Flynn raised a perfectly arched eyebrow.
Julia had started so she may as well finish. ‘I was wondering whether there was any possibility you could help me out.’ There, she’d said it now, as the words hung in the air, there was no going back. Julia had swallowed her pride and had asked Flynn to help, but judging by the look on his face this wasn’t going to be an immediate yes, if even a yes at all.
He gave a short strangled laugh. ‘For a second there, I could have sworn you were asking for my help.’ He stared straight at her.
‘That’s exactly what I’m asking for, your help.’
‘Are you serious? Have you completely lost your mind and forgotten what you’ve done to me?’
Julia was just about to answer but Flynn jumped straight back in. ‘You’ve spread rumours about me all over this village and tarnished my reputation, and now you have the gall to stand there and ask for my help.’ Flynn’s eyes were wide. ‘In the last twenty-four hours do you know how many contractors have cancelled on me? And that’s all down to you and this community.’ Flynn took a breath. ‘And do you know what the frustrating thing is about all of this? You are so wrong, about everything.’
Julia knew she was going to get a dressing down and Flynn didn’t hold back. ‘Starcross Manor wasn’t a threat to anyone. All you had to do was come and have a conversation with me. This morning I walked down Love Heart Lane into the village and not one person passed the time of day with me and now… and now you want to forget all that and ask me to do you a favour.’
Julia felt guilty and embarrassed. She knew she’d made his life difficult, but she’d never wanted people to turn against him. Everything had got out of hand, especially with Hamish taking matters into his own hands.
‘I do understand how you are feeling,’ she said. ‘I really do, and I’m sorry everything has got out of hand. That was never my intention, Flynn.’
Flynn remained silent.
‘I’ve got numerous guests stranded, with children who are soaked through to the bone and really need a bed. And it’s more than likely I’ve put myself out of business before this place ever could.’ For a second Julia let her guard down and was close to tears.
‘What do you mean by that?’ Flynn didn’t take his eyes off her.
‘I was warned that the sprinkler system was outdated, and I delayed updating it, which means more than likely the insurance company won’t pay out. I’ve got more guests arriving in the next couple of days, and I’m going to lose all my income, and will have to refund all of them.’ Julia’s voice was getting higher and higher. ‘And I’ve only got myself to blame. Look, this isn’t your problem, it’s mine. And again, I’m sorry; you’re right, I should have come to you first when I discovered this place was going to be a hotel – but I was wary of you, because of the past. And I don’t blame you for not helping me, I really don’t. I’m sorry to have wasted your time.’
Julia turned and began to walk towards the door, her whole body was shaking, she had no clue where she was going to put her guests, but she needed to go and face the music.
‘Julia… wait,’ Flynn called out after her.
She stopped dead in her tracks and turned round.
Flynn’s face had softened. ‘I’m not about throwing families out on the street, especially when there are small children involved. I have rooms ready and made-up that your guests would be welcome to use.’
Had Julia just heard him right? ‘This isn’t a joke, is it?’
‘No, but if I’m helping you, in return you need to help me.’
Julia knew there must be a catch. ‘What do you mean?’ she queried.
‘Tell the village you got me all wrong, and help me to put it right. I need this place finished and up and running. In return I’ll help you get the B&B back up and running as quickly as possible.’
‘Why would you do that?’ Julia felt sceptical, could this really be ruthless Flynn Carter talking, offering to help her out?
‘Because I’m not the guy you think I am. We need to agree to disagree and move on, otherwise what are we going to do, spend our whole time fighting?’
His words resonated through Julia. ‘We need to agree to disagree and move on.’ It was only hours earlier she’d declared war on Flynn Carter, and now she owed him everything.
Julia’s thoughts were scrambling all over the place. On one hand the community were going to think she’d completely lost the plot – one minute she was telling everyone how untrustworthy Flynn was, and now she was going to have to admit she’d made a mistake. But this was business, and she needed to separate it from what he’d done to Anais. That wasn’t her argument. She needed to concentrate on what was important to her, and that was her B&B.
