by Dilys Xavier
Anna opened it, hoping it was the planning permission; it was. ‘Thank goodness it’s been approved,’ she said, wiping her brow. ‘And that’s a good idea about leave of absence. I don’t think I’ll have a problem arranging it, especially since they’re putting off workers right now.’ She looked up at her mother. ‘David Jones phoned at all?’
‘No. Expecting him to?’
‘Not really, but I need him to do a few small jobs considering these guests are coming on the weekend.’ She reached for the phone and dialled his number. He answered straight away, and Anna stated what she wanted. It was a relief when David promised to get the jobs done as soon as he could. Anna replaced the receiver, then immediately lifted the phone again.
‘Is it still on for a bit of weekend help from you Liz? Those two new men at your firm are arriving pronto.’ She nodded and smiled as Liz confirmed her promise. Then David turned up as promised to do the necessary jobs and everything seemed normal, with the day passing without a hitch.
The next day, she was chatting to Liz in the great hall, when a black Volvo saloon pulled up outside the main entrance. A man got out, stared up at the building, and eyed every window, or so it seemed to Anna as she watched him through the side window alongside the main door. He walked up to the entrance and stepped inside. ‘Good morning. I have a booking,’ he said, with a broad smile. ‘The name is Hale. Quentin Hale.’
There was a knowing glance between Anna and Liz. The broad smile on Liz’s face attracted the man, and he turned to her. ‘Don’t I know you?’ he said, one brow cocked. ‘It was you who told me about this place; you’re the receptionist at James and Co.,?’
‘I am,’ Liz said. ‘But I’ve only recently started work there.’
‘Like myself, then,’ Quentin said. ‘I took the job to gain some work experience before I hit the big time in the city.’ He signed the guest book and handed the pen back to Anna. ‘Thanks for putting me up at such short notice. Shall I put my stuff in the room now?’ He gathered up his bags, and looked at Anna, but then he put them back on the floor and addressed Anna. ‘There’s another guy starting in the same firm on Monday; a solicitor’s clerk. When I met him at his interview, I mentioned this place to him. Did he phone you?’
‘Ah, I see,’ Anna said. ‘Yes, he did, and as a matter of fact, we’re expecting him tomorrow.’ She showed Hale to his room, and then left him to sort himself out, returning to the hall where Liz was waiting for her, wearing a wide grin.
‘Handsome, yes?’ Liz said, winking.
‘No doubt about that. Those dark velvet eyes, the rugged features, and that shock of black hair, Oooh,’ Anna replied, rolling her eyes. ‘And what a physique; he’s quite an eyeful. From the colour of his tan, it looks like he’s spent most of his time as a lifesaver on some exotic beach.’ Then something clicked in her mind. She felt she might have seen this man somewhere before. My imagination, she told herself, dismissing the idea, and concentrated on what Liz was saying.
‘He’s the boss’s nephew. But wait until you see the other one.’
‘Just as good looking?’
‘Every bit as, but different. I haven’t got to know him properly yet. I chatted with him while he was waiting for his interview.’ Liz rolled her eyes. ‘Grant Campbell, a Scotsman; another gorgeous hunk.’ She giggled and gave Anna a dig in the ribs. ‘Whoops. Talk of the devil, that’s him just arrived. One for you and one for me.’
‘Hey, he’s not due until tomorrow,’ Anna said, panicking.
‘Don’t worry. Maybe he’s just depositing his luggage. Wait and see.’
By the time Grant Campbell had walked in through the open door, both Liz and Anna were ready and poised. He was the complete opposite to the black-haired Quentin. He was just as tall and muscled, but his features were fine-boned, and his eyes the most penetrating, light blue that Anna had ever seen. His hair was an unruly mop of dark blond curls that he had obviously unsuccessfully tried to control. He was handsome, but in a totally different way. His was not the dark and enigmatic personality that Quentin Hale’s appearance intimated, and his attitude, although seemingly more open, was a little more formal than the American’s.
