by Katie Ginger
‘There’s some great shots here,’ he said, his eyes fixed forwards and his fingers whizzing about.
‘Thanks. Some little touches like a few cushions here and there made a huge difference.’
Jay looked up and smiled, then took a sip of his wine. Stella really couldn’t fathom why he wasn’t taken already. He was so handsome and easy to be around. From their previous dinner together and the telephone and text conversations they’d had, she knew he had a fun side but was still a gentleman. ‘So …’ And he began taking her through the details of the website and uploaded the pictures they chose together. The second flat was now ready for bookings and he showed her where everything on the website was and how to update it. He even suggested a blog. ‘You might not get millions of people reading it, but you’re a sweet, interesting person and I bet they’d love Frank. You could look at other social media too.’
‘Do you really think so?’ It was all alien to Stella, being such a private person, but if it helped the business she couldn’t really ignore it.
‘Yeah, definitely. I can then link them to the website once they’re up and running. They’re easy to do. Just follow the instructions on the sites, or let me know and I’ll do it for you.’ Stella’s head was whirling. Jay had said she was sweet and interesting. If that was really what he thought of her then that was pretty amazing. She hadn’t felt that way in a long time. He leaned his strong jaw on his hand as he clicked some buttons and his sweet grey-blue eyes were bright with enthusiasm. It was endearing and very, very sexy. After a moment he said, ‘It’s exciting stuff, isn’t it?’
‘It is,’ she agreed, taking a sip of her drink.
He suddenly sat back, taking his wine glass and looking down into it. ‘Sorry.’
‘Sorry? For what?’
‘For getting all excited about the website. I don’t mean to. I just really enjoy my job.’ He kept his eyes down and Stella swore he blushed.
‘It’s okay. I do it about the shop too. It’s pretty amazing actually, loving what you do.’
‘It is.’ Jay stared into her eyes as they connected over this shared experience. The space between them felt small and she had a sudden urge to lean forward and kiss him, but when her wine splashed onto her finger where her glass was tipping, she sat back and thought about the matter at hand.
‘I know I need a picture of the front of the shop. I’ll get that done this week. As soon as we get a good day and I’ve repainted the sign.’
‘You’re repainting it yourself?’
Surprised at his question, Stella felt flustered. ‘Yeah. I can’t afford a sign writer and anyway, I think it’ll look nice if it’s a little higgledy-piggledy. I’ll draw it out first, of course, but how hard can it be?’ Did he think she was mad or not capable of doing it? A sudden bolt of insecurity shot through her and she felt slightly foolish, but his eyes stayed on her.
‘I think you’re absolutely amazing.’
A firework went off in Stella’s heart and she felt its light and warmth fill her body. ‘I wouldn’t go that far. I’m just skint.’ Jay’s expressive laugh echoed around the room. ‘I’d better check on dinner. Are you hungry?’
‘Ravenous and it smells delicious.’
Stella hurried off while Jay shut down her laptop. When she came back he was waiting at the table. They ate a small starter of baked Camembert with crusty bread, chatting happily about his work and her plans for the future. Then he helped serve out the pie while Stella prepared the salad. Conversation moved on to their respective pasts. Her curiosity was piqued when he mentioned Miles. ‘I saw him the other day,’ said Jay, ‘moaning on about losing the shop to you.’
‘Was he?’ Stella asked, her fork ready with food but she was unable to put it in her mouth.
‘Well, I think he was. I mean, he could have been talking about something else and I’ve got the wrong end of the stick.’ That was very sweet of Jay, but she was sure he hadn’t. After their last exchange Stella wasn’t at all surprised Miles was going around slagging her or her shop off. A prickle straightened her spine.
‘If he was saying anything about a shop selling stupid, overpriced stock then he probably was talking about me. He came in the other day and basically said as much.’ She sighed, exhaling the tension from her shoulders. ‘He wanted the shop you see, and he thinks he could do all this a lot better than me.’
