Page 18 of Best Mistake Ever
So that should be interesting.
Saturday night is party night with a dress-up theme and they’ll have a series of DJs in the ballroom.
I have to admit, I’m actually intrigued to see how this goes. It’s been a long time since this house has seen a proper party and it’s making me feel nostalgic for my hedonistic uni holidays when my mates and I would take the place over for a week at a time.
It’ll be great to see the place really come alive again.
Not that I’ll be getting involved with the festival. I’m going to continue to keep a low profile, as I have done since moving here and opening the hotel. I wanted my fresh start to be about the house and the quality of the experience, rather than about me. Or my old man.
This really frustrated Tessa, who was all for using my fame to get punters in. But the last thing I wanted at that point was people coming to stare at me and ask awkward questions.
I’m so done with the whole fame thing.
So I definitely don’t want people recognising me and another bloody meme making its way onto the internet.
Just as I’m trying to push the horror of this thought to the back of my brain, Dee comes striding into the hotel reception, where I’ve been checking on upcoming room bookings for the next couple of months – which are looking a little anaemic – and comes to a halt in front of me. Her cheeks are flushed and her eyes alive with what looks like excitement.
Wow. She really is a very attractive woman.
Another thought I have to push away.
Her sweet scent hits my nose and I breathe it into my lungs, feeling my body respond in a way that it hasn’t before.
‘Are you wearing a new perfume?’
She looks startled by my barked question.
‘Er… um… yes! I bought it the other day. Don’t you like it?’
‘No, no, it’s fine.’
It’s more than fine. It’s actually making me hard. I shift on the spot and link my fingers in front of me so my hands are shielding my groin.
‘Okay, good. Mr Jacobson—’ she begins.
‘If you’re not using “boss” any more, call me Jonah, will you. I can’t be doing with all thisMrbullshit.’
She blinks at me, a little surprised by my cross interjection, then nods.
‘Okay. Jonah. I need to allocate a room for the wellbeing volunteers to work from. Can I use the one next to your office? It would be the best place for it, I think, since it’s out of the way and therefore quieter.’
‘Sorry, the what?’
‘Wellbeing team. They have people on hand who work as friendly contacts for the festival-goers. In case someone’s having a tough time and needs someone to talk to. It’s a really important part of the festival. It means everyone feels safe and heard if they have any issues with other attendees, or if they’re struggling with their mental health, for whatever reason. There’s a strong emphasis on consent at the festival – they even have dedicated workshops about it, which everyone’s encouraged to attend – to really hammer home the civic-welfare ethos.’
I stare at her for a moment, processing all this. It actually sounds like a brilliant idea.
‘And are these wellbeing people trained?’
‘Yes. They’re all professional therapists. They get free entry to the festival so they can enjoy the rest of it as a punter when they’re not doing their shift. It’s a system that works really well apparently.’
‘Right. Okay. Well then yes, of course. They’re welcome to use the room next to mine.’
‘Thanks,’ she says, giving me a broad smile. ‘I’ll get the staff to make it useable for that purpose. Maybe put some more comfortable chairs in there, if that’s okay?’
‘Sure.’ I’m very much liking this new version of Dee. I hope she stays after the festival is over.
‘Oh, and Jay, the guy organising the festival, says he’s a fan of your music and he asked me to tell you that you’d be more than welcome to perform at the cabaret if you’d like to. There’s no pressure, but it’s an open, inclusive event, so everyone’s welcome. The whole idea of the festival is that it’s community led, so you’re encouraged to participate in your own individual way.’
