Not Just for Christmas

Chapter 4

Chapter Four

T he hotel lounge was beautiful with its selection of elegant armchairs and couches. If it weren’t for the sympathetic looks Erin was getting from the other hotel guests, she’d have been absolutely in her element.

Admittedly, she was the only guest sitting alone, but she really didn’t see why that caused such a spectacle. She supposed it was because the mousy foghorn on reception had announced to everyone that she’d been unceremoniously dumped just before Christmas. Apparently, that made her quite the object of pity.

It also meant she got double the mince pies, which made the pitying looks easier to bear. A young couple even admitted that they’d overheard and offered their condolences. They were actually quite sweet.

After a few minutes chatting with the older couple – Mr and Mrs Ward – she pulled out her phone and waved it at them while mouthing an apology. It hadn’t been ringing, but she switched her attention to the screen and shot off a message in the group chat with her three closest friends.

She told them she’d arrived and was stuffing herself with champagne and mince pies, before snapping a few photos of the hotel lounge. Sending pictures was easier than describing the elegant hotel.

She’d just hit send again when she spotted the guy from reception heading in her direction. He was one of those people with a lovely, friendly face. Not in-your-face good looking, but easy on the eyes. His vibe was so warm and inviting that Erin felt instantly at ease.

“Your case is up in your room,” he said, handing her the key card. “It’s room number four.”

“Thank you.” It felt like the height of luxury having someone carry her bag to her room while she sat around drinking champagne.

He rested his forearms on the back of the armchair next to hers. “Also, I wanted to apologise for earlier. The front desk is usually a little more professional.”

“It’s fine,” she said, plucking the second mince pie from the plate and giving Mr Ward a gleeful smile. He’d had his eye on her mince pies since she sat down –– like a sad little puppy begging for a treat.

To be fair, they were possibly the best mince pies she’d ever tasted, with insanely buttery pastry. Nothing store bought. These were clearly made from scratch. In all honesty, she wouldn’t readily give up a mince pie even if it was the supermarket variety, but homemade ones would have to be pried from her cold, dead hands.

“These are amazing,” she told Lewis after taking a large bite. “I’m something of a mince pie connoisseur, so you can compliment the chef for me.”

“I will.” Dimples appeared on both cheeks when he smiled, making him look even more youthful than she’d previously thought. “Anyway, I hope we haven’t given a bad first impression. Jenny on reception is brand new. Apparently, she’s not the most tactful. ”

Erin smiled politely, not sure what to say on the matter.

“I just wanted to check something with you, though,” he said, lowering his voice and leaning in a little. “I figured out why Jenny was concerned about your room…”

“Oh?” Erin said, wondering how a hotel room could be unsuitable for someone travelling alone.

“As it’s sold as a romantic package, there are a few extra details,” Lewis explained. “Like rose petals on the bed.”

“Seriously?” Erin resisted the urge to clap her hands together in delight. “I’ve never stayed in a place with petals on the bed.”

“So it’s not a problem?”

“No. Definitely not. I’m excited to see the room now. I’ll go and roll around in flower petals before dinner.”

“Great.” Lewis looked visibly relieved, and also faintly amused. “Do you know where the dining room is?”

“Yes. Jenny showed me when she brought my mince pies.” The whole of the ground floor was very stylish, with panelled walls throughout and a formal but relaxed restaurant and bar at the back of the building.

“Dinner is between seven and nine,” Lewis told her. “Just head to the dining room whenever you’re hungry. I can also show you up to your room if you’d like?”

“That’s all right,” she said, already feeling spoiled by the service. “I’m sure I’ll find it.” She stood and picked up the remaining glass of champagne. “Is it okay if I take this up with me?”

“Of course. I hope you like the room. If you have any problems, just let us know.”

She thanked him and took another swig of champagne before setting off towards the staircase. Tinsel wound around the banister and she trailed her hand above it so it tickled her palm as she ascended. The sound of Christmas music faded the further she got from the lounge.

The champagne was probably partly to blame, but she was almost giddy when she let herself into the most luxurious hotel room she’d ever stayed in. The carved dark wood of the four-poster bed was like something from a film, and the rose petals made her feel like a princess.

Hastily, she snapped a few more pictures and added it to the group message where her friends had been asking questions and exclaiming about how lucky she was.

It gets better, she told them, typing with speed. There’s a member of staff who is total eye candy.

While a flurry of replies came through, she flopped back onto the bed and grinned at the ceiling. Her first Christmas spent without her family was looking pretty good so far.