Gayle stepped into the awkward silence. ‘Come, let me show you around.’
‘Yes, I’d like that,’ Jake said, relieved Gayle hadn’t taken what he’d just said, bringing Eleanor into the conversation without thinking, as an opening to start talking about her, and what a tragedy everyone in the local community had thought it was when they’d found out about the skiing accident on Christmas Day. Jake didn’t want to hear it. He imagined it had been the talk of Aviemore.
It hadn’t occurred to Jake that unless he checked into a hotel or guesthouse under a false identity, which he would not, everyone would know who he was the moment he told them his name, and inevitably the topic of what had happened on that ski slope last December would raise its head – for most people. But it turned out that Gayle was not most people. Somehow, she understood that although well meaning, Jake did not want to hear words of sympathy from strangers.
Jake smiled at her back as she led the way down the hallway, opening doors and showing them the lounge, the dining room, the kitchen where breakfast was served between eight and ten, and the study – which had been her father’s study but was now a safe space for relaxation, meditation and reading. ‘Whatever floats your boat,’ said Gayle, cheerfully.
Jake frowned at Marcus when he whispered, ‘Right now, some booze.’
‘There’s a drinks cabinet in the lounge, if you fancy a tipple.’
Jake turned and grinned at Marcus. Gayle had heard him.
Marcus frowned and shut his mouth.
Jake looked at Gayle, who was glancing at Marcus over her shoulder with an expression of wry amusement.
‘Now, which rooms would you both like?’ They started up the stairs. Depending on your budget, I’ve got large, with a super king-sized bed, mid-range – a standard double or twin. And a small – that’s a single bedded room, although I’m afraid I only have one of those left. I already have a guest in the other one.
Jake found this all rather amusing, considering that they were Rosses; they could have bought a whole house on a whim just to stay a couple of nights if they’d wanted to. It had not slipped Jake’s notice that the Ross Corporation – meaning William Ross – was still depositing money into his bank account each month, unbelievably including bonuses, as though he was still an active employee of the company. And he was still one of the three majority shareholders of the company.
Despite numerous phone calls to make the payments stop, his requests had fallen on deaf ears, despite William’s longstanding belief that even if they were family, they had to work hard for their positions. The worst part was that Jake was living on some of that money. He knew he was on a low starting salary as a student teacher, but he’d seen the pay scales. Even when he progressed, he didn’t know how he was going to support himself, living in London on a teaching salary. He honestly didn’t know how classrooms teachers did it. That was why he imagined Faye had worked her way up to being a deputy head, and was not only working full-time but doing an additional qualification so she could apply for a headship.
Thinking of the money, Jake knew that neither he nor Marcus would dream of doing something as extravagant as buying a property on a whim. The Ross family were not the kinds of people to flaunt their wealth, or spend it frivolously.
Jake said, ‘We’re happy to share. A mid-range twin room would be just fine.’ Jake wasn’t thinking about the money,though. He wanted to keep an eye on Marcus that night; he was still undecided about whether he should call out a doctor. Marcus did not look well.
Chapter 27
‘I have two interconnecting rooms – if you prefer.’
‘Oh really?’ Jake much preferred that idea. He could keep the interconnecting door open. And there was always the option to slam it shut in Marcus’s face if he was getting on his nerves, which was definitely a possibility.
Marcus had already spoiled his trip. It was hard enough that he was back in Aviemore without Marcus having followed him. The night’s stay in the airport hotel hadn’t helped. He’d debated whether to get a flight home in the morning, back to London, leaving Marcus in Scotland. The only thing that had stopped him was that phone call. The tone of Faye’s voice said he had better do as she asked and collect Marcus from the police station. So there he was, babysitting Marcus, who wasn’t looking any better despite resting in the back of the car for the whole trip.
‘Right, let’s head on up to the two rooms in the attic.’
‘The attic?’ Marcus halted on the second stair.
‘Yes, there are lovely views of the Cairngorms.’ She added, ‘And you’ll get a glimpse of the Rosses’ holiday home … too.’ Gayle stopped, and slowly turned around, her eyes wide. She looked down at them both and winced. ‘Sorry, I kind of said that on autopilot.’
Jake guessed she mentioned The Lake House to all her prospective guests, in case they wanted to catch a glimpse of one of the wealthiest families in the country, whom they’d only ever normally see if they popped up in the news.
Marcus looked as though he hadn’t heard her. His attention was on navigating the stairs.
Jake thought that one staircase was enough for Marcus to negotiate just then. He frowned at Marcus. If the stairs up to the attic were anything like those at The Lake House, Marcus didn’t have a hope of making it up to the top of house and the two interconnecting rooms that Jake rather fancied. Jake sighed and took Marcus’s arm to give him a helping hand, wondering why he was sweating. He’d barely taken two stairs.
Jake resigned himself to the fact that they’d have to take whatever room was available on the next floor. ‘Actually, we’ll take the mid-range twin room, after all.’ He added, ‘I’m sure there will be other guests who will appreciate the view more.’
Gayle looked at him for a long moment. They both knew he wasn’t talking about the views of the Cairngorms. She said, ‘I understand.’
Jake nodded, wondering if she thought the mention of the views towards The Lake House might have put him off those rooms. After all, he reckoned she must be wondering why on earth the two of them were not staying there. Thankfully, she didn’t ask, but he did notice her smile slip a little. He imagined she would have charged much more for two rooms, and the views.
Jake added, ‘But we’ll still pay the same room rate as if we were staying in two rooms on the top floor.’It’s not like we don’t have the money.Jake didn’t say that out loud.
‘I do not accept charity, Mr Campbell-Ross. You will pay the room rate for your chosen room, and nothing more.’
‘Of course, of course.’ Jake felt embarrassed for evensuggesting it.But what about the whole house, Jake suddenly thought. They could, if they wanted, just rent the entire house, and compensate Gayle, her mother, and her guests handsomely to stay in a rather swanky hotel while Jake and Marcus had the run of the guest house.
