‘Darling!’ said the lead aunt, whose name was Daphne and who set the tone for the party. ‘You are so kind! We are such demanding old biddies with our various breakfast requirements and yet you never hesitated to cater to our whims, however unreasonable! Even when Doris and the others had to leave so early.’
It hadn’t seemed that early to Gilly. ‘If only all my guests were like you!’ she said, setting down the tray. ‘Looking after you has been such fun.’
‘It’s your attention to detail that makes this place so special,’ Daphne went on. ‘Fresh flowers in the rooms—’
‘Only a couple of sprigs from the garden,’ said Gilly, dismissing the praise.
‘I really like having fresh milk to put in my tea in the room,’ said Mary, Daphne’s sister. ‘And a good selection of herb teas, and more than just a couple of teabags, too.’
‘As for the shortbread,’ said Miriam, who may have been a sister-in-law – Gilly had lost track. ‘Delicious!’
‘I loved the lavender oil by the bed,’ said Mary. ‘Not sure if it made any difference to how I slept but it smelt lovely.’
‘You were supposed to sprinkle it on your pillow,’ said Miriam. ‘I loved it!’
‘And the breakfast,’ said Daphne. ‘I’m very fussy and I had nothing to complain about. Hot plates—’
‘So important,’ her sister Mary agreed.
‘Proper butter in a dish and not those little packets I find so difficult to open.’ Miriam gestured with her hands. Her fingers sported many rings but Gilly noticed they were showing signs of arthritis.
‘And home-made marmalade!’ said Daphne.
‘I have to confess I don’t make it myself,’ said Gilly, embarrassed by this fulsome praise. ‘I buy it from the WI market.’
‘Well, someone made it at home,’ said Daphne, no less enthusiastic. ‘And again, not in those horrid sachets.’
‘Ah! Here’s William,’ said Mary as he came in through the open front door. ‘William? We’ve had such a lovely stay with Gilly. Thank you so much for recommending such a wonderful B & B.’
‘She’s looked after us brilliantly!’ said Daphne. ‘We had hot chocolate when we got back after the party—’
‘With a little something in it!’ added Mary.
‘I’m not sure you should tell me all this,’ said William. ‘I’m Gilly’s accountant, remember. Can these things be cost-effective?’ He gave Gilly a smile that made her wish he smiled more often. He was really quite good-looking, she noticed, now she had a chance to look at him. Thick hair in a man in his fifties was rare.
‘It might get me repeat custom,’ she said, glancing round at the group. ‘And then it would be like advertising, which is a legitimate business expense.’
William laughed. ‘In which case—’
‘Don’t you dare cramp her style,’ said Miriam with emphasis. ‘It’s a marvellous place to stay and I think we should all come again. What do you think, girls?’
‘Marvellous idea!’ said Daphne. ‘We could go on trips out in the area.’
Gilly had thought about doing this for a while so she nodded. ‘I could arrange a minibus,’ she said. ‘And send someone with you – or even go myself.’
‘Now my client is in the tour business,’ said William, raising his eyebrows in mock horror. ‘I think I’d better relieve you of my female relations before you end up running a home for wayward pensioners. If I can persuade them to leave, that is.’
There was a lot of laughter, friendly insults and goodwill involved in loading Gilly’s guests into the car while she held sticks and handbags and cheered from the sidelines. But at last they were in, buckled up and away. Gilly waved them off and went back inside.
‘Hello, you,’ said Leo, who was waiting in the hall. He had come in the back entrance, avoiding the farewells at the front. He kissed Gilly’s cheek.
Gilly found herself beaming. She was delighted to see him and for some reason pleased he hadn’t clashed with William’s old ladies. ‘Come and let me make you a cup of coffee. You can drink it while I clear up breakfast.’
‘While you’re obviously brilliant with dotty old women, I don’t think you should have to run around after them like you do.’
Gilly paused. While William’s female relations were eccentric she wouldn’t have described themas dotty. They were very sharp and on the ball and even if they weren’t, she’d have enjoyed caring for them.
‘I like it. I even liked getting up at six so I could send them home with packets of home-made shortbread. There’s some left,’ she added.
