Page 24 of A Secret Escape

“What are you handling? Or should I askwho?”

Lorna looked at her for a moment, torn. “Brendan Scott,” she said finally. “I knocked on his door this morning to check when would be convenient to change bedding and towels and clean the place and there was no answer, so I assumed he wasn’t in, and I opened the door.”

Milly sensed that whatever was coming wasn’t going to be good. “And?”

“Turned out he was in, but he hadn’t heard me knock. He said he was writing and he never wants to be disturbed when he’s writing. His exact words were ‘I checked in to this place precisely so that I wouldn’t be disturbed, so why are you disturbing me?’ He looked furious. Like he was going to commit one of those murders he writes about.” Lorna shuddered. “I’m sorry, Milly. I know he’s famous and important and he pays a lot of money to book that cabin for the whole summer. I hope he doesn’t complain.”

Milly wondered why people couldn’t just be kind and polite to each other. It would make life so much easier. She’d never been rude to anyone in her life, not even the horrible woman at the doctor’s who had told her that she should be grateful to be given an appointment at all, even though it was in a month’s time and Zoe’s leg was clearly infected. She always tried to be civil, not because she was some sort of saint but because having worked in a service industry all her life, she knew how hard it was and how people were usually doing their best, and yelling at them just made it even less likely that they’d help you.

But yell people did, and she knew what it was like to be on the receiving end.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. If there any apologies owing around here, it sounds as if they should be coming from him.” But she had no expectations of that happening. Brendan Scott was a repeat guest, and a long-stay guest at that, which was valuable to them. She couldn’t afford to lose his business, so it was a delicate situation. “When does he want us to clean the cabin?”

“I don’t know. He flustered me so much I just wanted to get out of there.” Lorna gathered up the empty mugs from the table. “I’ll go back later and ask, but I need to make sure my last will and testament is up to date first, because I swear he looked as if he was going to kill me. He’s a moody monster.”

That decided it. “Don’t go back. I’ll handle it.”

“You? But you can’t—”

“Yes, I can. This isn’t the first time he has stayed here. I’ve dealt with him before.” And she remembered that the last time he’d stayed with them, a few years before, Richard had asked him to sign a book and had stammered with gratitude when Brendan Scott had signed with a flourish and handed him a copy of his next book as a gift.

Richard had been starstruck.He’s a superstar, Milly.

Milly already had one superstar staying at Forest Nest. She didn’t have the energy for another one, and she didn’t think success should excuse you from displaying good manners.

“I’ll take charge of the housekeeping for that cabin for the rest of his stay. Strike it from your list.”

“Are you sure?” Lorna breathed out. “I feel as if I should argue with you, but honestly it would be a relief.”

“I’m sure.” Not that she was looking forward to the conversation, but she valued Lorna too much to delegate it. “Anything else on your mind?”

“No. That’s it.”

“Great. You’re doing a fantastic job, Lorna.”Please don’t leave.

Lorna left the room with her head held high, and Milly followed her out of the building.

The sun warmed her face, peeping through the trees that shaded the reception building and the offices, and for a moment she pushed the problem of Brendan Scott and his black moods to the back of her mind. She’d work out the best way to deal with him later.

Instead of getting back into her car, she took a shortcut through the trees to the coffee shop where guests often gathered first thing in the morning.

It occupied a prime position overlooking the lake, and already a couple with their two children were sitting outside on the deck sipping cappuccinos and milkshakes in the sunshine.

She knew it was their first time here. They were staying in Cherry Lodge and would be checking out in the morning. Which made this their last day. Her mother had always insisted that guests were treated like friends, and Milly had continued that tradition. She was responsible for her mother’s legacy, and she took that responsibility seriously. “Everything okay here? How has your week been?”

“Perfect, thanks, Milly. Bliss in fact. We’ve already booked for next year. And now we’re killing time until horse riding at eleven.” The man smiled at his daughter. “Highlight of the week.”

“Horse riding?” She took a minute with them, chatting to the children and mentally filing away information that the team could use to enhance their next visit.

Then she walked into the café to talk to Leo.

“Hey, Milly.” He was adding marshmallows to the most indulgent hot chocolate she’d ever seen. “Can I get you something?”

Would Nicole be hungry? What did she eat? Probably not carbs.

“Nothing, thanks, Leo. Just wanted to say hi and check everything was okay.” She scanned the blackboard. “Today’s specials look good.”

“The roasted veg and mozzarella ciabatta is Tilly’s creation, and it’s a winner. Come back later and sample it, if you like.” He put the hot chocolate on a tray along with a cappuccino.

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