Cassie shook her head. Typical. Why couldn’t she have texted before today? Still, it would be nice to finally catch up with her and it was her night off.
Yes, free tonight. Shall I come to yours?
Immediately her phone pinged back with a reply, which she was just about to read, when a cough made her suddenly look up. It was Rory. There he was, standing tall and handsome, looking at her. He was wearing black jeans and a fitted, black leather jacket, outlining his broad shoulders. His dark curls fell into his eyes and he swept them back, reminding her of how he’d looked on TV. He had a small suitcase beside him.
‘Hello, Cassie,’ he smiled.
‘H-hi.’ Was that squeaky voice really hers?
There was a pause.
‘I need to check in?’ he said with a grin.
‘Oh, err… yes of course, sorry.’ With slightly shaking hands, Cassie reached for the room key and a visitor’s sheet which he needed to complete. ‘There you go. Room twenty-one. Could you fill this in please?’ She passed him the key, his fingers touching hers, then placed the sheet of paper in front of him on the desk. He pulled a pen out of his pocket – silver and expensive looking – and began completing his details. Cassie’s eyes cast over his writing: bold, clear strokes. She clocked his address: 10 Hollins House, Lowther Gardens, North London. It sounded rather swanky to her. He gave his car registration – it wasn’t a personal one, which somehow pleased her – then his mobile number. All done. He smiled and gave her the sheet back. ‘Thanks,’ she replied. ‘Right, I’ll show you to your room.’ He stood back and let her lead the way.
He followed her through the hall to the stairs, all the time assessing her shapely legs, slim build, elegant neck and that snappy, pixie-cut hair he found extremely sexy. Only once did she turn, a touch self-consciously he thought, to make sure he was keeping up. Soon they had reached the second floor.
‘Here we are, right at the top, up in the eaves,’ she said brightly.
‘Lovely, thanks.’ He looked at her for a moment. ‘I’m impressed. You’re not even out of breath.’
‘Oh, I’m used to the stairs, that’s my room,’ she pointed to the door opposite his, then instantly faltered. Did she really just say that? She blushed furiously. Rory’s eyes swept over to her door, then rested on her. Was he hiding a smirk?
‘Really?’
‘Err… yes,’ she stumbled, not knowing what to say.
‘I know where to come for a nightcap then,’ he replied with a cheeky wink. She couldn’t help but giggle. Somehow it broke the ice a little and she relaxed.
‘Sorry, was that a touch unprofessional of me?’ she asked, still half laughing. He shook his head with a wide, genuine smile.
‘Be as unprofessional as you like.’
Was he teasing her?
‘Anyway, hope everything’s to your liking,’ Cassie tried to switch back to managerial mode.
‘So far, so good,’ he replied, with a pointed look.
Was he flirting with her?
‘Right, I’ll let you get on.’
‘OK, thanks Cassie,’ he turned to put the key in the lock.
Cassie couldn’t help but smile to herself walking back down the stairs. Then she remembered to open Adira’s text message.
I’ll come to you. I want to see Rory too.
Cassie quickly rang back. She so needed to speak to her before she saw Rory, but Adira didn’t pick up.
*
Rory closed his door and weighed up the room. He took in the four-poster bed, antique furniture, velvet drapes and huge sash window giving panoramic views of the stunning landscape. He was at the rear of the house, which overlooked the river and terrace garden. It really was special and he could see why the hotel and area had such a good reputation. His own apartment was tasteful enough and had pleasant views of a communal garden, but this was something else. He went to inspect the bathroom and was equally impressed, all black marble with a roll-top bath and spotlights. Very sleek, he thought. Then his mind wandered to across the landing and what Cassie’s room was like. Cassie. Hell, she intrigued him. He was convinced his first instincts had been right, there was undeniably chemistry between them. Then his thoughts turned to her boyfriend. What was he like? Maybe he’d see him. Was he even still on the scene? He’d found it easy to tease her. She clearly had a sense of humour and they both seemed to be on the same wavelength. Exactly as it had been when first meeting.
He decided to have a good soak in that roll-top bath and rest, feeling tired from the journey and needing to unwind. As he lay there amongst the bubbles, his eyes closed and he enjoyed the quiet, the burdens he carried from London seeming to rise from his shoulders along with the steam from the water.
Later in the evening he entered the bar and ordered a beer before being seated at his table. He once again observed his surroundings. How quaint it was, he thought, with its stone floors, open fires, old oak tables, mismatched chairs, and pictures of the local area on the walls. No intrusive music here, just the gentle sound of chat and laughter. The place oozed country charm, where dogs lay quietly by either muddy boots or polished brogues. The clientele was a mixture of young, old and families, from smartly dressed couples to jovial farmers throwing back their pints. Rory warmed to it, liking the homely atmosphere the Inn had created.
