‘I’ve worked with Jenny before. Maybe she would do.’
‘Give it a try anyway. It will only be a few hours here and there. But at least you’ll feel better about staying in the caravan.’
It took them a few days to settle. Georgie had persuaded Jenny to write a professional looking reference and she even used the pseudonym. Georgie avoided telling her friend that she had moved in with Jay. But it had been her own decision.
She worked the reception for the first time the following Monday. She was shown the system by the main receptionist.
‘Mondays are usually pretty quiet so you shouldn’t have any problems. The duty manager will be around if you have any queries.’
‘Thank you,’ Georgie said politely. The system was rather an old one compared to the Hetherington but was adequate for the size of hotel. She was familiar with it and in any case, it was unlikely she would be required to do anything complicated. Jay came to the desk during the evening.
‘How’s it going?’
‘It’s fine. No problems. It’s an easy system and all I have to do really is to answer the phone and smile at people.’
‘You do that beautifully. As long as you keep plenty of smiles for me. What time do you finish?’
‘Ten-thirty.’
‘I’ll come and join you then. I like the snazzy uniform. Suits you. You look very efficient sitting there with your hair all tied back. I shall look forward to letting it loose again.’
‘Get back to work before I leap over the counter and harass you,’ she laughed.
‘Now there’s a threat that sounds better than a promise. See you soon.’
The rest of the evening was quiet. She looked up as a party of guests came from the dining room. She half listened to their conversation but took little notice.
‘Been good to see you again. Perhaps you’d like to join us for dinner at our hotel later in the week? It’s The Hetherington, in a village near St Austell.’
‘That’s a nice idea. We might do that.’
Georgie cringed and lowered her head. She tried to see if it was anyone she knew, without letting herself be seen.
‘Georgina? It is you. What are you doing here?’
‘Oh, hallo. I’m just seeing what the competition is doing. Checking out the system, you know the sort of thing.’ She recognised the acquaintance of her father and smiled politely.
‘How are the family?’
‘Fine thanks.’ To her great relief, the phone rang. She excused herself and answered it. She raised a hand in a farewell gesture as she dealt with the call. She felt herself blushing furiously and hoped that he and his wife didn’t meet her father any time soon.
It still felt strange to leave her working day behind and share with someone else. Strange but exciting. In the few days she had been there, it had been pleasure all the way. The only difficult thing to deal with, had been settling her credit card bill. Her mother had sent the details and she had been able to pay it at the local bank. It had all but cleaned her out. The extra cash she would earn at the hotel would be most welcome. At least her living costs were cheaper and she should manage for the next few weeks.
Disaster struck a few days later. When she awoke one morning, feeling ill. She must have caught a stomach bug and it was hitting her badly. Though Jay was sympathetic, he didn’t know what to do and left her while he worked. Because it was a stomach infection, health and safety rules meant she was not allowed to work until it was cleared for several days. She felt terrible about leaving Audrey in the lurch. Jay asked her for some cash towards the rental of the caravan, she was somewhat surprised as she’d assumed it was part of his wages.
‘I’m sorry love but I do have to pay for it. Okay, it’s not a lot but I’m a bit short of cash this week. I had to pay off some bills. I’m sorry to ask but I’m in bit of a hole.’
‘I’m sorry but I can’t. I also had to pay off some bills and I’m completely cleaned out till I get paid. With not working this week, I won’t get anything anyway.’ He looked angry. He started to say something but stopped himself. His Georgie was looking very pale and was clearly unwell.
‘I’m sorry. I’m not sure what to do. I shouldn’t have asked, especially when you’re feeling ill. But can’t you pretend it was a false alarm and go back to work anyway?’
‘I mustn’t. Suppose I still have some sort of bug and pass it on to the customers? Audrey could be closed down. It’s always in the news about cafes and restaurants being closed.’
He stormed off, looking angry and she lay back on the bed. She’d thought he was saving for his course and was confused to hear that he was so short of money. She wondered where his wages had gone. She thought again about his mysterious visits to ... to wherever it was. She hated the doubts and tried to dismiss them. She felt certain that he did love her. He said it often enough but there were so many things she didn’t know. Whatever happened, she refused to ask her parents for money. It came hard, having to think about money all the time. It was a totally new experience for her.
She tried to focus on other things and decided she felt well enough for a gentle stroll. As she left the caravan she met Jay returning after his breakfast shift.
‘Are you all right?’ he asked.
‘Just felt like getting some fresh air. A little walk along the top of the cliffs.’
‘I’ll come too. Look, I’m sorry I had to ask for money. I’ll ask the manager for an advance on my wages for the next month.’
‘But won’t that mean you’ll be short the following month?’
‘Maybe but I’ll just have to save more won’t I? As much as possible.’
‘Maybe there will be more tips when there are more holiday makers. After that it will be back to college, won’t it?’
‘I suppose so. Not entirely sure though. Things change. What would you do if I go to college?’
‘Haven’t thought. Where will you be living?’
‘I’ll have to find a bedsit or digs or something. It’s expensive living near Truro so I’m not sure.’
