Chapter Thirteen

“I’m going to tackle the lounge now. What do you think of these curtains? Ellie held out a pair of pale blue jacquard curtains. “There’s cushion covers to match too.”

“Perfect,” Mandy approved. “Let me give you a hand with them.”

They gathered up two sets of the curtains and the matching covers and carried them out into foyer. A woman was standing at the reception desk about to press the bell. Although she had her back to them, Ellie recognised her instantly. There was no mistaking the sleek curtain of long dark hair and jumble of multi-coloured bracelets dangling around her slender wrists. “Abiya!” She squealed in delight.

Abiya turned, her face breaking into a wide smile, revealing the dazzling white teeth that Ellie had always envied so much.

“Ellie! I was visiting my folks and heard about your mother being taken to hospital so I came to see how she was. I thought you’d be here. I knew you’d be straight down to look after her. You and your parents were always so close.”

The two girls hugged, the five years since they’d last met melting away. “How are you?” Abiya stepped back. “You haven’t changed a bit – except you look so tired.”

“I am a bit. There’s been a lot going on here.”

“Your mother has been very ill, Ellie?” asked Abiya.

Ellie quickly filled her in. “I should have come down more often, checked on her.”

“You mustn’t blame yourself. Life is busy, days fly by.” Abiya gave her a hug. “It is so good to see you. We have so much to catch up on.”

Ellie longed to sit and chat to Abiya and catch up on her news. They’d always been such good friends but she couldn’t leave the lounge like this. She had to finish tidying up first.

“Are you here for long, Abi?” she asked, reverting back to the name her friend was always known by. “Can we catch up later? I’m dying to hear all your gossip but as you can see – she pointed to the pile of folded cushion covers and curtains. “I’m in middle of sprucing up the lounge.”

“Then I will help you. We will hang curtains and talk at the same time. No?”

Ellie felt her spirits lift already. It was so lovely to see Abi again. She was her oldest friend – apart from Zoe. The three of them had gone around together since their first day at the local school. The TT’s they’d been called. The Terrible Triplets. Then Zoe had smashed their bond. Ellie had left then Abi a year later, going to live in London to follow her dream of working on a fashion mag. Ellie and Abi had kept in contact at first via text and email, promising to meet up one weekend when they both visited their folks in Cornwall but they had never managed it, and eventually their contact fizzled out as they were both so busy with their work and new lives

“I’ll leave you both to it and check the menus for tonight, then pop to see your mum,” Mandy told her. They’d already discussed that Mandy would visit this afternoon and Ellie that evening. She handed her pile of curtains and cushion covers to Abiya. “Have fun!”

“I guess you’re down visiting your folks?” Ellie asked as she and Abiya made their way to the lounge.

“Yes. Deepa is getting married soon. Can you believe that? My baby brother is going to take a bride.”

The last time Ellie had seen Deepa he was a serious teenager, intent on getting good grades to get into university.

“Wow! That’s amazing. Did he get to uni? Who’s he marrying?”

“Yes he did, he studied architecture. He met his fiancée Saanvi there. They are having a traditional Indian wedding in August. You must come! Bring your man.”

“I’d love to come.” She ignored the bit about bringing her man and cast a questioning glance at her friend. “What about you, Abi? Are you married?”

Abi shook her head. “No, to the eternal dismay of my mother. I am living with someone though, Milo, and we will marry one day. Just not yet. What about you?”

“Not married. Not living with anyone. Footloose and fancy free, that’s me.”

Abi’s eyes rested on hers. “Is this because of Lee? I know he broke your heart but don’t let him make you bitter.”

Ellie felt her cheeks flush. “I’m not bitter. Yes Lee – and Zoe – hurt me but it was a long time ago. I’ve had lots of boyfriends since then.”

“But none that have taken your heart?”

“Nope. And I intend to keep it that way.”

The girls chatted happily as they hung up the clean curtains and replaced the cushion covers, then polished and dusted.

“Hey, you’ve done a good job here.”

Ellie spun around at the sound of Reece’s voice.

He was standing behind them, looking good enough to drag to bed, dressed in a pair of faded jeans and a paint-splattered grey tee shirt.

“Do you think so?” Ellie let her eyes linger down onto his tee shirt and smiled. “It looks like you’ve been painting?”

