Julia led them down the winding hallway. She glanced over her shoulder to see that Flynn was following them. He stopped now and again to admire the walls that displayed intricate artwork.
‘This artwork is amazing, you’ve kitted this place out with such style.’ Flynn gave Julia his nod of approval.
‘She’s amazing, isn’t she?’ chipped in Eleni. ‘Julia has a flair for interior design.’
‘I agree, this whole place has such a good feel about it,’ continued Flynn.
Julia felt a slight blush to her cheeks – not only was he recommending her B&B, he was now complimenting her on her interior design. She was feeling addled yet proud that Flynn had noticed.
‘Aww, behave,’ she replied, waving off the compliment. This just didn’t seem to be the same man she thought she knew.
They continued to follow her down the small steps that led to a cosy reading corner – a pew, arrayed with soft furnishings, overlooking the gardens and back patio. She paused outside the communal sitting room. ‘This room is for all guests to use at any time. Feel free to open the patio doors onto the garden. Usually guests gather here between 7 and 8pm, for an hour of interesting conversation, finding out where people have come from and what they do for a living, but I kind of think everyone may recognise you.’ Julia turned towards Flynn. ‘I’ll show Andrew to his room, there’s tea and coffee over there if you wish to grab a drink. Eleni will show you.’
‘Thank you,’ replied Flynn stepping into the sitting room.
Andrew followed Julia up another small flight of stairs. ‘Any plans for the rest of the afternoon?’ asked Julia, putting the key in the lock.
‘We are going to head over to Starcross Manor so I can inspect my new kitchen and then maybe grab some food in the local pub,’ he answered, stepping into the room and placing his holdall on top of the bed.
‘Sounds like a perfect afternoon. Here you are, room four.’
Bedroom four was a simple rustic room featuring a beautiful four-poster bed, the white walls and minimal decoration allowing it to stand out. A goose-down duvet with Egyptian cotton linen added elegance and charm, and was dressed with pale blue scatter cushions.
‘This is a magnificent room, and what a view.’ Andrew stepped across the oak-beam floor towards the window and stared out across the acres of lush grasslands. The beauty of the mountains standing proudly in the distance. ‘I really wasn’t expecting this. How many rooms do you have here?’
Thinking fast on her feet, Julia turned the question around. ‘Not as many as Starcross Manor – that would maybe be around sixty?’ Julia knew she was fishing for information.
‘And the rest,’ revealed Andrew, still looking at the scenery. ‘110 rooms in total,’ Andrew said as he pulled his ringing phone out of his pocket and glanced at the display. ‘Sorry, I need to take this.’
‘Of course,’ Julia nodded and her heart sank as she closed the door behind her. 110 bedrooms, how was she ever going to compete with that? She could hear Andrew chatting away as she took the staircase back towards where she’d left Eleni and Flynn, but they were nowhere to be seen. Stepping out onto the patio Julia was surprised to see Flynn sat next to Eleni, looking through her sketch pad. Eleni was smiling and they were locked in conversation.
‘What have I missed?’ asked Julia, feeling a little left out, pulling out a chair and sitting down.
Eleni looked up. ‘Flynn thinks some of my sketches are amazing and I should transfer them onto canvas. He thinks I might be able to sell them.’
‘You are very talented,’ agreed Julia.
‘I would like to think I’m well up on my art,’ admitted Flynn, holding Julia’s gaze. ‘And you are talented, Eleni.’
Eleni was beaming in pride and shut the sketch pad. ‘I might just think about that.’
‘You must, you can’t let that talent go to waste. Maybe you could think about selling them in the shop up at Starcross Manor?’
‘Shop? What type of shop?’ Julia questioned.
‘A giftshop-cum-newsagent. Kind of like what you’d get in a motorway service station.’
Julia turned his words over in her mind, a separate shop within the hotel complex would have a massive effect on Hamish’s newsagent’s.
Flynn turned back towards Eleni. ‘I am being serious, put them onto canvas and there’s a possibility I might even buy some to hang on the walls up at Starcross Manor.’
‘I will, I’ll think about it.’ Eleni was gushing. ‘Thank you.’
Julia could see the excitement on Eleni’s face. On one hand she was happy for Eleni if she managed to sell her artwork, and the hotel would have lots of passing trade, but on the other hand, was this just Flynn trying to get everyone on side? She was just a little wary of his sentiment.
‘I’m all set,’ Andrew appeared and was walking towards them while Flynn stood up and admired the view from the garden.
They watched Woody, who was now paddling in the brook – but as soon as he spotted a newbie in the garden he began racing towards Flynn and Andrew. With his tail wagging he launched his wet paws all over Flynn’s shorts.
‘A man’s best friend,’ remarked Flynn, giving Woody a fuss.
‘I’m so sorry, Woody get down… get down,’ Julia repeated, but Woody took no notice whatsoever.
‘Don’t worry, it’s only water. I think he likes me.’
Flynn looked up towards the back of the B&B. ‘Great spot you have here, lots of land. I bet business is good.’ He swung a glance towards the mountainous terrain. ‘It’s estimated 150,000 climb Ben Nevis each year. Heartcross Mountain must be similar figures, which leaves a hell of a lot of hikers traipsing through the village.’
Julia knew since Heartcross had been catapulted into the news, after the bridge had collapsed, that tourism had increased tenfold. She knew that at the moment, her little business was booming, but with 110 bedrooms becoming available soon up at Starcross Manor that could change overnight.
‘Yes, there’s always hikers, it’s what makes this place so special, and some come back year after year.’
‘What do you offer here? Hot tub? Bar?’ Flynn snagged a glance around at the garden.
‘Old-fashioned bed and breakfast, no frills, but yes we do have a small bar.’
‘And planning permission granted too. You must feel excited about your plans.’
Julia was taken back that he knew this information. ‘You have done your homework and yes, I’m very excited.’ Julia felt a little nervous that he been checking out her business.
‘It’s a good idea, more bedrooms to increase profit?’ he continued. ‘It looks like a little goldmine this place.’
Julia nodded. ‘My own little business empire.’
‘I love a woman with ambition,’ replied Flynn. His deep hazel eyes searching hers, he held Julia’s gaze.
There was something about the way he was looking at her that caused her to blush uncontrollably. How did he manage to do that? She was wary of his intentions, yet he easily caused her stomach to flip.
‘Right, come on,’ Flynn continued as he turned towards Andrew. ‘Let’s go and show you your new kitchen empire.’