Now, looking at the clock told her she only had one more hour left before her final shift finished. Lisa walked into the office with a cup of tea for both of them.
‘It would have been a bottle of bubbly under different circumstances,’ she said smiling.
Cassie observed Lisa’s bump and shook her head.
‘I don’t know how you do it. Surely you must be tired?’
‘Only a few weeks to go before my maternity leave starts.’
‘I should think so,’ replied Cassie, thinking Lisa was getting bigger by the day. ‘I hope you’re taking it as easy as possible.’
‘I am, don’t worry,’ assured Lisa. ‘And when I return, part-time, my training will continue,’ she beamed, blatantly pleased to be given such an opportunity.
‘We’ll make a manager out of you yet,’ smiled Cassie with real affection. Lisa deserved the chance to shine.
‘I’m so grateful to you, Cassie, really.’
‘My pleasure. You’ll be brilliant, as a mother and a manager.’
‘Thanks. My husband’s looking forward to reducing his hours and spending time at home with the baby too.’
‘Good. It sounds like a perfect plan.’ Cassie was so pleased for the young couple who had wanted a child so badly. She looked at the clock again and took a sip of tea. Not long to go.
‘I’m just going to take one last look around,’ she told Lisa. Cassie made her way up to her old room. Opening the door one last time she looked inside. It was bare, having emptied it yesterday and it felt strange seeing it so devoid of her personal things. The room had served its purpose, but now she knew, more than ever, it was time to go; time to move on. She walked inside to look out of the window. It was getting dark outside and the hotel floodlights shone over its grounds. The car park was reasonably full with visitors’ cars waiting patiently for their owners’ return. In the distance the fells twinkled with lights from farmhouses. A line of fir trees ran across the highest, giving a jagged edge to the skyline. It was the last time she’d ever see this exact view. The ringing of her phone pulled Cassie from her reverie. A smile spread across her face when she saw it was Rory.
‘Hi, you OK?’ He’d been thinking about her, suspecting she’d be a tad sensitive.
‘Fine thanks.’
‘Ready for a lift home, Pixie?’
She looked at her watch. Just fifteen minutes to go.
‘Yes, I’m all done here,’ she gulped.
‘I’m on my way. I’ll wait in the car park.’
Cassie walked back down the stairs and collected her things from the office. She said her goodbyes to all the staff on reception, in the bar and the kitchens, then tapped on Charles’ office door to say farewell to him. Then, taking a deep breath, she pushed the heavy entrance door open and closed it behind her.
*
Adira had been busy as expected with the glamping business, but also with the events booked in The Laurels. It was hardly surprising, considering how magical the place had looked on their website. The Christmas wedding photographs were now displayed and really showcased The Laurels, especially the orangery, to its full potential.
So far Adira had two summer weddings booked and a winter one, although she had blocked out the diary for the Christmas week. Even Jasper wouldn’t want to have to work that week and The Laurels was a family home after all.
She stared at their wedding pictures, which were truly magnificent, totally capturing the spirit and atmosphere of the day. She melted inside at how happy everyone looked and as for Jasper… he was breathtakingly handsome in his dark grey morning suit. Then again, she hadn’t scrubbed up too badly either in her gran’s vintage wedding dress. She smiled at the photo of Jasper and Fletcher together, stood shoulder to shoulder, groom and best man. That’s one she’d definitely get framed, as well as the favourite shot of her and Jasper, taken after the ceremony when they were all relaxing with a glass of mulled wine in the hall. The photo encapsulated the love and laughter in their faces beautifully. Jasper’s arm was draped round her shoulders, pulling her into him and she was gazing up into his eyes. For the hundredth time she thanked her lucky stars that Sheila, her little campervan, had stumbled across Lilacwell. How might it all have turned out if she hadn’t stopped in Lancashire all those months ago? Supposing she had carried on, further up north into Scotland as originally planned? It didn’t bear thinking about.
‘There you are.’ Jasper came into the library where Adira had been working. He stood behind her and looked at the computer screen.
‘Hell, we made a good advert for this place,’ he grinned.
‘Didn’t we just,’ she laughed back. ‘We’ve three weddings booked so far.’
‘Excellent.’
‘How’s it going at The Cobbled Courtyard?’ asked Adira, knowing that’s where he had spent his morning.
‘Not bad, although more work needs doing than I thought in the pottery studio.’