‘I apologise for surprising you like this,’ he said, in a broad Scots accent, ‘but would ye mind if I booked in today instead?’ He looked from Anna to Liz, and back again. ‘I’ll understand if the answer is no, but I hope ye’ll say yes.’
‘The room is ready for you,’ Anna said. ‘You can take it from today if you wish.’
‘Och, now that’s verra kind of you.’ He grinned broadly. ‘Shall I bring in m’bags then?’ The moment Anna nodded, Grant turned on his heel and hurried out to collect his luggage.
‘Well, now isn’t he just so cute?’ Liz murmured, straining her neck to watch the man unload his car.
‘It augers well for a good start,’ Anna said. ‘I’ve a feeling things are going to work out well here.’ Then she gave a long sigh. ‘Well, I hope they will.’
‘Stay positive, Anna, and all will be well.’
Anna had given Quentin and Grant rooms next to each other, so she assumed they had met on the landing because they both came down together, talking and laughing like they were old friends. They walked straight up to the reception desk.
‘We know you don’t serve meals,’ Quentin said, ‘so we’d be most obliged if you’d kindly suggest a place that provides a decent lunch; somewhere not too far away, please, as we’re both pretty hungry right now.’
‘No problem,’ Anna said, and began to draw a little map of how they could find The Castle Inn, when Liz interrupted.
‘We’re going there ourselves in a few minutes,’ she said, with a gleam in her eye. ‘Why not follow us?’
‘Sounds a good idea,’ Quentin said, and turned to Grant.
‘Okay with you?’
‘Anywhere, as long as it’s for food and pretty soon,’ Grant said, with a shrug. ‘I’m hungry.’
They set off in two cars, Anna leading the way, and were soon parked in the spacious car park of the ancient inn. There was a brisk lunchtime trade at The Castle as usual, and a table for four was the only one available. Anna made for it straight away, with Quentin and Grant following. Heads turned as the two local girls walked in with strangers, both of whom topped an incredible six foot four, which in itself commanded attention.
‘You don’t mind our joining you, I hope,’ Grant said, flashing a delightful smile.
‘No option,’ Anna said. ‘We’re lucky to have this table. There are no others.’
‘So tell me about your lovely house and business,’ Quentin said, as he pulled out a chair each for the girls. ‘Maybe it’s bold of me to say so, but you seem rather young to be in such a strong business position.’
Glad to have something to talk about to the two strangers, Anna related the whole story. Neither of the men had time to pass comments because the meal was quickly placed in front of them, and there was no interest in chatter for a considerable time while they ate. After the meal, all four seemed more relaxed, and conversation resumed.
‘I’ve come to work for my uncle for a while,’ Quentin said. ‘I’ve not long finished my degree, but I’ve no intention of staying in a small place like this; it would kill me. I want to hit big time in the city, but some experience with my uncle will be useful to get me a good position with a decent firm.’ He looked meaningfully at the other man.
‘Och,’ Grant exclaimed, coming out of a daydream, ‘sorry, I’m, er, I’m just a legal clerk at the same firm, and in no way as important as Quentin; just run o’ the mill.’
For the next hour, Quentin Hale monopolised Anna’s attention, while Grant took to chatting with Liz, and in what seemed no time at all, they were all behaving like old friends. Quentin leaned over to Anna. ‘This lunch was an accidental necessity,’ he said, in a low voice, ‘but I’m delighted at the opportunity it’s given me to get to know you.’ He folded his table napkin and leaned forward again. ‘You don’t provide evening meals
, so I guess that means you’re free this evening?’ He looked straight into Anna’s eyes. Before she had time to answer, he went on. ‘How about coming out to dinner with me, and you can give me the lowdown on the area?’
Anna was taken by surprise, but going out with this tall, dark and handsome man was a wish that had been running through her mind all through lunch. She never imagined such an invitation would come, and so soon. The colour crept into her cheeks as she answered.
‘I’d love to, Quentin. Would seven o’clock be okay?’
A quick flash of Grant’s eyes indicated he had overheard their plans, and barely seconds later, he spoke up. ‘You’ve both been very decent to us, so, how about we all go somewhere for a meal tonight as a foursome? I’m sure Anna or Liz can recommend a nice place.’
