For the first time since she’d stepped into Gerald’s shoes, Evie was starting to enjoy coming to work.
She eyed the email in her inbox. She’d now had two interviews with the hotel in London and really liked the people. She was waiting to hear if she was through to the final stage, which would be an in-person interview in London.
What would she do if that happened?
Finding time to go up to London without everyone asking awkward questions wouldn’t be easy. What would she say to people?
And there was an emotional element, too. Throughout this process she’d been telling herself she was testing the waters, but a final in-person interview felt like commitment. What would happen to her relationship with Luca if she left?
She glanced at the clock. She was seeing him again tonight and she couldn’t wait. Never had time moved so slowly. She was amazed no one else had noticed and said something because she was struggling to behave normally around him. Even that morning when he’d come to her office first thing to discuss menus, she found herself distracted by his eyelashes. They were long and thick and he had a way of looking at her as if—
“Evie!” Donna burst into her office. “Have you heard about last night?”
Last night? She hadn’t seen Luca, so that couldn’t be it.
“What happened last night? Have you seen Abby, by theway? She’s late, and that’s not like her.” Evie checked her phone in case there was a message. “Should I call?”
Donna grinned. “So youhaven’theard.”
“Heard what?”
“She led quite the party in the pub last night. Oh, by the way, Mr and Mrs Spencer have cancelled tonight, but I’ve told them there’s no charge.”
“No charge?” Evie forced Luca and his long eyelashes out of her head and focused on work. “We have a cancellation policy.”
“I know, but Gerald never charges loyal guests, even if we don’t manage to rebook the room. Anyway, and more importantly, it turns out that our Abby plays the piano. According to Nick Holland, who heard it from Steve Mathews who was actually there, she had everyone on their feet dancing.”
Evie made a mental note to review the cancellation policy and talk to staff.
No wonder their profits were down. They might as well let everyone stay free.
She tried to focus on what Donna was saying.
“Abby played the piano?”
“Yes. And she hasn’t mentioned it once in all these weeks we’ve been working together.”
“But I saw her last night. We went for a run. I left her on the cliff because she had to call someone in Boston. She didn’t mention playing in the pub.”
“From what I could gather it was a spontaneous thing. Ray went down with something and called in sick. She stood in for him. And after she’d finished playing, she and Tristan were dancing together.”
Evie tried to picture it. “Tristan? Dancing? Are you sure?”
“Yes. I would have given a lot to see that, too. And at one point Abby was dancing on the table. Ask anyone who wasthere and you’ll get the picture. But I was thinking that seeing as she’s such a good piano player, maybe we ought to make use of her talents here. Get a piano in the bar. Liven up the evenings.”
“There is no way Abby would have danced on the table! She’s far too dignified.”
“Not last night she wasn’t. There’s obviously another side to her.”
Evie wished she’d been there to see it. “You’re sure it was Abby?”
“Oh yes.” Donna winked at her. “There are photos doing the rounds. You just have to ask the right people.”
“But—” Evie broke off as Abby walked into the office. “Hi there! I was starting to worry about you. Is everything okay?”
“Yes. I’m sorry I’m late.” She walked carefully, as if every step was painful. Her face was a sickly colour, and she had black smudges under her eyes that make-up hadn’t managed to conceal.
“You look terrible. Are you ill?” Concerned, Evie stood up quickly. “Sit down.”
