A Small Town Affair

by Chrissie Loveday

  ‘Leave it with me. Do you have any experience of working reception?’

  Did she have experience? She almost laughed out loud. She’d been doing far more than that for the last few years. There wasn’t a system in existence she hadn’t looked at.

  ‘Oh yes. I could manage that okay.’

  ‘They’d need a CV. Details of experience and references of course.’

  ‘I’m not sure about that. I’d ask Audrey but I doubt that would count for much.’

  ‘We’ll talk more later. Better dash now. Bye Lovely Georgie. See you this evening? I should be able to get away earlier tonight. I can come here again?’

  ‘Course you can. I’ll look forward to it.’

  Audrey was no better and Georgie was met by Charlie, her husband.

  ‘I’m sorry but it may be better to close today. Audrey needs rest and it isn’t fair to leave you on your own.’

  ‘I really don’t mind. I managed yesterday and I’m happy to do it again today. I may not put on quite so many lunch dishes but I can do sandwiches and rolls. Besides, the deliveries are already here. Don’t want to waste things.’ She pointed to the trays of rolls and bread left in their usual place.

  ‘Well, if you’re sure but I don’t want Audrey to be disturbed if things don’t work out. We can’t even get the extra girls in as they’re still at school.’

  ‘It’s okay. I can manage. I know what I’m doing.’

  ‘Well, thank you very much. We’ll a make it up to you. A bit of a bonus.’

  ‘Thank you. I appreciate it. Now, I’d better get going. Scones first.’

  She worked quickly and soon had everything organised. She enjoyed being in charge, alone. It allowed her thinking space and time to relish the new phase her life had entered. When she finally told Jay who she really was, their lives together could really take shape. The odd absences, bus trips and even the possibility of someone else in his life had all been forgotten. Now he’d suggested they should move in together, it made everything all right.

  He arrived at eight o’clock that evening. She was expecting him and with Audrey’s permission, had brought some food home for their supper. It was a simple selection of salads and cooked meats, followed by strawberries bought from the grocer near by.

  ‘That was lovely. Thank you Georgie,’ he said when the plates were all empty. ‘I’ll help with the washing up and then we can relax. It’s great being together like this. Well, I think so anyway.’

  ‘Feels a bit like being a married couple doesn’t it?’ He straightened and looked at her with a strange expression she didn’t understand. ‘Sorry, have I said something wrong?’

  ‘No. Of course not. It was the word married that startled me.’

  ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it,’ she blustered. ‘I wasn’t even thinking of the implications. It’s just comfortable. Us being together.’

  ‘Of course,’ he replied but she could see that he felt uneasy. She was struck by a dreadful thought. Suppose he was already married? He certainly had a great deal more experience than she did. He’d been slightly shocked to discover that he was her first partner. She shrank away from the thought.

  ‘Did you ask about me moving in with you?’ she asked, her voice a little quieter than usual.

  ‘The manager who deals with it wasn’t in today. I’ll try again tomorrow. But you can always come for a night or two. At least it means you won’t have to worry.’

  ‘I’ll have to bring my car too. The garage goes with this place.’

  ‘I’m sure it will be fine. Now, come and sit down. Let’s watch something silly on television.’

  They sat side by side on the sofa, his arm round her and she rested her head against him.

  ‘I can hear your heart beating,’ she murmured. ‘A good steady pace.’ She nestled closer and felt his heart beat quicken in response.

  ‘We could always have an early night instead of watching this drivel.’

  ‘I agree. It’s total drivel.’

  By the end of the week, Audrey was improving and insisted on coming into work on the Friday afternoon. She told Georgie to take a couple of hours off the next morning, once she heard that she was moving out of the apartment.

  ‘So where are you going?’

  ‘Actually, I’m moving in with Jay.’ She was slightly hesitant, not knowing quite how she would take it. Audrey was a bit straight laced and might not approve of the situation. But she took it well.

  ‘If it doesn’t work out, we have a spare room and you could always stay with us. We don’t have a garage though, so you’d need to find somewhere to leave your car.’

