Cherry Blossoms (5 page)

Chapter Eight

Although she had made the decision to tell Oliver the truth, Cherry still couldn’t bring herself to go to his office. She slipped on her jacket and then went out of the staff entrance to head for the river. The still-damp grass was sparkling from a shower, the sun was shining and the vegetation by the river was all the shades of green imaginable. The reflection of the trees in the river was almost a perfect mirror image. A drop of water from the tree she was standing under slipped behind her jacket collar and down her back, making Cherry shiver. She wanted to spread her arms wide, grab the view and keep it forever. There was something about the river which gave her the feeling that life was good and her worries were just drops in this huge expanse of water. Some ducks waddled over, expecting bread, and made her laugh with their eagerness. She felt better now and ready to face the task ahead.

Oliver’s
office door was firmly closed against her. Cherry tapped gently, but there was no reply. The strengthening effect of the river was wearing off. She took a few steps away thinking that maybe she should come back later, then reminded herself it wasn’t fair on Darius to leave her deception a moment longer. She went back to the door and tapped again. Once again there was no answer.

“
He won’t hear that,” Pat said, passing with a pile of table linen. She stopped and put the pile of neatly pressed linen on a console table. “Don’t look so worried. He’s a nice man, very thoughtful. I expect he’ll be fine about it.” She gave Cherry a hug. “Let me,” she said, banging on the door before whispering, “Good luck,” and carrying on with her work.

“
I’m going to need it,” Cherry replied, pushing open the door when she heard Oliver’s abrupt, “Come in.” Her heart beat a little faster when she saw Oliver smiling at her from the other side of his desk.

“
Ah, Cherry, glad you’ve turned up. I’ve just printed off some information from a website I found. I thought it might be of interest.” He waved a sheaf of papers at her. “There’s more good news too about this boat idea. I’ve been on to a couple of firms and got some good prices. I just need you to take a look with me. I’m sure you can manage a day trip can’t you? We could take a picnic, or have a pub lunch, whatever you fancy.”

“
The thing is, Oliver . . .”

“
We can arrange a convenient date, the sooner the better.
And
the other bit of good news is that I’ve persuaded Darius to go to the conference. It wasn’t exactly easy and I’ve had to promise him a couple of weeks off later in the summer, but I did it.” Oliver was grinning like a small boy who’s just won a conker fight. “It will be good for him to go to the conference. He’ll have to get up in the morning and attend lectures and workshops. And he’ll have to make sure he’s dressed smartly, not just in a tracksuit and trainers. It might even spark an interest and make him more enthusiastic about joining the business. He has no sense of purpose. At the moment he’s just drifting along, totally financed by his doting mother. I suppose I sound bitter and shouldn’t be saying these things to you. Let’s concentrate on the hotel. Come and take a seat, we have a lot to discuss.”

Cherry
thought how lovely that Oliver wasn’t going away. Then she realised it wouldn’t affect her as she was inches away from forfeiting her job and her home. She was in turmoil. How could she have been so stupid? She only had herself to blame. Now she would lose everything, including Jay, when that dreadful Talbot woman found out that they had nowhere to live. She stifled a sob. “I haven’t got much to say so I think I’ll stand,” Cherry muttered, twisting her hands together. “If you don’t mind, that is,” she added quickly.

Oliver was concerned.
He’d been more than disappointed about the conference, but he’d consoled himself with the thought of future days away together. But looking at her now he could see that she was very worried and he wondered what the next bombshell was going to be. He’d been so wrapped up in his enthusiasm for the hotel and then his delight at persuading Darius to go to the conference, he’d completely missed the worried look on Cherry’s face.

“
I’ve got to leave,” she said quietly.

“
What?” He hadn’t expected anything as dramatic as this. He stood up and paced to the window. Perhaps she had reconciled with Jay’s father. Was it possible in such a short space of time? “Why?” he added, barely able to speak.

“
I haven’t been honest with you.”

He turned to see
Cherry gazing at him with her clear blue eyes. Now he was sure, it
was
something to do with her ex. She’d been hiding something about their relationship. But there hadn’t been any reason for her to tell him the truth about her relationship with Jay’s father. “I see,” was all he could say.

“
I don’t think you do see, Oliver. I’ve taken advantage of you as my employer.  I’m really sorry, I shouldn’t have done it.”

