A Small Town Affair

by Chrissie Loveday

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous. You’re a lovely, warm and friendly person. And you’re gorgeous too. You mustn’t think of yourself as some sort of reject. Gosh, what I’d like to do to that man if I could get my hands on him. He must be a real piece of work.’

  ‘I still can’t help thinking there’s something behind all this. I can’t be such a rotten judge of character as to make that sort of mistake.’

  ‘In your dreams, love. Don’t try to excuse anything he’s done. Being quite brutal about it, once he heard you were pregnant you didn’t see him for dust. He doesn’t want to take any responsibility. Plain and simple. Now, I for one am starving. I take it we’re eating out as I don’t smell any signs of cooking.’

  ‘Yes. Sorry. I didn’t have time to cook. Or anything to cook, come to that.’

  ‘Well, my treat. Until you decide to go back home, you’re going to need every penny you can save.’

  They had a pleasant evening, though Jenny was soon losing patience as Georgie kept making excuses for Jay’s behaviour.

  ‘Have you asked at the hotel if they have Jay’s address? Presumably he has money owing to him.’

  ‘They wouldn’t say. The only thing I was told was that he had a girl friend living with him who worked in the kitchen. She came from Redruth. I even drove round the town looking for him. Ridiculous. Especially as he came here and cleared his stuff while I was out.’

  ‘So maybe the police have some sort of information. If he was arrested, he’s either in custody or they know where he is.’

  ‘We could go to the police station in the morning and ask.’

  ‘If you’re sure you’re up to it. I don’t want you getting upset all over again.’

  ‘I haven’t exactly stopped being upset,’ Georgie replied. ‘By the way, I’m usually sick in the mornings so if you hear anything, which you will, don’t worry. I get over it after a while.’

  ‘Don’t think I’d ever cope with being pregnant. I think I’ll manage very well without children.’

  Feeling calmer than she had for a couple of days, Georgie managed to sleep reasonably well. After breakfast, Jenny asked if she still wanted to go to the police station.

  ‘I think so. I need to do something, don’t I?

  ‘And we need to discuss your options for the future. You can’t seriously think you’ll manage on your own with a baby?’

  ‘I don’t have to decide yet. I’ll be able to work for ages yet and earn money.’

  ‘Maybe. But you have to live. Rent somewhere. Get baby stuff and clothes for both of you. Is it fair that you are depriving your baby of all the good things in life that money can buy? Imagine in a few years time, if ever he or she realises what he could have had. The resentment would be terrific. You’d never get over it.’

  ‘Perhaps you’re right but I can’t face the recriminations, especially from my father. And if Jay is found guilty of this theft, that makes him a criminal. Daddy would start thinking the child was also a criminal. My life’s a mess isn’t it?’

  ‘Probably the worst mess you’ve ever made. So, we find a way of dealing with it.’

  ‘You think there is one?’

  ‘Has to be. Come on. Dress yourself in your best outfit and we’ll see if we can find this wretch who’s made your life such a mess.’

  ‘Not much choice from this wardrobe but I’ll see what I can do.’

  They drove to the police station and saw the duty sergeant. Jay had not been detained and nor had he been charged. They didn’t have enough evidence to make it stick, it seemed.

  ‘So do you have an address for him?’ Jenny asked. ‘It’s important that my friend contacts him urgently.’

  ‘I’m sorry Miss. We can’t give out that sort of information.’

  ‘But he’s ... I must speak to him...’

  ‘Sorry Miss. I can’t help you.’

  They turned away and Jenny said angrily,

  ‘It isn’t right is it? Someone can just walk away and claim anonymity. They’re not saying he isn’t guilty, just that they can’t prove it.’

  ‘The officer who came round sounded very positive too. I suppose until they find the actual car, there’s little anyone can do. At least I’ve got the little hire car for a while.’

  By the end of Jenny’s stay, every angle had been talked about and discussed in depth. Georgie had still made no decision and had only four more days in the caravan, unless she took the reception job here. It would never work long term.

