“I know you probably don’t think it’s the best thing for me professionally—”
“I think the job would be perfect for you,” Alexandra said. “And I think you’d be perfect for the job.”
Abby stared at her. “You do?”
“Of course. I’m your biggest supporter. Surely you know that by now.”
“I thought you might—”
“Want to keep you in Boston?” Of course, selfishly, it was what she’d like. Her daughter was the most precious thing in her life. Which was why she would let her go with a smile, at least on the outside. That was what parenting was all about, wasn’t it? You taught them to fly, and when they eventually flew you felt equal amounts of pride and loss. “I want you to be happy, Abby. And you look happy.”
“I am. These last few weeks have been the happiest of my working life.”
It was a relief to hear it because there had been moments when she’d doubted her decision, mostly when Abby had protested at the idea of being under-cover.
“You like the people.”
“The people, the place—” Abby glanced out towards the ocean “—all of it.”
“I thought maybe you’d want to be general manager.”
“No.” Abby turned her head back to her mother. “That’s Evie’s role. And she’ll be great at it.”
But did she want it?
Alexandra thought about the call she’d had from one of her contacts who worked at a rival establishment in London. It had been good to catch up after all this time. And it had been an interesting conversation.
Evie had told no one, she thought. Not Abby, who she’d become close to. And not her father. And Alexandra didn’t mention it now. If Evie had wanted people to know she was thinking of leaving, she would have told them. Alexandra believed if someone wanted to keep something to themselves, they should be allowed to do it.
“You’re sure you wouldn’t want it?”
“General manager? No. I’m more interested in being UK manager. We have six hotels here and it’s obvious they haven’t been getting the support they deserve. I think I’d be good at that side of things. I have the experience to—”
“Abby,” Alexandra interrupted her, her voice gentle. “This isn’t an interview. You don’t have to sell yourself to me. No one knows your qualities better than I do. The job is yours if you want it. Where will you base yourself?”
“I thought that to begin with I’d stay here. It’s easy enough to travel around, and I can give Evie moral support. And it means I can carry on doing the things I’ve been enjoying—running on the coast path, swimming in the sea—” Abby looked at her and gave a half laugh. “You know, don’t you? Well, of course you do. You’ve been here for twenty-four hours which is more than enough time for the gossip drums to beat. Or are you going to tell me you never listen to gossip?”
“Not at all. I love gossip, but people rarely include me. It’s a shame, because one learns a great deal. I’m looking forward to meeting this man you seem to have formed a bond with. Tristan, is it?”
“What exactly have you been told?”
“Not much,” Alexandra said. “But I see a change in you that’s not all down to fresh salt air and stimulating employment.”
“I like him. He has been—” Abby paused. “A good friend to me.”
Alexandra was sure it wasn’t the “friend” side of things that was responsible for the healthy glow on her daughter’s cheeks, but she was happy not to delve into the details.
“One good friend is worth a thousand acquaintances.”
“True. So what happens now?”
Good question, and one she’d been asking herself since she’d woken up in Edward’s bed that morning.
She pushed that romantic detail aside. “We’ll need to finalise details for the job here. You’ll fly back to Boston once a month or so. You’ll need somewhere to stay so I assume you’ll keep the apartment.”
“I’ll rent it out. I can stay with you if I’m in the city.” Abby reached out across the table. “I’ll miss you, Mom.”
The unexpected declaration caught the back of her throat.
