by Sue Fortin
‘Sorry to interrupt,’ he said, acknowledging the rest of the table, whose conversations ended abruptly. ‘I just wondered if I could speak to you for a moment?’
‘Me?’ said Steph.
‘If you don’t mind.’
She put down her napkin and Harry moved her chair away as she rose. ‘Am I in trouble?’ she asked as he guided her towards the bar.
‘Not at all. I just wanted to thank you for earlier with the Sonia Lomas situation.’
‘Situation? You make it sound like a military issue,’ said Steph with a smile, and then more seriously, ‘I hope she’s OK. Have you spoken to her at all?’
‘Not yet,’ admitted Harry, suddenly feeling rather guilty for not considering Sonia. ‘I’ll phone her tomorrow.’
‘Will you?’
Harry felt the weight of her gaze. Would he call Sonia tomorrow? He hadn’t planned to but he had suddenly felt compelled to say it was on his agenda. ‘I will. It’s not as black and white as you think.’
‘I don’t suppose it is,’ she replied, her tone softening. ‘Family rarely is, and before you say anything, I know she’s not strictly family but you know what I mean.’
‘You sound as if you speak from experience.’ He felt intrigued by this woman and he had to admit it was probably the first time since Elizabeth’s death that he’d been interested in a female for anything more than a passing fling or one-night stand.
She shrugged off his comment. ‘I won’t bore you with the details but yes, my mum and I struggle a bit with each other.’
Harry ordered them both a drink at the bar and then nodded towards the terrace. ‘Let’s go outside; it’s less noisy.’
The evening was cooler than he’d thought, and he noticed Steph shivered as they stepped out through the bifold doors. ‘Wait right there,’ he said, placing the glasses on the edge of the wall, and nipped down the steps, returning with a soft fleece shawl. He wrapped it around Steph’s shoulders. ‘We keep these shawls and blankets dotted around the outdoor-seating area in the evenings.’
‘Thanks; it’s so hot in there you forget that it can be a bit chilly in the evenings.’
‘So, how have you enjoyed your first day at Conmere?’ he asked.
‘It’s been good. Ten out of ten, so far.’
‘That’s good to hear. The health spa is our big investment. What have you got planned for tomorrow?’
‘I thought I’d go on a wild walk,’ she replied. ‘I’d like to explore the grounds and maybe get some photos.’
‘You take photos as well as write the reports?’ he asked.
‘The photography is a hobby really, but my boss wants me to get a few shots while I’m here.’
‘I’d be interested to see those,’ said Harry. ‘What wild-walk route were you planning on taking?’
‘I quite like the sound of the two-hour hike mentioned in the brochure. The one that goes up by the lake.’
Harry felt his stomach muscles tighten a little. ‘The lake? You can get some nice shots up there.’
‘I thought I’d get some angles that hadn’t been covered on the website or in the brochure,’ she said.
‘You need to be careful up there,’ he said, concerned she might not realise how challenging parts of the lake area could be. ‘The north side of the lake isn’t a good place for an inexperienced walker. In fact, the official path doesn’t even go that side of the water. We highly recommend guests keep to the south side.’
‘That’s exactly my point,’ she said. ‘I want shots that you can’t get by being the usual guest. I’ll bear your advice in mind though.’
Harry got the distinct feeling that Steph probably did what she wanted to do most of the time and didn’t take the advice offered. ‘I’m serious – you can’t just go walking alone in places like that.’
‘I haven’t got anyone to come with me,’ she said.
Harry knew he probably shouldn’t say what he was about to but he was going to anyway. ‘Why don’t you let me come with you? That way I can make sure you’re OK.’
‘Thanks; if you have time, I’d like that.’
He didn’t really but he’d make time. ‘It’s not a problem.’ God, it was a long time since he’d been up to the lake – in fact, it was something he had avoided. He’d been up there twice since Elizabeth had drowned. It wasn’t a nice place to be and it made him feel small, lonely and isolated. The vastness of the Con Point Hills stretching behind like an overbearing watchdog only added to the sense of deep apprehension whenever he was there. Despite all this, his mouth had engaged before his brain and was now offering to go with Steph on her walk.
