Page 71 of Dr. CEO (The Doctors)

“I have something you might like,” Vincent says. Then, in a stage whisper, he says to me, “The thing about John is, he likes his wine.”

Vincent turns and speaks to someone behind him. Maybe the pilot?

“I’ve got plenty of the malbec left,” John calls to him.

When Vincent turns back, he’s holding a wooden crate. “But have you tried the pinot noir?”

John’s eyes sparkle mischievously. “You’re a naughty, naughty boy, young Vincent, and that’s exactly why I love you more than my own sons.”

I can’t help but laugh.

“Bribery always helps get John in a good mood,” Vincent says, grabbing my hand.

“Carole, did we try the pinot noir when we were there?” John asks his wife.

We turn right into a kitchen. Vincent has to duck to fit under the lintel. It’s a warm, welcoming room, with a battered pine table and the smell of delicious things on the stove.

“You’re turning into quite the wine snob,” Carole says to Vincent.

“He’s always been a snob and not just about wine,” Jacob says. “Quick tip for a weekend at the Cove house: ignore everything my dad says, eat everything my mum cooks and don’t let the dog out.”

“Shit,” Carole says. “Where is Dog?”

“Who are we expecting when?” Vincent asks. “Oh and we brought these for you.” Vincent hands Carole a bunch of flowers from the Crompton gardens I picked on my lunch break.

“Where did they come from?” I ask. “I thought I’d forgotten them.”

“Molly brought them up with her,” Vincent replies.

I try not to act shocked. I usually see Vincent in very different circumstances. Yes, he’s the boss, and yes, he bought the entire Crompton Estate, so of course I know he’s wealthy. I just haven’t appreciated how wealthy. Not until today with the helicopter, the assistant. He’s just so comfortable in all of it.

“Is that the minion you had dropping off the car in the drive?” John asks.

“That’s my assistant who helps me with personal things,” Vincent says. “For legal reasons, I don’t refer to Molly as a minion.”

“Shall we get this wine open?” John says.

Jacob had left the room and wanders back in, this time trailed by a pretty woman with long brown hair. Had I seen her at the tea shop? “Kate, this is my fiancée, Sutton.”

Sutton and I kiss each other on the cheek. “I remember the first time I came here. It’s pretty overwhelming, isn’t it?”

I just smile. It’s a lot. But it’s great. Everyone is treating me like I’ve been coming here for years. It doesn’t feel as alien, as scary and awkward, as I expected.

Out of nowhere, Jacob starts handing out champagne glasses to everyone.

“I thought we were going to try the pinot noir?” John asks. “I don’t want bloody champagne.”

“Honestly, give it a couple of hours and you’ll never want to leave,” Sutton continues. “Carole and John are secret witches and I swear there’s something in the air here that makes you want to come back as soon as you leave.”

“Witches.” John tuts. “If we were witches, I’d be conjuring you all out of here. Carole and I would have the place to ourselves. We’d only allow Vincent to come up just so long as he brought some good wine.” He turns to me. “Of course you’d be welcome too. I hear you’re not a medic either?”

“Were you expecting me to be a doctor?” I ask.

“Absolutely not. Far too many of us under one roof as it is.” He shrugs. “Although the number has shrunk recently. My son Zach has packed medicine in and is writing books now.” He chuckles. “Can you imagine? He’s terribly good at it. What do you do?”

“I work at Crompton, in the tea shop, and now I’m also Vincent’s assistant’s assistant. I’m hoping that when the hotel opens, I’ll work in the guest relations team.”

“She’s going to head up our guest relations team,” Vincent clarifies.

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