“Helping Harry spruce up a couple of doors.” He looked over at Abi. “Good to see you’ve got extra help.”

“This is Abi, a good friend of mine – we haven’t seen each other for years but she was down visiting her folks, heard about Mum and dropped in to see how she was.” She turned to Abi. “Abi, this is Reece Mitchell, a guest here. Although by the way he’s been mucking in and helping out you’d think he was one of the staff!”

“Glad to help. See you a bit later. I’m going to make sure the ceiling is dry enough for the plasterer tomorrow,” Reece leant over and gave her a quick peck on the cheek then was gone. Leaving Ellie’s senses reeling.

“More than a guest I think,” Abi murmured, her dark eyes curious.

“Well, we’ve got a bit close but I’ve only known him a few days,” Ellie told her.

“He’s divine. And he likes you very much. I think you like him very much too. No? Perhaps you can bring him to Deepa’s wedding.”

“I told you I’ve only just met him.”

“Ellie…”

The seriousness in Abiya’s tone surprised her. “What?”

“What Lee and Zoe did was a bad thing but don’t let it stop you from falling in love again. Being in love, it’s a wonderful feeling. My life would be so empty without Milo. Don’t let Lee and Zoe ruin that for you.”

“I was over Lee a long time ago and I’m so pleased you’re happy with Milo. But I don’t want a partner. I like being free and having fun. Reece is going home next week. We’re just having a bit of a holiday romance. No strings attached.” She linked her arm with Abi’s. “Now let’s go and have a cup of coffee before you disappear on me again. I want to hear all about your job. And Milo of course.”

Abi left an hour later. She was driving back to London that evening but they promised each other they’d stay in touch. “We’ll meet again at the wedding, yes?” Abi asked as she hugged Ellie farewell. “We will send you an invite. For you and Reece,” she added mischievously.

“Looking forward to it,” Ellie told her, ignoring Abi’s teasing. She’d been to a family wedding with Abi before and it had been a colourful, luxurious affair.

Time for snack, Ellie thought, going into the kitchen. She made herself a cheese and tomato sandwich and had just popped the last bite in her mouth when her phone started to ring, a band of worry coiled itself around her stomach when she saw that the caller was Mandy. She’d be at the hospital now, was something wrong with mum?

Ellie slid her finger across the screen to answer the call. “Mandy. Is Mum all right? Has she had a relapse?” Her words tumbled out.

“She’s fine, lovey. Lots better. That’s why I’m phoning you. The nurse said she can come home tomorrow so can you take some clothes for her when you visit tonight. That’s great news, isn’t it?”

Ellie could hear the smile in the other woman’s voice. “It wonderful news, Mandy. I bet Mum’s over the moon.” She paused. “You didn’t tell her about the room flooding out, did you? I haven’t mentioned it because I don’t want to worry her.”

“Of course not. I thought I’d leave you to tell her when she comes home. Then she can see that you’ve got it all in hand and not worry so much.”

“Great. Thank you, Mandy.”

Mum was coming home. Ellie felt a mix of relief and panic. Relief that her mum was getting better but panic at the thought of having to tell her about the flood damage.

“What’s causing the frown?”

Ellie jumped as Reece bent over and kissed her gently on the forehead. She hadn’t heard him come in. “Has your friend gone?” He stood behind her, wrapping his arms loosely around her.

“Yes she only came down for the weekend.”

She leaned back and nestled into him, comforted by his presence. “Mandy phoned to say that Mum will be out tomorrow.”

“That’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but I’m worried she’ll have a setback when she learns about the flood – and how much it’s going to cost. …” her voice trailed off.

Reece wrapped his arms tighter around her. She could feel his breath on her neck, smell the tang of his aftershave. “Look, you can’t take all this on yourself. You’ve helped as much as you can. The leak’s been repaired and the ceiling is dry enough to be re-plastered tomorrow morning. And you’ve stopped the Smythes from suing for compensation.”

“You did that,” Ellie pointed out, leaning back into him so that her head rested on his shoulder.

“You’ve done all you can, Ellie. The foyer and lounge look great, and most of the odd jobs have been done. We’ll finish the rest tomorrow before your Mum comes home.” Reece added, trailing kisses down her neck and sending tremors coursing through her body.

