Page 10 of Happier Days (Family Life in Somerley #1)

CHAPTER TEN

Jack followed Ava with his eyes until she was out of view. For a moment he thought he’d spotted an unwelcome face in the distance, but when he looked again, the man had gone. He smiled when Charlie sat down across from him.

‘That was Ava.’ Charlie put his drink down to fuss Graham. ‘Can you remember her from the summer holidays?’

‘I can.’

‘Didn’t you have a crush on her?’

‘I might have.’

‘I reckon you still should. Have you spoken to her?’

‘Yes, earlier.’ He filled Charlie in with what happened, missing out the bit where he’d snapped at Ava.

Charlie laughed and patted Graham’s head. ‘Good boy, matchmaking for your dad.’

‘He wasn’t doing that.’

‘No? Well, someone should, to get you out of that cabin.’

Jack sniggered. Of all his friends, Charlie had been the closest. Even though he’d pushed him away after Dan’s death, Charlie had refused to take it personally.

He had sat with Jack during the worst days. He’d made sure he got home safe after a night drowning his sorrows, often staying over to listen to him talking about Dan. It had been tough for them both, and it was good that their friendship had survived.

Charlie had also kept the old crowd informed of how Jack was doing, saving Jack the job of telling everyone he bumped into.

In time, the news and the gossip had subsided. Yet still, Jack wasn’t able to jump back into village life.

‘What are you up to today?’ Charlie asked him, slurping his tea.

‘Got a couple of meetings and then supper with the olds. ‘You?’

Charlie was an artist and rented one of the cabins. ‘Boring work stuff, really. Supper with Becky if she’s back from work in time.’

Jack glanced at the clock and shot up from his chair.

He wanted to catch his parents that morning.

Saying his goodbyes to Charlie, he popped Graham back on his lead.

Yet, Jack’s short walk to the hotel was filled with memories of a young Ava.

He still couldn’t believe what an idiot he’d been, and it seemed clear that he wasn’t forgiven for it. The next meeting was going to be… fun.

‘Hey, Mum.’ Jack smiled as he walked into the office situated at the back of the building.

‘Jack!’ She smiled with delight. ‘What a lovely surprise.’

She said the same thing every time she saw him, whether it was two weeks or two hours previous. He let her envelop him in her arms, relishing the warmth radiating from her.

Stella Broadhurst was sixty-four, two years younger than his father, Max.

Blue eyes like her son’s sparkled. Her bright-pink lipstick was a wonderful contrast to her dark-brown hair, in a sleek bob that rested just below her chin.

A long-sleeved woollen dress accentuated her waist, floating down to her shins, and she wore flat boots that were a slightly less bulky version of Dr Martens, a zip on the side rather than laces to battle with.

Stella was a people person, yet she wouldn’t have it said that she was the reason why clients returned to Sapphire Hotel time and time again.

Jack knew if it wasn’t for her, the business wouldn’t have been so successful.

She’d also kept it running after Dan’s death.

She’d tried to do the same with the family, but that hadn’t worked at all.

Stella glanced behind him. ‘Is Graham with you?’

‘I left him in reception.’

Graham was a favourite with guests and had a basket that he curled up in under the desk. In colder weather, Sara had been known to remove her shoes and pop her feet on his warm belly. Graham lapped it up.

‘Would you like a quick coffee?’ Stella asked.

‘Just had one, thanks. I saw Ava earlier.’

‘Yes, she checked in late last night. Train delays. How is she?’

Before he could reply, the door opened and in bustled his father, his ruddy cheeks not only showing how cold it was, but his love of the outdoors. An old wax jacket covered his thick-knit jumper, above jeans and black boots.

‘Stella, have you seen my cap? The checked one you bought me for my birthday. It’s nippy out there, anyone would think it was winter. Oh, hey, son.’

‘Will you look at the state of you?’ Stella gave Max a dressing-down when she spotted his hands, covered in oil. ‘What have you been up to?’

‘The old Defender wouldn’t start again.’

‘I’ve told you not to go out in that. It’s too dangerous.’

‘It’s a relic, and I trust it.’

‘Sounds a bit like you, Dad.’ Jack chuckled.

‘Watch it, son.’ Max laughed and sat down across from him.

‘Have you thought any more about my proposal?’ Jack ventured. The atmosphere was jolly, and he didn’t want to put a dampener on the day, but he had to get through to them how much he wanted to help.

‘Haven’t had time to go through it properly,’ Max muttered.

Stella reached across and squeezed Jack’s hand. ‘It’s a lot to take in, and we have to be sure we’re doing the right thing.’

Jack sighed. He’d heard the same comment for months now and he didn’t want to argue anymore. Maybe it wasn’t worth pushing his ideas onto them at all.

‘Hey, do you know who’s back?’ Max said. ‘Harry Healey. I saw him in the newsagent’s this morning.’

Jack bristled at the name. What was it with his past coming at him today? Harry was someone he didn’t want to see. Being good friends since junior school, they’d gone into business together, building fireplaces, installing log burners and sweeping chimneys.

But Harry was a bit of a likely lad, away from the job more than he was at it, leaving Jack to do all the heavy lifting, and they’d had a huge argument.

In the end, Harry had quit the business, drawing out a lot of their money, and left the area shortly afterwards.

Jack hadn’t wanted to continue it alone, so it had folded.

It had nigh on broken Jack financially at the time, but he’d come back from it, choosing to put it behind him as a lesson learned rather than hold a grudge. But Harry was back, after all these years? He was curious to know why.

‘I heard his father isn’t well,’ Stella said. ‘By all accounts he doesn’t have long to live. I was chatting to one of his neighbours last week. He’s in a hospice.’

‘Ah, that’s a shame,’ Jack said, although he didn’t have fond memories of either Harry or his father. ‘Maybe he won’t stay around long then.’

‘I know you have your differences,’ Stella began, ‘but I think you should put them to one side and?—’

Sara popped her head around the door. ‘Ava is ready for you,’ she said. ‘I’ve shown her to the conference room.’

‘Thanks.’ Jack stood up, glad the conversation had been halted. ‘You’ll be certain to have a look at the proposal soon?’

His parents both nodded profusely, following behind as he left.

Ava was trying desperately to control her nerves, especially after snapping at Jack that morning. She had been in the right, but even so, it didn’t look good for her first day.

She moved to stand in the window. The view of the lake was spectacular, the colours of the sky and trees varying throughout the seasons, no matter what the weather. She imagined how each day would be that little bit different, and doubted she’d ever tire of looking at it.

The door opened behind her, and Ava saw Mr and Mrs Broadhurst, followed by Jack.

‘Ava, welcome!’ Stella rushed over to give her a hug. ‘It’s so long since we’ve seen you. You remember my husband, Max.’

Mr Broadhurst shook Ava’s hand. ‘Lovely to see you again.’

‘Likewise.’ Ava smiled.

‘You’ve turned into a beautiful woman,’ Stella went on. ‘Mind, I always knew you would. Jack never stopped talking about you. Not for a few summers after you hadn’t shown up.’

‘Stella,’ Max chastised.

‘I’m just saying. He’s grown into a handsome man, you must admit?’ She winked at Ava.

‘Mum, behave,’ Jack said, rolling his eyes indiscreetly.

Stella touched Ava’s arm. ‘I love teasing him. Please, do come and sit down. We have so much to discuss, and then it’s over to you two.’

‘Us two?’ Jack and Ava spoke in unison.

‘Yes.’ Stella beamed. ‘Jack, I’m putting you in charge. I’m sure you’ll enjoy working with Ava for the next few weeks.’