Piercing eyes stabbing into my back, and I looked up and saw the ghost of Lady Catherine watching us. A smile crossed her lips before she offered me a nod.
“Family is what’s important in life, Adam. Don’t forget that again. Make the most of this Christmas because it’s a new start for you.”Her words echoed in my head before she faded.
Mariah
The smell from the kitchen was making my stomach rumble. Trudy and Julie were placing trays filled with food on our serving hatch, and Benedict was placing them on the heated food buffet bar. It was something we only used on a Sunday or if we were doing a theme night.
Starters were two different soups this evening, and several trays of chicken goujons and garlic bread for the children. They were now serving the mains, and my mouth watered at the smell of the Hunter’s chicken. Four plates with our own dinners were waiting in the kitchen. Usually, we didn’t expect customers to wait on themselves, but with no wait staff or help in the kitchen, it was serve yourself time.
Nobody appeared bothered, even though it was clear the guests had money. I liked the way the adults all served the children first before themselves. As Benedict carried trays past me, my stomach decided my throat had been slit and began growling.
“Go eat. I’ve got the bar,” Benedict ordered.
“I can wait.”
“Mariah, you were ill earlier. Go eat.”
“Okay, bossy boots,” I replied. Benedict grinned at me as one of the men, Mr Bryant, I think it was, approached the bar.
“Can I have seven beers, please, and seven glasses of white wine?” he asked.
“Any preferences?” Benedict asked.
“We’re easy-going. Can we also have another couple of jugs of pop for the kids?” he asked.
“Pop?”
“Squash, Benedict,” I said, and now Mr Bryant looked confused. “It’s called squash over here.”
“Ah, thanks.”
I left Benedict to serve the drinks and headed into the kitchen to collect our dinners. Benedict may have the bar, but he could take fifteen minutes to eat something. I was sure the guests wouldn’t mind.
I brought our plates out as Benedict carried the jugs of squash over to the tables. He joined me after I sat down.
“God, Julie knows how to cook,” he said after his first mouthful.
“She sure does.”
“I love you, Mariah,” Benedict stated out of the blue. He jolted me a little.
“I know. I love you too, Benedict.”
“Mariah, no matter what happens, we’re going to be happy. I promise you.”
My heart melted at the earnestness in his voice.
“If you’re by my side, then nothing can touch us. Because together we’re strong,” he said.
A smile crossed my lips. Despite my heartache at not being pregnant or having a child yet, I knew somehow everything would be okay.
???
Two days later, Benedict held my hair back as I heaved into the toilet. Damn, I’d never eat again if this continued. My stomach rebelled once more, and I shook as heaving overtook me. I swallowed hard and spluttered.
“This has been twenty-four hours, Mariah. Maybe we need to call a doctor in,” Benedict worried.
“Benedict, it’s just a stomach bug. They can last a few days,” I said tiredly. Damn it, I really didn’t want to be sick on top of Christmas, especially with the inn full and only the four of us to manage. Trudy cleaned the rooms in the morning and helped Julie prepare dinner in the evening. I now had to stay away from food, per health and safety laws, which stopped me from helping Julie. Benedict manned the bar and did everything else.
