‘If you are, then you should sell, but are you really? You’re a comparatively young woman. Do you want to retire? Or maybe travel? Have an adult “gap year”? Do something else with your life?’
‘You were supposed to be talking me out of selling, not offering alternative lifestyles,’ Gilly said, and then realised she’d sounded a bit grumpy.
‘I’m pressing you because I know you love your B & B, your home, and that TripAdvisor tells me it’s one of the best places to stay in the area.’
‘If you think that flattery …’ But Gilly didn’t finish her sentence. She knew he would see the smile thatshe’d couldn’t suppress. Shewasone of the best B & Bs in the area and no, she wasn’t remotely ready to downsize and retire.
‘I’m not flattering you, Mrs Claire, I’m telling you the facts as I see them. Of course, it’s your decision.’
‘But you think I should say no to any requests for money?’
He smiled. ‘I think you should try very hard to say no, but I do realise how difficult that is for you. You have a very kind heart.’
He had told her before that she was the only client who felt obliged to bring shortbread for the staff and she knew that as an accountant he didn’t see having a kind heart in quite the same way as, for example, a vicar would. ‘Well, I will try to stand firm,’ she said at last.
‘Good. But while you’re here, I wonder if I could take advantage of your kind heart and consult you about a party I’m organizing for the eightieth birthday of one of my aunts.’
‘Oh?’
‘I was wondering if you knew anything about January Barn. Would it be suitable for a family party, with lots of the family being quite elderly?’
‘Oh yes. I quite often have people who are going to events there and they all say it’s lovely.’
‘Which brings me to the second thing I want to ask you. Could I rent all the rooms in your B & B?’
Gilly was a bit taken aback. ‘Of course you can, but it rather depends on when your party is. I may have bookings already.’ She smiled apologetically. ‘I do get bookings quite far in advance. I know I should have my diary on my phone but although Helena explained how to do it I kept forgetting to update it. And frankly, it’s quite nice to have a bit of time to reflect sometimes.’
William nodded. ‘It’s quite soon, I’m afraid – this month. January Barn have had a wedding cancelled and haven’t yet filled the spot. They were quite keen on having a less labour-intensive event although obviously one not quite as lucrative.’
Gilly got up. ‘Why don’t you email me the dates and I’ll get back to you? I’d love to have your family to stay.’ Already she was considering passing on any bookings she might have to her friend nearby whose B & B was nearly as good as her own.
‘And I know they’d love staying with you,’ he said. ‘It would be for my aunts and some cousins. I’m very fond of them.’
‘Of course I’d be happy to give you a special rate as your family will be taking all the rooms,’ said Gilly.
‘As your accountant I shouldn’t let you do that,’ he said firmly, but Gilly could see a twinkle in his eye he couldn’t quite suppress.
She felt a rush of warmth towards this kind man who wanted to do something nice for his elderlyrelatives. ‘But as your friend I think you have to let me charge what I think appropriate.’
He laughed. ‘I’m glad you think of yourself as my friend, Mrs Claire.’
‘I do, and I think it’s high time you called me Gilly.’
‘And you must call me William.’
Gilly smiled and got up. ‘I must go. Thank you so much for your advice and get those dates to me as soon as you can.’
He got up too and walked her to the door where she stopped, pointing to the wall. ‘I’ve never mentioned it before, but I really love those photographs. Seeing the hills covered in frost with the sunshine just catching them, the river looking magnificent, they’re really beautiful.’
‘Do you like them? I took them from my glider.’
‘Glider? You have a glider?’
He nodded and opened the door.
That’s a bit of a surprise, thought Gilly as she left.
Chapter Three
