CHERRY BLOSSOMS (romance books)

by KEYSON, PATRICIA

  Cherry imagined them as a team, but her imagination took her beyond the hotel. She wasn’t sure she ever wanted to get married again, but to have someone to share things with would be wonderful. Cherry could think of nothing she’d like better than to spend time with Oliver. Her thoughts overtook her as she envisaged an evening wrapped in his arms. Suddenly Pat appeared bearing a tray of tea and cakes.

  “Thought you’d appreciate this,” she said, carefully placing the tray on the table.

  “I’ll pour,” Cherry said quickly, glad to be distracted from her steamy thoughts.

  “What do you fancy? Chocolate éclair, vanilla slice, or Eccles cake?” Oliver asked.

  As soon as she’d said chocolate éclair Cherry knew she’d made a mistake. Biting into the pastry, thick cream oozed out, but thankfully she managed to finish it without making too much mess. She was starving and the cake had hit the right spot. For a split second she didn’t care what Oliver thought of her, then she remembered her manners and swallowed hard. “That was good,” she acknowledged, wiping her mouth with a napkin.

  “I can see you enjoyed that.” Oliver laughed, then reached across and wiped her cheek gently. “It’s probably a good job I can’t take you to the conference.”

  Cherry felt embarrassed, but was happy to see that he was chuckling.

  “Maybe we should have dinner together, spaghetti followed by Mississippi Mud Pie,” Oliver joked. “Actually that’s not a bad idea. How about this evening? We could bounce a few ideas around. What do you say?”

  Was that how Oliver viewed her? Cherry wondered – like a kid who needed to be given sweets as a bribe to do her homework? Indignantly she opened her mouth to protest before realising that he was asking her to spend some time with him. This evening! Of course she realised it was only a work meeting.

  What Cherry wanted to say was “yes please”, but she had Jay to think of. “I’m sorry, there’s Jay.”

  Oliver looked disappointed. “Couldn’t he be left for a couple of hours?”

  Cherry wasn’t sure if he was joking and didn’t reply. They sat in silence.

  “You two look gloomy. What’s up?” Darius asked.

  “Cherry is absolutely adamant no one else can care for her son.”

  “What’s this all about?” Darius asked as he threw himself onto the sofa next to Cherry. “You’re looking stressed, Oliver, and you look as though you could strangle him.”

  “You’d be stressed if you had half my problems,” Oliver said sullenly.

  Cherry felt even more uncomfortable now. Darius was a guest at the hotel, but was on first name terms with Oliver, and the two men seemed very familiar with each other. Cherry explained the difficulty of not having anyone to babysit Jay. “I don’t think Oliver quite understands about looking after children.”

  “Well, let’s just say he has a somewhat distorted view.” Darius sat with his legs crossed insouciantly, a smile on his face. “Any tea left in the pot? I’ll use Oliver’s dirty cup. Ah, cream cakes.” He helped himself to a large vanilla slice, licked at the icing, then took a big bite, spraying crumbs everywhere.

  Cherry was pleased to see that Darius was making even more mess than she had. “Here let me,” she said wiping cream from his shirt.

  “Oh, for goodness sake,” Oliver said crossly, glaring at them.

  Cherry felt embarrassed, but Darius didn’t seem to take any notice, he just carried on eating after giving Cherry a big wink which made her giggle.

  “We’re like brothers, Jay and me. Well, maybe not brothers, because we do get on well. I’ve taught him twenty-one and he’s promised to show me his latest playstation game.” Darius slumped down and put his feet on the opposite sofa, next to Oliver. Cherry thought Oliver was about to explode. “How about me?” Darius asked Cherry.

  “How about you what?” she asked, totally bemused.

  “How about me looking after Jay, then you two can go off on your little jaunt . . .”

  “It is not a little jaunt, it’s business,” Oliver said interrupting. “And anyway, there’s no way you can look after the hotel and Jay.”

  Cherry was astonished. Why would one of the guests be looking after the hotel? She glanced first at Oliver and then Darius.

  Darius, looking puzzled, said, “Oliver is my big brother. Didn’t he tell you?”

  Chapter Seven

  “Just sit down and tell me, will you?” pleaded Pat.

