‘Err… the Chilean merlot is very popular,’ she offered, all the time her mind was pedalling away, trying to take in what she’d just learnt.
Rory.
Here.
In. Two. Days.
‘Right. Not the Argentinean malbec?’
Oh for pity’s sake!
‘Yes, yes that’s also a good choice,’ she nodded.
‘What about the cabernet sauvignon from—’
‘Yes, that too,’ Cassie gave a bright smile.
‘Oh, erm…’
Just pick one and go. Her eyes glanced back to the computer screen. Yes, he was still there, all three nights of him. Her heart began to pound again.
‘Maybe I’ll go for the…’
For the love of—
Turning her head she saw to her relief the member of staff return.
‘Ah, could you help this lovely lady choose a bottle of red wine? I’m just needed elsewhere, thank you.’ And off Cassie went before waiting for an answer.
She hurried up the stairs to her room and slammed the door shut. Steadying herself, she took deep breaths and tried to calm down.
‘Don’t overreact Cassie,’ she said out loud. So what if Rory was staying at the hotel? It was no big deal. After all, they’d only spoken once, she told herself. Yes, but what a connection, whispered another voice inside.
What room was he in? She needed to get onto the booking system for his details. Tomorrow, she’d look tomorrow.
Ten minutes later, Cassie couldn’t help but go back downstairs and into reception. Luckily it was empty. She quickly sat down and entered the password to get back into the e-diary. Clicking on his name told her he was in room twenty-one, the room opposite hers. Unbelievable. There was only one guest room on the top floor of the hotel, up in the eaves, and it would have to be that one. She imagined them both opening their doors in the morning, facing each other across the narrow corridor with awkward smiles. Even worse, what about night time, knowing they were sleeping literally yards away, both lying in bed practically mirroring each other? Cassie’s chest started to pound again, a mixture of anxiety and excitement filling her. She couldn’t deny her attraction to him, but she’d blown it, due to a panicked decision made in haste.
Then common sense kicked in. Did she really want another long-distance relationship? Those awful, cramped, monotonous train journeys sprung to mind. As did the London scene with Justin, forced to attend various events meeting other bankers. She had cringed at the brash way they had behaved; bellowing voices, loud guffaws, clicking fingers at waiters like they were the only ones in the room. They all had an air of upper-class superiority about them she hated. What had really upset her was the way Justin had joined in. He became one of them.
It hadn’t always been like that, far from it, otherwise she’d never have struck up a relationship with him. Justin, too, had been a guest at the inn, part of a shooting party from down south who had checked in to enjoy the area renowned for its excellent grouse. Cassie had dropped a pile of menus when passing the party’s table and Justin had been on his feet immediately to pick them up for her. Handing them back he’d grinned, looking boyish and carefree, which she had found rather endearing. His auburn hair was swept back and he had a faint, musky aroma of cedarwood. The paisley cravat she could forgive him, with manners like that. He was a gentleman.
‘Oh thanks!’ gushed Cassie blushing.
‘My pleasure.’ He didn’t appear to be in any rush to return to his table, even though a few of his friends were throwing knowing looks. ‘Justin Templeton, by the way.’ He offered his hand out to shake.
‘Cassie. Cassie Wright,’ she’d replied a little flushed, balancing the menus with one hand, whilst freeing the other.
‘Careful, don’t drop them again,’ he teased, his eyes never leaving her face. And the rest, was history. Justin had pursued her relentlessly and Cassie had been flattered. He was different from other boyfriends. He spoke eloquently, forever showering her with compliments. He was affluent and generous, giving her expensive presents – the heart-shaped diamond necklace he’d produced for her birthday was exquisite. Cassie appreciated how attentive Justin was. Yet, when he was with his work mates, he seemed to morph into a complete Hooray Henry. Their affectedly hearty voices and public-schoolboy antics rubbed off on him.
The final straw had been when one of them had slapped a young waitress’s behind in a cocktail bar, sending the others, including Justin, into raucous laughter. Enough was enough, and it was at that precise point that Cassie had climbed down from the bar stool and stridden out. Justin hadn’t even noticed she had left until twenty minutes later. Cassie had stuffed her belongings into an overnight bag and ordered a taxi to the railway station. She’d never looked back.
An inner voice prodded her, asking, was Rory like that? A human rights barrister, fighting for good causes? That wretched twist tightened in her stomach. He certainly hadn’t been surrounded by loud-mouthed, ineffectual toffs. Instead, the people Rory mixed with were trying to make a difference. They had morals. Never had she regretted such an ill, prejudiced judgement as the one she’d made at the summer party.
Chapter 6
The autumn days were creeping in, scattering vibrant colours over Lilacwell. There was a nip in the air and the faint smell of woodsmoke permeated the village. The nights grew darker as people hurried home to a warm, crackling fire.
Jasper threw back his whisky and narrowed his eyes in concentration. He was in the library, which he used as his study. He’d spent the day with his estate manager, Colin, and it had proved to be a productive one. At last, all the tenants’ rents were bang up to date, with no arrears. The new glamping site, which had only been set up a few months ago, was making excellent progress, having been fully booked for the summer season, and the shepherds huts had been a tremendous success, along with the site where people could pitch their own tents. Everyone loved the great outdoors nowadays, or so it seemed; there definitely was an upward trend to holidaying at home, as opposed to travelling abroad, according to his books. Of course, now the summer peak had ended, the accounts would start to look very different out of season, but even so, Jasper remained optimistic. Especially when comparing the estate affairs before he’d returned from Dubai.
