A Small Town Affair

by Chrissie Loveday

  ‘So, another break is it?’ a voice said from behind her.

  ‘Oh, Jay. I was wondering if you’d actually risk coming for a coffee this morning.’

  ‘I’ve been busy and I suspect I’ve missed the witching hour.’

  ‘We’re just in the lull before the lunch time trade. We only do light lunches but it can get hectic. So, did you have busy evening?’

  ‘Very. We had a large party of people in for a birthday meal last night. They hung around for what seemed like hours and there was still stuff to clear this morning.’

  ‘What do you do?’

  ‘Same as you. I’m a waiter. Just a temporary job of course.’ He gave a nervous smile as he said it. ‘I’m trying to earn a bit during the summer. One day, I shall have my own hotel and make my fortune.’

  ‘Not a bad ambition. Dodgy though, especially in these times of austerity.’

  ‘It will be many years before I can make it to those dizzy heights but I intend to be very good at what I do.’

  ‘I’m sure you will be,’ Georgie replied, thinking he would charm his way into anything with his looks and easy grace.

  ‘So, what’s someone like you doing in a place like this?’

  ‘Like you. Holiday job and sort of work experience.’

  ‘Don’t tell me you’re also in this business? Too much of a coincidence.’

  ‘Nothing formal. I’m still deciding about my future.’

  ‘It’s probably some time before you need to decide, isn’t it?’

  ‘Why do you say that?’

  ‘Well, you can’t be much over nineteen, can you?’

  ‘I certainly can. I’m twenty-three, actually. I knew this wretched cap was a bad idea.’

  ‘You don’t look it. I’m a bit older. An ancient twenty-five. Took me a while to decide where I wanted to go in life. Oh dear, I suspect the slightly red-faced lady behind the counter is trying to attract your attention.

  ‘Heavens. I’ve been sitting here for much too long. Sorry.’

  ‘Let’s meet tomorrow evening. I’m doing a day shift tomorrow so we can collapse together over a drink or something. I’ll arrange for a bowl of warm water for each of us to be placed under the table, to soak our aching feet.’

  Georgie giggled. It presented an amusing picture.

  ‘Okay. Send me a text, where and when.’

  ‘Will do.’ He turned and went up the hill towards his hotel and blew kiss to her.

  She liked this man. Really liked him. Her parents would undoubtedly consider him totally unsuitable for her and as with anyone (other than Guy) she’d ever brought home. They would dismiss him as a gold digger, bounty hunter or worse. At least she felt confident that he was chatting to her for her own sake and not in the hope of a step up in his career. As she cleared tables, served food, took orders, washed up and generally helped Audrey, she thought about an evening out with Jay. It would be good to get to know him. She needed to work on her own cover story. Making some of it based on truth was always a good thing. She’d used the “deciding what to do with her future” angle with Audrey and one or two other people she had met.

  During the afternoon, Jay sent her two texts.

  Too many people here for me to take a break. How can they keep eating so much? X

  A little later, a second one arrived.

  I won’t finish till 9 tonight. How about a coffee?

  She replied:

  Prefer a glass of wine. Beach Bar soon after 9?

  See you there. XX

  Georgie grinned. As she cleared the little kitchen after they had closed, she found herself speculating once more about the date. It seemed almost strange not to have to tell anyone she was going out. No explanations were needed. No awkward introductions. Wasn’t this exactly why she had run away from home? “Run away” sounded far too dramatic for someone of her age but it did feel a little like that. Somehow, it proved that she was never being allowed to grow up by her parents. Anyone she had ever been out with, especially Guy, had been carefully chosen or at least vetted by her parents.

  ‘You can go now, love,’ Audrey told her, breaking into her reverie.

  ‘Oh, sorry. I was miles away.’

  ‘I thought you were. You’ve rubbed a hole in that cloth and the cooker’s absolutely spotless. Thanks Gina. Have a nice evening. You doing anything special?’

  ‘I’m meeting a friend later.’

  ‘Not that gorgeous hunk you were chatting to earlier?’

