‘Ah, Lisa, meet Adira.’ Cassie ushered the young woman in.
‘Hello, Lisa, pleased to meet you.’ Adira held out her hand.
‘Hi, Adira, did you get my letter?’ Lisa looked rather shy, hiding behind her long, brown fringe.
‘I did, yes.’
‘Do you mind if we talk?’ Lisa asked Cassie.
‘No, of course not, I’m just going anyway.’ Cassie made her way out. ‘Bye for now.’
Adira was keen to make one thing straight before Lisa launched into anything. ‘Lisa, I must stress, I’m not a doctor.’
‘I know, but I just thought you might be able to suggest something.’
‘On?’
‘How to get pregnant. I mean…’ she laughed nervously, ‘we’re doing everything we should, but…’
‘Have you sought medical advice?’
‘Not yet.’
Adira could see the young woman was reluctant to go down that route right now and her heart went out to her. She did actually recall a conversation she’d overheard Edie have years ago. In a similar scenario, her grandmother had advised the woman to try to reduce her stress levels, explaining how tension built up in the body could have a physical impact. She had suggested passion flower relief tablets or a flower remedy oil. Never had Adira envisaged repeating this, but maybe it could be worth a try?
Having outlined what Edie had suggested years ago, Lisa looked stunned.
‘Is that all?’
‘It’s all about learning to relax,’ Adira explained. ‘You could always try it, to start with, that is.’
‘Yeah, definitely, thanks.’ And with that, she smiled and went. Consultation apparently over.
As Adira made her way back down the stairs and into the reception area, she saw Cassie talking to Charles, the owner of the Inn. Cassie waved her over, with animation.
‘Charles is just telling me the room upstairs was once the bathroom in the servants’ quarters years ago.’
‘Really? That explains the beautiful tiled floor,’ Adira replied, smiling at Charles.
‘I believe you both have big plans for it,’ he returned with a grin.
Then Cassie suddenly exclaimed. ‘Adira, I’ve just thought of a name. Let’s call it “The Bath House”.’ Her hands drew quotation marks in the air.
Adira’s eyes widened. ‘Good idea. We could give it a Victorian look, keeping the original feel.’
‘Now that I do like,’ approved Charles.
‘Think wrought-iron light fittings, gothic-style candle holders, copper planters and wooden towel stands,’ went on Cassie.
‘And Victorian prints of bathhouses framed on the walls,’ gushed Adira.
Charles laughed at the two of them.
‘I’ll leave you ladies to it,’ he said, walking back to his office.
‘Have we been given a budget?’ whispered Adira, hoping they hadn’t appeared too keen.
‘Don’t worry about that,’ assured Cassie. ‘They’ll be queuing up to visit The Bath House.’ The pride in her voice was evident. Adira couldn’t help but echo this. Together they made a good team. Never once had she felt this way in London.