  “I can’t,” replied Cherry, pacing up and down the small room set aside for employees. More than anything she wanted to confide in her friend, but she knew that as soon she’d said the words they’d become a reality. The truth was that she would have to move out of the chalet, and then not only would she be homeless again, but Mrs Talbot would make sure Jay was taken away from her. As she tried to smile, Cherry felt tears forming. She burst out, “Oh Pat, what will I do? Now I’ll have to admit to living in the chalet.”

  “I don’t see why,” shrugged Pat, her hand hovering as ever over the biscuit tin. Cherry brushed at her face quickly, hoping Pat didn’t notice. “I told Darius I was living there – even told him to keep it quiet because the management didn’t know. How embarrassing is that?”

  “But Darius won’t say anything,” declared Pat through a mouthful of chocolate biscuit. “He likes you and Jay and wouldn’t do anything to make you unhappy. In fact,” she smiled, her eyes dancing, “I think he may have the hots for you.”

  “Rubbish – he’s just a boy,” declared Cherry, momentarily side-tracked. She’d never thought of Darius like that. He was fun, he was good company, but nothing more. In some ways it would be an advantage if she could have those sorts of feelings for him. Now Cherry owned up to the fact that since she’d met Oliver she hadn’t been able to think romantically about any other men. He’d stolen her heart and was holding it to ransom. If only he felt the same way about her everything would be perfect. If anything she seemed to irritate him.

  Pat smiled before continuing, “Anyway, let’s get back to the question in hand. Why don’t you have a word with Darius and put your mind at rest? I’m sorry, Cherry, of course I can see how worrying it is. After all, there’s Jay to think about as well. It is pretty serious, isn’t it?”

  Cherry nodded as Pat put her hand on her arm. “You do understand why I have to tell Oliver, don’t you?”

  “Not really,” confessed Pat, “but if you think it’s for the best . . .”

  “It’s not fair for Darius to have to keep a secret like that. He’d be torn in his loyalties.” As ever, when flummoxed Cherry flapped a duster around. Now she spotted a cobweb with glee and attacked it with vigour.

  “Do put that duster down. I can see through you, you know. You always start cleaning things when you’re worried. I suppose you’ll be starting on the windows next.”

  “Yes,” confirmed Cherry, ducking to avoid the tea towel coming her way from her amused friend.

  Pat glanced at Cherry before saying, “You could always come and stay with us. Maurice loves seeing Jay, and you know I think the world of you both.”

  To Cherry it would be the answer to her prayers. Pat and Maurice were a lovely couple, and she and Jay had been to their house for meals a couple of times. Maurice loved fishing and kept Jay enthralled with his tales of the riverbank. A grin escaped her as she remembered Jay’s look of awe when Maurice was telling him about the latest big fish he’d caught. But it wouldn’t be fair, Cherry decided firmly. Maurice hadn’t been well which gave Pat extra work to do when she got home from the hotel.

  “It’s so kind of you, Pat, but it isn’t a long term solution and you’ve got a lot on your plate. No, I’ll just have to face it out with Oliver. You’re a good friend.” She gave Pat a hug.

  “Why not have a word with Darius? See what he has to say?” Pat pursed her lips and lifted an eyebrow. “You’ve got Jay to think of as well, you know.”

  Cherry’s instincts were to be upfront and honest, but she knew what the outcome would be. Perhaps she
should speak to Darius and ask him if he could keep a secret. She dusted Pat’s biscuit crumbs into her hand as she thought of the possibility of being allowed to stay at the chalet. Of course Oliver wouldn’t let her stay, but if he and Darius were brothers, wouldn’t fifty per cent of the permission be enough? That is, if Darius agreed to it.

  What choice did she have? She couldn’t stay with Pat and there was nowhere else. Then again, she felt uneasy at the thought of involving Darius. She liked him too much to encourage him to be less than truthful to his brother. It wasn’t right.

  “Day dreaming again? Not sweet on them both, are you?” Pat laughed.

  “No, of course not,” retorted Cherry, tossing her curls.

  “Just the one, then?” pushed Pat.

  Changing the subject Cherry said, “You’ve had enough biscuits, Pat O’Brien. You’ll be bursting out of your uniform.”

