She answered the call expecting to see Abby at her desk. Instead the background was blue skies with a few wispy clouds.
Her face was pink and she was smiling. “Hi, Mom. I’m sorry! I lost track of time.”
Lost track of time?
She happened to know that Abby scheduled her time down to the minute, at least when she was working. She was ruthlessly organised and efficient.
But not today apparently.
“Where are you?”
“I’m on the cliff.” She sounded out of breath. “I went for a run with Evie—she’s gone now. I’m on my own. It’s stunning here! Let me show you what I’m looking at.” She reversed the camera and Alexandra saw those familiar cliffs, the sparkle of sea and a carpet of wild flowers.
Her mouth dried. She knew those cliffs. She’d once walked them in an agony of indecision, her turmoil as great as the sea that had thrashed at the rocks far beneath. It was a reminder she hadn’t wanted or needed.
Shaken by the memory, she forced herself back to the present.
“Evie. Evie Hamilton, the acting general manager?”
“Yes, she has been so welcoming and friendly. Everyone has. She’s the daughter of Edward, the concierge. He’s amazing.”
Abby didn’t use words like “amazing.” Abby used factual terms.He can secure a table at any restaurant in the area. He is well versed in local history. He’s always punctual. He builds a rapport with the guests.Observations that were measurable.
“It sounds as if you’ve successfully developed relationships.”
“We’ve been spending time together. I’ve written a detailed update. I’ll email it to you when I get home. Evie has plenty of great ideas.”
“Does she have what it takes to run the hotel successfully? Because current numbers would suggest not.”
“The short answer is yes, definitely, but it’s complicated. I think there are decisions to be made. I’ve put more in the report. It doesn’t help that her position is temporary. I think that’s something we need to look at urgently.”
“But you feel the place is viable.”
“Yes. More than that. I think it has the potential to be one of the most important hotels in the group. Mandy said yesterday that—”
“Mandy?”
“She’s the head housekeeper. She has been here a long time. We were turning over a room together and she was telling me that she remembers a time when the hotel had close to a hundred percent occupancy over the summer months. Extraordinary. I think we can achieve that again. Luca is doing excellent things with the restaurant. If they’re not drawn in by the views and the charm of the village, the food should do it. We have to persuade people that dining in the restaurant is more pleasurable if you treat yourself to a night in the hotel afterwards. It was Evie’s idea. I think it’s a good one.” She was breathless, almost babbling as ideas tumbled out of her.
Alexandra was struggling to keep up. “Luca is the new chef?”
“Not so new. He’s been here for a few months now and he’s particularly good at harnessing commercial opportunities.Afternoon tea is almost a religion here. He’s embracing the potential of that and also revitalising the evening menu in the restaurant. It’s innovative, and he’s keeping the focus on locally sourced produce. I think we should extend that ethos throughout the hotel. Sylvie, who deals with all the procurement, was telling me about a local company that make organic soaps and shampoos—we’re going to source samples and if they’re good I think we should consider offering them to guests.”
“We use the same brand across the whole hotel group.”
“But maybe we should rethink that. As Evie said, guests come here to experience all that Cornwall has to offer. We should be giving them that.”
Evie, Edward, Mandy, Donna, Sylvie, Kristina, Luca—Abby dropped names into conversation as if they were old friends. Alexandra had rarely seen her daughter so energised. And rarely heard her talk about individuals with such passion.
Clearly she’d started to form relationships with them.
Alexandra hoped that wasn’t going to cause her a problem.
“Draw up a plan and send me your recommendations.”
“I intend to, although I still have weeks to go of course. It would help if I knew exactly what you’re looking for. What your long-term intentions are.”
Alexandra ignored that question. “These people that you describe in such detail—do they know who you are?”
