Georgia Hill - Christmas Weddings

Putting her cup down she said, ‘Now, come on, why are the hotel repairs causing you so much hassle? Money?’

‘You’re very direct, aren’t you? Funnily enough, no.’ Alex took off his coat and scarf. He seemed flustered. ‘Got rather warm in here, hasn’t it?’

‘Millie likes to keep her customers cosy.’

‘Yes, it’s jolly cold today. Somehow hadn’t thought it would be by the coast.’

‘Arthur thinks we’re in for a harsh winter.’ Eleri smiled kindly. ‘I suspect he says that every winter, mind.’ She watched as Alex drank his second coffee. He ate and drank as if it was purely fuel, she observed. There was little sensual pleasure in it. A closed-up man, she decided. ‘It’s usually money that causes the renovation stress, but not with you, so what is it?’

‘Oh, it’s the untidiness of it all,’ he blurted out. ‘The men seem to turn up when they like, leave their stuff all over the place, don’t finish one job before going onto the next.’ He wrinkled his nose in such disgust, Eleri wondered what he was about to say. ‘And have Radio Two blasting out at all hours.’

‘Shocker. I’m guessing you’re a Radio Four man?’

‘Three, actually.’

Eleri sat back and laughed out loud. ‘They sound like fairly typical builders to me.’

‘Do they?’

‘Are they doing a good job? Are you pleased with the results?’

‘Well, yes, I suppose.’

‘And are you providing them with tea and biscuits?’

Alex looked at her in horror. ‘Should I be doing?’

Eleri shrugged. ‘Can’t hurt. How about you set up a drinks station with a kettle and teabags and coffee and such? Even Kit Kats maybe? Might oil the works when you ask for the radio to be turned down.’ She laughed. ‘Have you never lived with builders before?’

‘Never.’

‘I think they run on tea and Radio Two. Chocolate digestives help too.’

‘I’ll try that. Thank you.’

‘You’re welcome. My Da runs a building firm back in Wales, so call it insider knowledge. Or a plea on behalf of good will to the building trade.’ Alex didn’t comment, so she added, ‘What are your plans when the building work is done, then?’ She was dismayed to see his face crumple and his shoulders sag.

‘That’s the other, enormous black hole of a problem. I don’t know.’

‘Surely you’ve got a design consultant or an interior designer on the go?’

He shook his head. ‘Thought I’d get one on board when I’d decided what sort of place to go for. And, apart from an outline plan, I have absolutely no idea. The hotel is a bit of a gamble for me.’ He shrugged. ‘Oh I’m used to gambling with money. That’s what I did in the city, I suppose. But this,’ he spread his long-fingered hands, ‘This is something else. I’m rather out of my depth.’

He looked so forlorn, Eleri wanted to hug his too-thin shoulders. She contented herself by putting a comforting hand on one of his. ‘Oh cariad . I think you were meant to walk into Millie Vanilla’s. You were meant to meet me. You lucky, lucky man. I just happen to have a degree in interior design and I’m dying to have a look at your hotel!’

They were so engrossed in discussing ideas that they didn’t see Millie burst into the café. She brought with her a snarl of vicious sea wind and had trouble closing the door against it. A shivering Trevor headed to his basket against the radiator.

‘Bugger, it’s cold out there.’ She rubbed her hands together before unwrapping her many layers and hanging them on the pink and blue hat stand. ‘Oh hi, Alex,’ she said, spotting him. ‘I’ve been trying to get hold of your brother. Again. I’m beginning to think he’s avoiding me.’

Alex blinked owlishly at her. ‘Message. Ah yes, I have a message. Jed told me to say he’s had to go abroad on a buying trip.’

Millie stood before them, hands on hips, expression mutinous. ‘How convenient.’

‘No really, it’s not, actually.’ A lock of dark blonde hair flopped forward and Alex flicked it away nervously. ‘He’s had to go to Bogota. I could have done with him being here.’

‘We could both do with him being here,’ Millie snapped. ‘He still owes me an explanation as to why he’s working for Blue Elephant, remember? And Bogota?’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘Where’s that?’

Eleri stood up gracefully. ‘Colombia. South America,’ she added, as Millie still looked puzzled. She turned to Alex in concern. ‘Not the safest of countries to travel in.’

‘I assume, as it’s work, he’ll be well-protected. But, as it happens, I agree with you, Eleri. I voiced my concerns at him having to go there.’ Alex shrugged. ‘He’s a seasoned traveller, though, he knows how to look after himself.’

Irritation battled with worry within Millie. She tried not to pout. ‘I just wish I knew what was going on in his mind.’

Eleri began to pick up the cups and plates littering the table. ‘All will be well, don’t you worry. Jed would never do anything to hurt you. Either of you. He loves you both very much. I’m positive he has a very good reason for working for them.’ She smiled enigmatically and drifted to the kitchen, bestowing a serene glance on the cagoule couple, who blinked back, startled by the vision of calm and beauty.

Millie stared after her in exasperation. ‘Much as I admire Ri, and I do very much, I sometimes think she comes from a different planet. How is she so certain about these things? I think she’s off her rocker most of the time.’

‘Do you?’ Alex murmured, also staring. ‘I think she’s the most marvellous creation I’ve ever met.’

Eleri accepted Millie’s offer of a lift up to The Lord of the Manor on the following Sunday. She couldn’t wait to look around. Alex had rung during the week and they’d had long conversations over some of the things he hoped for the hotel. It was an exciting project and, for the first time ever, since graduating, she was itching to put the skills she’d learned into practice.

They trundled along the pot-holed drive in Millie’s Fiesta. She changed gear to slow down and swore when the car resented her clumsy driving.

Eleri knew Millie still hadn’t heard anything from Jed. More worrying was his lack of communication with his brother. Jed had been gone for the best part of two weeks and Alex hadn’t heard from him either. From experience, she knew parts of South America could be dangerous. She’d asked her Tarot cards on the previous evening. Relieved when the star came up – her favourite – she knew Jed was okay. She’d been slightly more troubled by the moon card. His way forward, although eventually having a positive outcome, was clouded with uncertainty. She just wished he’d get in touch with those who loved him. She heard Millie swear again as she braked harshly, scattering gravel, and sensed her pain.

Alex greeted them at the main door. He wore a bulky overcoat, a beanie and woollen gloves. He clapped his hands together, causing some crows to fly up from out of the trees lining the driveway. He glanced up, following their flight into a cloudlessly blue sky. ‘Think it might be warmer out here than inside. Hope you’ve got something cosy to wear.’

Eleri reached into the back of the car for the thick woollen poncho she used as a coat. ‘We’ll be fine,’ she said. ‘Can’t wait for the tour.’ Once she’d tugged the poncho over her head, she examined the front of the hotel. An elegant building, it had a symmetrical Georgian facade. The roofers’ scaffolding was shrouding its beauty, but she could see it would be stunning once repaired.

‘Any news?’ Millie asked Alex as she locked the car.