He
couldn’t help but smile, wishing that she’d taken advantage of him as a man too. He longed to take her in his arms and kiss away all her cares, but it sounded as though someone else was about to do that.

“
You won’t find it so amusing when I tell you what I’ve done.” Cherry picked at some imaginary fluff on her sleeve.

“
Go on and for goodness sake sit down, you’re making me nervous.” He sat back at his desk in an effort to make her do likewise.

Cherry sat on the edge of the
hard-backed chair opposite him. She was chewing her lip and he could barely resist rushing to her and telling her everything was going to be all right, just so long as she forgot about Jay’s dad and concentrated on the hotel. And him.

“
It’s just that . . . the thing is . . . Jay and I are living in one of the chalets. I didn’t get your permission.”

“
Is that it?” Relief surged through his body and he let out a sigh.

“
No. We’re not paying rent. We just moved in when the boat sank. We didn’t have anywhere else to go. We were homeless. I was desperate. I thought they’d take Jay away. I couldn’t bear to lose him. It was nothing to do with Pat . . . or anyone else.”

“
Come on now, we all know how good-hearted Pat is. It was her idea, right?” He knew how kind Pat was. He’d been at the receiving end of her kindness many a time, especially when he’d been younger. He’d often found surprise food parcels in his trunk when he’d unpacked at boarding school. He’d always known it was Pat, not his mother, who’d been so thoughtful.

“
Please, don’t blame her. She can’t afford to lose her job,” Cherry pleaded.

“
I know how to deal with Pat.”

Tears rolled down
Cherry’s cheeks and Oliver pulled a tissue from the box on his desk and passed it to her. “I’ll send for her now.” He reached for his phone and called reception to find Pat and send her in.

So much for
Pat’s promise that he’d be fine about the chalet. Her friend entered the room without knocking and said a cheery, “Hello, Oliver, can I help?”

Cherry wrung her hands.
“I’m sorry, Pat, I said it wasn’t your fault.”

“
I am guessing you put her in one of the chalets that needs renovating.”

Pat nodded.
“It was no loss to the hotel’s profits except the cost of a little electricity. I was sure you wouldn’t mind.”

“
No, I don’t mind because you were looking after the welfare of a member of staff. It was a typical gesture. In fact, Pat, I’ve been considering a pay rise for you. You’re proving to be one of my most valuable members of staff. Well, you were Mother’s too. You’re on the next step of the pay scale as of the beginning of next month, but I’ll make sure there’s a bit of a bonus on your next pay slip too.”

Pat’s
face lit up. “That’s fantastic. I’ll be able to save a bit and take Maurice away for a few days. We haven’t been anywhere for ages. We could visit some of our old haunts at Hunstanton. We used to go there regularly when we were younger. It will do him so much good. He hasn’t been right since the operation, and the treatment gets him down. Thank you so much, Oliver.” Pat walked round the desk and gave him a peck on the cheek, “Your mum would be so proud of you.”

“
She often told me how the hotel would fall apart without you, Pat, and that she was never going to let you retire.”

“
Well, we’ll see about that. I don’t intend carrying on forever. Not even for you. Is there anything else before I go?”

“
Just that if you’re thinking of going to Hunstanton, I could give you the name of a hotel. A friend of mine runs it, she’ll give you good rates if you mention my name.”

Pat grinned again.
“I’d forgotten Rebecca’s living there now. Your old flame.”

“
Yes,” Oliver looked abashed. “I know Mother kept you informed with all the ups and downs of our relationship.”

Cherry, who was enormously relieved that Pat was being given a pay rise and not the sack, was begin
ning to feel like a spare part. But she was intrigued by the conversation. One thing that amazed her was the easy familiarity between employer and employee. But she was surprised at how jealous she felt as they talked about Rebecca, obviously a serious girlfriend of Oliver’s.

“
In fact when you’ve set a date, how about I run you and Maurice down there? I could catch up with Rebecca over lunch. It will be great to see her again. I’m looking forward to it already. Good, sorted.” Oliver looked pleased.

Cherry
felt like bursting into tears. Nothing was going right for her. Ever since the boat had flooded she’d made a mess of things. Now Pat was looking at her with a worried expression.

