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Seated in one of the large blue, plastic hospital chairs, I stared at my sandals, willing Dad to be OK. Live each moment in my aunt’s letter replayed in my mind. The cheese and tomato sandwiches I had brought stuck in my throat and Mum only managed a polite bite. Danny finished off every scrap of food in sight. When seated Danny tapped his legs on the floor and then paced the corridor as if warming up for a race. Each time Mum returned to her seat, he asked if she wanted water or anything. My mind drifted to Felix, who left the room as soon as I asked Dad if he was OK, reminding me of Matt. Whereas Danny was supportive, and he did not make me behave like a blathering fool.

When we were called in to the ward to hear the doctor’s diagnosis, we insisted Danny come along. I loved the way he beamed when the doctor told us the ECG scan revealed angina rather than a heart attack, reassuring us all that it was positive news.

Danny’s quick thinking ensured Dad had immediate treatment as he recognised a serious condition. I tried to think of something thoughtful to say. ‘Erm. Thanks for everything.’ I struggled to smile.

‘Try not to talk about it now as you’re emotionally drained. I’ve had medical training for my job, so act on instinct. Also, my dad had the same condition, but he’s as fit as a fiddle now.’

‘Thanks, lad,’ said Dad. ‘That’s good to hear.’

The doctor looked up from his clipboard. ‘But in the meantime, we’ll monitor you here until we sort out your medications. You need to change your diet, get more active and take the medication. You’ll need to quit smoking, Mr Bloom.’

‘I’m throwing these in the bin,’ said Mum, crushing a packet of cigarettes and trying not to sob. ‘You’ll have to take it easy for a while. No decorating, isn’t that right Doctor?’

‘Afraid so.’ The doctor nodded.

‘Don’t worry about the decorating,’ added Danny. ‘I’ll help.’ Danny moved his arm around Mum.

Mum smiled. ‘You two go home and have some supper. The nurses told me I can stay here in the armchair. I won’t rest if I leave him. I can get a taxi to Heatherbridge tomorrow.’ She turned to Danny. ‘Thanks so much for insisting we go to hospital. He would have dismissed the symptoms as indigestion.’

‘I’m happy to help. I’m sure Mr Bloom will be fine, he’s in the best place. I’ll drive Maisie home and we’ll grab some food in the spa hotel because it’s the only eatery serving food at this time. I’ll come back for you both tomorrow.’

*

The van moved along the road that appeared to be chiselled into the landscape, and I was relieved to leave the towering city of Leeds that seemed to look down at me, now a simple country girl from the sticks. I felt myself breathe out as Danny drove over the packhorse bridge into the village. When I glanced up at the hillside, I tried to count the different shades of green to distract my thoughts and then let my eyes wander up the craggy rockface. There was a tiny outline of someone climbing up the rock, and I felt annoyed he was happy to hover on the edge of danger. Though Danny did not speak, I did not feel the need to fill the silence.

‘Don’t worry,’ he whispered, tapping my hand at the traffic lights. ‘He’ll be OK.’

‘Thanks, Danny.’

He drove between large wrought iron gates and the van crunched on the gravel towards a large mansion house made of York stone. A porter waited in front of Heatherbridge Hotel and stood to attention as we arrived and then greeted Danny. There was an informal terrace at the side of the building with a view across the landscaped gardens. Large white umbrellas shaded the black, metal tables with large armchairs and luxurious beige cushions. Women wore cocktail dresses or smart trousers and jackets.

‘I feel under-dressed,’ I said trying to unroll the hem of my shorts to make them longer.

‘As I said, there’s nowhere else open,’ explained Danny who had obviously seen the shock on my face when we stopped. ‘They know me here as I’ve recommended them on my website as one of the destinations for stressed executives. We can hide in the corner because they stop serving bar food in half an hour. Gourmet meals are not enough for me. Anyway, people who overdress for these venues don’t tend to be the ones with the money, and the staff know that. But we can go back to the house if you prefer.’

‘It’s fine. It’s probably best I don’t go home on my own yet. Thanks. You’re constantly hungry, aren’t you?’ We sat outside, beneath a huge umbrella, and watched the guests. I ordered a ham salad and Danny tucked into a meat and potato pie.

A middle-aged woman wearing a black shift dress glided past. Her blonde hair was piled on top of her head and though she did not make eye contact, she expected to be admired. Danny watched her closely. ‘Businesswoman with a medium-sized company has come here to meet her lover. She needs to know she still has what it takes and isn’t as confident as she appears. In fact, the cocktail dress is more suited to an event than dinner. She’s probably wearing an expensive dress she bought for some charity do or other.’

His insight impressed me, so I smiled and prodded the salad with my knife and fork. Usually, I would have added to the story and commented. Thinking of Dad, I remained silent and stared at the glass vase containing a single carnation.

‘He’ll be fine,’ he said with a softness in his eyes. ‘Don’t worry. The doctors will sort out the medication. Changing his lifestyle a little isn’t a bad thing. He’s had a scare, but it’ll work out for the best.’

