Coffee, Tea, The Gypsy & Me...

by Caroline James

  The sign for Carlisle loomed and Hattie slowed the car to make the turn. It rattled as she crunched through the gears. With any luck she’d be driving something fancy soon. Life couldn’t get any better! Hattie sang happily to herself and with a grin from ear to ear, headed into Carlisle to make her purchases.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  The conference was laid out neatly with a large, square table in the middle of the room. A flip chart stood by the back wall with a projector close by. Chairs were tucked in and blotters lined up alongside pencils, water glasses and a dish of mints.

  Jo moved round the table and straightened each setting. She checked her watch. Mark would arrive at any moment. She walked over to the French windows and opened the doors. Heavy blooms of roses climbed around the frame and Jo inhaled the heady and intoxicating scent of the old English flower. The morning sun flooded the croquet lawn and swallows dive bombed the crystal clear water on the pond.

  “It’s beautiful.” Mark stepped onto the patio and surprised her. He placed his heavy briefcase down and touched Jo’s arm. She turned and he kissed her cheek.

  “Did you have a good journey?” Jo asked. Mark had been visiting his children.

  “Yes but I should have stayed here last night, the motorway was busy. It’s going to be a long day.” Mark pulled out a chair and sat down. Penny appeared with a tray of coffee and a bacon sandwich.

  “Will you join me?”

  “Yes of course.” Jo sat next to him and watched Mark pour a cup of coffee. He added hot frothy milk and pushed the cup towards her.

  “How are you?” Mark smiled. Penny placed another cup on the table.

  “Good thanks. I’ve just about recovered from our shooting party.” Jo stirred the coffee. “They were a bunch of night owls.”

  “But lucrative?” Mark raised his eyebrows and bit into his sandwich. He dabbed at his mouth with a linen napkin.

  “I certainly can’t complain.”

  “I had a good trip with the kids. They were pleased to see me.”

  “You’ve got a busy day today though?” Jo nodded towards the Rose Room.

  “Oh, it’ll be fine. Just a catch up with the troops between their holidays, try and fire them up a bit for the autumn, lots of new promotions coming on…” He finished his sandwich and looked around the garden.

  “I could get you some big umbrellas to go out here.” He studied the parasols dotted around.

  “I’m trying to discourage smokers not flash your logos all over the place.” Jo smiled.

  “I could make it worth your while.” He smiled back at her.

  “Sponsorship too! Don’t tempt me.” Jo stood up. “You should have everything you need. Hattie will supervise lunch.” She glanced at her watch again. Nearly nine o’clock. Three hours to go to her lunch date with John. Her stomach did a cartwheel.

  “Have you got a busy day?” Mark asked.

  “Lots of jobs today but I’ll be back later on.” Jo crossed her fingers behind her back. Thankfully, delegates had started to arrive and distracted Mark. “Just let Hattie know when you want anything at all.”

  * * *

  “By heck, we’ll have to keep our wits about us today!” Hattie flopped down on Jo’s bed and knotted her hands behind her head.

  “Why on earth did you tell Greg that he could come for Thomas at noon?” Jo angrily threw her towel to one side and rubbed body lotion on her legs.

  “I didn’t think it would be a problem, I don’t keep your personal diary.” She looked away as Jo glared at her. Hattie knew perfectly well that John was arriving at noon too.

  “Whatever you do, make sure Mark is still in his conference. Don’t break for lunch until at least one o’clock.” Jo thrust her arms into a pale cream Rigby and Peller bra then stepped into matching lace panties.

  “It’ll be a bit like a theatrical farce, if they all get sight of each other.” Hattie watched Jo dress in the white crochet suit.

  “Hattie, I trust you to keep them all at a distance.” Jo implored. “Put John in the Green Room, Mark in the Rose Room, and Greg at the back door.” Jo applied her make up.

  “We just need Pervie Pete Parks to do a reckie and Robert-Unrequited-Love-Mann to turn up and we’ll have a full house!” Hattie giggled. Jo slipped into a pair of gold sandals and put a lipstick in her clutch bag.