  ‘Well, yes it is actually.’

  ‘Lucky you. Just be careful though. You know what his type is like. Looking over your shoulder for the next one while they are kissing you.’ Georgie stared.

  ‘Really? Why do you say that?’

  ‘Oh, don’t take any notice of me. I’m just an old fogey. Jealous that you’re so young with all your life before you.’

  ‘Don’t say that. You’re very lively and you really enjoy running this place don’t you?’

  ‘Course I do. Just end of the day weariness, I guess. You have yourself a good time.’

  Georgie went back to her apartment and had a shower before deciding what to wear. There wasn’t much choice. She took out a silk shirt, a favourite turquoise colour that looked okay over jeans, even if her mother would disagree that jeans were ever suitable for anything. She wanted to prove to Jay that she was just an ordinary girl without revealing anything more than she wanted him to know. It didn’t occur to her that she was living any sort of lie. It was fun, taking on a new identity and creating her own past. She wondered where he lived. Was he inventing some sort of past as well? Did he have things to hide? She laughed to herself. This was just a casual acquaintance she was meeting for a glass of wine. Nobody special and never intended as anything more than a sort of holiday fling.

  She looked in the tiny fridge. She must do some shopping at some time soon. She ate sandwiches or pieces of quiche at work but her diet was rather erratic at present. She needed to buy some fruit and salad and do something to improve matters. She glanced at her watch. It was already past seven o’clock but she would easily have time to go to the next town and visit the supermarket before meeting Jay.

  It was busy, filled with holiday makers buying suppers and dragging tired children round clinging to trolleys. Consequently, it was eight-thirty by the time she was loading her car and she felt hot and tired all over again. Too bad, she had only just about got time to get the shopping home and unpacked. No time for any supper. Her better diet would have to start the next day.

  At nine o’clock, she walked down to the beach and went into the bar. It was crowded and she looked around to see if she could see Jay. She was obviously there first. She bought a bottle of Pinot Grigio and took it and two glasses outside the bar. There was a table at the edge of the terrace so she plonked the wine and glasses down, hoping to see Jay when he arrived. Quarter past came and went. Half past and still no sign of him. She poured a second glass and cursed herself for believing he ever really wanted to see her. One of the surfers passed her and asked if the seat was free. She was tempted to say yes before she consumed the whole bottle on her own but she shook her head. Then she saw him. Her heart gave an extra beat as she waved to attract his attention.

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ he began. ‘Thank you for waiting. I was scared you’d give up on me. We had a rush right at the end and I couldn’t leave. What can I get you?’

  ‘Nothing. Just sit down and help me with this before I finish the lot.’

  ‘I’m starving. Do you mind if I order some chips or something?’

  ‘Not at all. Sounds like a good idea.’

  ‘Shall I get some for you too?’

  ‘Please. I sort of missed supper.’

  ‘Won’t be long.’

  She poured his wine and sipped her own. It was a warm evening and the sky turning a pale azure blue over the sea. The sun left a few coppery streaks in the few clouds that hung around. The buzz of conversation around their table was muted as everyone enjoyed th
e lovely evening. Jay came back, nodding to a couple of other people as he passed them.

  ‘So, what have you been doing with yourself?’ he asked.

  ‘Exciting stuff like shopping after work. I was a bit late finishing too. Seems the holiday season is getting going in earnest.’

  ‘It will get very busy soon once the schools all break up. This weather has dragged a few folks down early. Oh for goodness sake. All this small talk, we sound like an old married couple. Tell me all about yourself. Where do you come from? What’s your background?’

  ‘Hertfordshire. I’m an only child. Making a break from home and parents. They like to control what I do a bit too much for my liking.’

  ‘You don’t seem the type to be attached to apron strings. I love that colour on you, by the way. Brings out the blue in your eyes.’ He reached over and took her hand. He ran his fingers over her ring finger. ‘No signs of anything permanent then?’ he remarked.

  ‘Of course not. Though there is, or was, someone I was seeing.’