‘Okay, deal,’ replied Julia, feeling grateful the guests were going to get a roof over their heads, but also a little uneasy about what the rest of the villagers would think. But she knew she needed to put it right. Tomorrow, Julia would go and find Hamish and talk to him, to try and calm the situation down. It was the least she could do for Flynn after he’d agreed to put up her guests.
‘I will put it right Flynn. I will.’
He acknowledged her with a nod.
Hurrying to the door Julia waved her mobile phone in the air. ‘I need to get my guests.’ She glanced back over her shoulder. ‘And thank you.’ Julia was genuinely grateful, his generosity had floored her, and she knew he had gone above and beyond when he didn’t have to. He was now watching her with amusement as she hovered near the books of sample material by the door.
‘Out of curiosity, what are these for?’
‘The curtains to frame those windows,’ Flynn pointed behind him.
‘This is the one you need.’ Julia pointed to a regal red colour. ‘It will frame those windows perfectly.’
A smile hitched across Flynn’s face. ‘Go and get your guests.’
Chapter Twelve
The next morning Julia’s eyes started to tear up as she fixed her gaze on the flooded debris. Everywhere looked exactly the same, except drenched and forlorn. Lost for words, she bit down on her bottom lip and took in the carnage around her, then blinked back the tears as she noticed the beloved photograph of her and her grandfather, fishing on the river, lying on the floor with a smashed frame, the photograph ruined. Julia picked it up and clutched it to her chest.
‘You okay?’
Julia jumped out of her skin, she hadn’t heard anyone come in behind her. She turned round to find Flynn, standing behind her.
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you jump. I’m just checking you’re okay. I thought I’d see you at breakfast, but I just missed you. Andrew took care of the guests, I think they all quite liked their breakfast being prepared by a celebrity.’ He smiled.
‘Thank Andrew for me, I’m sure they loved it. I just wasn’t hungry, too much on my mind. I needed to get back here and work out where the hell I’m going to start.’
Flynn held up a bag. ‘Breakfast – you may not have been hungry then, but you need to keep your strength up. Looks like there’s a lot to do here.’
Julia was pleasantly surprised. ‘Breakfast for me?’
‘Exactly that. Breakfast for you, sausage and egg muffin with a sachet of brown sauce,’
‘Brown sauce, you say. How did you know that was my favourite?’ she asked.
‘Just a hunch,’ he smiled warmly, handing the bag over.
After everything that had happened between them, Julia couldn’t believe Flynn had actually brought her breakfast. His kindness touched her.
‘What have you there?’ Flynn was looking at the photograph that Julia was holding.
‘My only photograph of my grandad… destroyed.’ Julia always loved the summer holidays hanging out with her grandad, they had so much fun down by the river. Her cousin Callie wasn’t one for sitting still for long periods of time on the riverbank, which Julia was secretly chuffed about, because that meant she would get her grandad all to herself.
Flynn took
the photograph from her hand. ‘Look at you, you must be about…’
‘Ten years old. I was cute once, you know.’ She attempted a smile.
‘And that it seems hasn’t changed.’ Flynn flashed her a warm smile.
For a second, she studied his face. His hair seemed a little longer and he pushed his floppy fringe to one side. She noticed he had the beginnings of a beard, and his face was tanned from the summer sun.
‘That photograph was taken by the newspaper,’ she said. ‘We’d won a fishing competition. I can remember that day like it was yesterday,’ she said, taking the photograph from his hand and laying it flat on the dresser. Feeling a lonely tear slide down her cheek, she wiped it away with the back of her hand. ‘Look at me crying. This place has seen enough water in the last twenty-four hours and here’s me adding to it.’
‘I’m sorry about your grandfather,’ Flynn’s tone was soft.
‘It’s only a photograph, I still have the memories.’
‘No, I mean I’m really sorry for what I did… your grandfather’s house.’
Julia was surprised by his sudden apology and held his gaze. Flynn looked genuinely sorry.