“Talking about the odd jobs, I need to settle with you for those.”

“No you don’t. We had the materials we needed here.”

“And what about your time?”

He turned her around, his mouth just inches from hers. “I’ll accept dinner as payment.”

“I can’t…” she started to say but his lips found hers and silenced her.

He wrapped his arm around the back of her neck, pulling her closer to him. So close their bodies were almost as one. She ran her hands up his back, feeling the contours of his body underneath his tee shirt. He groaned and she felt his arm slip down to her waist, his fingers slide under her top. She gasped as they found her bare flesh and stroked it slowly, feather-light kisses that burned her skin, stroking the flame of desire. By the feel of his body pressing against hers he was filled with the same longing.

“Ellie,” he murmured as his hand snaked around to her stomach then up towards her breasts.

“TRRIIING!” Damn what a time for her mobile to ring.

“Ignore it,” he muttered thickly.

“TRIING!”

What if it was the hospital about Mum? She pulled away, reached for her phone and slid her finger across the screen. “Hello?”

“Sorry to disturb you Miss Truman but no one is on reception and there’s a couple here who want to book in,” Henry said.

“I’ll be right there.” She switched off the call and looked ruefully at Reece. “Sorry but we’ve got guests. I need to go to Reception.”

He cupped her chin with one hand and traced her lips with the fingers of the other. “We’ll have to continue this later.” His voice was thick with promise. “Meet you at eight for dinner?”

She nodded. Adjusting her tee shirt, she hurried over to the door. She didn’t want to keep the guests waiting.

The guests were a young couple who wanted to book in for a few days.

“Could we have a sea view?” the woman asked. “I love being able to wake, open the curtains and look at the sea.”

“Yes, we have one free,” Ellie told her. They had a few free actually, but no need to tell them that. “The sea view rooms are all at the back of the hotel, and are very quiet. They’re slightly more expensive though.” She told them the price.

“That’s fine. I don’t suppose it has a balcony?”

Ellie glanced at the computer screen. “We do have a room with a balcony but again it’s slightly more expensive.”

“We’ll take it,” the woman said when Ellie named the price. She handed over a card for payment.

Brilliant. Unexpected guests and they’ve taken one of the more expensive rooms, maybe things were looking up, Ellie thought as Harry put the couple’s suitcases on the trolley and led them to the lift.

Her mind wandered back to the hot embrace with Reece, and his promise to take up where they left off later. She felt her skin glow in anticipation. Yes, things definitely were looking up.

“How was your mother?” Reece asked after they’d finished their meal and were sipping Irish coffees.

“She’s looking a lot better but I wish the cough would go,” Ellie told him. “It’s really knocking her about.”

“We’ll have to make sure she takes it easy.” Reece sipped his coffee. “Do you know what time she’ll be home?”

“She has to wait and see the doctor first so about two.”

“At least the plasterer will be gone by then. And I’m free in the morning so can help you with any other jobs that need doing.”

“Are you sure? It’s really nice of you but are you sure you don’t have anything else to do? You said you were down here on business?” She felt guilty at Reece doing so much for them. “What exactly is your job? You said you work for a hotel group and you have lots of meetings to go to, so are you some kind of consultant?”

“You could say that. I guess you could say I help struggling hotels get back on their feet again.”

“Which is sort of what you’ve been doing here.”

Ellie reached over and touched his hand resting on the table. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

His eyes held hers for a moment and she felt the stirrings of desire fluttering in the pit of her stomach once again. “How about we have a stroll around? Have a drink in one of the other bars?”

“I’d like that. It’s about time I showed you a bit of Port Medden. I bet you haven’t had time to look around much, have you?”

“Nope, so would you like to give me a guided tour?”

“I’ll go and grab a jacket, it can go a bit chilly in the evening. I’ll only be a few minutes.”

“Take as long as you need. I’ll wait outside.”

She did more than grab a jacket, she brushed her hair, put on a spray of perfume, renewed her lipstick then studied her reflection in the mirror. She looked tired, she acknowledged – and no wonder, she’d been working hard the last few days – but there was a glow to her eyes and a flush to her cheeks. All due to Reece. He made her feel alive. She hadn’t felt this way since Lee.

Lee was history. Maybe Abi was right and it was time she let go of her hurt and mistrust. Time she gave love a chance again.