‘I see.’ Georgie’s heart plummeted. Clearly, Jay was thinking of himself. Whatever he decided to do, she was not included in his plans. So, even though they had both declared their love for each other, he obviously considered it to be just a holiday romance.
How could she have been so stupid? She had let her emotions run away with her good sense.
Chapter Eight
After the weekend, Georgie went back to work. The Saturday girl was now on school holidays and so they were sharing the tasks. It meant more time off but less money. Audrey had repeated the offer for Georgie to take over as manager but she had firmly turned it down. It wasn’t the future she wanted. She had been feeling desperate for a few days, knowing that her future with Jay was limited. He kept asking her what was wrong but she couldn’t tell him. She suffered in silence. Her unhappiness was made worse by more of Jay’s absences. He never told her where he was going or why. She withdrew into herself and forced herself not to ask. Was she being stupid? If they were living together, surely he should confide in her? She imagined many things, some worse than others. Her insecurity was growing. Two more weeks and the August Bank holiday would bring an end to the season and her life with Jay. He would be leaving and the caravan and their temporary home would be shut up for the winter. However spacious it was for a caravan, it was still a rather confined area and there were times when they had been annoyed with each other for leaving things in the wrong places. But arguments were usually an excuse to make up again.
For several mornings recently, Georgie had woken feeling unwell. She assumed it was a recurrence of the bug she had suffered but later in the day, she felt fine again. It took her a couple of weeks to realise that her period was late. She gasped. How could she have been so utterly stupid? They hadn’t been taking proper precautions all of this time and she must be ... must be pregnant. She sat on the side of the bed and began to shake. She felt very close to tears. What on earth would Jay s
ay? He’d said nothing more about his future plans, which she now knew didn’t include her. She let the tears fall unchecked. Jay was away doing his breakfast shift and she was due to go to the café. She glanced at her watch. She needed advice and decided to call Jenny.
‘Hallo you. This is a bit early in the morning isn’t it? What’s wrong?’ Jenny’s voice sounded comforting already.
‘I’m in a terrible mess Jenny. I think I might be pregnant.’ There was a long pause.
‘Oh Georgie, don’t tell me you were daft enough to have unprotected sex. When did this happen?’
‘Ages ago. We’ve been staying together. I couldn’t afford to keep the apartment and I moved in with Jay to his caravan.’
‘And what does he think about it?’
‘I haven’t told him. I’ve only just realised I’m late and I’ve been feeling unwell in the mornings.’
‘So you haven’t done a test?’
‘No. I only just realised and I needed to speak to someone ... a friend.’
‘You are such an idiot. An innocent might be nearer the truth. Get a pregnancy test and make sure. But he will stick by you won’t he?’
‘I don’t know. In fact, I don’t know what will happen even without a baby in the mix. He’s talking of going back to college course soon and says he’ll have to get a bedsit. Where does that leave me?’
‘Your poor old thing. Do you want me to come down again?’
‘It would be great but there’s nowhere for you to stay. The caravan is very cosy to say the least. My parents will be even more furious. Don’t say anything to them will you?’
‘Course not. But you need to make proper plans. It’s ridiculous to struggle on without money when you’ve got so much behind you.’
‘I know but .. I’ll do as you say. Get a test first of all. I’ll keep you posted.’
‘Take care love and don’t do anything stupid.’
‘Thanks Jenny.’ She turned off her phone and decided she just had time to go and buy her test kit before she was due at work. She went out to the car park area. She looked around and couldn’t see her car. Certain she had left it in the usual place, she walked a little way but it was nowhere in sight. She was holding her keys in her hand so it hadn’t been stolen. Maybe the spare set was missing? She went back inside and looked for them but without success. Could Jay have borrowed the car? He wouldn’t have done so without asking. She ran through the main entrance and into the dining room. Jay was there and looked round at her in surprise.
‘What’s up? You look terrible.’
‘The car. It’s gone. I wondered if you’d borrowed it?’ He looked shocked and said with grimace,
‘As if I’d ever do that. I’m amazed you’d even think I could. Were you going somewhere?’
‘Just to get some shopping.’ The shock of her missing car had overtaken her anxiety about a possible pregnancy. ‘I’d better call the police.’
‘Give me a minute and I’ll come with you. Let’s look around first in case it’s been moved or something.’
‘The spare set of keys has gone. Someone must have broken into the caravan and taken them. Did you leave it unlocked at any time?’
‘I don’t know. Must have done I suppose. Dammit. Hang on. I’ll see if I can leave now and help you sort it out.’ He dashed into the kitchen and returned a few minutes later, having changed out of his waiter’s uniform. ‘Right. Come on.’ He grabbed her hand and almost dragged her outside. They rushed round the various hotel car parking areas and looked down towards the village but there was no sign of the bright blue sports car.
‘I’m going to call the police. I have to. It’s a very expensive car.’
‘I know it is. I’m sorry Love. I never heard anything in the night. I suppose you’re sure it was there yesterday?’
‘Well of course it was. I think it was. We’d have noticed if it wasn’t, surely?’