‘Well, he’s wrong there, isn’t he?’ Jay gently laid his hand on hers. ‘Try not to worry about Miles. Like I said before, he’s always thought he was better than everybody else in this town.’ He glanced at her before continuing as if confirming to himself that he should say more. His vulnerable expression made Stella’s heart thump. ‘When we were kids,’ he began slowly, ‘he used to take the mickey out of me for my accent – for being common. Not pronouncing my t’s properly.’
‘What?’ Who the blimmin’ hell did he think he was? ‘That’s so mean.’
Jay gave a self-conscious laugh and scratched the back of his head. ‘It wasn’t great fun, but it was a long time ago. I’m sure he’s sorry for it now.’
‘How can you be so nice about it?’ asked Stella. The moment she’d met Miles she’d known he was a snooty prick and the other day had only proved it.
‘Sometimes you have to let bygones be bygones, don’t you? We were both kids. I’m sure he knows he was an idiot back then. But like I said, I might have misheard or got the wrong end of the stick with what he was saying the other day, so best not to go accusing him of anything.’
‘I won’t,’ Stella confirmed, admiring Jay’s sensitive nature. ‘I’ll be happy if our paths never cross again. I certainly won’t seek out opportunities to talk to him.’
Jay’s sweet smile got the evening back on track and eventually Stella took out their dessert bowls, cleared now of the delectable profiteroles she’d got in the meal deal, and came back to find him sitting on the sofa having topped up their wine glasses and placed them on the coffee table.
It was gone eight o’clock, and the sun had finally set. The noise of the gulls had quietened and now only a few birds could be heard singing themselves to sleep. Stella’s nerves threatened to get the better of her and take her to the armchair, but she pushed them down and sat next to Jay. If she was going to invite him to Isaac’s wedding she was going to have sit next to him at some point. In her mind, the time spent at the dinner table didn’t count as it was for business, but sitting on the sofa felt decidedly more personal. He turned his body and his knee rested against hers. She’d expected a bolt of electricity to shoot through her but instead the nerves in her stomach grew fierce. Jay rested his arm on the back of the sofa and said, ‘Now that all the business stuff’s out of the way, I really have to tell you something.’
‘Oh?’ Her mouth was dry and she suddenly craved a large drink of water.
‘I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.’
Stella wanted to reply but couldn’t think of anything to say and then, before she could open her mouth, his left arm reached forwards and he cupped her face, drawing her towards him. For a second, Stella allowed him to lead, though something inside her brain warned her that she wasn’t ready for this. His lips touched hers and his kiss was soft and gentle. He pulled away for a second, studying her face. Jay was without doubt the most handsome man she’d ever seen so what was happening? Why wasn’t her body burning with anticipation? Why didn’t she want this? He kissed her again, more passionately this time but Stella’s brain simply paused. She’d imagined kissing him and how wonderful it would be, but for some reason it wasn’t making her feel how she thought it would.
She put a hand to his chest to gently ease him away but he misread her signal and instead grabbed her fingers and pulled her closer, his kisses becoming more passionate and eager. He finally paused, whispering, ‘Where’s your bedroom?’ and nuzzling her neck.
She pushed her hand more firmly into his chest. ‘My—? No, wait.’
‘Why? What’s wrong?’
‘Right. I—’ He shook his head. ‘I’m sorry, I thought … I thought you wanted to—’
Stella felt her face flame. ‘I thought I did too. I just … I haven’t been with anyone else since my divorce. It’s been a while and I thought I was ready, but I guess I’m not.’ She stared down at her hands in her lap.
‘Right.’ Jay also kept his eyes down. ‘I umm, I should probably go then.’ Stella knew she should say no and ask him to stay but the fact was she wanted him to leave. Damn it, she was useless at relationships. Jay leapt off the sofa as if she’d just told him she had bubonic plague and grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair. Stella stood up to show him out. ‘No, don’t worry. I can see myself out.’
‘I’m so sorry,’ said Stella. ‘I didn’t mean to lead you on or anything.’
‘Honestly, it’s fine,’ said Jay, but she could tell by his tone of voice that she’d hurt and embarrassed him. At the doorway to the living room he stopped and turned. ‘I still think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I’m sorry if I came on too strong. I’ll, umm, I’ll see you around.’
