CHAPTER TEN
Jack followed Ava with his eyes until she was out of view. For a moment he thought he’d spotted an unwelcome face in the distance, but when he looked again, the man had gone. He smiled when Charlie sat down across from him.
‘That was Ava.’ Charlie put his drink down to fuss Graham. ‘Can you remember her from the summer holidays?’
‘I can.’
‘Didn’t you have a crush on her?’
‘I might have.’
‘I reckon you still should. Have you spoken to her?’
‘Yes, earlier.’ He filled Charlie in with what happened, missing out the bit where he’d snapped at Ava.
Charlie laughed and patted Graham’s head. ‘Good boy, matchmaking for your dad.’
‘He wasn’t doing that.’
‘No? Well, someone should, to get you out of that cabin.’
Jack sniggered. Of all his friends, Charlie had been the closest. Even though he’d pushed him away after Dan’s death, Charlie had refused to take it personally.
He had sat with Jack during the worst days. He’d made sure he got home safe after a night drowning his sorrows, oftenstaying over to listen to him talking about Dan. It had been tough for them both, and it was good that their friendship had survived.
Charlie had also kept the old crowd informed of how Jack was doing, saving Jack the job of telling everyone he bumped into.
In time, the news and the gossip had subsided. Yet still, Jack wasn’t able to jump back into village life.
‘What are you up to today?’ Charlie asked him, slurping his tea.
‘Got a couple of meetings and then supper with the olds. ‘You?’
Charlie was an artist and rented one of the cabins. ‘Boring work stuff, really. Supper with Becky if she’s back from work in time.’
Jack glanced at the clock and shot up from his chair. He wanted to catch his parents that morning. Saying his goodbyes to Charlie, he popped Graham back on his lead. Yet, Jack’s short walk to the hotel was filled with memories of a young Ava. He still couldn’t believe what an idiot he’d been, and it seemed clear that he wasn’t forgiven for it. The next meeting was going to be… fun.
‘Hey, Mum.’ Jack smiled as he walked into the office situated at the back of the building.
‘Jack!’ She smiled with delight. ‘What a lovely surprise.’
She said the same thing every time she saw him, whether it was two weeks or two hours previous. He let her envelop him in her arms, relishing the warmth radiating from her.
Stella Broadhurst was sixty-four, two years younger than his father, Max. Blue eyes like her son’s sparkled. Her bright-pink lipstick was a wonderful contrast to her dark-brown hair, in a sleek bob that rested just below her chin. A long-sleeved woollen dress accentuated her waist, floating down to her shins, andshe wore flat boots that were a slightly less bulky version of Dr Martens, a zip on the side rather than laces to battle with.
Stella was a people person, yet she wouldn’t have it said that she was the reason why clients returned to Sapphire Hotel time and time again. Jack knew if it wasn’t for her, the business wouldn’t have been so successful. She’d also kept it running after Dan’s death. She’d tried to do the same with the family, but that hadn’t worked at all.
Stella glanced behind him. ‘Is Graham with you?’
‘I left him in reception.’
Graham was a favourite with guests and had a basket that he curled up in under the desk. In colder weather, Sara had been known to remove her shoes and pop her feet on his warm belly. Graham lapped it up.
‘Would you like a quick coffee?’ Stella asked.
‘Just had one, thanks. I saw Ava earlier.’
‘Yes, she checked in late last night. Train delays. How is she?’
