Anna spent the rest of the day in a daze, trying to be helpful, but not getting very far. She watched happily as Stella fixed the ballroom doorframe in the lobby and hung new glass doors.
‘Next time, make a mess tidily!’ said Hilary, distinctly unimpressed at having to vacuum the carpet again.
But by the time they had finished, the lobby looked as good as new.
‘It’s like the hotel was always missing it, and yet I never knew!’ said Anna.
‘Another room for me to clean,’ grumbled Hilary.
Anna hadn’t considered the extra workload for Hilary. ‘Yes. Sorry,’ she said. ‘I’ll help you with that.’
‘As long as you dust properly,’ said Hilary.
‘How hard can it be?’ teased Anna with a smile.
‘Cleaning is not a laughing matter,’ said Hilary.
The day passed without any further excitement. Anna followed Hilary’s directions, and by the late evening the ballroom was looking fabulously spick and span. But once most creatures had gone to bed Anna realised she was too tired to stay up to cater for her nocturnal guests.
‘Go to bed, miss,’ said Lemmy, recharged after a power nap. He could see she was struggling. ‘I’ve got the night shift covered. All meals have been prepared, and they’re ready for the guests.’
‘Thanks, Lemmy,’ said Anna, drifting downstairs as her eyelids threatened to shut. ‘Any trouble from Mr Sweet, come and get me.’
‘I think he’s long gone, miss,’ said T. Bear, who was also heading off to bed.
‘Really?’ said Anna.
‘The band had a big bust-up last night,’ he replied.
‘Well, I can’t say I’m sad about seeing the back of Mr Sweet,’ said Anna. ‘He was a nasty piece of work.’
‘That honey badger put Mr Ruffian in the shade,’ said T. Bear.
Anna turned to Lemmy. ‘Looks like it might be a quiet one,’ she said.
‘Exactly how I like it!’ he replied.
•
As Lemmy tidied some papers on a table in the lobby the lift bell chimed. Kool Bananas walked out, rattling his drumsticks against a tall vase – rat-a-tat-a-tat!
‘Goodnight!’ said Lemmy. ‘Or is it good morning for you?’
‘Hey, Lem!’ said Kool. ‘Any chance of some food?’
‘You bet!’ said Lemmy, trying to sound relaxed. ‘I’ll get some now. Still no sign of your manager?’
‘He’s vanished,’ said Kool, clacking his sticks above his head happily.
‘But what about your gig?’ asked Lemmy.
‘We don’t need him,’ said Kool. ‘You’ll be coming, right? I’ll get you in on the guest list.’
Lemmy felt the tummy rumblings of being star-struck again. ‘You’d do that for me?’
‘No trouble,’ said Kool, drumming lightly on Lemmy’s shoulders.
They went into the restaurant and found Wilbur asleep at one of the tables. The sheepdog was still struggling to get used to having a roof over his head.
‘What’s the deal with him?’ asked Kool. ‘I love his hair. Think I could rock that look?’
‘That’s Wilbur,’ said Lemmy. ‘He’s not had a home for years, so he tends to forget that he can go to bed.’
‘I know how that feels,’ said Kool. ‘We’ve been on the road non-stop for two years. I don’t even know where I live any more.’
Lemmy went to the sheepdog and rubbed his shoulder, gently waking him up. ‘It’s getting late, sir,’ said Lemmy.
‘Is it?’ said Wilbur, yawning. ‘Day and night, ain’t much different to me.’
‘Hey!’ said Kool. ‘You’re a nocturnal animal, like us!’
‘I s’pose I am,’ said the sheepdog.
‘And great hair,’ said Kool.
‘You like it?’ said Wilbur.
‘Yeah, it’s massive!’
Wilbur smiled and held out his paw. ‘Nice to meet you,’ he said.
Wilbur was at least five times the size of the bushbaby, but the two animals shook paws.
‘If you’re about later,’ said Kool, ‘we’re practising in the ballroom. Stop by.’
‘Thanks,’ said Wilbur. ‘I will.’
Lemmy’s eyes and mouth opened wide. There was nothing he’d like more than to watch the band play.
‘Oh, Lem,’ said Kool. ‘You too! You’re always welcome.’
Kool slipped his sticks in his pocket and sat at a table. ‘Now for some food, yeah?’ he said, smiling.
‘Right away!’ said Lemmy.