‘It’s a bit like that, isn’t it?’ Eloise chuckled.
Cally smiled and gestured to the scene outside the window. 'I was just admiring the view.’
‘I know, it’s so pretty out there. Cold, though.’ Eloise raised her glass. 'Have you tried the cocktails?’ She took a sip and widened her eyes. ‘Mmm, yes, delicious.’
Cally shook her head and gestured with her glass. 'I've been nursing this glass of champagne. It’s a tough life.'
Eloise took another sip. 'This has got your name written all over it. Have a taste.’
Cally took a sip. 'Oh my. That's dangerous! I might leave that to you.'
'I know. Any more, and I might start thinking I belong here.’
Cally shook her head and looked around. ‘I’ll need more than a few cocktails for that. I don’t think I’lleverreally belong here.’
Eloise raised an eyebrow. 'Says the girl who's about to marry into all this.'
Cally frowned and narrowed her eyes. ‘Sorry. What?’
Eloise spluttered and coughed. ‘Just a turn of phrase. You know what I mean. There will be wedding bells next.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous! That’s not even on the cards. Why would you say that?’
‘Nothing. What would you say if it was?’
Cally pondered for a second. ‘None of your business!’
Eloise giggled. ‘It’s weird. Here we are, in this ridiculous mansion, sipping cocktails that probably cost more than my house. What a few years, eh?’
Cally’s brain flicked back to the events of the previous year. 'It's been quite a ride, hasn't it?'
'That's putting it mildly.’
‘I’ll be glad to see the back of it if I’m honest.’
‘How are you really doing with all of it? The new job and everything with Alastair...'
‘Still processing it. The job with Birdie is amazing, but it's been a lot to take on. And then there's Logan. Alastair's death hit him hard. There are still moments when I catch him staring off into space, and I know he's thinking about it. Overall, though, everything’s good. This place helps… I used to think places like this only existed in books or films.'
'Now you're part of it. A modern-day Cinderella.’ Eloise cracked up
Cally snorted. 'Hardly. I don't think Cinderella ever had to deal with inventory management or chatbots.'
‘I guess she didn’t. Speaking of which, how are you getting on at work? Last time we talked, you were still getting to grips with it.'
'It's going well, actually. I mean, it's challenging, and there are days when I feel completely out of my depth. But Birdie's been amazing, and I'm learning so much.'
'I still can't believe you uncovered that whole thing with Estrella,' Eloise shook her head back and forth in quick little movements. 'You're like a regular Sherlock Holmes.'
'Hardly. Anyone could have done it.'
Eloise rolled her eyes. ‘Here we go. No, they couldn’t.’
Cally chuckled. ‘It’s not hard…’
Their conversation was interrupted by a staff member who put a fresh tray of canapés on a side table beside Cally. She picked up one of the little works of art that looked almost too pretty to eat and popped it in her mouth. ‘Ooh, yes, yum.’
‘What are they?’