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘I just don’t feel ready to settle and he wanted to.’

  ‘So he obviously wasn’t the one?’

  ‘No way. Besides, I’ve got a life to live. I want to experience much more than I have, already.’

  ‘Know what you mean. I’m hoping to travel. See other countries. I’d like to work in some hotels overseas and learn about life in other places. The Far East and even Australia and New Zealand.’

  ‘Sounds ambitious. Trouble is, working in hotels is pretty much the same wherever you go. Far East is maybe a little more subservient, if you know what I mean. Staff are much more anxious to please and have to fight harder to keep their rather poorly paid jobs.’ He was staring at her and she bit her lip. She had said too much and probably given herself away completely.

  ‘Well now,’ he was saying thoughtfully, ‘there’s a girl who knows more than she was letting on. I take it you’ve been there?’

  ‘Well, actually...’ She paused. How much should she divulge? The family had always taken long haul trips, usually visiting other hotels whose owners invited them for holidays. ‘I have a friend who works in different places. She’s always sending me post cards from somewhere exotic and she tells me all about it.’

  ‘And doesn’t that inspire you to try it for yourself?’

  ‘Maybe. One day. I’m rather liking the peace of Cornwall at present. Even if I never want to see another cream tea.’

  ‘Interesting. But you’re right, Cornwall is a pretty magical place.’

  They finished their bowls of chips and the wine. It was getting late and she had an early start.

  ‘I should go,’ she said. ‘Sorry but I start work at eight-thirty and I need my beauty sleep.’

  ‘If that’s what makes you so gorgeous to look at, I suppose I have to let you go. But I want to get to know all about you. I want to learn all about you and what makes you tick. Gina, you will see me again won’t you?’

  ‘I’d like that. You haven’t told me anything about yourself and I’ve been jabbering away all evening.’

  ‘I’ll walk you back home, wherever that is.’

  ‘It’s okay. Only round the corner. I’ve rented an apartment in the block back there, just for the time being. But I’ll probably have to move out soon when the higher charges kick in.’

  ‘Wow. Those places are gorgeous. Your job must pay well if you can afford to live there.’

  ‘That’s the problem. It doesn’t pay well. I’m living on .. well, savings,’ she fibbed. She was living on Daddy’s credit card for as long as it lasted. ‘So where are you?’

  ‘Nothing as glamorous. I’m staying in a caravan at the back of the hotel. They provide several of them for the staff. They have the policy that if we live in the hotel rooms, there’s less space to rent out to the public.’

  ‘That’s terrible. Staff should have decent accommodation in a big hotel like that.’ Her father would always take care of his staff and provided good rooms and plenty of facilities for them. ‘So, do you get to use the pool and things?’

  ‘You must be joking. No, there are no perks at all. I suppose those of us who get a caravan to ourselves consider we are fortunate. Rentals in Cornwall come at a price. As you must know. Where will you go when you leave the apartment?’

  ‘Haven’t decided. Audrey and her husband live in a little cottage so there’s no way she could take me in, even if I wanted her to, which I don’t. She’d try to mother me even more than my parents do so that’s not an option. Right, here we are. Thanks for the chips.’

  ‘Thank you for the wine. My turn next time, assuming there will be a next time?’ He reached over and took her hand, pulling her closer. Very gently, he kissed her lips. Feeling her respond, he took her in his arms and kissed her again. She felt him relax into a sigh and knew just how he felt.

  ‘I must go. Text me when you have an evening free. Night.’

  ‘Goodnight Gina. Lovely Gina.’ He gave her a wave as she turned to let herself into her apartment block. She waved back and blew him a kiss, as she floated up the stairs.