She reached out and rested her hand on his arm. ‘You don’t have to come if you really don’t want to.’ She spoke so quietly he had to concentrate to hear her. ‘I know what happened up there. I’ll be careful.’
He was touched by her thoughtfulness and surprised all at once. He offered a small smile of gratitude. ‘That’s very kind of you and I appreciate it, but I’ll be fine.’
‘Only if you’re sure.’
‘Positive.’
‘OK, but if you change your mind at all, it really won’t matter.’ She returned the smile and then the thoughtful look settled again and he could tell she was going to ask another potentially delicate question. ‘Why did you come back here?’
He frowned. ‘For the reopening, of course.’
She took her hand away and turned to lean on the wall, looking out across the pool. ‘It’s just, I get the impression that you’re not entirely comfortable with it. And I don’t mean because of what happened to your wife. Is there another reason?’
She was perceptive, he couldn’t deny that, and she sounded genuinely concerned. He was aware he was on the brink of answering sincerely when he remembered she was a journalist. He could easily say far too much and then God knows what sort of trouble that would bring them.
‘You ask too many personal questions,’ he said, aware his tone and manner had changed. He felt like Jekyll and Hyde. ‘The last thing I want is my personal life splattered across a tabloid paper.’
She stood upright, her body rigid as the shawl slipped from her shoulders, and there was a flash of anger across her face. He could see her make a conscious effort to control her reaction.
‘I’m offended you’d even think that, let alone say it,’ she said stiffly. ‘I was actually asking you person to person. I have my own personal and professional integrity and, despite what you think, I wouldn’t consider selling a story to a tabloid when you’ve told me something in person, off the record. I’m here to report on Conmere Resort Centre.’
‘Hey, hey, I’m sorry,’ he said quickly. ‘I didn’t mean to offend you. I just have to be careful, that’s all.’
An uneasy silence stretched between them. Harry picked up the fleece and offered it to her.
‘Thank you,’ she said, wrapping it around herself once again. ‘I didn’t mean to jump down your throat then, but I was genuinely just asking. It certainly wasn’t to sell a story.’
‘Sorry, I take back what I said,’ replied Harry. ‘It gets me like that sometimes. I overreact.’
‘I’m surprised you came back here at all, then,’ she said.
This time he could tell there was no malice in her voice. ‘Me too,’ he admitted ruefully. ‘But I didn’t have a lot of choice.’
‘I suppose you can’t wait to get back to France.’
‘Actually, I might be here a bit longer than I planned,’ he found himself saying. Shit. There he was again, close to telling her things he shouldn’t really be telling a journalist, but her concern sounded genuine.
‘I expect your mum likes you being here,’ she said.
His stomach clenched again. Steph, of course, had no idea about his mother’s health and how it was the only thing that would be keeping him here. He forced himself to answer and push the cancer from his mind. ‘Yeah, she likes me being here, but I guess it’s a mum thing.’
‘Your brothe
rs must like it too.’
He shrugged. ‘I don’t know. You’ll have to ask them that. Anyway, about this walk tomorrow – what time are you heading off?’
‘Early. Straight after breakfast.’
‘OK. I’ll meet you at the gate at the back of the pool house at ten.’ He was encouraged by her smile.
‘It’s a date,’ she said.
The sound of someone calling his name made Harry turn towards the restaurant area. It was the head of Housekeeping, Heidi. ‘I’m sorry to bother you, Harry,’ she said, glancing at Steph. Her voice sounded urgent.
‘It’s OK. What’s wrong?’ He saw Heidi throw another look at Steph.
‘I’ll leave you to it,’ said Steph. ‘I need an early night anyway. It was nice talking to you. See you in the morning.’ She slipped the fleece from her shoulders and folded it over the wall.
