he’d originally booked and needed somewhere quickly. We had the rooms vacant, and somewhere they could use for the talks, so he took them.”
Hattie stiffened and her grip tightened on the mug. She hadn’t heard the phone ring, but this was just typical. “I knew you’d do this,” she hissed, trying not to let her anger erupt.
“What?” Steve looked at her innocently, but she wasn’t falling for it. Not this time. “The rooms were empty,” he continued, “and the church needed them and—”
“They were empty for a reason, Steve!” she yelled. “I need a holiday. I’ve already cancelled it once. I have put eighteen months solid into this place whilst you and Penny have been away for days on end at least three times this past year, if not more than that. I do the lion’s share of the work around here and I’m worn out.”
“That’s not fair. We work just as hard as you do.”
“That’s codswallop and you know it! I’m not cancelling again. I’m not going to lose my holiday, forfeit my deposit, travel costs or anything else any more. If I could go early I would.”
She barely paused for breath. “I am tired of being taken for granted. You assume I’ll just forgo my holiday to run around after you time after time, when you both go away and don’t bother to arrange any extra help at all. You drop additional guests on me, expect me to make some marvelous meal out of nothing and work three hundred and sixty-five days a year for what amounts to pocket money. I’m tired of it.”
Steve looked stunned that she’d finally snapped and let him have it with both barrels. His jaw dropped. Then he put his hands on his hips and glared at her belligerently. “What am I meant to do? I can’t let them down, not after one hotel has already cancelled on them. I promised them those rooms. I need your help.”
“You should have thought of that when you saw the weeks blanked off with Hattie away across the top of the pages.” She took a deep breath. It was time she put her foot down and stood up to him. “Hire someone.”
“Where from?”
“I don’t know and I don’t care.” She slammed the cup down. “You know what? I’m going to leave now. Well, as soon as I’ve packed. I’ll drive and find a Travelodge or something for the next couple of nights.” In reality, Aunt Laurie wouldn’t mind her going a couple of days early, but if Steve knew that’s where she was going, he’d badger her until she relented to remain here and work. She pushed the chair back and stood.
“What about dinner?”
“You’re a big boy. You do it.” She stamped out of the kitchen and let the door slam shut behind her. Angry tears burned her eyes as she ran up the stairs. How could Steve be so selfish? What was wrong with him? Was this her fault, because she had never stood up to him before? No, she decided. It wasn’t her fault. It was bullying, pure and simple and it ended. Here and now.
She pulled her suitcase down from the top of the wardrobe and dumped it onto the bed. Packing wouldn’t take her long at all; as the case was still ready from the last time she’d tried to go away. Picking up her phone, she sent Aunt Laurie a text. Leaving here in a few. See you tonight if that’s OK. If not I’ll find a hotel for a couple of nights. Will explain when I see you.
Two minutes later came the reply. Of course, it’s all right. Come when you like, stay as long as you like. Don’t let Steve stop you. He can be a right ‘charmer’. I’ll keep some dinner for you. Talk when you get here.
Her heart warmed. Aunt Laurie really was a saint. Perhaps it was her that her mother referred to when she often commented ‘oh my sainted aunt’. Thank you, Lord, for people like her. I didn’t mean to yell at Steve, but he does this every single time, well You know that, and I just can’t take it anymore.
She didn’t look up at the knock. “Come in.”
“Hattie…” Penny’s voice came from the open doorway. “Steve said you’re leaving…”
What a surprise. Steve sends Penny to sweet talk me. Well, it isn’t going to work this time. Lord, give me the strength I need for my no to be no and my yes, yes. “Yeah, I’m taking my holiday. You remember, something I haven’t had in over a year.”
“But it’s early. You’re not meant to be leaving until Saturday, and then I thought…”
“Thought what? That I’d just cave and do what he wants again? Did he tell you what he did? I’d booked the next two weeks off over a month ago, having already cancelled the holiday once because you were away and he decided to go and join you, right? Something he knew all too well. It was written in the diary. The rooms were blanked off so you’d only have four guests between the two of you, and now he goes and fills all the rooms.”
Penny moved into the room, holding out her hands in what Hattie assumed was a placating gesture. Well, that wasn’t going to work either. “Hattie, I don’t understand. Didn’t you know about the house party? Steve rang Bill three weeks ago and offered a special rate if he’d bring a group up for the two weeks you were supposed to be away.”
Hattie’s throat constricted and her stomach lurched. She narrowed her eyes, straightening. “He. Did. What? Three weeks ago? Really? And for the two weeks I’d booked off.”