‘My father is young, and I never expected this to happen.’ I pushed the plate to one side then used the napkin to discreetly wipe away a tear. There was no way I could go to Paris now. I would cancel my flights as soon as I got home.

Danny stood up and held out his arms for me. ‘Come here,’ he said.

When he hugged me, I rested my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes. It was like he was wrapping a cosy fleece blanket of kindness around me, and I did not want to move.

Danny patted my back. ‘You feel bad now, but it’ll be OK. I understand it’s difficult.’ He always knew what to do and say, unlike Felix who timed an exit to perfection.

I could hear the mumble of voices; people were carrying on unaware of what had happened to Dad. I could not lose Aunt Ada and then Dad. Time stood still as I rested my head on Danny’s shoulder and tried to make sense of events. I sat down again. Dad would not want me to be miserable.

Danny glanced at the craggy hillside behind us and said, ‘I’ll get your dad running up there with me. You’ll see. Often, bad things bring positive outcomes too.’ He adjusted the sweat band on his head. I realised he was still wearing his running gear. ‘I need to get a haircut,’ he laughed. ‘Door frames need to be widened to accommodate my mop.’

I sniggered at his comment and reflected on how well he cheered me up. ‘I’m covered in paint. I don’t care. Some have blonde highlights, but I have streaks of magnolia.’ A breeze whispered through the trees on the edge of the river then moved my hair. ‘Dad always insists laughter is the best tonic for any situation.’

Danny threw his napkin on the table. ‘Come on, I’ll show you around the hotel. Let’s see who we can find. Your dad’ll be OK. The doctor was positive.’ He squeezed my hand.

An elegant oak conservatory was attached to the hotel. The doors of the conservatory were wide open, and the breeze moved the white tablecloths. Danny talked about the history of the hotel and the owner.

A familiar voice drifted towards me. Felix, dressed in beautifully tailored trousers and a white shirt, moved a seat for Amelia. Having gestured to the waiter who brought over a bottle of white wine in an ice bucket, he stood up and glided towards me. His smooth cheek brushed against my face when he kissed me on both cheeks.

Amelia’s long, floral dress fluttered in the breeze and her heels clipped on the black and white tiled floor. ‘Darlings, you look whacked. You can pay people to decorate. Let me buy you a drink.’

I spotted a great dollop of emulsion on my nose on the mirror behind the reception desk and tried to scratch it off with my nail. ‘No thanks, Amelia. I need to get home.’

‘Don’t be silly. Come on, let me treat you.’

In the foyer, hotel staff kept their distance as if afraid of breaking into the invisible circle of confidence surrounding Amelia. Without moving a muscle in her face, she forced people to bow their heads and move away as if she was a member of royalty.

Danny stepped beside me. ‘Amelia, Maisie’s had a tough day. Her father was rushed to hospital. I think she needs a little head space.’

‘OK, sorry to hear that,’ she said, smiling sweetly. Amelia moved her glare down Danny’s lithe body and lingered on his skimpy shorts.

Even though he was not my date, I was annoyed but remained silent with an inane grin on my face.

Transfixed, Danny handed over his business card. Finally, he recovered and said, ‘Call me, Amelia, if you need to start the fitness training programme again. My parents have also confirmed they will give you special rates at the hotel they manage if you will feature in their glossy magazine.’

She moved her fingers gently around the edges of the card and then whispered something to him.

Distance between me and Danny and Amelia increased, forcing me to slouch against the desk. Guests with expensive luggage headed towards me, and my overalls made me completely invisible until the manager caught my attention with a click of his fingers. He herded me to a side room where I could hear clatter in the kitchen. ‘Manual staff to use the rear entrance.’ He wagged his finger. ‘Understand?’ he asked.

‘I’m not a decorator!’ I glared at him without blinking. ‘How dare you?’ With that I strode purposefully towards the first door I found. A collection of brushes and mops fell towards me.

The manager shook his head, so I bolted out of the hotel with Danny following me.

‘My, my, you’re a feisty one,’ he blurted between laughter. ‘I can hardly keep up with you.’

‘You need to train harder to beat me at the hundred metre sprint,’ I said. ‘Maybe you’d run faster if you followed Amelia.’ I snorted with laughter.

‘No. She put a spell on me,’ he sang. ‘Just as Felix put a spell on you.’

I nodded.

‘Felix certainly caught you in his web.’ He chuckled until his tanned face changed to a shade of pink. ‘As if they’d be interested in us two.’

Laughter dissolved. ‘Speak for yourself,’ I said, cocking my head as I walked past the minibus. ‘I need some fresh air. Would you care to join me?’

‘I’ve cleared my diary for tonight and tomorrow so we can work until the decorating is done. I don’t want your dad to attempt it when he returns. I’ll catch up on my work when I can. And by the way, I think you look very sexy in your decorating overall. Not many women could carry off that look.’