‘Yeah, sure,’ replied Harry. He watched her go and acknowledged the slight disappointment he felt that he wouldn’t be seeing her any more that evening. Then, remembering Heidi was still standing there, he focused his attention back on the head of Housekeeping.
‘There’s been a problem in the laundry room,’ said Heidi.
‘What sort of problem?’ Harry wished she would get to the point. He looked beyond her at the disappearing figure of Steph.
‘Two members of staff, Antonio and Jerome – they’ve had a bit of a bust-up and Jerome has walked out. We’re going to be short staffed tomorrow.’
‘Wouldn’t it be best if Dominic or Owen dealt with this?’ he said. ‘I’m not really too involved with the business these days.’
‘Owen told me to tell Dominic, who in turn said he’s busy with some important clients and to tell you about it. He said you were on duty tomorrow so you’d need to know.’ Heidi looked awkwardly down at her feet.
Harry reined in a sigh and reminded himself not to shoot the messenger. However, he could easily throttle both his brothers right now. ‘Don’t worry. These things happen, especially at the start when there are teething problems. Thanks for letting me know. Just sit tight and we’ll wait to see what happens in the morning.’
After Heidi left him, Harry took the opportunity to enjoy a brief moment of solitude. He was out of practice with the socialising these types of events required and was reminded just how tiring it was being nice to people all the time. Although, on reflection, the one person who it hadn’t been a trial to be nice to was Steph. He’d happily be even nicer to her. This thought he then knocked back into shape by reminding himself that she was a reporter and he needed to keep an eye on what he said and an eye on what she did. For some reason Dominic was suspicious of her. Despite this, Harry found himself wanting to prove his brother wrong, and what better way than getting close to Steph?
Chapter Fifteen
Conmere, Saturday, 11 May, 7.00 a.m.
Harry woke up the next morning and for the first time since arriving at Conmere actually felt in a good mood. He stretched out an arm to silence the alarm clock and thought about the day ahead. It was then the reason for his good mood struck him. Steph Durham. He was meeting her that morning for a trek up to the lake.
The lake wasn’t the ideal place from Harry’s point of view. He swung his feet onto the floor and rubbed his face. He mustn’t dwell on what had happened to Elizabeth. It was too dark a place to go and he certainly didn’t want it to hang in the air while he was up there with Steph. He might even try to persuade her to go somewhere different. There were other nice places on the resort; admittedly, the lake was the centrepiece, but even so, he might be able to take a detour elsewhere.
He showered and went down for breakfast, looking out for Steph in the dining room. He didn’t think she was there at first, but as he scanned the room for a second time he caught sight of her sitting by the window at a table with several other guests. She looked up and gave a brief smile before returning to her conversation. Harry went out to the reception area.
‘Good morning, Mr Sinclair,’ said Raymond, the head of Reception.
‘Good morning, Raymond,’ replied Harry. ‘Could you look up one of the guests’ details for me, please?’
‘Certainly. And the name?’
‘Steph Durham.’
‘She’s a popular lady. Your brother, Dominic, was just asking about her too.’
Harry felt himself tense. He didn’t like the sound of Dominic taking too much interest in Steph. It didn’t bode well. ‘Really? What did he want to know?’ He hoped he portrayed only a mild interest.
Raymond hesitated with an awkward look on his face. ‘Er, I’m probably speaking out of turn.’
Harry gave an encouraging smile. ‘Not at all. It doesn’t matter, I can ask him myself if you’d rather not.’
‘He just wanted to see her booking information. Name, home address, telephone number, vehicle registration, who she worked for, that’s all. There isn’t anything else on the booking sheet.’
‘That’s all I want too. If you can print me off a copy.’ Harry waited patiently and took the printout, giving it a quick glance-over before folding it up and putting it in his pocket. Thanking Raymond, he went into the private rooms, where his mother was sitting at the dining table eating scrambled egg on toast.
‘Ah, there you are,’ said Pru. ‘Are you going to join me for breakfast?’
Harry grabbed a slice of toast and gave his mother a kiss on the cheek. ‘I’ll just get some coffee. Won’t be a minute.’