  “Beautiful.” Hattie nodded. “Will we be seeing you again today?” She stood up.

  “Of course you will. I’m only going out for lunch.”

  “I don’t think it’ll be at Macdonalds or a pub... I’ve a feeling you might be dining at a restaurant with rooms.”

  “Oh bog off Hattie. Go and get some work done, I need to speak to Ann and make sure Greg brings Thomas back at six.”

  “Yes M’Lady.” Hattie doffed her brow and moved backwards out of the room. Jo couldn’t help but smile as she watched Hattie’s performance.

  “I’ll fetch you a Cointreau!” Hattie called out. Jo twirled in front of the mirror. Her suit was gorgeous! It was a perfect outfit for a summer day. She sprayed herself with Beautiful and took a final glance - You’ll do! She nodded at her reflection.

  * * *

  Hattie poured a Cointreau into a liqueur glass and placed the bottle back on the shelf. She heard the front door buzzer and lifted the bar hatch to see John Doherty standing in the hall. A gleaming Mercedes sports car was parked by the front door. Hattie heard someone come into the bar and turned round - Mark Pucker had appeared from the Rose Room.

  “Hattie, could we have some more coffee please?” He stared at the Cointreau.

  “Of course Mr Pucker, I’ll just take this to a guest and be right with you.” She placed the drink on a silver tray as Jo appeared in the doorway and bumped straight into Mark.

  “You look lovely.” Mark said.

  “Erm, thank you. I have to see some suppliers.”

  Jo had her fingers crossed as she gripped her clutch bag. She looked at Hattie who looked anxiously over Jo’s shoulder. Greg had pulled up by the house and was heading across the gravel to the side door of the hotel. Mark had his back to Hattie, who’d begun to gesticulate. She drew a finger across her throat and mouthing the word ‘Greg!’ pointed to the hallway. Jo froze. Greg had opened the door and entered the hotel.

  “Mrs E, there’s a gentleman here to see you.” Judy came into the bar, flushed from greeting John. Hattie still had the tray in her hand and attempted to block the doorway. Mark turned round and over Hattie’s shoulder saw two men collide in the hall - John and Greg politely apologised to each other.

  “I’ll bring your coffee straight away Mr Pucker.” Hattie urged Mark out of the bar. Jo had disappeared.

  “Greg, you need to go to the other side door. Thomas is in the house, not here.” Hattie smiled sweetly at Greg, who looked puzzled but retraced his steps.

  “Mr Doherty, how nice to see you again.”

  “Where is she?” John walked through the bar and looked into the panel room. He saw the back of Mark as he rejoined his colleagues in the Rose Room. The phone rang and Judy answered it.

  “Yes Mr Parks, a table for four tonight at seven o’clock, we’ll keep that for you.”

  Hattie swore under her breath. John watched her.

  “Not a rugby convention by any chance?” He indicated towards the Rose Room.

  “God no, just salesmen for a chocolate company.” Hattie closed the panel room door, forced a smile and waved John forward.

  “I’ll go and see where she’s got to.”

  She encouraged him to return to the Green Room, but he stared out of the window where Greg took Thomas from Ann, he strapped the child into the car seat then turned to come back in the hotel. The front door buzzer went again and Judy disappeared to answer it. Hattie heard a house phone ring.

  “Excuse me.” She said to John and raced to reception. The switchboard lit up a call from Room Four. Hattie banged the tray down and the glass toppled, spilling some of the Cointreau. She picked up the phone.

/>   “Is it safe?” Jo whispered.

  “Where the fuck are you?” Hattie hissed back.

  “Hiding in Room Four, I panicked.”

  “For heaven’s sake don’t come down the back stairs. John’s in the bar with Pucker on hover mode and Greg about to send out a search party for you. Leave it five minutes then take the main stairs. I’ll get John in the Green Room.” Hattie held her hand over the receiver and prayed that John hadn’t heard her. She looked up. John stood by the desk. He stared at her.

