Christmas Weddings

‘So you’re still going with some kind of chill zone for burned-out executives?’ Eleri asked.

Alex nodded. ‘That was always my intention but I was never sure quite how to achieve it.’

‘Well, there’s lots of things we can do. Water features, soft lighting, the right sort of music,’ Eleri said. She turned to Millie. ‘Do you remember that place we went to in Panburi?’ Millie nodded, but didn’t answer, she was obviously miles away, so Eleri went on. ‘It was this fabulous spa and hotel right on the beach in Thailand. Lots of tropical dark wood and silks. You could try that sort of thing here. Not those colours,’ she added, hastily. ‘Not in the UK, it wouldn’t feel right, but maybe stick with natural materials, local woods and fabrics, to aim for a really tranquil atmosphere.’ She scanned the sad and defeated room, visualising how it could be. ‘Beech, pale blues, creams and whites. They would look great in here and would reflect that you’re not far from the sea. You could carry them through to the main building, if you like, but warm them up slightly. Add some red and more vibrant blues.’

‘I like the colours used at Millie Vanilla’s,’ Alex put in, clearly out of his depth.

‘They look good, don’t they?’ Eleri answered, as Millie still wasn’t listening. ‘I hate to say this, Alex, but you’re right, you know. It is colder in here than outside.’ She shivered violently. ‘Could we go inside the hotel now, do you think?’

Alex led them on a quick tour of the rest of the hotel and they ended up in the shabby and cluttered office behind the desk in the foyer. He brought over a tray of coffee and sandwiches and toed an ancient electric fire closer to them.

‘Coffee, I think, to warm us up, and then maybe you can both have a look over –’

He didn’t finish, as a familiar voice sounded from the door. ‘Coffee. Just what the weary traveller needs.’ Jed dropped his case and grinned. ‘Actually, having just drunk nothing but the stuff for two weeks, I’d rather have a big mug of tea. Hello everyone.’

Chapter 12

Pandemonium ensued. Millie ran over and hugged him to her, Eleri grinned and introduced herself and Alex busied himself by making tea and shuffling another chair next to the fire.

Once everything had calmed down, Jed took a seat nearest the fire and looked about him. ‘It’s so good to be home, although it’s funny to think of the Lord as home.’ He unzipped his jacket. ‘And I know it hasn’t been long but at times it seemed I was away forever.’

‘You look tired,’ Alex said, with concern.

‘Yes well, at times it wasn’t much of a picnic. And I’m sorry I’ve been out of contact. Communications were a little ropey where I was.’ He blew out a breath so that it made his over-long fringe shoot up. ‘It’s been quite the trip.’

‘Trouble?’

Jed pulled a face at his brother. ‘You could say so. Once or twice.’

‘The gang culture still not sorted, then?’ Eleri put in. ‘They’re called the bandas criminales, I believe,’ she added.

Jed took a swig of tea and shrugged. ‘Looked to be still active where I was travelling.’

‘Why were you there, then?’ Millie asked, with an edge to her voice.

‘Work. Trying to source coffee growers.’

‘For Blue Elephant.’

‘Yes, Millie. For Blue Elephant.’

Eleri gave Alex a sharp glance. ‘Alex bach, did you say you were going to show me the old stable block?’

‘Did I?’ Alex looked surprised and then caught on. ‘Oh yes.’ Untangling his long legs, he got up and held out a courteous hand. ‘You said you had some ideas to turn them into self-catering accommodation. I’d love to hear about them.’

They left without Jed and Millie noticing.

‘I can’t believe you’re working for them.’ Millie hurled the words across the room.

Jed pushed a weary hand through his hair. ‘There are times when I can’t quite believe it myself.’ There was a heavy silence, then he added, ‘Do we have to do this now, Millie?’

‘Yes, we have to do this now, Jed! You know how I feel about that company. You know what they might do to my business. How could you get a job with them, of all people?’ Millie bit down on her anger.

Another silence. Jed dropped his empty mug onto the desk with a thud. There was a beat going in his cheek. He rose and went to the window, looking out into the grounds, as if longing to escape. He was still wearing his orange puffa and it glowed against the silvery-blue sky. ‘This place is going to be great when it’s finished. Must be Georgian. Or older. What do you think?’

‘Jed. Answer the question. I deserve that much, at least.’

He turned and leaned against the sash window frame. ‘You do, of course you do.’ He folded his arms and gave an empty sigh. ‘And I’m so very sorry, sorrier than you’ll ever imagine, but I can’t answer you.’

Millie stood up, her hands clenched to white knuckles. ‘If you don’t give me a reasonable explanation why you’re working for Blue Elephant then I can’t …’ she choked a little. ‘Jed, I can’t see how we can move forward. Everything between us will be over.’ She sucked in a shuddering breath. ‘Once and for all.’

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