Leaving his mother, he went out to the kitchen, and while he was waiting for the coffee machine to do its stuff he took out his phone and the piece of paper Raymond had given him. After noting her number and storing it on his phone, Harry sent Steph a quick text message. He wanted to be sure she would still turn up.
Looking a bit grey out there today. Might need a waterproof. See you at 10.
It was probably needless. He was sure she would be well equipped for the day. All the same, it would be a good excuse to text her and to ensure she had his number.
He took his coffee back through to the dining room and sat down with his mother.
Pru had finished her scrambled eggs and was now sipping her tea. She looked over at his black coffee. ‘Aren’t you going to have anything proper to eat?’
‘A bit early for me. I’ve had a slice of toast. To be honest, I prefer brunch.’
‘I suppose that’s a habit you’ve picked up in France. I thought the French loved their breakfast. Fresh croissants, hot chocolate …’
He knew she was teasing him a little and it made him smile. He still found it hard to believe that she was ill. She looked so vibrant and healthy, sitting there with her Earl Grey tea and scanning the daily newspaper. ‘So, what have you got planned for today?’ she asked, turning the page of the paper.
‘Need to check in with Heidi in Housekeeping. Apparently one of the staff walked out. Not sure if we’re going to be short-staffed or not.’
Pru looked up at him. ‘Trouble?’
‘No. Nothing I can’t sort out. Although I’m not sure why I’ve been left to deal with it.’
‘One of you has to, I suppose,’ said Pru.
Harry wasn’t sure if he was being set up by his family or not for some ulterior motive, like making him become involved and hoping he might change his mind about going back to France eventually. Sadly for them, they were mistaken. He had walked away eighteen months ago, and he was as sure today as he had been then that he’d made the right decision. The only thing that was keeping him from rushing back was his mother.
His mobile phone bleeped an incoming text message. Harry looked at the screen.
Will take more than a drop of rain to put me off. In fact, it’s my favourite kind of weather. See you at 10.
Harry slipped his phone back in his pocket, aware his mother was watching him from over the top of her reading glasses.
‘You look happy with yourself,’ she said.
Harry could feel a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth and wanted to kick
himself for giving anything away to his mother, who never missed a thing. ‘Anything happening in the world today that we should know about?’ he asked, nodding at the newspaper in an attempt to deflect the comment. He certainly wasn’t going to give his mother an insight into his text message.
‘Hmm,’ she said, looking speculatively at him. Then she flicked the paper closed and folded it in half. ‘Becoming more like a gossip magazine than an informative paper.’ She stood up. ‘Must take the girls for their walk. What are you up to today?’
‘Not sure yet,’ said Harry. ‘Might take a walk out along one of the hiking paths. Risk assessment.’
Pru placed her hand on his shoulder. ‘And would that be on your own?’
Harry patted his mother’s hand. ‘You’re a terrible snoop at times,’ he said fondly. ‘Now, don’t go overdoing it.’
‘You make me sound like an old woman,’ protested Pru. ‘There’s life in this old dog yet.’
Harry smiled as his mother left the room, but once the door was closed he pinched the bridge of his nose. He’d have to speak to Dominic again. He was over the shock of the news and decided in that moment he wasn’t going to sit back and let the disease take hold of Pru. If there was something that could be done, he’d make sure it was done, and if that meant staying indefinitely to see it through, then so be it.
Harry went out to the housekeeping office in search of Heidi. He tapped on the open door and popped his head round. It sounded as if she was just finishing a phone call and she waved him in. Once she had hung up, she slumped back in her chair.
‘Do you want the bad news or the bad news?’ she said.
‘Like that, is it?’ Harry sat in the seat opposite her.
‘Jerome has definitely left. I went up to see if I could speak to him first thing but he’d already packed his stuff and left. Must have gone late last night.’
‘And the other bad news?’
‘Molly, one of the cleaning crew, has gone too. Apparently, they were best friends and where one goes, the other follows.’