  ‘That’s terribly kind of you. I’m hoping it will work out. Jay thinks it will be okay. I was actually thinking of seeing if they have any evening vacancies to make it legitimate. You wouldn’t object would you?’

  ‘Well not really. As long as you don’t wear yourself out. It’s quite busy here some times in the summer.’

  ‘I’ll be fine. But I’ll be glad of the time off to clean the apartment. I’m supposed to vacate by ten o’clock. I’m moving some of my stuff this evening. Good job there isn’t too much of it.’ She thought of her massive walk in wardrobe at home and cringed at the thought of the amount of clothes she had there. She was becoming quite used to this minimalist style of living. At least she didn’t have to decide what to wear. ‘If you’re sure you can manage, I’ll come in about eleven, in good time for lunch.’

  ‘That will be fine,’ Audrey told her. ‘They do have people to go in and clean before the next tenants arrive, you know. Is there someone moving straight in?’

  ‘I don’t think so. I was going to renew but decided it’s really more than I can afford. It’s been lovely though.’

  ‘Good for you. He’s a handsome chap, I must say. You make an attractive couple.’

  ‘Thank you. You should go and rest now while I finish off. I’ve just got the wipe down the surfaces and cash up.’

  ‘I’ll do the till if you like. Save you coming across with it.’

  ‘If you feel up to it. Thanks. I think everything is in order.’

  ‘You seem to know your way around everything very well. Have you done this sort of work before?’

  ‘Well, something similar.’

  ‘And you managed this whole place on your own without a problem. Look, I have something to put to you. I’ve been thinking I’d like to retire soon. How would you feel about managing this place on a permanent basis? It would be a salaried position and all the year round, of course. You’d be able to find somewhere to live and really settle down.’ Georgie gasped. She certainly hadn’t seen that one coming and wasn’t entirely sure what to say without appearing rude.

  ‘I’m very flattered of course but I don’t think I’d ever intended to stay here permanently.’

  ‘Well, think about it. The offer’s there. It’s a good place to live and I have every confidence you could manage it however you’d like to. I wouldn’t interfere if you wanted to make changes. It would be up to you. Perhaps your young man would think of making it a proper partnership. He’s a waiter, I understand.’

  ‘Well yes. But that’s just for the season. He’ll be going to college soon.’

  ‘I see. Well, I’m in no hurry for your answer. I’m not planning to hang up my apron yet awhile. I hope you know what you’re doing. What do your parents think?’

  ‘I haven’t told them yet. They’d be shocked though, I’m sure.’

  She dreaded to think what her parents would say, if they ever found out. But it was what she wanted to do, whatever happened in future.

  Chapter Seven

  At the end of the day, Georgie went back to her apartment and regretfully, packed up her things. She felt slightly sad to be leaving her haven but the prospect of being with Jay overrode everything else. She watched for him to come down the hill but even at nine o’clock, there was still no sign of him. She saw the service bus coming in and watched the passengers getting off. She sta
red and blinked slightly. There was Jay, once more getting out of the bus when he’d said he was working. He glanced around and headed towards her apartment. Should she ask him where he’d been? Or wait for him to say something? She heard him running up the stairs and went to open the door.

  ‘Sorry. I was a bit later than I intended. Something came up.’

  ‘Oh yes. Extra customers needing you?’

  ‘Something like that. Have you eaten?’

  ‘I finished up some bits left in the fridge. How about you?’

  ‘I got something earlier. So, looks as if you’re all set for the move?’

  ‘I’ve packed up most of my stuff. I hope it will all fit in. Are you sure it’s okay if I move in?’

  ‘No problem. Do you want to take anything up tonight? Or shall we leave and enjoy our last night here?’

  ‘I’ve got some time off tomorrow. My reward for working hard all week. Audrey is better so she’ll be back in her kitchen. Oh yes, she actually offered me a permanent job as manager of the place. She wants to retire. Said I’d have a free hand to run it however I wanted.’

