Perry shook his head. Just how many of those gins had the old girl had?
‘Quick, it’s the bit where Patrick’s teaching her to dance!’ Bunty ushered him to sit down in front of the TV. He noticed his drink was ready and waiting for him on the coffee table. He took a gulp and winced at its strength. Oh well, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.
Later that evening a very tired Emma was stepping into a hot bubble bath. She was exhausted, having spent most of the day cleaning. Felix had been in London and was stopping overnight so, having the house to herself, she thought it a good opportunity to hoover throughout. It would be better to do the noisy jobs when he wasn’t around. She also didn’t fancy interrupting him when he was busy in the library.
Often she would overhear snippets of telephone or Zoom calls. From what she’d gleaned, the filming was about to commence very shortly. After having asked Felix who the leading lady was, Emma was reluctant to make any further enquires, working on a need-to-know basis only. What she had learnt was that the production team was ready and keen to start. Emma had also become aware of another caller, just the once, but one which she suspected was unwanted due to Felix’s clenched jaw when answering. His voice had become quiet and flat and he quickly ended the call. Emma wondered who it had been, but soon reminded herself it wasn’t her business.
After hoovering the whole house, which had taken hours given the surface area, Emma had mopped the marbled hall floor and kitchen slate floor. It really was tiring. Her body was used to sitting behind a desk all day, not constant physical work. Her back ached. Her muscles ached.Everypart of her ached! Never had her limbs cried out to be soaked in a hot bath so badly. She lay, soaking her body and relaxing for a good half hour, then got out and slipped on a dressing gown and wrapped her wet hair into a towel. Her mass of curls would take ages to dry but she didn’t like using a hair dryer as it caused it to frizz. Padding out in slippers to her bedroom, she noticed her mobile on the bedside cabinet flashing. One missed call from Felix and a text from her dad. Felix had left a voice message.
‘Hi, Emma, I’ll be back tomorrow as planned. I’ll be bringing a guest with me, so could you make up a bedroom please?’
Hmm, thought Emma, wondering who Felix’s guest was. Then she opened her dad’s text.
Hi there, still okay? Hope he’s treating you well!
Oh, Dad! Things had been so hectic she’d hardly had a chance to think about him. She quickly replied.
I’m fine dad. How are you? Been mega busy but hope to see you soon, yea?
She sent the text, gave her hair another rub down, then climbed into bed, desperately needing her sleep.
Robin was on his laptop searching for the right hotel in London. He was at pains to make their upcoming trip extra special for Jasmine. Not only was it a well-earned break for both of them, it was also their first time away together as a couple and – most importantly – Robin planned to go when it was Jasmine’s birthday.
He’d been thinking of what to do for her thirtieth birthday, which was looming. Jasmine’s birthday was on Bonfire Night, 5 November. She’d told Robin how most of her birthdays had been spent around a fire, watching fireworks light up the sky, so he was determined for this birthday to be different. On the quiet, he’d contacted her parents to run the idea of whisking Jasmine away on a city break. This had been met with gleeful approval.
‘Good idea, Robin. It’ll do you both the world of good,’ her mother had told him.
So all he had to do now was pick the perfect, romantic hotel and put an exciting itinerary together for them. He, personally, hadn’t ever been on the London Eye so was keen to book them a pod to themselves, with an accompanying bottle of champagne. The rest of the planning he’d discuss with Jasmine.
As for the hotel, well there was so much choice, but Robin wanted somewhere relatively quiet, not completely in the buzz of the centre. Maybe a hotel near to a park? He scanned the internet and finally saw just the right place.
Nestled in the charming borough of Richmond, ‘The Old Coach House’ offers an ideal hideaway from the hustle and bustle of Central London. Located a stone’s throw from Kew Gardens and Richmond Park, this quaint former coaching inn is an absolute haven after a busy day’s site seeing in the city.
Perfect, thought Robin, and proceeded to book it. For once he wasn’t going to consult Jack about taking time off work. Not that Jack would have minded, far from it, but usually they informed each other first before arranging a holiday. Lately though Robin had started to resent the amount of time they both poured into the business. And the latest project they’d looked at in Lancaster was definitely going to take up a colossal amount of time.
At first, when he saw the size of the warehouse, Robin felt daunted. It was far bigger than he’d expected. Jack, on the other hand, appeared excited by the prospect of renovating the huge building into apartments.
‘It’s an amazing opportunity, Rob. Just think what each apartment could fetch!’ His eyes almost flashed with pound signs.
But for Robin, it wasn’t just about the money any more. He’d found that there were more important things in life. Love, for one. Meeting Jasmine had changed him. He wasn’t the same as Jack since Jasmine had come into his life. He realised there was more to it than making a profit. The trouble was Jack didn’t see that, simply because he hadn’t yet met the right girl. But Robin had. He knew it and had done from the moment he’d clapped eyes on Jasmine. That said, he was also level-headed and knew he had a livelihood and living to make.
Feeling torn knowing how much time, effort and hard slog the project would take had left him undecided. He really did not want to jeopardise his relationship with Jasmine. His mind cast back to his ex-girlfriend and how she’d royally dumped him because of his demanding workload. But, he quickly acknowledged, Jasmine was a whole lot different to his venomous ex.
As these thoughts were being processed in his head, he had Jack in his ear, full of enthusiasm for the development.
‘This could set us up for life, mate,’ he’d said, rubbing his hands.
‘But we haven’t the full funds to buy it,’ Robin countered.
‘So? We borrow it,’ shrugged Jack, refusing to be put off. ‘We’ve a sound business, the bank won’t have a problem, especially when we outline the proposition.’
‘Hmm, I’m not sure, Jack.’ Robin was trying his best to be practical. He didn’t want to miss out on what could be a fantastic chance, yet was uncomfortable about racking up debt.
Jack was on fire for the venture but could see Robin’s hesitancy.
‘Look, Robin, just envisage yourself a year or two from now. This warehouse could fit six apartments easily. Once they’re all sold, we can sit back and take things easy for a while. We wouldn’t have to rush into another development for ages, if ever.’
Now this, Robindidlike the sound of. Realising this job could potentially provide for his long-term future settled him. It was risky, of course it was, but thinking about Jasmine and the life he could provide for them both, it was a risk he was willing to take. He puffed his cheeks out.
