Page 61 of Joey

“Possibly. I’m happy to pay him to keep his mouth shut, but one, there’s no guarantee he will stay quiet, and two, there’s always the chance he’ll keep coming back for more and more.”

“True.” He wasn’t sure what the best route was, but he’d definitely speak to Meredith. Maybe she could speak to other employees and see if they’d had similar experiences to him. It might stop him from focusing so much on him and Joey if he had something else to worry about. Maybe.

Far too many maybes around there lately.

Joey slipped out from beneath him and braced himself on his elbow. “Tell you what. Go for a shower, and I’ll cook us a late breakfast. Sorry, brunch. We’re not due at my parents’ until three o’clock, so we have time to relax.”

“Deal.”

Joey leaned over and kissed him, soft and far too chaste for Ethan’s liking, but a shower sounded nice. Some warmth to help keep away the chill of what David was trying to do. He truly was an asshole. He watched Joey walk naked to the drawers before he slipped on some boxers. Catching Ethan staring, he winked and left the room, and Ethan headed for the shower. As the hot water pounded down on him, he closed his eyes and let it wash away his worries, at least for now. He was where he wanted to be and would soon be doing what he believed he might enjoy—which was another reason he needed to speak with Meredith. He shivered as he climbed out of the shower and dried off as quickly as he could, and then he sat on the bed and held his phone. He wasn’t sure what Meredith’s reaction would be to him handing in his notice, but he’d soon find out.

“Hey, Ethan. How are things down there?” Meredith said, and just hearing her voice made Ethan realise it would be fine.

“Hi. They’re great, Meredith. Really good.”

Meredith sighed. “You’re not coming back, are you?” She echoed Christi’s words.

She always had been quick on the uptake. “I’ll be back to work my notice, but then, no. I’m moving to London.”

“I’m happy for you, Ethan. I truly am. And…I knew it was coming. I’ve checked and you have enough holiday days accrued to use for your notice period. I’m not saying that I don’t want you back, but you have the option if you want a fresh start from now.”

Ethan swallowed hard, and everything went blurry. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say, ‘Meredith, I’d like you to use my holiday as my notice period, please.’ It’s not that hard when it’s truly what you want.”

Ethan chuckled and inhaled deeply. “Meredith, I’d like you to use my holiday as my notice period, please.”

“Good boy. I will sort it. I want you to keep in touch, yeah? Let me know how life is in the limelight.”

Which reminded him of his other reason for calling. “Talking of. I have something to talk to you about.”

“What’s that?”

“David.”

Meredith sighed. “What’s he done now?”

Ethan paused. Had he done something before? “Blackmail doesn’t look good on him.”

“Fucking asshole,” she murmured quietly enough that Ethan was sure he wasn’t supposed to hear. “I don’t know what to suggest.”

“I need to tell you about other things he’s done, too.” He went on to explain David’s behaviour during working hours, the innuendos they put up with, and anything else he thought was pertinent to the conversation.

“Why is it only now I’m hearing about this?” Meredith said. “I knew whatIsaw, but I never knew it bled into work.”

“We didn’t think it mattered. It appeared harmless, to begin with, but now, with the blackmail, I’m wondering if he’s getting worse.”

“I’m going to investigate it, Ethan. I know you won’t be working here any longer, but I’ll keep you updated so you know if there’s likely to be any backlash from it. If I have to let him go, he might up the heat on the blackmail.”

“Okay. Thanks, Meredith, and sorry for throwing everything at you.”

“It’s fine. I’m just so glad you’re happy.”

Ethan smiled. “Yeah. Life throws things at you when you least expect it.”

“So true.”

They spoke for a few more minutes, and then they ended the call with Meredith promising to send the final paperwork to him in the week. He couldn’t believe that was it. His years at The Cliff End Hotel were done. He stared down at the phone for a long moment, remembering the people and events he’d seen and taken part in. It was a wonderful place to work if he excluded David’s being there. Though, hopefully, he wouldn’t be there for much longer.

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