  Guy had kissed her often enough, but it never made her feel like this. Was she allowing herself to be carried away? Was it just some sort of holiday romance? Could she trust him? She looked out of the window and watched as he climbed up the hill on the opposite side of the bay. She checked herself. Who on earth was she even to consider she may not be able to trust him? She was a total liar herself. She was lying about her background and even the name she was using was false. How could she be so two faced? Perhaps she should forget about trying to be someone else and confess all. The trouble was, as ever, she would never know if he liked her for herself or was it the fact that she came from a wealthy family. This was the precise reason for doing what she was. No, she decided, she would have to continue with her assumed role for the time being. Goodness, she had spent one evening with this man and she was already thinking of him as if he was someone special, almost as if were the man she was about to marry. How naive was that? She had to allow herself to enjoy meeting him and stop trying to over analyse every little encounter. Her parents were probably right about her. She had far too little experience to be able to make any rational decisions. She made a vow to stop thinking about him.

  Georgie neither saw nor heard anything from Jay over the next two days but she broke her vow at least twenty times each day. She tried to convince herself that he was just busy but there was always a nagging doubt that he actually wanted to see her again. She debated endlessly with herself whether to send him a text or if that might look too pushy. In many ways, it was a totally new experience for her. Usually any men she met, even casual ones, were soon calling her to ask for a date. Her father was always convinced it was because of her background ... something she found intensely belittling.

  She was very attracted to this man, this Jay Jacobs, but she lacked confidence as never before. Clearly this was a time of soul searching, not to mention a way of finding out more about who Georgina Hetherington really was. A sobering thought. Her phone rang and she grabbed it quickly, her heart racing. It was her friend Jenny. Usually she was delighted to speak to her but had to admit this time, her call was a disappointment.

  ‘Hi Jenny. How are you?’

  ‘I’m fine but what about you? I’ve had your mother pestering the life out of me to find out what I know about you and where you are. I said I hadn’t spoken to you in ages. Exactly what is going on?’

  ‘Oh Jenny, I can’t begin to tell you. We had a humdinger of a row. Dear old Guy asked me to marry him and I said no. The parents freaked out when I told them and I had to escape for a while to save my sanity.’

  ‘Good old Guy. But if you don’t want to marry him, it’s no use pretending you do for their sakes. So what are you doing?’

  ‘Working.’

  ‘In one of the hotels?’

  ‘Not exactly. Don’t ask and then you won’t have to lie if the parents ask you.’ />
  ‘Well I hope you know what you’re doing.’

  ‘I’m having fun. I’ve rented a flat. Only temporarily. I won’t be able to afford it once the season starts. And I’ve met a gorgeous bloke. Early days of course but he is well ... think a younger Antonio Banderas but with greenish rather than brownish eyes.’

  ‘I hope you know what you’re doing. He might be a bit of an adventurer. You’re a bit of a hot property my girl.’

  ‘I’m ... well I’m in disguise. Sort of. Working under a pseudonym. I wasn’t about to advertise whose family I belong to. I doubt I’d even have got this job if she knew. I think I’m safe. Jay likes me for just being me. Makes a change.’

  ‘Jay? Oh your Antonio character. He sounds gorgeous but please, take care. How did you meet?’

  ‘He was hanging round the café. We just got talking. It’s very early days so don’t worry. I know what I’m doing.’

  ‘I hope you do. Once you’re out of the parental clutches, you are just a tad innocent. Where are you exactly?’

  ‘I think it’s better if I don’t tell you. Then you won’t have to lie to the parents. I’ve told them I’m in Cornwall so settle for that. Tell me about yourself. Where were you when I called?’

  ‘On holiday with my new man of the moment. More of a Brad Pitt type but then, I always did go for the blond looks in my men friends.’

  ‘I’d settle for Brad Pitt but so would most of the females in the world and he’s taken. So, where did you go?’

  ‘Spain. Lovely little mountain village. Peaceful and very warm.’

  ‘And is this man The One?’

  ‘Possibly. I’ll let you know. Please take care of yourself, Georgie. Don’t take any risks and enjoy yourself within reason, of course.’

  ‘You sound like my mother. I know what I’m doing. Speak again soon.’

  ‘Okay. I believe you. Look after yourself. Bye love.’

  She switched off her phone and stared at it, willing it to ring again. It did not oblige. Finally, Georgie plucked up her courage and sent a text.