Penny nodded. “Yeah, I was there when he made the call, but he told me not to say anything. Besides, he said you wouldn’t mind staying on and helping.”
Her temper flared. That was the final straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back. Or, in this case, hers. “How dare he? So, he did it deliberately and then lied about it to my face, as well. I’m not putting up with this any longer. I quit. I’ll be back at some point for the rest of my things, but I’m not doing this anymore.”
“Hattie, you can’t quit.”
“I just did.” She pulled down another bag, filling it with random things she didn’t want to leave behind. She wouldn’t put it past Steve to take all her stuff to the tip in a fit of
rage. He’d calm eventually, he always did, but by then it would be too late for her treasured possessions.
“Hattie, you’re his sister, his twin. He needs you.”
“No, he needs a slave. I ceased being his sister a long time ago. He refuses to give me time off, he doesn’t pay me.”
“He said you wouldn’t mind staying. He said that you didn’t take time off by choice, you never went anywhere and therefore didn’t need the money.”
“Apparently he says I don’t mind about a lot of things that I don’t know about.” She drew in a deep breath, wishing she had a brick wall to hit her head against. “I suppose it never occurred to you that the reason I don’t take time off, is because someone cancels it or arranges stuff like this so I have to stay here. And on the odd occasion I do get an afternoon to myself, the reason I don’t go anywhere much is because I don’t have the money to do so? Do you realize that I barely get two hundred quid a month? That’s a fraction of what you two get. I wasn’t expecting to make a killing. I thought this was a good investment, but not even being paid to work here is really taking the biscuit.”
“Hattie…” Shock resonated in Penny’s voice, mirroring the look on her face. “I had no idea. I’ll write you a check for something.”
“No point. He’ll stop it. You know that. I don’t even know the password for the bank accounts.” She pushed her shaking hands through her hair and lowered her trembling voice. “Sorry. I don’t mean to rant and take it out on you. I have to go. Before he locks me in my room, steals my car keys and prevents me from leaving.”
“Promise me you’ll wait twenty minutes.”
“I’ll be here as long as it takes me to pack. Not a second longer.” As Penny left, Hattie carried on packing. She threw things into the bags, taking out her anger on the inanimate objects. She didn’t have much and managed to fit all her clothes and most of her books and pictures into her three matching suitcases.
She didn’t often lose her temper, but this time Steve had driven her past the point of no return.
Steve appeared in the doorway. “Penny says you’ve quit. You can’t. I forbid it.”
“You forbid it?” She laughed shortly. “You’re too late. I already have. Or would you like it in writing?”
He scowled. “When were you going to tell me?”
“It’s time you remembered I’m your sister and not your slave,” she snapped. Steve at least had the decency to blush. “I’ll be back for the rest of my things in two weeks.” She paused. “I love you to bits and always will, but I can’t work with you any longer.”
She pulled up the handle on the biggest case, trying to read the expression on his face. “You’re not going to say anything?”
“What’s the point? You’ll come around. You always do.”
“Not this time.” She shouldered her bag and headed to the door. “Could you bring the other cases for me please?”
“Sure.” Steve picked up the other two cases. “When will you be back at work?”
“I won’t be. Apart from collecting the rest of my things after my holiday is finished. Weren’t you listening?” She backtracked to her desk and pulled a piece of paper towards her. She scribbled ‘I quit’ and the date in big letters, and tucked it into his shirt pocket. “There, now you have it in writing.”
“Where will you go?”
“I’ll find somewhere. Getting a job won’t be a problem.” She headed to the stairs. At least with her qualifications and experience she hoped it wouldn’t be. She’d be without a reference which wasn’t going to help any.
“Where are you going now?”
“What is it with all the questions?” Hattie stood still. “Why does it matter? Is this so you can ring and cancel my booking before I get there? Like you did two years ago?”
He shook his head and passed her, heading down the stairs.
She closed her eyes. How did they find themselves here? She couldn’t back down because if she did, he’d crow and walk all over her, and nothing would change. She had to make a stand. Just hope he forgives me. If I lose him because I didn’t do what he wanted, what will I do? Falling out with him is like falling out with me.
She mentally shook her head at herself. No! Don’t do this. Stand your ground, he is in the wrong. There’s nothing for him to forgive, as I’ve done nothing wrong. He’s the one who needs to apologize.
Slowly she headed out to her car. Her luggage stood next to it, Steve nowhere to be seen. She loaded the cases into the boot and glanced up at the Lodge. She’d put seven years into this place and now it was over. She shook her head and climbed into the car. As she was about to shut the door, Penny ran over to her.