Stella waited until she heard the shop door slam then flopped back down onto the sofa. She hated herself for being so ridiculous, so prim and proper. She didn’t have to be in love to sleep with someone. She could just do it because she wanted to. She was an adult! But then her indignation subsided. Who was she kidding? She’d never been like that. She only ever found someone truly attractive after she knew their personality.
Anger rose up inside her at her own stupidity and ridiculously Victorian attitude, and she punched a cushion. Before long, tears threatened her eyes. As she picked up her book in an attempt to think of something else, a tear fell onto the page, soaking into the paper. Then another. She quickly wiped them away, cursing her own stupid heart, and went to bed.
Chapter 14
When Monday morning came, Stella didn’t have time to think about Jay anymore or the debacle that was Saturday night. She just really hoped there weren’t any website problems, because she couldn’t face seeing or speaking to him right now. Over the weekend, she’d played that evening’s events out again and again in her head, wondering whether to text and apologise. But what could she say that didn’t make her sound crazy? And to make matters worse, the sex-mad couple in the first apartment had been at it all weekend reminding her constantly what she was missing out on. At least they were leaving today, hopefully on time, and her new arrival would be in this afternoon.
Mr Nicholas had booked for one person so she’d made his welcome basket less romantic and included Earl Grey tea, coffee, biscuits, and a nice bottle of red wine – the one she hadn’t used on Saturday night. She shuddered again at the memory and pulled the cellophane tight, fastening the bow at the top. As check-out time was at ten o’clock and check-in wasn’t until three that afternoon, Lexi was going to split the cleaning and do an hour from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and then again from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. This meant Raina still had help in the café over lunchtime, Stella didn’t have to shut the shop, and Lexi could nip out to grab the kids from school. Stella could also pop up during her lunch break and make sure everything was fine, which is where she was off to now. Frank was happily settled into his routine of sleeping in his bed at the end of the counter and didn’t bark every time she left him, so she put up her closed sign, just for a moment, and nipped to the lower-floor flat, taking the welcome basket with her.
A beautiful bright sun shone down on her as she opened the front door to Admiral’s Corner Apartments. Stella had already installed two bay trees either side of the front door and inside the entrance hall she’d placed a welcome mat. When she entered the lower-floor apartment, Lexi was mopping the wooden floorboards, including the skirting boards. Stella marvelled at her thoroughness. ‘I’m almost finished,’ Lexi said, ringing out the mop once more.
‘It looks amazing.’ Stella’s eyes scanned the room. The small side table in the entrance hall shone and there wasn’t a cobweb or mark on the walls. Though she’d removed as much of them as she could there were still one or two stubborn stains she’d thought needed painting over. Somehow Lexi had got rid of them. Stella walked on and popped her head inside the bedroom. It had been beautifully made up with a set of new bedding, and the cushions propped up invitingly. In the living room the cream leather sofa had been waxed and one of the uglier blankets from the shop placed artistically over one end so it looked inviting and comfy. Amongst the pale creams and whites of the flat the blanket looked chic and elegant. And the whole place smelt of something warm and spicy. ‘It smells amazing too.’
‘It’s a tip my mum gave me.’ Lexi ceased her mopping for a moment. ‘You sprinkle essential oil on the hoover filter, and I had some sandalwood left so I thought I’d use it in here.’
‘That’s genius.’
Lexi smiled. ‘I know, right.’
A variety of books, purchased at the second-hand bookstore down the road, had been laid out on the coffee table and everything was spotless. Stella placed the welcome basket down on the counter top. The only unsightly thing was the used bedding that sat in a pile on the kitchen floor but Stella would soon be taking that with her. ‘I can’t believe what an amazing job you’ve done, Lexi.’ She laughed. ‘I really don’t know how you managed to do it in the time available. It would have taken me ages.’ Lexi poured away the water from the bucket and rinsed out the sink.
‘You did most of the work and the couple who just left were lovely even though they were sex-mad. They left you a tip. Here.’ Lexi pushed a small plate towards her. ‘It was in the bedroom.’
