“Oh, I don’t know,” I say, shaking my head. “Is that in the schedule, Lis?”
“Shut up, Partridge.”
Oscar gasps, “Mummy!”
“Mummy pays half the mortgage, she’s allowed to say that,” Lisa states, matter-of-factly.
“I was thinking I should probably head over to the hotel and get settled.” Nel says quietly. “I can call a taxi and help you clear up while I wait for it, then I’ll just catch up with you tomorrow."
“No taxi required,” I smile at her across the table. “I’ll drive you.”
“Oh, that’s really not necessary,” she says, avoiding eye contact.
“Well, it seems a bit silly for you to get a taxi when I’m driving to the hotel anyway.”
“You are?”
“Sure, I’m staying there too.”
That dear in headlights look is back. She goes a little pale, and her eyes are wide. “Oh.”
CHAPTER FIVE
“What do you think Nelly-Belly means?”
NEL
Jake drives us to the hotel in silence. Then he helps me with my bags, wheeling my suitcase behind him as he carries his duffle over one shoulder. I feel like I should explain why I have such a large case. I was going to make use of the hotel, which according to the website has nice boutique-y rooms that would make for great recording backdrops. In my giant suitcase, I have a lot of makeup as I thought I’d film some tutorials for TikTok and YouTube. There are also several rather beautiful lingerie sets in there for some posing tutorials, although they don’t take up that much room.
Before I think of my excuses, we’re walking through the double doors of reception. There’s tinny Christmas music playing overhead and a young girl sat behind a slightly beat up looking desk. She smiles brightly as we approach, her eyes blatantly roaming over Jake.
“Good evening, welcome to Orchard Inn.”
“Thank you,” Jake smiles. “We have two reservations for the next few days. Jake Partridge and Penelope Forrest.”
I stand awkwardly behind Jake’s shoulder, feeling ridiculously jealous that the sweet blonde behind the counter is on the receiving end of one of Jake Partridge’s signature smiles.
“I have your reservation here Mr. Partridge, you’re in room 208, here’s your key.” She slides a key across the counter. He takes it, stepping aside for me to come forward. She looks at me with a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes, waiting expectantly for me to say something. “Can I help with anything else?”
“Err…my room key please?” I mumble.
“You need an extra key for the room? We can offer one at an extra charge.”
“I need my own room,” I say with a little more snap than I usually have.
“Oh…” she looks at her computer again. “We only have one reservation here for Mr. Jake Partridge and Miss. Penelope Forrest.”
Panic. My heart is pounding.
“That should be two separate bookings,” Jake says, coming back to stand by my side.
She shakes her head, chewing on her bottom lip. “We have one booking for one room but given two guest names. Partridge and Forrest.”
I lean my elbows on the counter and hold my head in my hands. This is a nightmare.
“Does the room, by any chance, have two beds?” Jake asks, his voice far calmer than I feel.
“No sir, it’s a king room with one bed.” She looks at him apologetically but seems confused by my obvious distress.
