But Abby was hoping that while she was here she might be able to find out more about her family history, and her father especially, without having to press her mother for more. She felt frustrated that she knew so little, while at the same time sympathising with her mother’s wish not to talk about what had clearly been a traumatic time of her life.
“If you have any questions, ask me.” Evie poured tea for both of them. “I was born here. Lived here all my life apart from a few years in college.”
Abby already knew those details, but she nodded as if she was hearing them for the first time.
“These look amazing.” She reached out and took a scone. It was still warm from the oven and when she sliced it in half the texture was soft and fluffy.
In front of her was a small bowl of thick clotted cream, and another of homemade strawberry jam.
She tried to remember what her mother had told her. Cream, then jam? Jam, then cream?
Did it even matter?
Evie read her mind. “Cornish tradition says jam first then cream, but I always think that once it’s in your mouth the order doesn’t matter.”
Abby copied Evie and took a bite. “Oh—”
“I know.” Evie grinned at her. “Incredible, isn’t it?”
“It really is.” Abby found herself smiling back. “You eat this every day?”
“If I ate this every day I’d have blocked arteries. I do eat it occasionally, and then I double my morning run along the cliff path to make up for it.”
Abby laughed. “I might have to join you.” She froze. Whyhad she said that? She knew better than to try and build a social connection with colleagues, particularly one she’d only met moments before. What had come over her? Braced for a chilly rebuff, she tried to rescue the situation. “I was joking, obviously.”
“Why are you joking? I think that would be great. It would be the perfect way to show you the area and I’d love to have your company.”
“You would?” Abby was conscious that she’d put Evie in an awkward position. “Because you really don’t have to—”
“I’m not being polite, if that was what you were going to say. I think it would be great. Aren’t you going to finish your scone?”
Telling herself that she could always find a way to excuse herself from the run later, Abby finished the scone and nodded. “Delicious. It’s great to have this experience. You must tell me how I can be of most help. It must have been hard for you having to take on all that extra responsibility when Gerald became ill.”
Evie put the spoon back in the jam. “You know about Gerald?”
“I was briefed,” Abby said. “It’s important to know anything that might have an impact on the staff.”
“It has been hard, not least because everyone adores Gerald so they were all a bit distracted and anxious. Once he was out of danger things improved of course, but there is no doubt it has affected everyone. Gerald was the backbone of this place.”
And Evie had stepped in.
“That must have been particularly difficult, taking on that responsibility when everyone was shaken up.” Abby could immediately see the challenges she would have faced.
“Yes. And I was worried about him, too. Gerald was my mentor. I’ve known him since I was a toddler. The guests adore him, as do the staff. In fact, most of them—” She hesitated andthen drew a breath and smiled. “Let’s just say his were big shoes to step into. And we’re still not sure he’ll be coming back.”
Abby wondered about that moment of hesitation. There was something going on beneath the surface, and not that far beneath the surface. She sensed that Evie was putting on her brightest face to cover up the fact she was struggling to hold everything together.
Abby knew that feeling. “What can I do?”
“I’ve been thinking about that.” Evie sat back in her chair. “I think the best thing is if you shadow me for the first few days, and then we can figure out where your skills will be most useful. How does that sound?”
“It sounds good.”
“Is there anything you don’t do? Any part of the hotel you’d rather not work in?”
“I’ll work anywhere. And I’ve done everything in my time,” Abby said truthfully.
“Great. I’ll give you a tour after we’ve had our tea, then I’ll take you down to the village and get you settled in your new home.”