“Hattie, I didn’t know. I promise. I don’t know what’s going on with Steve and the finances, but I will get to the bottom of it. He had no right to treat you like that. It was unforgivable of him.”
“He’s my brother. Of course I’ll forgive him, but I just don’t want to be around him right now or work with him anymore.”
Penny held out an envelope. “Take this as part of what he owes you.”
“I can’t.”
“He owes you thousands, Hattie. This isn’t enough—it won’t even begin to cover it. I’ll get the accountant to go over the books and raise a banker’s draft which he can’t stop, for all your past wages and your original startup money. I’ll send it to Aunt Laurie. You can get her to send it to wherever you are.”
Hattie hugged her. “Thank you.”
Penny returned the hug. “My pleasure. See you soon, I hope.”
Hattie nodded and drove away, not looking back.
8
Cal headed back into the crew changing area. It had been a long rescue, made longer by the inept sailor who’d given the wrong co-ordinates. They’d found him by grace rather than anything else. He toweled down, then stripped off his dry-suit with the integral boots, and checked it over before hanging it back on his named hanger. Did he leave his bunny-suit here or wear it home again? Nah, he’d risk it. He pulled off the fleece onesie undergarment and hung it on the peg with his dry-suit.
As he dressed, Phil, Trevor and Sam, the other crew of his boat came in. He glanced up. “What kept you?” he teased.
“Tom caught us,” Sam said. “And the paperwork is ready for your autograph.”
“Thanks.” He let the sarcasm hang there. He no longer got to sign anything these days: instead he had to autograph it. He had hoped the teasing would have stopped completely now, even if the newspaper cuttings were still displayed proudly on the office wall, but it hadn’t.
“You’re welcome. Tom also wanted a word before you leave.” Sam dried off.
“Oh?” Tom Milligan was the LOM, otherwise known as the Lifeboat Operations Manager and the officer in charge of the lifeboat station.
“Yeah. Something about a press interview he needs you to do.”
He sighed. “Uh huh, right. Haven’t you lot milked this to death already?”
“Seriously. Maybe you’re going to be the new face of the Penry Island RNLI.”
Cal tossed the towel he’d used at him. “That’s you, that is.”
“I’m tired of being Mr. RNLI. It’s your turn.” Sam good naturedly threw the towel back and grinned. “Tom really did want to see you.”
“OK. I guess I have to go up to Ops to sign the paperwork anyway.” Cal tugged down his sweater. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I really hope I don’t see you guys later.”
“Back at ya.” Trevor laughed. “The wife has plans for tonight. We have the kids sleeping at Grandma’s. It might be our last evening alone before the little one arrives.”
“She’s not due for another six weeks. You guys really don’t get out much, do you?”
Trevor winked. “My mistress, the sea, is just too demanding of my time.”
Cal grinned. “She is that. Have fun.” He headed up the stairs to the huge operations room. Filled with radar and radios, it connected them to the boats and coastguard, as wel
l as the Met Office, the three emergency services and other RNLI stations along their stretch of coastline, and head office at Poole Harbor. He signed what he needed and then headed to the office.
The door was open. He tapped on the frame and stuck his head around it. “Tom, you wanted to see me?”
Tom looked up. His eyes sparkled in welcome and his blond hair, tinted with grey looked too perfect, as always. “Yeah. The Courier wants to do an interview and a piece on river safety. I figured you’d be the man to do it.”
Cal rolled his eyes. “Me? Haven’t I been in the press enough already?”
“Not really,” Tom teased. “Besides, people still remember your rescue in Headley Cross, and it won’t hurt to reiterate the need to take care out there.”
Arguing wasn’t going to work, best just to agree. “OK. When?”
“Two o’clock tomorrow afternoon. He’ll want pictures of you in full kit too.”
“I’ll be here. See you then. Hopefully not again tonight.” He winked and headed outside to where he’d parked his truck next to the shop.
Some of the RNLI stations had a small shop attached to them, selling RNLI merchandise, again all staffed by volunteers. Laurie Dillon, the shop manager was unlocking her car, her normal smile replaced by a worried frown. He shot her a smile. “Hey, Laurie. You’re leaving early tonight. What’s up?”
“Hi, Cal. Family problems. My niece is coming up to stay unexpectedly early after a fight with her brother. I’m hoping I can sort things out.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
She shook her head. “No. They’ve fallen out before, but never enough for her to just up and leave like this. Oh, while I think of it, can you chase up that quote for me?”
“Hasn’t Dad sent it yet?”
“No, or if he did, it hasn’t arrived.”