Stella eyed the note sitting in the tray. She’d never considered that there’d be tips. ‘Gosh, Lexi, they left us a tenner.’
‘I know and a really nice comment in your visitors’ book. That’s a brilliant idea by the way.’
‘Thanks,’ Stella replied. ‘I read it on a website somewhere. Here.’ She gave the ten-pound note to Lexi who shook her head.
‘No way. I can’t take that.’
‘Yes, you can,’ Stella insisted, seeing the small beads of sweat forming on her forehead just below her 1950s head scarf. She waved the note again. ‘Here. You’ve cleaned the place. You should have it.’
‘No thanks, really. Especially as it’s from your first guests, I’d feel terrible. You should definitely have it.’
Stella looked at the note in her hands. She really wished Lexi would take it, knowing how hard things were at the moment, but if she was adamant it seemed there was no changing her mind and there’s was no way Stella wanted her to feel like a charity case. ‘Here’s an idea then, why don’t we put this towards a couple of coffees and huge slices of cake for you, me, Ralph and Taylor? I’m betting you haven’t had any lunch yet.’
Lexi nodded. ‘Now that’s a good idea.’
Stella grabbed the dirty washing and Lexi placed the mop and bucket in its cupboard before they headed downstairs. ‘I think this is going to work out perfectly,’ Stella said.
‘Me too,’ agreed Lexi and for the first time in a couple of weeks Stella saw a smile that reached Lexi’s eyes.
***
At about four o’clock, a strange-looking man entered the shop. Pale and pasty, with dark shadows under his eyes his long, floppy hair kept falling down and he pushed it back with a strange flick of his hand. Even though the day was quite bright and sunny he wore a long leather duster coat that swamped his thin frame, and he carried two old, battered leather holdalls. ‘Good afternoon,’ said Stella. ‘Please let me know if I can help you with anything.’
‘I’m looking for Stella Harris,’ he said in a very posh Etonian voice that was completely at odds with his appearance. ‘I was told to acquaint her at this wonderful place of business.’
‘I’m Stella,’ she replied, edging around Frank, holding out her hand for the
gentleman to shake. ‘Pleased to meet you.’
‘I, my dear madam, am Carter Nicholas.’ His long pale fingers wrapped around hers. ‘It is a privilege bestowed upon me, by myself, that I have booked one of the Admiral’s Corner Apartments for this forthcoming week.’
‘Oh, yes.’ Once Stella had translated what he’d said into normal English, she knew exactly who he was. ‘Mr Nicholas, how lovely to meet you. Let me just grab the key and I’ll take you round. Everything’s ready for you.’
A thin smile came to the man’s face giving it some life but he still looked like he needed a good meal and some iron tablets. ‘Wunderbar. Wonderful. Absolutely smashing.’
Stella eyed his two holdalls. ‘Would you like me to take your bags for you?’
‘No, no. I couldn’t possibly ask you to do such a thing. It’s fine, thank you. Not only would it be the height of un-gentlemanly behaviour, but this one’s full of books. It’s quite heavy.’ He lifted it a fraction to show its weightiness.
Stella led the way, locking the shop door behind her. She’d only be a few minutes and there was no other way around it. Mr Nicholas followed behind with big loping steps, his shoulders rounding forwards as if life was dragging him down. ‘Do you like reading?’ asked Stella, trying to make him feel welcome. ‘Or are you researching something?’ A whole holdall full of books was a lot even for the most voracious of readers.
‘Both actually,’ he replied. ‘I’m a poet so I read a lot and I find inspiration in the words of the great Romantics. Byron, Shelley, Keats. Geniuses all.’
‘Oh, I see.’ Stella had hated poetry at school – all those metaphors and fluty language. She kept her opinion to herself though. It was a golden rule that you didn’t go about insulting your paying guests. Not if you wanted them to stay. ‘Well, here we go.’ Stella opened the black front door, glad to see it shining in the sunlight. The new welcome mat with ‘home from home’ written on it was pristine as she stepped through to the flat. When she opened the door, she enjoyed the impressed look on Mr Nicholas’s face as he walked in.