  Pat giggled. “All right, I’ll give up asking.” Her face grew serious as she said, “It’s difficult, I know, but I don’t want to see you and Jay homeless or jobless, or worse.”

  Cherry wondered what could be worse. Then the full force of her dilemma hit her. When Oliver found out about her staying in the chalet he might not only sack her for being deceitful, but she’d never see him again. If it was up to her, she could easily pack her bags and get a room somewhere, but that was impossible because of Jay. It was a circle that couldn’t be squared. Cherry’s instinct for flight was very strong, but she knew it would solve nothing. She had to make a plan.

  “If I have to leave the chalet, I’ll have nowhere to live,” she said, slowly.

  “Yes, love, I know. We’ve been over that. You’ve got to live somewhere.”

  “So, let’s see what we’ve got,” said Cherry decisively. She counted off on her fingers, “One, I confess to Oliver that Jay and I are living in one of his chalets without permission. Two, he tells me to move out. Three, I can’t continue to work here as I’ll have nowhere to live. Four, he sacks me as well for being dishonest. Five, I’ll . . .”

  “It’s depressing, isn’t it? So why go there?” asked Pat. She gently shook Cherry’s arm. “Honestly, Cherry, I think you should reconsider this honesty plan of yours. We keep coming back to the fact that it’s not just you who’s going to suffer.” Cherry knew Pat wouldn’t speak like that if she wasn’t anxious for her and Jay’s future. Everything she lived for was at stake now.

  The fact that Jay could be taken away from Cherry lay before them like an abyss. Also, Cherry couldn’t quite face up to the fact that she may never see Oliver again. However, she’d brought Jay up to be honest. It seemed that one way or another she was destined to let him down.

  Chapter Eight

  Although she had made the decision to tell Oliver the truth, Cherry still couldn’t bring herself to go to his office. She slipped on her jacket and then went out of the staff entrance to head for the river. The still-damp grass was sparkling from a shower, the sun was shining and the vegetation by the river was all the shades of green imaginable. The reflection of the trees in the river was almost a perfect mirror image. A drop of water from the tree she was standing under slipped behind her jacket collar and down her back, making Cherry shiver. She wanted to spread her arms wide, grab the view and keep it forever. There was something about the river which gave her the feeling that life was good and her worries were just drops in this huge expanse of water. Some ducks waddled over, expecting bread, and made her laugh with their eagerness. She felt better now and ready to face the task ahead.

  Oliver’s office door was firmly closed against her. Cherry tapped gently, but there was no reply. The strengthening effect of the river was wearing off. She took a few steps away thinking that maybe she should come back later, then reminded herself it wasn’t fair on Darius to leave her deception a moment longer. She went back to the door and tapped again. Once again there was no answer.

  “He won’t hear that,” Pat said, passing with a pile of table linen. She stopped and put the pile of neatly pressed linen on a console table. “Don’t look so worried. He’s a nice man, very thoughtful. I expect he’ll be fine about it.” She gave Cherry a hug. “Let me,” she said, banging on the door before whispering, “Good luck,” and carrying on with her work.

  “I’m going to need it,” Cherry replied, pushing open the door when she heard Oliver’s abrupt, “Come in.” Her heart beat a little faster when she saw Oliver smiling at her from the other side of his desk.

  “Ah, Cherry, glad you’ve turned up. I’ve just printed off some information from a website I found. I thought it might be of interest.” He waved a sheaf of papers at her. “There’s more good news too about this boat idea. I’ve been on to a couple of firms and got some good prices. I just need you to take a look with me. I’m sure you can manage a day trip can’t you? We could take a picnic, or have a pub lunch, whatever you fancy.”

  “The thing is, Oliver . . .”

  “We can arrange a convenient date, the sooner the better. And the other bit of good news is that I’ve persuaded Darius to go to the conference. It wasn’t exactly easy and I’ve had to promise him a couple of weeks off later in the summer, but I did it.” Oliver was grinning like a small boy who’s just won a conker fight. “It will be good for him to go to the conference. He’ll have to get up in the morning and attend lectures and workshops. And he’ll have to make sure he’s dressed smartly, not just in a tracksuit and trainers. It might even spark an interest and make him more enthusiastic about joining the business. He has no sense of purpose. At the moment he’s just drifting along, totally financed by his doting mother. I suppose I sound bitter and shouldn’t be saying these things to you. Let’s concentrate on the hotel. Come and take a seat, we have a lot to discuss.”

