The Cornish Hotel by the Sea Read online

  Ellie had taken compassionate leave from work and spent a few weeks helping out until Sue had shooed her back home insisting she could cope just fine. And continued insisting that she was managing perfectly well, in their twice weekly chats.

  I shouldn’t have taken Mum’s word for it. I should have visited more often. Then she wouldn’t have ended up making herself ill.

  Guilt flooded through her. She was an only child, all the close family her mother had, yet had been too too wrapped up in her own life to spare any time for her mum.

  A key flung down on the counter in front of her startled her back to the present.

  “Well, I’ve managed but that bloody shower’s leaking! I’m not impressed with the standard here at all.”

  It was Reece Mitchell again. And what a transformation. The tee shirt and jeans had been replaced by a snazzy black suit that fitted so well it just had to be designer. Teamed with a navy and white pin-striped shirt and a navy tie he really looked something. And far too important to be staying in a sleepy little seaside town like Port Medden.

  Stop gawping every time you see him!

  She pulled herself together. “I’m so sorry. I’ll arrange for both showers to be fixed…” she started to say but he was already walking briskly away. God he was so rude! She hoped none of the other guests were as unpleasant.

  She reached for the phone, dialled Harry’s number and asked him to come and take a look at the showers in Room 12 and 13. “Can you do it asap, please?” she asked. “The guest is a real grouch.”

  “Of course, Miss Truman.”

  Ellie smiled, the old man had worked at the hotel for years but still insisted on calling Ellie Miss Truman and her mother Mrs Truman, despite them constantly telling him to drop these formalities. He was one of the old school and nothing would ever change him.

  “Thank you, Harry. I’m going to have a look around in the morning and make a list of any repairs that need doing. Could you see to them all before my mother comes out of hospital? I’d like to get the place as straight as possible for her.”

  “Of course. I did tell your mother about a few jobs that needed doing but...” he paused, as if he feared he might be overstepping the mark.

  “Go on, please,” she urged him.

  “Well, between me and you I think things are a bit difficult for Mrs Truman right now, money-wise I mean.”

  Ellie had suspected as much. “I see. Well if you let me know what the jobs are and the approximate cost I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Certainly, Miss Truman. And how is your mother?”

  “Recovering well, thank you, but she’ll be in hospital a few more days.” And she’ll be back in again if she doesn’t take it easy. I’ve got to find a way to help her.

  Ellie spent the rest of the evening trying to sort out the figures. She was shocked to discover that the hotel was running at a loss and had been for the past few months. Why hadn’t Mum mentioned it to her? Probably because she didn’t want to worry her. Well now Ellie knew and she was worried.

  The day had started off wrong and carried on that way, Reece thought as he walked into the foyer of Gwel Teg later that evening. He’d been stuck in traffic on the way down from London, the quaint hotel his secretary had booked him into at very short notice had turned out to be a small shabby family one run on a skeleton staff. The shower in his room wasn’t working and to top it all the deal he’d been hoping to complete today had fallen through. All in all a wasted trip. Steve, his business partner, had warned him that Adam Hobson was having second thoughts though but Reece had been hoping to talk him round.

  He and Steve both agreed that they wanted another business in the South West though which meant Reece would have to remain in Cornwall for a few more days and find a replacement. Not at this hotel though. Tomorrow he’d find somewhere a bit more upmarket.

  He glanced over and saw that the receptionist was still hard at work on the computer. He watched her for a minute, biting her lip and frowning as she stared at the screen. She was pretty – beautiful, actually – with hazel almond shaped eyes, a tumbling cascade of rich brown hair which she’d now released from the band that constrained it, high cheekbones and perfect cupid bow lips. She looked tired, he noticed. And worried. He shouldn’t have been so hard on her this afternoon. It wasn’t her fault the shower wasn’t working. Although her holding him up at the traffic lights earlier and then nearly driving into him as he came out of the car park to go to his pre-meeting brief with Steve hadn’t helped his mood when he was already late. Still, he wasn’t normally so bad-tempered, he should make amends. He paused, then walked over to the desk.

  “Still working then?” He smiled, to show her that he wasn’t always so cranky.

  She looked up, startled. “Mr Mitchell. Is everything all right? I believe that your shower’s been fixed now, although I haven’t had time to check yet.” She obviously thought he’d come to complain again.

  “That’s good. Thank you.” He flashed her what he knew was a devastating smile. It never failed to win anyone over. “Look, sorry if I was a bit of a grouch this afternoon – and for blasting my horn at you earlier. Twice,” he added ruefully. “I had an important meeting to go to.”

  She blinked and stared at him as if momentarily stunned. Damn, had he been that much of a grouch? Then her cheeks bunched endearingly as she smiled back. “And you could do without the shower not working? I guess that me holding you up earlier and cutting you up in the car park, didn’t help either. I was a bit…distracted. Sorry.”

  “Apology accepted.” For a moment their eyes locked and he felt an irresistible tug. He drew in his breath. She was pretty hot but making out with the receptionist wasn’t his style. “Well, I’m off to bed now. Night.”

  “Night.”