  “Have a seat in the Green Room.” Hattie gulped. “She just popped over the road. You’ll catch her as she comes back in.” Hattie met John’s glare. He knew she was lying!

  John turned and walked down the corridor. Hattie picked up the Cointreau and downed it in one gulp. She gasped as it burned her throat - she hated Cointreau!

  “You alright Hattie?” Judy leaned over the desk. “Not having a funny turn?” Hattie’s eyes watered and she began to cough.

  “Is Mrs E on a date with the gorgeous Mr Doherty?” Judy wanted all the gossip.

  “Get some more coffee for the Rose Room and don’t hang about! I don’t want that lot circulating.”

  “I’m just getting Mr Mann a coffee. He’s in the Green Room talking to Mr Doherty.” Judy bounced off the desk.

  “Holy Shite!” Hattie closed her eyes and counted to ten. When she opened them Greg stood before her. Judy waltzed past with coffee for Robert Mann and Mark stood by the bar door.

  “Judy! Rose Room coffee… Now! Your coffee is on the way Mr Pucker!” She grabbed the tray.

  Greg stood by the desk. “Hattie is Jo around? I wanted to bring Thomas back a bit later…”

  “Not now Greg!” Hattie raced down the hall as Jo made an entrance down the main stairs. Hattie held up her hand to stop her.

  “Robert Mann!” Hattie mouthed the word and pointed to the Green Room. “Greg!” She pointed to reception. Jo stopped dead as Hattie surged into the Green Room. John and Robert sat in the bay window and chatted.

  “Mr Doherty, your guest is ready.” Hattie put the tray down in front of Robert. John stood. He looked out of the window where Greg’s car stood alongside several company cars.

  “Good to see you Robert, enjoy your coffee.” He held out his hand.

  “Good to see you too, John.” Robert shook John’s hand. “Shame Jo’s not here, she’s the only reason I’ve stopped.” Robert looked away. John’s eyes met Hattie’s. She willed him not to speak. He walked past her to the hallway. Hattie followed and closed the Green Room door. Jo was halfway down the stairs. Hattie manoeuvred herself in the hallway and prayed that Greg would stay put in reception. Jo saw John and hurried down the stairs.

  “Good to see the hotel’s busy.” He said sarcastically. Jo ignored his comment.

  “I’m hungry, shall we go?” She smiled and moved past him.

  “Don’t let me stop you saying goodbye to anyone.” He held the door for her. Hattie visibly relaxed.

  “Better get back to work Hattie.” John spoke. “You seem to have a lot of sorting out to do.” He nodded towards Greg, who stood in the hallway staring at Jo.

  “Six o’clock Greg!” Jo hissed. John gave Greg a curt nod as he closed the front door.

  Robert Mann stood in the window and watched John open the door for Jo. He gazed longingly as Jo eased herself into the sports car.

  Hattie bustled Greg off to collect Thomas and made sure that Judy had served coffee to the conference. She stood at the bar, reached for the Cointreau and poured herself another slug.

  “Bleedin’ Hell!” She shook her head. “That was close!”

  * * *

  Wishaw Bay Country House Hotel lay on the shores of Lake Waspwater. A private jetty stretched out onto the lake and was surrounded by twenty acres of immaculately maintained mature gardens.

  Luxurious accommodation in the main house was complimented by a further five guest cottages in the gardens. The restaurant was positioned to overlook the lake and had breathtaking views of the surrounding fells. It was a stunning location for a romantic interlude.

  Jo absorbed the beauty of the place as they swept up the drive. A uniformed valet appeared as John pulled up by the front door.

  “Good afternoon Mr Doherty, Madam.”

  He held the door for Jo. She climbed out of the low level sports car, praying that she wasn’t flashing her knickers. John tossed his keys to the valet then took Jo’s hand and skipped up the steps to the hotel.

  A conservatory lay to the right with lounges to the left and they walked through a dark hallway into the bar. Large glass doors opened onto a patio which overlooked the lake. John spoke to the barman then smiled at Jo.