  ‘I’m really going to have to leave you,’ Jenny said. ‘Sorry but I have important meetings tomorrow. I just wish you were closer to a decision.’

  ‘I know. Thank you so much for being here for me. I’m reluctant to leave Cornwall without giving Jay one last chance to explain himself. I just know there has to be a reason for what he’s done.’

  ‘You shouldn’t keep torturing yourself.’

  ‘I know but common sense has never been my strongest feature. Thanks again Jenny and safe journey back.’ She waved as her friend drove away and went back inside the lonely caravan that had been the scene of so much pleasure and joy until the misery set in.

  Two days to go and Georgie made a small decision. She would drive over to the Cornwall Hetherington. She could stay there for a few days without her parents knowing and it might help her come to terms with her retreat. She had avoided answering the calls from her mother for several days, not trusting herself to keep her control. The last thing she wanted to do was to breakdown and confess all her problems over the phone.

  ‘I shall be vacating the caravan tomorrow,’ she informed the manager. ‘Thank you for letting me stay on.’

  ‘It’s fine. Jay had paid for the rental till the end of the week. If you are in contact with him, we have a cheque for him for his final pay. And his official forms of course.’

  ‘I’ll let him know. But I doubt I shall be seeing him again.’

  ‘I’m sorry. You look so sad. Shame it didn’t work out for you but he clearly wasn’t good enough for you.’

  ‘Thank you. I’ll bring the keys over tomorrow. I’m not absolutely sure what belongs to the hotel and what was Jay’s. Linen and towels sort of things.’

  ‘Just leave whatever you want to. Someone will sort it out. I’ll have your pay cheque ready tomorrow too.’

  ‘Thanks again.’ She spent the rest of the day clearing her things and packing them into the car. She felt as if this was the story of her life recently. Distinctly nomadic. She emptied the fridge and threw away what she couldn’t eat. Life at the Hetherington would be very different, even if it was only for a few days before her parents realised she was there. It was breathing space.

  As Georgie drove into the car park, she was taken aback by the whole place. It was her first visit there and she realised it was one of the nicest of their hotels. With terrific views over the rugged north coast, it was a massive, elegant building. Once a Victorian holiday destination, it was grandeur on a scale unusual in this part of the country. She remembered her father buying the building and giving it a complete makeover and modernisation. She had seen the plans but the reality was spectacular. She hoped she would be recognised by someone in the management team because no way could she afford their prices in her current situation.

  With a show of confidence she didn’t really feel, she walked into reception and asked to see the manager. ‘Who shall I say is asking for him?’

  ‘Georgina Hetherington. My father was staying recently and I’m here to check on a few points he’d noticed needing attention.’

  ‘Miss Hetherington? I don’t think we were informed of your arrival.’

  ‘Of course you weren’t. I was in the area and we decided on a spot check.’

  ‘I’ll see if he’s available.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Georgie walked over to a table carrying a range of newspapers and magazines and thumbed through them, looking for all the world as if she were checking on something. Her knees were shaking slightly.

  ‘Miss He
therington? James Willerby. I don’t believe we’ve met.’

  ‘No. How do you do?’

  ‘It’s a pity we didn’t know you were coming. We could have prepared for your arrival.’

  ‘That loses the element of surprise, doesn’t it?’

  ‘I suppose so. But I hope there’s nothing wrong?’

  ‘Not at all. My father likes to make occasional checks on things. He usually sends someone from head office but I was holidaying in the area so here I am. I trust you have a room available?’

  ‘I .. er I’m sure we can arrange something. The main suites are occupied, I’m afraid. But we have a number of first class rooms. If you’ll excuse me for a moment, I need to check on a few things. Can I get someone to bring you coffee?’