  ‘Wow. Congratulations. Will you take up the offer?’

  ‘Course not. I don’t see a seaside café as my future, somehow.’

  ‘So what do you see as your future?’

  Georgie hesitated. Her future was in taking over the Hetherington Hotel chain as chief executive, once her father retired, whenever that might be. The Beach Café, Poltoon could hardly compete. This was her temporary job to give her time and space. Mind you, she thought, that was before Jay had swept into her life.

  ‘I’m not sure what I’m going to do. But this is just a sort of breathing space for me.’

  ‘You scarcely mention your family. Do they approve of what you’re doing?’

  ‘Course not. They’re furious with me. But I refuse to be ordered around by them. Told what to do and how to do it all the time. My father seems to think his is the only way to do anything.’

  ‘Well now, that’s the most you’ve ever said about them. I take it you were working with him?’

  Georgie was entering dangerous territory. Her carefully guarded cover was slipping.

  ‘I was working in the family ... family firm.’

  ‘What sort of business?’ Jay asked curiously.

  ‘I really don’t want to talk about it. Let’s enjoy what’s left of the evening.’

  ‘If that’s what you want.’

  They both fell silent for a few moments. Georgie was fighting with her desire to come clean about who she was and at the same time, desperately wanting to ask about his trips into wherever it was on the bus. It seemed neither of them was completely honest. She didn’t have the right to ask him when she was keeping her own secrets. Perhaps it was just a summer fling and she should leave it at that. Come August, she would have to decide when and how she was going to return home and get on with the rest of her life. The trouble was, she couldn’t envisage any sort of life that didn’t include Jay. She wanted him to be a part of her future. She wanted him to be welcomed into her family and their empire. She might even include marriage in her pipe dreams. Once more her dreaded nightmare hit her ... unless he was already married.

  ‘So, you’ve had girl friends before. Anyone special I should hear about?’ she asked, trying to lighten the words with a smile.

  ‘Where did that come from?’

  ‘You’re obviously much more experienced than I am. I was wondering if I have a rival.’ His face clouded and his eyes flashed dangerously.

  ‘That’s not a nice thing to say. What sort of person do you think I am?’

  ‘I’m sorry. But I can’t help wondering. You seem to be working ridiculous hours but you are very short of money. I could be suspicious about why.’

  ‘You are such a strange girl. How could you think so badly of me.’ He broke away from her and stood up. He was looking more and more angry. ‘I don’t like the way this is going. What exactly are you suspicious of? Something’s set you off on this track.’

  In for a pound, she thought.

  ‘I’ve seen you getting off the bus several times when you said you’d been working. And I think I saw you at the cinema once, with a dark haired girl.’

  Jay’s face looked like thunder. He was ready to explode.

  ‘Well, I’m sorry. I don’t tell you every single thing I do any more than you tell me. I’m not even going to reply to your comments. Are you sure you actually want to move in with me and the hoard of other women I hide in the wardrobes?’

  ‘I’m sorry Jay. I’m really sorry. I don’t know why I said it. We both have a past and we both deserve privacy. And of course I want to join the hoards of women in your wardrobes. But I can’t promise I won’t turn them out in favour of my extensive array of clothing.’

  He turned towards her again and the anger melted from his face. He held out his hands towards her and she went to him. He kissed her tenderly and she smiled up at him. Looking into his eyes when they were angry had scared her but now they were hazy with ... well, was it love?

  ‘Sorry,’ they both murmured together.

  Jay left early to do his breakfast shift and they arranged that he would meet her at nine-thirty at the hotel. She loaded her car until it was nearly impossible to drive. She cleaned round the apartment, wiping down shelves and making it all as pristine as when she moved in. When it was done, she stood by the window, watching the families gathering on the beach. It was windy and not very pleasant but still people gravitated towards the sea. It was something about being on holiday that made everyone think they must enjoy it, even when the weather was bad. Georgie glanced at her watch. Nine-fifteen. Just about time to move and begin the next phase of her life. This was quite some move. She was putting herself into a situation where she was reliant on someone else. Someone who had secrets, just as she did. What happened if it didn’t work out? There was always Audrey’s offer if necessary. Living with someone this way was something entirely new to her and though it was a risk, it was exactly the sort of risk she had wanted. She locked the door and went down the stairs. She took the keys to the office and left them with the receptionist.