‘That would be great,’ Liz said, immediately cottoning onto the idea before either Anna or Quentin could say anything to spoil Grant’s suggestion.
‘Anyway, why not tell us a bit about the area,’ he said. ‘We’re likely to be here for some time, so we might as well get to know the place as well as we can.’ Both men leaned back, and listened to Anna and Liz describing local places of interest, The Wye Valley, Tintern Abbey, Penhow Castle, and a few local castles.
‘No exciting night-life then, but maybe you’ll show us some of these sights one weekend,’ Grant said, looking directly at Liz.
‘No night-life here, but Bristol is less than an hour’s drive, and Cardiff about the same in the opposite direction, There’s plenty of night life in those cities… if that’s what you want,’ she said, with a sniff.
It was fairly late in the afternoon when they left the inn, and as soon as they returned to Hope House, the two men disappeared to their respective rooms.
Anna glanced at the desk diary, and only then did she realize, with a start, that David Rees had said he would call in later that afternoon. No sooner had the thought of David entered her mind, than he walked into the hallway.
He stood still and looked at her with a smile as he pushed an invoice across the desk. ‘Hello,’ Anna he said, ‘no rush to pay. The old man’s loaded, so whenever you’re ready will do,’ he said. ‘If there’s anything else that needs doing, just give me a bell, and we’ll be around straight away to fix it.’
David was a pleasant person, and someone she had really liked for ages, even better now, since she had recently had more contact with him. She mused as he stood there in front of her. If too much time passed without their seeing each other for a date, he would surely find a new girlfriend, or go back to his old one; and that would mean the only decent, local, eligible bachelor would be out of reach again.
David managed a little smile, pushed his hands deep into his pockets, and shuffled his feet. ‘Er, feel like coming out for a drink and a bite to eat tonight?’
Anna’s heart fell. This was exactly what she was afraid would happen. She wanted to go out with him, but she was already committed to a foursome for the evening. Under the circumstances, it would be awkward to opt out of that now, and she hesitated before replying.
David’s immediate change of expression indicated quite plainly that he had taken this faltering as a sign of reluctance on her part. She felt powerless to do anything about it now, and certainly wasn’t going to tell him straight out that she had wanted to go out with him for ages.
His next remark was short and sharp. ‘Never mind, Anna. I can tell the idea doesn’t excite you. Maybe some other time, okay?’ He turned on his heel and left hurriedly with a casual wave before she could say a word to explain things. ‘See you,’ he called out, over his shoulder, and strode briskly out through the open door.
Anna felt she could kick herself for having thrown away the first chance of a proper date with David Rees, and her spirits fell when she realised that maybe he wouldn’t ask her again. She sighed as she heard his van take off down the drive, feeling totally frustrated at the simple way the misunderstanding had come about.
Chapter Sixteen
The Bull Inn proudly claimed their food was cooked on the premises; no ready-made frozen meals served there. The inn had the most expensive menu for miles around, but it also had the best chef and the most exotic menu, which was the reason Anna had chosen it for their evening out.
The four headed for the ancient inn at seven o’clock, and from the general atmosphere that greeted them on arrival, it was immediately obvious that the venue was going to prove a success.
They were immediately guided to a table for four set in a cosy corner of the beautifully decorated dining room. They studied the menus the waiter handed them and made their choices. The four-piece band struck up while they were waiting, so they all took to the small dance floor and enjoyed the diversion until the waiter politely asked them to be seated again. Their meals were ready.
The service was excellent, and the dishes certainly up to the usual Bull Inn standard. They danced again after they had eaten, and the music and the soft lights, along with the wine, increased the romantic mood of the evening.
Even though she might have traded it earlier for a mediocre pub meal and a drink with David, Anna acknowledged that the occasion had turned out to be something rather special. As people began to filter away, she felt sorry the evening was coming to an end. ‘How about we all have a night-cap at the manor before we turn in?’ she suggested. ‘And, Liz, you’re welcome to overnight there as well, okay?’