  ‘Thank you. I’ll wait here.’ She sat down and kept her fingers crossed that James wasn’t calling her father to check up on her fibs. If she was honest, she would expect him to make some sort of check before believing her. She picked up one of the new brochures from the rack on a side table. She flicked through it. She had helped with the design and felt pleased with the look of the booklet. She paused and stared at the photograph inside. It was a picture of her standing in the doorway of one of the hotels with her mother and father. At least that would prove who she was, though she was currently looking far less well groomed than in the photo. Still, she had claimed to be on holiday. A session in the hotel salon would soon put that right.

  A waiter arrived with her coffee. He glanced at the brochure she was holding.

  ‘Oh, Miss Hetherington. Sorry I didn’t recognise you at first. Nice picture. Your parents were here recently.’

  ‘That’s right. Now I’m here.’ She smiled at him and sat down to drink her coffee. She hoped he’d make a comment to the manager before he made any embarrassing phone calls. James Willerby came back into reception.

  ‘I’m sorry I didn’t recognise you immediately, Miss Hetherington.’

  ‘Not to worry. We haven’t met before and I do look rather, well in holiday mode.’

  ‘I have arranged a room for you. If you let me have your keys, I’ll get someone to collect your luggage and take it to your room. Anything else I can do for you?’

  ‘I’ll meet with you later if that’s convenient.’

  ‘No problem. Your keys?’ Georgie hesitated. Her luggage was positively scruffy. A soft travel bag and numerous carrier bags. Hardly suitable for the Hetherington.

  ‘I’ll sort it out later, thank you.’

  ‘If you’ll just come to the desk, I’ll sign you in.’

  She went to her room. It was about four times the size of the caravan she had just left and with every luxury she could want. She sat on the bed and couldn’t stop shaking. How could she find the confidence to behave as she had done? Something from deep down had re-emerged to the surface. She wasn’t the limp dish rag of a girl she had been for the past few days. She was Georgina Hetherington, daughter of the owners and heiress to a fortune. Maybe a day or two of her old life might give her the confidence to go back. At least she would keep up the pretence of being self-assured for a day or two.

  She hoped nobody asked for any payment. She barely had enough for tips. Otherwise, her entire wages from the Beach Café would go in one night here. How stupid was she to move straight into the family hotel? What had she been thinking of? But now she was here, she had to keep up some sort of pretence. She went to the dining room and ordered her meal.

  Alone again and out of the limelight, she was still the same messed up person. Pregnant, deserted and with a future more uncertain than ever. She needed to collect her scruffy luggage from the hire car. Damn, she thought. She was going to have to return the car to the garage. That meant driving back west to leave it there and she had no other transport to go anywhere after that. Did being pregnant stop everyone from functioning normally? Or was it just her that had a brain that appeared to have turned to porridge?

  ‘Oh Jay, Jay, what have you done to me?’ she murmured. She allowed herself to think of him as she had known him. Caring, wonderful and a lover that only came in dreams. A once in a life time meeting. She would never love anyone else like she loved him. She would probably never dare to love anyone else at all. Was that it for her whole life? Perhaps she would have to compromise and settle for less or live alone for the rest of her life. She had the training behind her to be a business woman. Once her child reached school age, she would be free to work when she wanted to. But that was years away. Years and years. How could she cope alone with pregnancy and a small baby for the coming months? Life was just a series of questions. Of unknowns. She was ill-equipped to deal with any of it.

  The manager called her.

  ‘What time would you like to schedule our meeting? I have to see staff members for our weekly briefing.’ Georgie was stumped. She had no idea of what she wanted to say in any case and felt as if her whole pretence was about to crumble.

  ‘I’ll tell you what,’ she said. ‘Why don’t I sit in on your meeting? That will give me an idea of what goes on and how it all works together.’

  ‘Oh, well if you like. Four o’clock suit you? That’s our normal time, before prep for evening service begins.’

  ‘Fine. Just do your normal thing. No special recognition for me please.’ She put the phone down and hoped she had sounded convincing.