  “Shall we?” He ushered her ahead and they stepped outside into the warm sunshine. The panoramic view breathtaking. A pair of cane armchairs with soft downy cushions sat either side of a table and parasol. They strolled over and sat down. Within moments the barman was at their side. He fussed about with ice-cold glasses and a wine stand containing a bottle of Dom Perignon champagne, then deftly opened it and poured. John handed a glass to Jo.

  “To lunch.”

  His blue eyes never left her as he sipped his drink. Jo’s stomach fluttered and she took a gulp of her drink to steady herself. The bubbles exploded in her mouth, as the delicious liquid crept down throat and calmed her nerves.

  “You look gorgeous.”

  “Thank you.” Jo replied as a waiter appeared with a tray of canapés. He took great care to explain each one, then produced menus and spoke of the house specialities. Jo’s menu had no prices.

  “Have you been here before?” She asked.

  “No.”

  “They seem to know you.”

  “I phoned ahead.”

  John was immaculate in a light coloured suit and pale blue shirt but was hot and he fiddled with his tie. “I could do without this.” He loosened the knot.

  “They’ll have a stroke if you go into the dining room without it.”

  Jo thought of the two wonderful old gentlemen who owned the hotel. They’d run it for decades, it was their life’s work and the place was crammed full of stunning antiques and kitsch memorabilia. The establishment was admired the world over.

  They ordered their lunch and enjoyed the atmosphere as life on the lake gently floated by. A steamer full of tourists came into view and Jo heard a loud speaker, as a guide described the famous hotel. Passengers waved to the guests and Jo found herself waving back, she felt so relaxed and happy. John gazed round the garden, he seemed relaxed too. He took her hand and held it, rubbing his thumb gently along her skin. Jo was in heaven.

  “Lunch is served Sir.”

  They were led into the dining room to a table set in the bay window, which had privacy and a magnificent view.

  “This is lovely John, thank you.” A waiter unfolded Jo’s napkin and placed it on her knees.

  “Better than a pub lunch?”

  “Most definitely.”

  “You’ve made quite a hit in Kirkton Sowerby.” He leaned back and studied Jo. “Robert’s like a love sick school boy.”

  “He’s no such thing.” She replied. A waiter used silver tongues to lift a warm bread roll from a basket.

  “I take it that was your ex with your son?” John said.

  Jo broke into the bread, it was soft and warm.

  “Yes. He wants to see Thomas on a regular basis.”

  “And how do you feel about that?”

  “Not very keen if I’m honest.” She spread creamy golden butter.

  “Started doing conferences too?”

  “Do we have to talk about work? It’s so nice to be away from it for a few hours.” John leaned over the table and put his fingers under Jo’s chin. He gently stroked her skin.

  “No Gorgeous, we don’t. Let’s talk about all the places I would like to take you to and make love to you, starting with here and now.”

  Two waiters stood by with the starters and discreetly held back. John no
dded and they moved forward, placing the plates on gold edged chargers.

  Over the next few hours Jo enjoyed every second with John. He was the perfect partner – considerate and thoughtful, and attentive to whatever he thought she wanted as they ate their meal. It seemed natural to be so leisurely on such a perfect afternoon. John spoke a little about his business and background, but Jo felt it was like pulling teeth. She learnt that he was from a large family and had tough times growing up. He glossed over living arrangements with his siblings and changed the subject when she asked about school. He explained that he bought and sold property, mainly land deals, up and down the country. He enjoyed his cars but never held onto any, and they were quite lucrative if you bought well and sold on to the right buyer. She asked about Pete Vardy and he explained that he’d known him since they were kids. Pete had built up a huge car business. Jo wanted to know about Jinny.

  “She’s just a friend Jo. I’ve known Billy for years.” He wouldn’t be drawn.

  They both ate fish as a main course and enjoyed a bottle of Chablis Grand Cru. Jo felt very mellow when they returned to their seats on the terrace for coffee. The afternoon had turned into evening. John moved closer and laid his arm across the back of her chair. He stroked her shoulder.

  “Want a liqueur?”

  “I’d love one but I’ll fall asleep, I feel so relaxed.”