‘I suppose so. The hotel isn’t going to like this. They won’t like a police presence. Doesn’t look good to the guests.’
‘Hang the hotel. I’m not losing my car without someone doing a search for it. I’m going to call the police right now.’
‘I’d better go and tell the manager. Come with me and we’ll see what he says.’
‘I don’t understand you, Jay. It’s almost as if you don’t want me to call the police.’
‘Don’t be silly. I just know that they hate having any police on site.’ He went back inside and went to the desk, asking to see the manager.
‘Of course you must report the loss. Ask them to be discreet. In fact, I’ll put in the call myself. Come into the office, both of you.’ He made his report, asking Georgie to supply the car’s number. ‘You’d better contact your insurance company too. I assume you’ve got the papers and certificate safe?’
‘I think so.’
‘Don’t tell me you left them inside the car?’
‘Well no. I don’t think I did. I know I always used to, till my father told me off for doing it. You’re supposed to carry the documents with you all the time so sometimes I did leave them there. I’ll check.’
‘I’ll send the police straight round to your caravan when they get here.’
‘Thanks,’ she said, leaving with her heart thumping in a most unpleasant way.
‘I’ll be all right. Just wait and see,’ Jay tried to comfort her. ‘I’m here with you.’
In truth, she wanted to see the police on her own. Her father had paid for the insurance and it was all in her real name. Her silly fib about winning the car in a competition was about to be exposed. How had she got herself into this stupid mess in the first place? With everything else that was happening, she had dug herself into an enormous hole. If Jay left her, as it looked as if he might anyway, she only had herself to blame.
‘You go back to work. I can manage, thanks. I’ll look out the papers and wait for the police to get here.’
‘Don’t be silly. I’m staying right here beside you.’
‘I suppose you couldn’t pop down to Audrey’s and tell her I won’t be there for a while?’ she asked desperately.
‘Phone her. She’ll understand.’
‘I was thinking you could do me the biggest favour and help her out if necessary.’
‘Won’t she have the Saturday girl there?’
‘Not today. It was my turn to do the morning and she was coming in later.’
‘Well, if you really think it’s necessary, I’ll go.’ He sounded distinctly dubious.
‘I’d be very grateful. Thanks.’ He went away and she rummaged feverishly for the documents. At least on this occasion, he wasn’t going to find out her name. But, clearly she would have to confess quite soon. They both had secrets and it was time the air was cleared. She touched her stomach and frowned. If there was indeed a baby in there, she needed to know soon and decide what was going to happen. She looked out of the window and saw the police car coming into the village and up the hill towards her. She went outside to greet them.
Efficiently, they took down the details and description of the car. The younger officer looked at the caravan and pulled a face.
‘This is where you’re living? It’s a rather expensive car for someone living in a caravan, isn’t it?’
‘It was present from my father. Twenty-first birthday.’
‘Lucky you. Wish my father gave me that sort of present.’
‘Have you contacted your insurance company?’
‘Not yet. I was waiting for you first.’
‘This will be the report number,’ he said, handing her a slip of paper. Give that to them and depending on your policy type, it might entitle you to a courtesy car while we try to tack it down. It’s pretty distinctive so it may be found quite quickly. These things are sometimes stolen to order. In that case, they’ll change the number plates and re-spray it.’
‘Heavens.’
‘I think you mentioned the spare set of keys may have been taken. I suppose they were inside were
they?’ ‘Well yes. We think someone must have got in when the door was unlocked.’
‘That could be a problem with the insurers. We’ll be in touch as soon as we hear anything.’
‘Thank you. You have my mobile number don’t you?’ He nodded and they drove away without any further questions. Georgie dialled the insurance company and gave them the details. After a great deal of thought, she phoned her mother. Her father’s name was on the policy so he needed to know.
‘Oh Georgie, how awful for you. We’ll drive down right away. You don’t have to deal with this alone. Daddy’s intending to visit the Cornish Hetherington anyway, so we can be with you later today.’
‘No Mummy. Please don’t. I’ll be fine.’
‘But how can you get around? Where are you exactly?’
‘I’m fine. The police are dealing with it. I only told you because the insurance company will be in contact with Daddy. I don’t need you fussing.’
‘Oh Georgie, please. Be sensible. Tell me where you are.’
‘I’m fine Mummy. Thank you. Pass the message on.’ She switched off the phone and sent up a little prayer that her parents didn’t turn up on the doorstep. Moments later, Jay arrived back.
‘Audrey says she’ll manage. We’re free till lunchtime. Now, what’s to be done? I saw the police car driving off.’
‘Nothing’s to be done. Matter of waiting.’
‘Okay. So what shopping do we need? We can go to the shop if you like.’
‘Nothing that matters. I just wanted some fruit.’ She gathered up the insurance papers that were left lying on the bench and stowed them away into her bag before Jay could examine them more closely. Was now the right time to break the news about her identity? She decided against it, in view of their uncertain future.
‘You’ve dropped your driving licence,’ he remarked.
‘Thanks.’ Had he seen her name? She hoped not as she didn’t want him to find her out this way.
A Small Town Affair Page 8