  The day dragged on. The meeting was interesting and everything seemed to run so well she really had no excuse for being there. She stayed for another day, enjoying the change after her weeks of living on very little money. But it came to her that she would always prefer to be poor and with Jay than rich without him. But it was not an option. Jay was no longer in her life and she must move on. Do the best for her baby and herself. She would leave the hotel in the morning and look for a job. Staying in Cornwall was her first choice and if that didn’t work, she would think about returning home. Without Jay she would never be happy anywhere, so she’d choose to stay where she had found happiness.

  The phone rang.

  ‘Good evening Madame. You have visitors in reception. I can send them up or you may prefer to come down.’

  ‘Who is it?’

  ‘I’ve been asked not to say. It’s a surprise.’

  Puzzled, she tidied herself and went downstairs.

  ‘Mummy? Jenny. What on earth are you doing here?’

  ‘We’ve come to try and persuade you to come home with us.’

  ‘Jenny, how could you? You promised me you wouldn’t say anything.’

  ‘I didn’t. Your mother found out you were here and asked me to come with her.’

  ‘Is Daddy here too?’

  ‘No. I felt it better to come without him. I called Jenny and she agreed to come with me.’

  ‘But how did you know I was here, in the hotel?’

  ‘Shall we go and sit somewhere in private to discuss all of this? I don’t think the main reception area is quite the place.’ Jenny was noticing people starting to stare. They went into one of the small lounges and shut the door.

  ‘I’m afraid a Hetherington can’t stay in one of the hotels without someone letting it slip. Someone called the office. Daddy’s PA called me and said she’d keep it from Daddy. He is still furious with you. I thought there’d more chance of reasonable discussion if I came alone and a better chance if Jenny was with me.’

  ‘It’s good of you Jenny. You could hardly have got home after your last visit.’

  ‘I’m worried about you. I didn’t want you making stupid decisions, not when you’re so vulnerable.’

  ‘So what have you told my mother?’

  ‘Just that Jay has left. And that he is suspected of being involved in the theft of your car.’ Georgie stared at her friend. Had she said anything about the pregnancy? Jenny gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head, unnoticed by her mother.

  ‘I’m so sorry Darling. He was a lovely man but clearly unstable. You know what your father is always saying.’

  ‘Oh yes, ind
eed. Nobody could possibly love me for myself. Only for the money and job prospects. I realise all of that. That’s why I thought I was safe with him but he still left me for being myself.’

  ‘Don’t sound so bitter Georgie. Your father has always wanted what is best for you. He wants only to protect you from the undesirable elements.’

  ‘That’s right of course. And look what happened when I made a break for it. Oh I’m sorry. I know you want to help. But I’ve decided, I’m going to stay in Cornwall. It’s a good place live and I’ve been happy here. Well, most of the time. I’ll get a job somewhere.’

  ‘Oh Georgie, do you have to? Why not come home and work for the hotel near us if that’s what you want to do.’

  ‘No good. Daddy would still be on my back. No, there are plenty of hotels in Cornwall. I can find a job.’

  ‘I tell you what. If you’re determined to stay in Cornwall, why not work here for a while? There’s sure to be something. That way, we’ll be sure you’re looked after properly.’

  ‘That’s not a bad idea,’ Jenny put in. ‘You are safe and you’d have a decent room to stay in.’

  ‘I’d made up my mind to move on,’ she hesitated. ‘But it might work. But will I be able to do a proper job without everyone thinking I’m spying on them. They seem like a good team. I wouldn’t want to spoil anything.’

  ‘It sounds like a brilliant idea,’ Jenny agreed. ‘You getting properly fed and the baby would be much safer.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Mrs Hetherington said in horror.

  ‘Sorry,’ Jenny spluttered. ‘Oh, I’m really sorry.’

  ‘You mean she’s pregnant? Oh my god no. Oh Georgie, how could you?’

  ‘Nature, Mother. You know how it works.’

  ‘But with a ... a criminal. I don’t know what your father will say.’

  ‘I think I do. So it’s best of you say nothing and let me get on with my life. Working here for a while is a good idea but when I get nearer the time, I’ll quietly disappear and find some way of managing. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go to bed.’