‘So how have things been? How are Dave and Sarah?’
Mina began to laugh. ‘So you’re not worried whether your guests have been fed and watered properly, you just want to know whether your marriage guidance tactics have been working.’
‘Well, of course. Then you can tell me everything else.’
‘You’ll be pleased to hear that I think Sarah has turned a corner and is suddenly a lot more appreciative of her husband’s talents… and not just in the kitchen.’
‘Really?’ Amelie’s eyes widened in delighted surprise. ‘You have done well.’
‘And I think Kristian and Jane are getting on like the proverbial house on fire, although perhaps we’re talking a small barbeque in the garden at the moment rather than full conflagration.’
‘Excellent.’ Amelie gave a regal nod.
‘You’re going to have to explain your secret code notes.’
Amelie’s cheeks dimpled. ‘You mean you haven’t worked them out.’
‘I know that you count how many times they’ve stayed before, and that you have some sort of traffic light system for guests. Dave and Sarah were on their last chance? What does BH mean or BVH.’
‘Braucht Hilfe. Needs help.Bracht viel Hilfe. Needs a lot of help.’
Mina laughed. ‘Poor old Kristian, although I do think he’s getting better.’
‘Good. With every guest you have to look behind the façade. People put them up to hide their own anxieties. You only have to look at Luke. On the surface, he’s ready for anything and everything, adventurous, happy go lucky. Inside he’s weighing things up. He’s not nearly as impulsive as he first seems.’
‘No, I’ve realised that,’ agreed Mina not wanting to give too much away. He’d been noticeably absent today even before he disappeared mid-afternoon telling her he was taking the Suitcase Train to be shipped. She felt a little hurt that he hadn’t sought her out, especially when they’d spent the previous night together again – although now she thought about it, he had been a little preoccupied. But then she’d been so tired, she’d flaked out as soon as she lay down, and he’d been gone when she’d woken this morning. If she were honest, that piqued her a little, but common sense asserted itself: there was probably a good reason. After all, she herself had to hit the ground running.
Once she and Amelie had finished coffee, she rolled up her sleeves. ‘You sit there while I start making dinner.’
‘Yes, boss.’ Amelie put her elbows on table and rested her chin in her hands, looking to all the world completely obedient.
‘I’ve cancelled my flight home on Monday.’
Amelie thankfully didn’t object, instead she said, ‘Thank you,liebling.’
‘I’ll stay for… well, I’d like to talk to you about that.’
With a heavy sigh, Amelie pulled a face. ‘I’m going to have to make a few changes around here for the next few weeks.’
‘And beyond that. This is all too much for one person.’ Mina sat down again and cupped her hands around her coffee. ‘Or at least, the way you’re running it is.’
Amelie’s face crumpled. ‘But the personal touch is so important. I wanted it to be different. I want people to feel like it’s a home from home. I don’t want to change things.’ She held up her hand. ‘And before you say anything: I know, I need to. Johannes has already given me a lecture on the way home… a kind lecture, but a lecture all the same. He thinks I need to employ more staff… and I know I will have to, but getting the right person is so important. At least I have the spare apartment, so I can offer free board and lodgings, because I certainly can’t afford to pay very much, and even then…’ She lifted her shoulders. ‘Johannes is talking about helping, and says he has an idea, but I don’t want it to be like that. Whatever happens between us, I don’t want to be beholden to him. I want to be equal. This is my business.’ A faint sheen in her eyes tugged at Mina’s heart.
Mina took a deep breath, now or never. ‘I have a suggestion.’
‘I know you’re going to offer to stay and help, but you have a job.’
‘When I came here, I told you I needed some time out, some time to figure out what I wanted to do.’ She paused.
‘And?’
‘I know what I want to do. I want to set up a chocolate shop, with a café. I’ve already asked Johannes if he would employ me to run a retail outlet for him. We haven’t had a chance to talk details.’
‘Go on.’ Amelie leaned back in her chair, her eyes bright with interest.
‘The barn, below here. That could be turned into a café and shop…’
Amelie jumped up and clapped her hands. ‘And you could live in the other apartment. That would be wonderful.’