“
Oliver’s friend, Rebecca, has just had twin girls. Oliver was best man at the wedding. No doubt he’ll be a godfather too.” As Pat left the room after kindly explaining the situation, Cherry resolved to take a firm grip of herself. She really must get a hold on things; her feelings for Oliver, keeping a job and finding somewhere permanent for Jay and her to live. She wanted more than anything to keep Jay and give him some security and she was determined to concentrate on that and not her feelings for this man who was now glaring at her. His expression was set hard.

“
There’s nothing for it. You’ll have to move immediately.”

Cherry’s
face crumpled. She couldn’t believe this was the same man who’d just shown such consideration to Pat. Nor could she believe that she was such a bad judge of character. She fled from the room, tears streaming down her face.

Chapter Nine

“I can’t believe he shouted at you,” whispered Pat. She looked across her sitting room to where Maurice and Jay were doing a jigsaw puzzle at the table. They were so engrossed, Cherry doubted that they could hear what was being said, but all the same she was pleased Pat was keeping her voice low.

Cherry
couldn’t believe that Oliver had shouted at her either, but he had. She would never have believed he had a nasty side. For a second she wished she hadn’t told the truth, but then she looked at Jay and knew that she had done the right thing in sticking to her principles. Besides, to him, it was a good solution even if he didn’t realise all the implications. It had been an adventure to live in the chalet and have a bedroom to himself and play games with Darius. Now it was another adventure to be staying with his mother in Pat’s spare bedroom, doing jigsaws with Maurice and being fed delicious things by Pat. Cherry sighed deeply.

“
Thank you so much, Pat. I know you offered us a roof over our heads before, but we really are in need now.” She sat forward in her chair, looking around the room. “You’ve got a lovely home. It’s so cosy and inviting. I hope I can find somewhere quickly. We don’t want to be a nuisance.”

“
You’re welcome to stay as long as you like,” replied Pat. “Just look at Maurice. I haven’t seen him so contented for a long time.” The two women looked over at Maurice who, absorbed as he was in his jigsaw puzzle, had a smile playing at his lips. From time to time he nudged Jay and held out a cardboard piece. Jay would frown and then point excitedly at a space. At this rate, the jigsaw would be done in no time. Cherry resolved to buy some more from the charity shop next time she went to town. Or perhaps she could borrow some from the hotel. She pulled herself up sharply as she remembered that she didn’t work there anymore. She also remembered that she had to sneak back there and get the rest of their belongings. Now that was going to be a very difficult mission.

* * *

Meanwhile, back at the hotel, Oliver had marched around the grounds trying to make sense of the last couple of hours. He’d been to the chalet, where he’d hoped to find Cherry, and knocked at the door. There was no reply. He didn’t like to peer through the windows, but she had to be there. As she’d said, she had nowhere else to go. Then it struck him. Of course, Pat would offer her and Jay a room.

He strode off to his
office intent on phoning Pat. As soon as he punched in the numbers, he knew he couldn’t phone Pat. What would he say to her? It would seem as if he were checking up on Cherry and it would intrude on Pat’s privacy. Since taking over the hotel, Oliver had made a decision to draw a line between work and home with his employees. That way they would know that when they were home, they could switch off and enjoy their leisure time. His intention was to make the lives of the staff as easy as he could. That was why he couldn’t understand what he’d done or said to make Cherry storm off like that.

He looked across at the desk which
he’d hoped she’d occupy. It was starkly tidy. He remembered how alive the office had seemed when she’d sat there. As he inhaled deeply, he caught the scent of her perfume and looked around quickly, half expecting to see her smiling at him, assuring him that she’d made a mistake and she wanted to put the clock back to when everything was all right between them. But the room was empty.

Unable to settle in the oppressive office, Oliver made his way
through the hotel reception, pausing only to take an umbrella from the stand just inside the door. The fine rain freshened everything except him. Automatically, he headed around the side of the hotel to the river. It reminded him of Cherry. He often wondered about her life on the narrow boat, imagining her and Jay sitting together in the evenings reading or chatting. It must be wonderful to have such a close relationship. A sudden constriction in his throat made him realise that he missed his mother; he wished she’d been there for him when he was a boy. Increasing his pace, he scolded himself for harbouring grudges from so long ago.

It was getting dark now and the moon ca
st its light across the river. How beautiful everything looked. Oliver was surprised at himself for noticing. Normally he was indifferent to such romantic notions. Grunting to himself, he continued his walk which he knew would take him past Cherry’s chalet once again. He resolved that he’d only knock if there was a light on. After all, he had to consider Jay who might be in bed by now.