  He walked away then glanced back but she’d already returned her attention to the computer screen. It was almost midnight now, surely she wasn’t on duty all night? Was the hotel really so short staffed? No wonder it looked so in need of repair.

  As he stepped into the lift it suddenly occurred to him that this hotel might be just he was looking for. It was in a great position with fantastic views, there was plenty of potential for improvement, and it was obvious that the owner was struggling with its upkeep so might be happy to sell for a knockdown price. Maybe he wouldn’t check out tomorrow as he’d planned.

  Chapter Three

  The high-pitched squawk of the seagulls jerked Ellie out of a deep sleep. It took her a couple of seconds to realise where she was then she bounded out of bed and over to the window, pulling open the curtains. What a glorious day. She gazed out in delight at the sun sparkling on the cobalt ocean just a few minutes away, positively begging her to walk barefoot over the golden sand and paddle in the cool sea.

  What was stopping her? Mandy had insisted on covering the morning shift so she could spare half an hour to walk down to the beach, surely? The fresh sea air would do her good.

  Ellie remembered her dad always telling her, ‘make time to enjoy life.’ It was a mantra she often repeated to herself. She enjoyed her work as a PR officer helping firms improve their image by ‘giving back to society’ but spending her childhood in Cornwall had taught her that taking time out, relaxing with family and friends, doing things you enjoyed were just as important. Whenever she visited her parents her first stop, often before catching up on their news, was the beach.

  She showered and pulled on a pair of electric blue shorts and a white vest top over lacy white underwear. Ever since the total mortification of being examined by a very dishy doctor while attired in greying underwear after she’d slipped over in Ben’s Bistro two years ago, hurting her bum and ending up in A&E, Ellie always wore pretty, matching underwear. She grabbed a bottle of sun lotion from her dressing table and rubbed some sun cream onto her exposed limbs and neck.

  “Did you sleep well, lovey?” Mandy asked as Ellie walked into the foyer.

  “I flaked out as soon as my head hit the pillow. I think I
must have been shattered. Are you okay to look after thing here while I have a walk along the beach? I’ll only be half an hour or so.”

  “No problem. Take as much time as you want. I doubt if we’ll be very busy.” Mandy switched to the booking screen. “We’ve got a couple of guests leaving today. Mr Mitchell from Room 12 and Mr and Mrs Wilson from Room 4.”

  So Merc Guy was leaving. Good, she didn’t want another run in with him. Mind you, he’d been nice last night. She’d been surprised when he’d apologised. He’d actually seemed rather charming. She guessed his meeting had gone well so he’d been in a better mood. In her experience, many business men were like that, they switched on the charm when it suited them and switched it off just as easily.

  “Have we got any other guests booked in?” she asked. When she checked the register last night there were only seven and if three were leaving...

  “There’s a Mr and Mrs Smythe booking in tomorrow but that’s all for the foreseeable.”

  June and the hotel wasn’t even half full. Ellie remembered when Gwel Teg was teeming in the summer months, her parents often had to turn people away.

  “How long are the Smythes staying for?” she asked.

  Mandy glanced at the computer screen. “Two nights. They’ve asked for the Honeymoon suite. Apparently they spent their honeymoon here and now it’s their Silver Wedding Anniversary so they want the same room.”

  “How romantic.” Ellie paused.” Maybe I should check out the room before I go for a walk. Mr Mitchell’s shower was out of order yesterday and the one in the connecting room was leaking, he got in a real strop about it. I don’t want any other guests upset.”

  “Don’t worry, I checked the room yesterday afternoon and it’s all fine.” Mandy glanced at her. “So you’ve met Mr Mitchell yet? Quite a hunk isn’t he?”

  Ellie shrugged. “Is he? I hadn’t noticed.”

  “Course you haven’t, lovey.” Mandy gave her a knowing wink.

  Ellie ignored her and continued. “I was looking through the books last night. Things aren’t going well, are they?”

  “They’ll pick up again. The hotel needs a bit of TLC and your mum hasn’t been up to it but she’ll get her mojo back, you’ll see. Now be off with you. Go take that walk!” Mandy shooed her away.

  I hope Mandy’s right and things do pick up again, Ellie thought as she set off down the hill towards the beach. Mum wasn’t getting any younger. She was in her sixties now and should be thinking about retiring and taking it easy, not struggling to run a small hotel. It was a lot of work for her. Perhaps Ellie could persuade her to think about selling up and buying a little bungalow instead.

  Property was expensive in Port Medden, as in any part of Cornwall. Would there be enough left from the proceeds of the hotel to allow Mum to purchase a bungalow, and have enough to live on until she received her pension? Ellie bit her lip. She doubted it. Not unless she moved away, perhaps up to the Midlands nearer to Ellie.

  No, that wouldn’t work. Mum loved Cornwall. She would hate to live somewhere else.

  Reaching the wall that overlooked the beach, Ellie looked over at the golden sand and glistening, almost turquoise, ocean and saw that there were already a few holidaymakers taking advantage of the low tide to paddle. A family with two children were building a sandcastle near the shore and a pair of teenage lovers were walking along the water’s edge, holding hands and laughing as the sea lapped over their bare feet.