Everyone agreed wholeheartedly, and once back at Hope House, they stepped into the large hall, all laughing and talking happily. The first thing Anna did was to phone her mother so that she wouldn’t worry about her, and Liz phoned home to say she would be spending the night at Hope House.
With no urgency about anything now, and none of them having to drive anywhere, they spent another couple of hours imbibing and chatting in the big lounge, so by the time they decided it was bedtime, they all seemed to know each other fairly well. As they climbed the stairs to bed, Anna felt extremely buoyant, and when she glanced at Papa’s portrait she blew him a kiss. She slept like a babe that night; no nightmares.
There was no movement in Hope House until well after nine o’clock the next morning. Then all four descended on the kitchen at the same time for breakfast. ‘Full English all round?’ Anna asked.
‘Och, and you gotta be joking,’ Grant said, holding his head. ‘A couple of painkillers is all I want.’
‘And a hair of the dog, for me please,’ Quentin groaned. ‘I never take breakfast anyway.’
Anna shrugged. ‘As you wish, but Liz and I will enjoy ours anyway.’ It wasn’t long before Grant and Quentin were asking for strong coffee and a piece of dry toast, then they all relaxed in the lounge until the effects of the night before began to fade. It was half way through a lazy morning when Liz answered the phone to David, and passed the instrument to Anna, mouthing his name so that she would know who was calling.
‘Er…, Anna,’ David seemed to be having trouble, and began again. ‘Look, sorry I took off in such a hurry yesterday; that was pretty thoughtless of me. Anyway, I thought I’d ask if you’d like to come out for Sunday lunch.’ He said it so quietly that Anna could barely hear him. Then there was a pause.
‘Yeah, sure,’ Anna said. ‘That sounds great. Where do you want to go?’
‘Usual place, if that’s okay with you,’ he mumbled. ‘I’ll call for you at noon, okay?’
Anna replaced the receiver then turned to Liz. ‘I felt obliged to accept David’s invitation to lunch,’ she said, ‘although I’d sooner stay here.’
‘No problem,’ Liz said. ‘I’ve got things to do when I get home, but I’ll come back at teatime and overnight again, if that’s what you’d like.’
Ready and waiting by the time David arrived, Anna climbed into his Ford and they set off. Curious as to David’s reaction, she stole a quick glance at his face when Quentin waved to her as he walked across the drive to his own car. David said nothing for a few moments, but then posed a question.
‘So wh
o’s that good-looking guy then; the one who just waved to you? Someone special? I noticed you and Liz with him and another fella in The Bull last night when Ben and I popped in for a drink.’
‘He’s no one special. Just our very first guest and his colleague. We couldn’t feed them at Hope House so we felt obliged to guide them to a decent meal,’ Anna replied, ‘and we had to share the last available table.’ It crossed her mind whether David could be feeling a bit jealous, so she continued. ‘Going to The Bull was unplanned; it just happened, that’s all. Why?’
‘None of my business,’ David said with a shrug, ‘but I wondered who he was and if you were tied up with him in any way.’
‘Course not; only just met him anyway. There’s nothing between us, if that’s what you’re asking,’ Anna said, feeling pleased for the chance to explain. She took a sly look at David, and noticed the trace of a smile on his face, as though what she had said pleased him.
After they had eaten, Anna felt it opportune to set the record straight about her dreams, and see what David made of them. She related every detail, and then waited for his response.
‘You’re telling me you dreamed about places you’ve never seen before? Come on, Anna, that’s stretching it a bit; stop pulling my leg.’ He grinned at her. ‘After all, it was a nightmare, so why attach any importance to it?’ He looked her straight in the eye. ‘I’m not surprised you’re having lots of them. After all, you’re surrounded by ancient family portraits staring down on you, and if the nightmares are all similar, then it’s gotta be due to something weighing heavily on your mind, like the responsibility of this place for instance. Anyway, I can’t accept that dreams mean anything. I don’t go along with dream interpretation.’
