‘Anyway, I wanted to have a word with you about something and I thought I might as well stroll down and pop in.’
‘What's up?’
‘Miles is looking for somewhere to stay down here.’
Chloe frowned and looked puzzled. ‘I thought he was in one of those flats over by the hotel.’
‘He was, he is, but you know his mum has been in hospital?’
‘Yep. Such a horrible story. Xian and I were discussing it the other day.’
‘Anyway, he wants to bring her down here to convalesce and I wanted to see if any of Holly’s places were available.’
Chloe whistled. ‘You might be in luck, actually! We had a cancellation come in yesterday morning, and it’s not gone back up on the internet yet. It’s over the other side near the Sugar Wharf. Would that be any good? It’s absolutely stunning, that cottage. A bit of a trek from the bookshop, though. Would that suit?’
Daisy smiled. ‘Oh, I know the one. Yes. What’s the access like? Are there any steps at the front there? I can’t remember.’
‘Nope, not at all. I mean, there are stairs inside, obviously. It’s a lovely place. Clemmie is in charge, say no more. The linens and bedding in that one are sumptuous and the sofas and all that sort of thing are just right for recuperating.’
‘How long is it free for?’
Chloe clicked her mouse and stared at her screen for a minute. ‘Oh, that’s weird. Now with that cancellation, there are about four weeks on that one, which ishighlyunusual. Hang on, let me see if there is anything else.’ Chloe was quiet for a bit while she looked. ‘Nup, nothing. A week in the one over by the ferry and nothing else apart from a midweek two-nighter in the flat in Mermaids. It’s actually odd that the cottage is free. Sometimes it goes like that.’
‘Right.’
‘Do you want me to block it out?’
‘If you don’t mind. I’ll need to ask him and get back to you.’
‘What about the flat he’s renting?’
‘I don’t know what he’s going to do about that. It’s tiny and there isn’t a lift, so it’s unsuitable.’
‘That will be expensive, won’t it? Will he try and get his money back? Whose property is it?’
Daisy shook her head. ‘I, umm, that’s not an issue.’
Chloe made a face. ‘How the other half live, eh? I get you. Okay, I’ll pop that one on hold for a wee while until you get back to me.’
‘Will Holly mind?’
‘Of course not! She won’t know anyway.’ Chloe put her finger to her lips. ‘Just let me know. If he doesn’t want it, as soon as it goes back on, it will be snapped up, so it’s not a problem.’
Daisy nodded and took a breath. ‘Thanks, Chloe. I really appreciate it. I didn’t want to get into it on the phone or drop it in a message. It just felt like one of those pop-by-in-person things.’
Chloe smiled, folded her arms and leant forward on the desk. ‘Are you alright, though? You seem a bit, I don’t know, not wobbly, exactly, just a bit off. Not your usual self, as it were. I guess the GayesBooks thing has made everyone feel like that.’
Daisy laughed. ‘That’s probably about right. It’s just been a bit of a week. You know how it goes. This thing with Miles and his mum and GayesBooks has made me think how fragile everything is.’
‘Yeah. It’s a lot when things like that happen. All the emotions, logistics and well, feelings.’ Chloe rolled her eyes.
‘Exactly. His coming here with his mum is making it all feel very real. I think I’m just still getting used to the fact that someone like him might actually want this life. My life.’
‘What’s not to want?’ Chloe shrugged.
Daisy pressed her lips together and blinked back a prick of emotion. ‘True.’
Chloe pushed her chair out, stood and touched Daisy’s arm. ‘If it helps, you’ve got the whole town behind you and I’m not just saying that. We’re all rooting for you and if it doesn’t work out, then we’ll feed you cake and force him out of town.’