Scarcely aware that he was holding his breath, Oliver exhaled noisily when a light showed at t
he front window of the chalet. Marching to the door, he rapped hard.

* * *

Cherry was startled when she heard the knock. Pat had lent her a large wheeled suitcase, and Cherry had by now very nearly filled it with Jay’s things. She had to put a light on, but had hoped that no one would be about to see it. Who could be at the door? As she wondered this, she instinctively knew that it would be Oliver. Probably checking to make sure she’d gone. She poked her head around the sitting room door and saw his familiar outline through the glass front door. Catching her breath, she knew she was trapped. He could tell she was there; the light was on. It would be rude to ignore him. She decided that she’d ask him in out of the rain and make sure he knew she was packing. She’d be out of his hair very soon.

“
Hello Oliver. Come in.” Cherry stood back to allow him to enter the chalet. However, he didn’t move.

“
Where have you been?” he shouted. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

Cherry wondered if all their conversations from now on would be shouting contests until she remembered that this was probably the last time
she’d ever see him.

“
We’re living with Pat. I just came to get the last of our things. See.” She indicated the case and empty cupboards. “It won’t take me long to pack these last few things and then I’ll be out of your way.” Cherry felt her chin wobbling and ducked her head so Oliver wouldn’t see.

But Oliver
purposefully walked through the chalet. Cherry suddenly felt furious with him. “There’s no need to check up on me,” she snapped. “I know it was wrong of me to live here without telling you, I’ve apologised and now I’m packing. What more can I do?”

“
This chalet’s in an appalling condition,” he fumed.

Cherry felt
as if she’d been slapped in the face. One thing she’d been very careful about was keeping the place clean. “I’ll scrub it again before I leave.” Now she couldn’t wait to go. It would be a relief to get away from this man, this chalet, and everything.

Oliver stood in front of her.
“Cherry, I didn’t mean . . . The chalet’s beautifully clean,” he said softly. Gently putting his hands on her shoulders, he said, “There seems to be a misunderstanding. When I said that you’d have to move, I meant that this place is far too ramshackle for you and Jay. Look at it. It’s not fit to live in.”

“
But it’s our home.”

“
My plan was that you and Jay should move to one of the pretty cottages nearer the river.”

Cherry gasped.
“But you shouted at me,” she said biting back a grin as she realised she sounded like a sulky child.

“
I didn’t mean to be unkind. Forgive me?” Oliver asked.

“
I’m not sure,” she teased. “What are the cottages like inside?”

“
Come with me and I’ll show you,” urged Oliver, relief washing over him as he heard the mocking tone in her voice. His world was back the right way round now, and he wanted to make sure it stayed that way. He’d never met anyone as sensitive yet strong-willed as Cherry and he knew he was falling in love with her.

“
This is so pretty,” enthused Cherry as they went into the renovated cottage. She’d forgotten that she’d ever been cross with Oliver. Now that he’d explained, everything made sense. The cottage really was lovely. There were two bedrooms, a kitchen cum living room, and a little deck at the front where they could sit and look at the river. It was perfect. There was only one problem now. “How much is the rent?” she asked, crossing her fingers and hoping she’d be able to afford it.

Oliver
puckered his lips and frowned. “Well they are quite expensive of course with their prime river location and superior furnishings. However, there is a staff discount and you’ll be offered a generous expense account now that you’re my adviser.”

Cherry opened her mouth to object to this obvious charitable gesture, then closed it again as she realised she
wasn’t in a position to haggle. “So what will the rent be?” she repeated.

Oliver muttered to himself, putting his head comically on one side as though working out som
e great arithmetical challenge. “From what I can tell, you and Jay will live here free and have your meals at the hotel. They’ll be included as part of your salary, of course.”

Cherry
couldn’t contain herself any longer. She put her arms around Oliver and hugged him tightly. “Pat said you were a lovely man,” she breathed.

“
And what do you say?” asked Oliver.

“
I say she’s right.” So close to him, Cherry sank her face into his damp jacket and felt that if the world ended now, she’d be happy.

After what seemed like an age, Oliver gently disengaged
himself. “I’ll help you move your things. Come on.” He took her by the hand and led her back to the chalet.

Used to being independent, Cherry had to stop herself from saying tha
t she could manage on her own. She could, but she didn’t want to. For once she forgot about Jay and surrendered herself to the pleasure of spending time with Oliver.