  ‘Hope you’ve enjoyed your stay. Do we have your address in case of any queries?’

  ‘Oh, er no. But I shall be working in the Beach Café for a while longer. You can contact me there.’

  ‘Okay. Thanks. Just a case of checking the inventory. I’m sure you’ve left things as we would expect.’

  ‘I hope so. No breakages and nothing damaged. I left the sheets in the basket as instructed. Right. I’d better move.’

  ‘Can I ask why you’re vacating, if you’re still working here?’

  ‘I’m afraid it’s too expensive for me with the rise in rentals for the summer season.’

  ‘I’m sure we could have come to an arrangement for a long term tenancy.’

  ‘Even so, it was more than I can pay. Thanks anyway. Is it let this week?’

  ‘No. Not for two more weeks.’

  ‘Ah well. Too late now. I’ve settled on somewhere else.’

  She went to her car and drive up the hill to the Clarence Hotel for the first time. She was filled with nervous anticipation. Jenny would certainly think she was crazy and her parents would be furious. But, she reasoned, if she’d been away at university, who knows what would have happened there? Student life certainly had a reputation.

  There was a row of caravans to one side of the main buildings. She saw Jay come round, presumably from the kitchen area.

  ‘Hallo again, you. If you park next to this one, we can unload and then you’ll have to move the car round to one side. Everything okay?’

  ‘Yes, I think so. Handed the keys back. Looks a nice caravan. I’ve never been in one before.’

  ‘It’s not bad. Reasonable amount of space but tidiness is essential or you keep falling over everything. Welcome.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Georgie felt unexpectedly shy as she went up the steps. The sitting room w
as surprisingly spacious with a tiny galley kitchen to one side. There was a fridge and cooker and several cupboards for storing crockery and cooking utensils. Jay showed them to her as they passed.

  ‘I rarely do any cooking as we mostly eat in the hotel but I expect we shall want to eat together. Now, the bedroom’s through here. It officially divides into two but I’ve been leaving the screens open to give more space.’ The room was filled with the large double bed and the single bed on the other side was used for storage. ‘I’ve cleared this half of the wardrobe. Hope that will give you enough space. There some lockers under the single bed to store shoes and things. And there’s a drawer for you in this unit. Bathroom or shower room, more correctly, is this one.’

  He opened what she thought was a cupboard, to reveal a tiny compartment with a shower and toilet and small hand sink. Compact was a generous word for it.

  ‘Fine,’ Georgie gulped. ‘It’s good of you to share your space.’

  ‘I’m delighted you want to share it. Come here. Welcome to our first home, such as it is.’ He drew her close and kissed her, holding her as if he couldn’t believe his luck.

  ‘Oh Jay. I hope this all works out. I’m very excited. But, I need to unpack and I have to get to work in the next half hour.’

  ‘We’ll load everything into the little room and sort it out this evening. I’m on the lunch shift too and then I have a few hours off. I start again at eight so you’ll have the evening to unpack and sort things out.’

  It seemed a very peculiar day. Serving meals, washing up and generally doing her job seemed a million miles from the enormity of moving in with Jay. Her world was shrinking fast. Her wardrobe at home was about the size of this entire caravan. She walked wearily back up the hill, knowing that Jay would be waiting for her. He wouldn’t be able to make his mysterious bus journeys any more without her knowing.

  ‘Come and sit down. You must be worn out.’

  ‘Well, I am. But you are too and you have an evening of work ahead as well.’

  ‘I want you to feel at home. I know it must be difficult for you but I hope you’ll soon settle. It’s your place too now. Oh and I did ask about job vacancies. They need some relief cover. They want two references. Character references mostly. I thought your Audrey might be willing and someone else you’ve worked for.’