Charlotte jumped when a man with a British accent spoke, laughing at herself and shaking her head. ‘It’s me who’s sorry, I was talking to myself. I’m told it’s the first sign of madness.’
The man standing beside Charlotte was tall, almost half a head taller than her, and he had thick, dark brown hair and eyes just a few shades lighter. He was dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt, with worn boots, and he had a jacket slung over his arm, and it occurred to her that he was very casually dressed for an employee. Although on second thoughts, he might have just been there looking for someone, the same as her. She wasn’t sure.
‘May I give you directions?’ he asked. ‘The hotel is still closed to the general public, but you have that look about you as if you’re trying to find someone.’
So she’d been right about him working here. ‘I’m looking for Daniel,’ she said. ‘He said one of the hotel staff members would show me where to go, so thank you.’
‘Happy to be of service,’ he replied, giving her a half-smile that was hard to read, before pointing to the far corner. ‘Daniel is straight through there, in the restaurant. Just be careful, there’s a lot happening today with all the finishing touches taking place.’
‘Thank you,’ she replied.
Charlotte began walking again, glancing over her shoulder at the handsome man who’d helped her and wondering who he was. She guessed he could be a manager or even one of theconcierges. But she didn’t have long to wonder, because the moment she stepped into the restaurant, Daniel was on his feet and coming over to greet her.
‘Charlotte! Thank you so much for agreeing to meet with me.’
She returned the air kiss to her cheek and clasped his hand in return. ‘I’d forgotten how much I missed it here, so I think it’s me who has to thankyou. There’s nothing quite like coming home.’
‘Well, whatever the reason, I’m happy to have you here in Oslo. I know you’d be perfect as our executive chef, and although you weren’t involved in the design of the kitchen or restaurant, you would have full creative control over the menu if you were to accept our offer. I have complete trust in your ability to deliver the very best in modern cuisine for our guests.’
‘There’s already an offer?’ she asked, her lips twisting into a smile as she sat where Daniel gestured. ‘I was under the impression that this was just a conversation, but you appear to have jumped straight in at the deep end.’
‘I can have an offer in writing by the end of the day if you’re interested,’ he said. ‘As far as I’m concerned, there’s no one better suited to the job. My wife and I loved what you did at Velluto when we visited London, and if you can bring the same creative flair to our restaurant, you’d make me a very happy man. You’re exactly the person I need here, and to be honest, your experience and culinary skills speak for themselves.’
‘You don’t have any questions for me?’ She’d been expecting a more rigorous conversation, not to be offered the job on arrival!
‘One,’ he said with a grin. ‘What do you think of the hotel? I want your honest opinion.’
‘I love it,’ she replied. ‘It’s one of the most stunning hotels I’ve ever set foot in.’
‘Exactly the answer I was hoping for. I’ve built a few hotels in my lifetime, but this one is special,’ Daniel said, leaning forwards and resting one arm on the table between them. ‘Which is why I need the very best people working for me, because a beautiful building means nothing without the right people at the helm, creating an atmosphere like no other.’
She listened, waiting for what he was going to say next.
‘I’m proposing that we agree to a three-month term. You design our menu, I get to announce the news of such a successful young chef returning home, and at the end of the term you’re free to walk away if you don’t like it here. I don’t want to force you to stay if you want to move on.’
‘Three months?’ she repeated.
‘You will be well remunerated, and my hope is that once you’re here, you won’t want to leave.’
Charlotte sat back in her chair and surveyed the dining room around her, catching a glimpse of the kitchen when she turned her head left as she thought over his offer. It was all still very much a blank canvas, and she wanted to see the kitchen space for herself before she indicated whether she might take the position, especially when she hadn’t been expecting to be offered the role so quickly. But there was a feeling building inside of her, a pull to her heritage combined with the excitement of a new project, that was all pointing towards this being the right career move for her, especially with the short initial term he’d offered. What did she have to lose by saying yes? She could just amicably move on after thirteen weeks if she wanted to return to London.
When she turned back to Daniel, she saw that the hotel staff member who’d helped her earlier had walked in. She cleared her throat, trying to indicate to him that there was someone there listening to their conversation. But Daniel’s reaction to the man’s interruption wasn’t what she’d expected.
‘Harrison! Come and join us,’ Daniel said, waving his hand towards the vacant seat beside Charlotte. ‘I’d love you to meet Charlotte, who might just be our first executive chef here at Nordic Hotel Oslo. Charlotte, this is Harrison. I’m so pleased you’re able to meet each other today.’
Charlotte opened her mouth, but the mystery man spoke before she could, as if sensing her confusion and wanting to put her at ease.
‘We actually met by accident a short time ago,’ he said, holding out his hand. Charlotte reciprocated, feeling the slight roughness of callouses on his fingers when his palm clasped hers and wondering what he did to get them. ‘It was only fleeting though, so we didn’t have the chance to introduce ourselves properly.’
‘I, ahh, I’m sorry, I don’t—’ She stumbled over her words.
‘Harrison is the lead architect on this project, so anything you don’t like about the design? You blame him.’ Daniel laughed. ‘It’s no exaggeration to say he’s my right-hand man, and I’m fortunate enough to have him here in Oslo until the opening, overseeing everything.’
‘You’re the architect?’ Charlotte asked, still trying to catch up on the conversation. ‘I…’ She stopped talking, deciding not to confess that she’d thought him the underdressed concierge or manager. How wrong she’d been.
‘Guilty as charged,’ Harrison said, and the kind smile he gave her made her wonder if he could tell what she was thinking—that he knew the presumption she’d made about him earlier. ‘Please don’t let me interrupt, though, I was only coming through to?—’
‘You’re never interrupting, Harrison, it’s great to have you here. You know, I have a feeling you two would get along great. I actually have to get to another meeting, but after you’ve looked at the kitchen, Charlotte, perhaps Harrison could give you a tour of the rest of the hotel? I’d love you to really see everything we’retrying to create here, and I hope that after you’ve taken it all in, we might be able to talk more about you accepting my offer.’
