She understood. She was used to feeling lonely at work. It was the only thing she knew. And it wasn’t a good feeling. It was hard when you couldn’t share your thoughts and your anxieties. When you had to choose every word carefully and conceal everything you were feeling.
People at work didn’t confide in her, but Evie had confided in her.
A warmth spread through her and she felt a connection she wasn’t used to feeling.
“I do understand.” She almost told Evie exactly how well she understood, but she stopped herself. She couldn’t do that without revealing things about herself that she didn’t want to reveal.
“I probably shouldn’t have said anything to you, but as you’ve been parachuted in from the outside it’s a bit different.”
“I’m pleased you told me.”
“It’s funny how talking something through with someone can help. And do you know what I’m most annoyed about?” Evie leaned forward. “I don’t think he even checked in under his real name. It was a fake identity. I mean, who does that? It’s dishonest.”
Abby’s warm feeling evaporated. She wondered if her guilt showed on her face. She would have made a terrible spy.
“Maybe he had a good reason.”
“He had a reason, but it wasn’t a good one. He didn’t want us to know who he was. He wanted us to trust him. He wanted us to answer his questions. But I hope he never joins the CIA or MI5 or whatever because honestly, I’d make a better under-cover agent than him. He was hopeless. He asked a lot of questions about the people in head office, none of which I could answer of course because I don’t know any of them.” Evie lathered jam and cream onto the other half of herscone and then topped up Abby’s tea. “I feel better just having talked it through with you. You have no idea how many times I wanted to go into the staff room and sob on someone’s shoulder. I refrained, but I have been eating too much cake to compensate. And the odd glass of wine in the evening. And since then I’ve just been working as hard as I can to make the place profitable.”
“I’ll do anything and everything I can to help you.” Abby kept her voice casual. “What sort of questions did he ask about head office? What exactly did he want to know?”
Evie put the teapot down and shrugged. “A few things. Was anyone from head office likely to visit soon, that kind of thing. As if they’re just going to show up here unannounced. I had a feeling he was hoping to ambush them.”
“And what did you say?”
“I said it was none of his business, and before you judge me I should say in my own defence that it takes great provocation for me to be anything other than polite and willing, but as he’d already lied about who he was I didn’t think he deserved that courtesy. I can’t stand people who lie to me.” Evie lifted the scone and then paused. “Are you okay? Your face is red. We can move into the shade if you’re too hot. I don’t want you to burn.”
“I’m fine. I like the sun.”
“That’s because you have dark hair. You probably don’t burn the way I do. I have to virtually bathe in sunscreen every morning and I still wake up with new freckles.” Evie took a bite of her scone and then put it back down on her plate. She chewed for a moment. “Forget I said anything. I’m hoping Mr Weasel is history. But now you know it all. Welcome to the team, Abby. To The Alexandra, Cornwall.” She raised her cup. “Long may she stay as she is. I really want this place to be excellent and I’m happy you’re here to help me.”
Abby lifted her cup, mirroring Evie’s gesture, and managed what she hoped was a convincing smile.
She was here to gather information, and she’d just learned several things.
Firstly, that Evie, despite her sweet smile and warm, friendly nature, was clearly no fool. She knew the place was in trouble. Secondly, that the developer, despite being told no, hadn’t backed off. And thirdly, that joining the team under-cover had definitely been a mistake. A big mistake.
Evie hated people who lied. Ironically, so did Abby. And yet here she was...
It was too late to unravel it now. She just had to hope that her skills at subterfuge improved.
6
Evie
Abby wasn’t what she’d expected.
Evie sneaked a look at her as they walked back to the hotel.
How did she walk in those shoes? If Evie had worn something similar she would have twisted her ankle and ended up using crutches. Abby seemed to have no problems. She was long-limbed and elegant, like a gazelle. Next to her Evie felt like an overenthusiastic labrador.
She started to smooth her hair but then gave up. It didn’t matter what she did, she was never going to look as poised and elegant as Abby.
If Evie had just stepped off a long flight followed by a train and car journey, she would have been a crumpled mess, but she was willing to bet that Abby had never been crumpled in her life.
Her make-up was subtle, her hair twisted into an elaborateknot on the back of her head. Her white shirt was perfectly cut and pristine. Everything about her suggested discipline and control. She’d said she’d worked in all the different areas of hotels, but Evie was struggling to picture her cleaning a toilet.
She might have felt intimidated, but then she remembered that little bonding moment over the scone when they’d laughed together. There had been nothing distant about Abby at that moment, which was presumably why Evie had suddenly opened up and spilled all her worries. And to be fair Abby had listened attentively. She’d seemed almost as annoyed as Evie that a stranger had been poking around the hotel.