  Just like she and Lee had done.

  The memories were still there but six years had passed and the pain had long since gone. At first, it was all so raw that Ellie had avoided coming down to visit her parents. Soon though she had made a new life, new friends and was so busy she hardly ever thought of Lee but it had taken her a year to bring herself to come down to Port Medden again. Her parents had been delighted to see her, although had never reproached her for staying away.

  After a while, Lee and Zoe moved to Bristol so Ellie no longer had to worry about bumping into them. Her parents were careful not to mention them when Ellie visited but she heard that they got married, had a couple of children.

  She was glad now that Lee had finished with her, even if it was because he had fallen in love with her best friend. If he hadn’t cheated on her they would probably be married now and it would be Ellie who was tied down with a couple of kids, never having had chance to find out who she was and what she wanted. She’d seen it happen to so many people. They met someone, fell in love and before you could blink had forgotten all about the plans they’d made for their future, their dreams, friends, the things they liked doing. They became ‘a couple’ and it was as if they stopped existing as a single unit. Everything had to be done together.

  Well that wasn’t for her. Not that she had massive plans for the future, she was enjoying her job, taking each day as it came. No one to answer to or to have to think about. Yes, she had dates. Lots of them. Kate, her best friend, laughingly called Ellie a ‘serial dater’ because she didn’t allow any relationship to get serious, never went out with anyone for longer than a couple of months. That way the relationship kept its freshness and they both parted with good memories.

  And it made sure she never got hurt again.

  She walked down the steps then slipped off her sandals, relishing the feel of the soft sand beneath her bare feet as she ran over to the sea. She paddled for a while, letting the cool water lap over her feet. She’d always found the sea soothing. Many a time as a troubled teenager she’d sat on this beach, staring out at the ocean, marvelling at the vastness and wildness of it all. Whatever had been bothering her had faded away into insignificance and she’d always walked back home feeling lighter, as if she’d got things into perspective.

  She remembered how she’d sat here for hours that day before she left, wondering if she was making the right decision. Was she letting Zoe and Lee drive her away? By the time she’d walked off the beach Ellie had been confident that she was doing the right thing. She needed a fresh start. To make a new life for herself. And it had been a good decision. She loved her life in the city and her job but that didn’t stop her feeling guilty about leaving her mum to manage on her own these past two years.

  Her mobile pinged in her bag. She reached for it and glanced at the screen. Kate.

  Hows ur mum, hun?

  She’d answered Kate’s advert for a flat share when she’d decided to move up to the Midlands, thinking it would do while she sorted herself out. They’d hit it off straight away and Ellie had remained there.

  Weak but ok. She’ll be in for a few days yet. How r u?

  They exchanged messages for a while then Ellie set off back up the hill, past the pretty, quaint tea rooms, the bakery and souvenir shop, until the charming white hotel came into sight. She paused for a moment to look at it, as a potential guest would, taking in the slightly neglected but still colourful hanging baskets and plant tubs that adorned the outside. Okay, the outside could do with a coat of paint and it needed some repairs but it was full of character and the location was stunning. She was determined to get Gwel Teg back into shape before Mum came out of hospital. And first stop was to check all the rooms and see what repairs needed doing. She didn’t want to give any of the other guests cause to complain. Bad reviews on TripAdvisor wouldn’t help gain more bookings.

  Mandy wasn’t at the reception desk. Guessing she’d gone for a loo break, Ellie picked up a notebook and the set of master keys. As it was a sunny day she imagined that their guests would probably be out so she should be able to check all the rooms before the cleaners did their rounds.

  She made her way around the first floor, most of the rooms were unoccupied. Before she entered the ones that were occupied, she checked that the ‘Do Not Disturb’ label wasn’t on the door then knocked loudly and called out before entering. Careful not to touch anything personal, she noted any repairs that needed doing. There were quite a few but they were mostly minor things that Harry could tackle. She was dismayed to see how dated and
shabby the rooms looked though.

  It looks like the whole hotel needs refurbishing, she thought as she made her way to the second floor.

  She hesitated outside Room 12. Had Reece Mitchell left yet? She really didn’t want another run-in with him. He might have been pleasant last night but her first impressions of him weren’t good and she definitely didn’t want a repeat performance.

  She glanced at her watch. 10.45. Guests had to vacate the rooms by ten so he should be long gone. Even so, she banged on the door and listened intently just to be sure. Nope, there was no sound coming from the room. She unlocked the door and stepped inside. Glancing around, she immediately spotted that a couple of drawer handles were missing on the bedside cabinet, a plug socket was loose and the carpet was threadbare in one corner. Not good. It’s a wonder he hadn’t complained about that.

  She made a note of them and starred them as urgent. She’d ask Harry to do them this afternoon, at least they wouldn’t cost anything. And perhaps she could find a small cupboard to put over the threadbare patch of carpet.

  She looked over at the closed ensuite door. She’d better check the shower too, and the one in the connecting room. Best to make sure they’d both been fixed before she booked anyone else into the room.

  As she walked over to the ensuite the door handle turned. She stared at it, horrified. Oh heck - he wasn’t?

  The door started to open.