‘Never mind how I got it. You really are a piece of work. Now, if you don’t mind, we’d all like you to get your stuff and get out of the castle!’ Dan paces around the corridor, his fists balled tightly.
This can’t be happening. I was so happy just a few hours ago.
‘Dan, let me explain? Please!’ I beg him.
‘Not a hope in hell,’ he roars at me.
‘Please, Dan!’ I implore.
‘You work for the man who wants to buy this place yet you never said. Terry found CCTV picking you up searching throughthe registration book at the desk and taking photos of it! Who are you really, Maggie Grace? Do not lie to me!’ Dan’s eyes look so sad, so dark, so hurt.
‘I don’t work for Frederick Macken. Well, not really .?.?.’ I feel like collapsing, my legs feel like rubber. ‘Please, Dan, let me at least try to explain that report to you, which I never filed by the way! I tried to tell you a few times today about all this, I swear. Please listen to me!’ I beg, unsure of how to get him to sit and listen to me.
‘Terry found your computer in the Sweet Orange Room and I asked him to take it to Joe in the repair shop to fix the crack I was responsible for, as a surprise to you. When he opened it to show Joe the damage they saw this! It was left unlocked. Stupid rookie error!’
‘This is what happened,’ I start, talking over his shouts, I have to just explain. ‘Listen to me!’
He stops. His breath still coming in short, sharp pants. His hair falls over his eyes.
‘Please, listen to me. It is not what it appears to be. Look at me?’
And he does, he really does. Slowly, I take his shaking hand. He uncurls his fists and I pull him inside and make him sit on my bed.
I tell Dan my entire story right up to what Ben and Eliza have just told me. I leave nothing out.
‘The dirty rat!’ Dan punches his fist into his palm.
‘I know,’ I gasp, trying to control my own breath. ‘But you believe me? Say you believe me?’ I’m desperate to hear him say it.
‘I believe you,’ Dan nods, ‘but I made him sign a contract that stipulated he can’t do that. Well, I mean, he said he wouldn’t. The contract was to say the building would be preserved, and the staff .?.?. not necessarily that it would remain a hotel.’ He looks sofull of despair.
‘He says he will keep some staff on to work in the gym and as cleaners for the apartments and it will have a front desk, Ben told me that too.’ I don’t try to soften anything for him.
‘Maggie, you have to file the article now!’ Dan says. ‘They won’t be getting their greasy hands on this place but your promotion can still stand. It will remain a hotel! File it!’
‘No!’ I shake my head, my curls flying wildly around my face.
‘But this is your job! This is what you’ve wanted for so long. To write about love,’ he says, always selfless.
‘No, I won’t let those kinds of people near this place. I’d rather keep it on my desktop forever. Amanda could easily have called me to tell me, she’s as bad as him. They are horrible, greedy people. I’m out.’ I acknowledge my own words with a sharp dart of reality.
‘I gotta go!’ He stands up, head in hands, his fingers dragging through his hair.
‘What are you going to do?’ I gasp.
‘I need to think. I need to call another emergency town meeting. Come with me?’
‘No, I-I can’t. I can’t face them again. Terry was horrible to me and rightfully so.’ I drop my head, slumping my shoulders.
‘It’s okay, I’ll talk to him and explain. Meet me outside in ten minutes, please?’ He takes a long, slow breath in as I nod.
‘But us, you and me?’ My words tumble out. I can barely wait for his answer.
‘We can talk later. I’ve a castle to save!’
And that’s good enough for me.
* * *
