Page 43 of Happier Days (Family Life in Somerley #1)

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

As he walked back to collect Graham, Jack was collared by Eliza who was behind the reception desk. Before he could say anything, she marched across the floor.

‘I want a word with you.’ Eliza grabbed his arm, pulling him none too gently towards the storeroom. She opened the door, shoved him inside, and closed it to give them some privacy.

‘What the hell is—’ Jack began.

But Eliza didn’t give him time to finish. She pointed a finger in his face. ‘I might have known it would be your idea to sell the hotel.’

‘What? No, that’s not come from me.’

‘I heard you and Mum talking. I was just about to go into the office when I heard Mum say that she thought it would be better to spruce the place up. I thought surely they can’t be thinking of selling the hotel without including me in the conversation.

Then I heard her say that you’d put up the money. Is it true?’

‘Yes, but you’ve got the wrong end of the?—’

‘If I had a stick right now, I’d beat you with it.

’ Tears filled her eyes. ‘This is my home, and my livelihood. Of course you’ll be okay because you have this big author career going on now, so you don’t need to worry.

But I don’t have anyone to fall back on.

There’s just me. Have you any idea how hard it would be to find another job around here, let alone somewhere else to live, if the new owners won’t take me on? ’

Jack let her get everything off her chest. Her actions spoke louder than words as she groaned, rolled her eyes, and did more of the pointing in his face. Finally, she paused for breath.

‘Aren’t you going to say anything?’ she finished.

‘I would if I could get a word in. But maybe it would be better to show you something instead.’ He took her hand this time, leading her out of the room.

Once outside the hotel, Jack strode up to the road. All the while, Eliza tried to keep up with him, silently fuming. Finally, when they turned left, she gave up.

‘Where are we going?’

‘I want to show you something.’

They stopped outside the cottage Jack had bought. He pushed open the rickety gate, careful not to knock it off its hinge.

‘I wasn’t going to say anything yet.’ He unlocked the front door and stepped inside. ‘But seeing as you’re Ms Impatient, in you go.’

Eliza followed him, her eyes narrowing as she looked around.

‘Well, this is a tip,’ she exclaimed. ‘Don’t tell me you’ve bought it?’

‘I have.’

Her eyes widened in disbelief then. ‘What on earth for? You know most people around here can’t afford their own properties and you come along and buy one so there is less choice? What are you going to do? Please don’t say you’re going to Airbnb it?’

‘Of course not.’

‘So you’re going to rent it out to one of the villagers?’ She calmed down a little. ‘I suppose that’s something.’

‘I’m not going to do that either.’

Jack stepped into the kitchen, Eliza hot on his heels.

‘So what are you going to do with it?’

Jack turned back to her, and it was all he could do to stop from bursting into laughter. But he’d teased her enough now.

‘I bought it for you to use.’

Eliza’s mouth dropped open.

‘I don’t want any rent either.’ Jack shrugged.

‘Sometimes I think it’s good not to live on the premises.

You can see things differently when you don’t spend all your time there.

I love my cabin, its privacy and its feeling of home.

I can switch off when I’m there. I don’t think you get the chance.

So I thought I’d offer it to you. I know you lost everything when James died as your home was rented. What do you think?’

Eliza ran a finger over the worktop, shuddering with disgust when it came back filthy. ‘I think it will need a lot of work to get it feeling homely.’

‘I’ve got three guys coming to give me some quotes later in the week. I’ll know more then but I reckon they can crack most of it in three or four months. It’s structurally sound. It just needs some TLC.’

‘Are you serious?’ she asked.

Jack nodded. ‘You’ve had a rough time lately. I thought I’d try and make you smile again.’

Eliza’s bottom lip trembled, but she did manage a grin. ‘I don’t know what to say.’

‘Your brother is a genius, and thanks a million will do for a start.’

‘I do have some savings that I’ll have to give you towards it. I can’t just take it.’

‘I don’t want any of your money, and if you prefer to stay in the hotel, then you can rent it out. To a local, of course.’

She laughed. ‘Wait until I tell Willow.’

‘So you’re not mad at me for wanting to tart the hotel up?’

‘Not now.’

‘Good, because it was never our intention to sell. You heard something but not all of it. I’ve given Mum and Dad some cash to finish the renovations and redecorate a few rooms. It wasn’t to sell the place – well, it might have been until Ava persuaded Mum not to.’

‘Ava did?’

‘Mum said Ava saw it through an outsider’s eyes, how it could be better with a few small changes.

Of course, I’ve been trying to persuade her to do the same for months, but she wouldn’t listen to me.

’ He rolled his eyes, but he was smiling.

‘Ava made her see it differently. I think she also told her about why you didn’t think you should take on Dan’s job. ’

‘The meddling cow!’ Eliza’s eyes widened, but she was still smiling. ‘I told her that in confidence.’

‘Mum says you’ve got it wrong. She would love you to have the role of events manager. Ava thought she was doing the right thing, her intentions were good, and it will probably clear up things, too. Mum wanted to see you about it before you pushed me into the store cupboard.’

Eliza grinned. ‘I’m so pleased Ava came to visit.’

Jack smiled back. ‘So am I.’