‘Back then, all I thought about was making as much money as possible, and I didn’t care whose toes I trod on. I saw you, sitting in your car outside the estate agents when you handed the keys over. You were crying, and I saw the hurt in your eyes. I think that moment was a wake-up call for me, and I vowed never to do business like that ever again. I am sorry Julia. I know that property was worth much more than I paid for it… and that it was your future.’ Flynn’s voice faltered.
‘Thank you, that means a lot,’ replied Julia, amazed at the revelation.
‘I can’t change what happened back then, but let me help you get this B&B back on track. I can sort out all the soft furnishings, curtains etc. My chain of hotels has a dry-cleaning contract and we can turn everything around super-fast.’
‘You’d do that for me?’
He touched her elbow, sending shockwaves through her body. ‘Yes, I would. We need you to be up and running as soon as possible, and with my contacts we can turn this place around quickly.’
‘Why are you being so kind to me after everything?’ her voice faltered. Flynn’s kind gesture had made her a little weepy.
‘Hey, don’t get upset. Maybe it’s because I admire your fighting spirit, or maybe I admire someone who stands up for what they believe in. That’s something about you Julia Coleman – and I think we just got off on the wrong foot.’
His words gave her hope that her B&B would be up and running very soon and she felt grateful for his offer of help, knowing she couldn’t turn everything round as quickly without him.
‘Thank you, Flynn, your help would be amazing,’ she replied enthusiastically, her mood lifting a little. Maybe the clean-up operation wasn’t going to be bad as she first thought. Suddenly feeling hungry she peeped inside the breakfast bag. ‘I think I’ve just got my appetite back.’
‘Aye aye, what’s going on here?’ Eleni was standing in the doorway with a quizzical look on her face. ‘Are all things amicable?’ Eleni flicked a glance between Julia and Flynn. ‘Or do I need to call for backup?’
‘I don’t think there’s any need for backup,’ joked Julia. ‘We are all good, aren’t we?’ She looked towards Flynn who nodded.
‘Thank God for that, as my only option was Woody, and I’m sure he’d only lick you to death.’
Everyone looked down at Woody who suddenly sprang to life with the mention of his name.
‘Luckily your cleaning fairies are about to arrive, I’ve rallied the troops, and here they are now.’ Julia couldn’t help but feel thankful. Behind Eleni, armed with their mops and buckets, were Isla, Felicity, Meredith and Aggie, traipsing in like they meant business.
‘We have mops, buckets, brushes, cleaning products, there’s no stopping us now. Oh, and a radio so we can dance along as we go,’ said Felicity.
‘But there’s no electricity,’ replied Julia.
‘That’s why I’ve got some batteries! Right, what’s first? Have we got a plan? It is a bit of a mess isn’t it?’ Felicity spun around.
Julia really didn’t know where to start. ‘Maybe work from the top downwards? It might be easier that way.’
‘Good point,’ chipped in Meredith, looking around sympathetically then pulling on a pair of Marigolds. ‘Let’s do this!’
Flynn began making his way to the door. ‘I’ll let you ladies get on with it, but there will be extra cavalry arriving in approx. thirty minutes.’ He tapped his watch.
‘Extra cavalry?’ queried Julia.
‘Jack and the rest of the builders, I’ve told them to down tools up at Starcross Manor today and come over and help. If you strip all the beds, Jack will bring all the bedding on the truck over to the manor house, we have our own laundrette up there. The boys are going to remove all the mattresses and prop them up outside in the sunshine to dry them out, and any blinds or curtains Jack is going to ferry across to the dry cleaners.’
Julia was overwhelmed, Flynn really was going out of his way to help her and put the past behind them. She noticed the troops eyeing her with curiosity. The last thing they all knew about was the altercation between them in the pub and now here he was, standing on the doorstep helping out just like he was one of them.
‘Thank you,’ replied Julia, taking a mop and bucket from a very surprised Aggie.
