“A great deal, but that’s to be expected. In my experience nothing in life stays the same however much we would like it to.”
“And your experience must be invaluable. I’m sure you know many of the hotel’s secrets.”
His gaze settled on hers. “I know a few of them.”
Something about the way he was looking at her made her feel faintly uneasy. She’d made a casual comment. Small talk to shift the conversation away from the uncomfortable topic of profits. She hadn’t thought for a moment that this place had secrets. Occupancy challenges, yes. Staffing issues, definitely. Secrets?
She decided to keep it light. “Are you about to tell me the place is haunted? Should I be on the lookout for ghosts?”
He smiled. “We hide our ghosts and I like to think that all secrets are safe here. Discretion is an essential feature of all good hotels, don’t you agree? If you’re worried your deepest secrets will be revealed, Ms Jones, don’t be.”
“Call me Abby. And I don’t have secrets.” That wasn’t strictly true, of course. Guilt nibbled at the edges of her conscience. She should never have agreed to do this job under-cover. She wasn’t built for subterfuge. She should have insisted on being honest about who she was right from the start and if that meant it was harder to get to the bottom of how the place was run, so be it.
He studied her for a moment. “Everyone has secrets, Ms Jones.” He walked to the reception desk which was unmanned and helped himself to a key. “I’m going to store your luggage for now and give Evie a call.”
“You don’t have a receptionist?”
“We do, but she may have accompanied a guest to a room.” He took her case from her, unlocked a door behind the reception desk and stowed her case safely.
“I know you’ve had staffing issues.”
“The entire hospitality sector has staffing issues,” Edward said, “but it’s particularly bad here.”
“And why do you think that is?”
He glanced at her keenly and she silently berated herself for moving too quickly. She needed to be careful with her questions. Ultimately, she intended to speak to everyone of course,but she needed to do that in a low-key, organic way. She didn’t want anyone suspecting that there was more to her presence here than simply another pair of hands.
“I’m no expert,” he said, “but I would have thought it was a combination of factors, not least the competition from other hospitality establishments, and the challenges of finding accommodation locally.”
She wanted to ask him what he thought could be done about it, but she stopped herself. There was time. Plenty of time. She was here for the whole summer.
“Obviously I’m willing to step in wherever I’m needed.”
They thought she was an extra pair of hands. She needed to remember that and be more subtle in her questioning.
Edward walked to the reception desk, reached for the phone and dialled.
While he was doing that, she glanced around, finally seeing in person what she’d previously only seen in photographs.
Knowing that an important cause of guest dissatisfaction was arriving in a place and finding that it didn’t match expectations, she pulled up the website on her phone and quickly flicked through the photographs.
There were several external photos of the hotel, all taken on a perfect summer’s day.
Satisfied that they matched the picture she’d had when she’d driven up to the entrance, Abby scrolled on.
She glanced up as she heard footsteps.
“Abby?” A woman approached. There was a bounce in her step and her smile was wide and warm. Her choppy blonde hair ended somewhere between her chin and her shoulders and her nose was dusted with freckles. “I’m Evie. It’s good to meet you.”
Evie Hamilton, Abby thought.Age 30 and has worked in the hotel for eight years full-time, and before that during holidays.
They shook hands.
“I’m early, I know,” Abby said. “I’m happy to wait in the gardens until you’re ready to show me around. I’m sure you’re busy.”
“We are busy—which is great, and also why I’m keen to show you around as soon as possible so you can get started! But first we’ll have tea in the garden.” Evie glanced at Edward, who nodded.
“All arranged. Sea view table. I’ll ask Chef to make tea.”