  Cherry thought how lovely that Oliver wasn’t going away. Then she realised it wouldn’t affect her as she was inches away from forfeiting her job and her home. She was in turmoil. How could she have been so stupid? She only had herself to blame. Now she would lose everything, including Jay, when that dreadful Talbot woman found out that they had nowhere to live. She stifled a sob. “I haven’t got much to say so I think I’ll stand,” Cherry muttered, twisting her hands together. “If you don’t mind, that is,” she added quickly.

  Oliver was concerned. He’d been more than disappointed about the conference, but he’d consoled himself with the thought of future days away together. But looking at her now he could see that she was very worried and he wondered what the next bombshell was going to be. He’d been so wrapped up in his enthusiasm for the hotel and then his delight at persuading Darius to go to the conference, he’d completely missed the worried look on Cherry’s face.

  “I’ve got to leave,” she said quietly.

  “What?” He hadn’t expected anything as dramatic as this. He stood up and paced to the window. Perhaps she had reconciled with Jay’s father. Was it possible in such a short space of time? “Why?” he added, barely able to speak.

  “I haven’t been honest with you.”

  He turned to see Cherry gazing at him with her clear blue eyes. Now he was sure, it was something to do with her ex. She’d been hiding something about their relationship. But there hadn’t been any reason for her to tell him the truth about her relationship with Jay’s father. “I see,” was all he could say.

  “I don’t think you do see, Oliver. I’ve taken advantage of you as my employer. I’m really sorry, I shouldn’t have done it.”

  He couldn’t help but smile, wishing that she’d taken advantage of him as a man too. He longed to take her in his arms and kiss away all her cares, but it sounded as though someone else was about to do that.

  “You won’t find it so amusing when I tell you what I’ve done.” Cherry picked at some imaginary fluff on her sleeve.

  “Go on and for goodness sake sit down, you’re making me nervous.” He sat back at his desk in an effort to make her do likewise.

  Cherry sat on the edge of the hard-backed chair opposite him. She was che
wing her lip and he could barely resist rushing to her and telling her everything was going to be all right, just so long as she forgot about Jay’s dad and concentrated on the hotel. And him.

  “It’s just that . . . the thing is . . . Jay and I are living in one of the chalets. I didn’t get your permission.”

  “Is that it?” Relief surged through his body and he let out a sigh.

  “No. We’re not paying rent. We just moved in when the boat sank. We didn’t have anywhere else to go. We were homeless. I was desperate. I thought they’d take Jay away. I couldn’t bear to lose him. It was nothing to do with Pat . . . or anyone else.”

  “Come on now, we all know how good-hearted Pat is. It was her idea, right?” He knew how kind Pat was. He’d been at the receiving end of her kindness many a time, especially when he’d been younger. He’d often found surprise food parcels in his trunk when he’d unpacked at boarding school. He’d always known it was Pat, not his mother, who’d been so thoughtful.

  “Please, don’t blame her. She can’t afford to lose her job,” Cherry pleaded.

  “I know how to deal with Pat.”

  Tears rolled down Cherry’s cheeks and Oliver pulled a tissue from the box on his desk and passed it to her. “I’ll send for her now.” He reached for his phone and called reception to find Pat and send her in.

  So much for Pat’s promise that he’d be fine about the chalet. Her friend entered the room without knocking and said a cheery, “Hello, Oliver, can I help?”

  Cherry wrung her hands. “I’m sorry, Pat, I said it wasn’t your fault.”

  “I am guessing you put her in one of the chalets that needs renovating.”

  Pat nodded. “It was no loss to the hotel’s profits except the cost of a little electricity. I was sure you wouldn’t mind.”

  “No, I don’t mind because you were looking after the welfare of a member of staff. It was a typical gesture. In fact, Pat, I’ve been considering a pay rise for you. You’re proving to be one of my most valuable members of staff. Well, you were Mother’s too. You’re on the next step of the pay scale as of the beginning of next month, but I’ll make sure there’s a bit of a bonus on your next pay slip too.”