Not Just for Christmas

Chapter 2

Chapter Two

D espite speaking quietly, the voice of the young receptionist seemed to reverberate around the cosy reception area and travel into the adjoining lounge too. The people there had turned to look.

“You’re alone?” she asked, her thick eyebrows squishing together.

“Yes. Just me,” Erin said, while bobbing her head in time to the jolly Christmas music.

The nervous-looking woman – Jenny, according to her name badge – leaned closer, a lock of her dark ringlets falling into her face as she did. “It’s just that it’s a couple’s retreat,” she said in her unaccountably far-reaching whisper. “Everything is set up for two. Didn’t you realise when you booked?”

Erin smiled. “My mum booked it a while back and apparently hadn’t thought I’d be single at Christmas.”

“Oh, my goodness.” With a look of horror, Jenny brought both hands to her face. “I’m so sorry. That’s awful.”

Before Erin could figure out what the awful thing was, an older grey-haired lady wandered over from the lounge. “Any chance of a couple more mince pies?” she asked Jenny. “We missed lunch and we’re famished.”

“Add them to the bill if you need to,” a sturdy older gentleman called from the couch which was nestled in the bay window, close to the twinkling Christmas tree in the corner of the room.

Jenny’s gaze skittered from Erin to the older lady. “I think that should be fine,” she said, presumably about the mince pie situation. “Once again, I’m very sorry.” Her eyes were back on Erin. “It’s only that I need to check what to do, because the welcome mince pies and champagne are for two… was it your husband or just a boyfriend?”

“Sorry?” Erin gave a quick shake of her head. “What?”

“The one who dumped you?”

“Oh, no,” Erin began but was distracted by the lady next to her placing a hand on her arm.

“You poor thing. You’ve come all on your own?”

“Well, yes, but…” Erin hesitated. While she wasn’t at all ashamed of her situation, she didn’t know anyone in Chipping Campden and could give them whatever story she wanted. “We were engaged,” she said, then pressed her lips together in a show of overwhelming emotion. “He called it off last week.”

“You poor love,” the older woman crooned in her ear.

Quietly amused by the bizarre situation, Erin nodded and did her best to look like a jilted fiancée. “Too late to get a refund for the hotel,” she told them with a sigh. “And, of course, with my Christmas plans ruined, I thought I’d just come alone.”

“How brave.” The grey-haired lady patted her arm. “Bless you.”

Across the reception desk, Jenny had turned a festive shade of crimson. “I’m so sorry,” she murmured.

“Everything okay?” The cheerful voice belonged to a young guy in a crisp white shirt which contrasted with his short, dark hair. As he sidled up beside Jenny, Erin’s eyes went to his name tag – Lewis. He was probably around her age – in his mid-twenties – and had an air of professionalism that Jenny lacked.

“Mr and Mrs Ward would like more mince pies,” Jenny said out of the corner of her mouth.

“I don’t blame them. They’re delicious.” He offered the woman – Mrs Ward, apparently – a friendly smile. Then he looked back at Jenny. “There are plenty in the kitchen. It’s not a problem.”

Jenny turned her head slightly, lowering her voice a little more. “I don’t know whether to add it to their bill.”

“No,” he said, with a slightly pained expression. “We like our guests to be well fed. I’ll bring them over to you.”

“Thank you,” Mrs Ward said, and gave Erin another sympathetic look before returning to her husband.

“Have you just arrived?” Lewis asked Erin. “Has Jenny got you all checked in?” He clicked the computer mouse as his eyes flicked to the screen. “Erin Grant, I presume? Here for the five-night Christmas package.”

“Yes,” Erin said. “That’s me.”

“I haven’t checked her in yet,” Jenny said. “There’s been a small problem. Also, I’m not supposed to be working on reception now, but Ivy hasn’t turned up yet.”

“I’m sure she’ll be here soon.” He looked at the computer. “What was the problem?”

Jenny placed her hand in front of her mouth. “She’s on her own.”

“Excuse me?” Lewis said.

“Her fiancé jilted her,” Jenny explained into her palm. “So she’s come on her own.”

Inwardly, Erin cringed. This was exactly why you shouldn’t tell lies. Because, while she had no problem with people like Jenny and Mrs Ward pitying her for the breakdown of a non-existent relationship, she’d really rather the cute guy with sparkling blue eyes didn’t view her as some pathetic dumpee .

Why had she even thought it was funny to pretend to be broken-hearted? God, she was weird sometimes.

“I’m not sure what the problem is,” Lewis said to his colleague.

“It’s just that she’s on her own…”

“Is she also deaf?” he asked quietly. “Because unless she has a hearing impairment, she can still hear you speaking behind your hand.” He caught Erin’s eye and smiled apologetically.

“Sorry,” Jenny said, her voice going all squeaky. “It’s just that the bedroom is set up for a couple. The entire stay is set up for a couple.”

Lewis looked perplexed. “It’ll be fine. Why don’t you fetch Miss Grant her champagne and mince pies while I get her room key?”

Automatically, Erin gave a nod of agreement. She could definitely do with the champagne.

Jenny walked quickly away.

“Sorry about that.” Lewis tapped on the computer keyboard. “Jenny’s new.”

“It’s fine,” Erin said at the same moment that Jenny returned, wringing her hands as she approached Lewis.

“Everything okay?” he asked her.

Her brow was furrowed so tightly that her eyebrows almost met in the middle. “I’m not sure whether I should bring enough for one or two?” She bit down on her lower lip. “She’s paid for two, but––”

“Definitely enough champagne for two,” Erin said, interrupting her. “Actually, sod it, it’s Christmas – I’ll take mince pies for two as well.”

“If you can’t manage them all,” a voice boomed from the lounge, “I’ll help you out!” The old man on the couch raised his champagne glass in her direction.

“No chance,” Erin muttered under her breath. “I’ve been dumped at Christmas, I’m not sharing. ”

The low chuckle from Lewis told her she hadn’t uttered the words as quietly as she’d thought. She caught his gaze and the warmth in his smile made her feel like the most amusing person on the planet.

Not a bad feeling at all.