‘I’ll catch up with you later.’ He turned to head outside and then paused in the doorway. ‘I’ll nip into Bonnie’s teashop – well, as long as I don’t get blanked,’ he rolled his eyes playfully. ‘And organise sandwiches to be dropped off for lunch, and when you’ve finished there will be a drink and a meal waiting for you up at Starcross Manor. But first, I would suggest getting every single window open – today’s sunshine is certainly on your side, unlike yesterday’s.’
There was a murmur of appreciation as Flynn stepped outside.
‘Spill,’ ordered Isla, amazed. ‘What the hell is going on here? Why have you suddenly got a new best friend?’
All eyes were Julia. ‘Okay…’ she took a breath. ‘We’ve decided to put the past behind us and have agreed to move on. I know I said he was untrustworthy, and I was hurt over the way he handled my grandfather’s estate but he’s since apologised and stepped up to the mark. He’s providing the help to get this place up and running again and I can’t ignore that kindness.’
Isla gave her a look. ‘I really wasn’t expecting that. What about the impact of the hotel?’
All eyes were on Julia and she knew they all must think she was barking mad at her U-turn regarding Flynn.
Her view on Starcross Manor had shifted a little bit after thinking about what Eleni had said about people’s requirements and budgets. Maybe there was space for all of them? And Julia did have an idea brewing, but not one she wanted to share yet, until she’d fully thought it through.
‘Just trust me on this,’ urged Julia. ‘I’ve been working on an idea that I think is going to benefit us all. I just need to get it straight in my own mind first.’
‘I second Isla, I wasn’t expecting that,’ admitted Aggie, completely taken by surprise. ‘But if you’re saying trust you, we can do that. All I’m saying is we need to keep our wits about us too.’
‘Agreed,’ murmured everyone.
Julia felt guilty for putting her own needs first, but what she had in mind could work to everyone’s advantage.
‘I’m thinking he’s hypnotised you with his good looks,’ teased Eleni.
‘There is that, I suppose. Anyway, are we ready to begin?’ said Julia, rolling her eyes.
With her friends by her side, Julia set to work. They made their way to the top of the house where the sprinkler system was first activated. Julia could kick herself that she’d never replaced the old system but thankfully no one had been hurt, and all the furnishings could be cleaned or replaced. They flung open each window as they went, the blas
t of fresh air a welcome breeze.
‘Okay what’s the plan?’ asked Felicity, looking around the very first bedroom.
Julia swiped her hand over the excess water sitting on the bedside table. ‘How about you and Isla start mopping up the water, and Eleni and I can strip the beds and take the curtains down.’
They all set to work, and within a couple of hours the top floor was complete. Everyone started to move downstairs, except Julia who pushed open the landing window a little wider. She took a moment to admire the blue sky above and found that her thoughts turned suddenly to her mother. Their relationship had been one full of love. Her mum had guided and supported her no matter what, and she’d always been the calming influence in Julia’s life, someone she would always turn to first for advice. The one value her mum had always championed had been forgiveness. She had been a strong, fair woman, who had always owned up to her mistakes, apologised when she was in the wrong and always encouraged forgiveness. Julia knew her mum would be proud of her for accepting Flynn’s apology, but Julia also knew she’d helped to fuel the fire against Flynn and Starcross Manor, and that she needed to apologise to Flynn too.
Flynn had really come through for her last night and she had to believe and trust everything was going to be okay. Last night the guests had arrived up at Starcross Manor to a buffet of food and hot drinks prepared by Andrew. Not only that, but Flynn had placed laundry bags in each of their rooms and offered to have all their sodden clothes freshly laundered before the guests woke for breakfast. Once more Flynn had gone above and beyond.
Julia was just about to catch up with the others when she threw a bucket of dirty water out of the window.
‘Oi! Watch what you’re doing!’ came a shout from below.
Quickly Julia leaned out of the window and gasped. ‘Oh my God, I’m so sorry!’
Jack was standing in the flower bed alongside a couple of builders staring up at the window. Luckily, they’d moved swiftly and managed to dodge the bucket of water that had splashed on the path next to them.
Starcross Manor Page 14
