‘Now there’s a sight for sore eyes,’ murmured Eleni, still hovering outside and Julia didn’t disagree.
For the rest of the afternoon they were all hard at work. Bucket after bucket of water had been scooped out. All the books taken off the shelves in the living room were now drying outside, and all the fridges and freezers had been fully cleaned. Julia looked round in amazement: they’d worked so hard it was beginning to look like her old B&B once more.
A few hours later, with her whole body aching, Julia declared they’d finished for the evening. Everyone felt tired, their hands were dry and blistered from the constant scrubbing and cleaning, their hair limp from sweat. Just like at lunchtime, they collapsed on the grass outside, staring up at the blue summer sky. ‘Slushy moment alert. I can’t thank all of you enough for today, I really can’t,’ gushed Julia. She would never have managed today without them.
‘I’d say it’s been a pleasure,’ chuckled Felicity, ‘but it hasn’t.’ She held up her hands. ‘I’ve only got one long nail left.’
‘You lot have just been the best.’
‘What’s going to happen to all the mattresses?’ asked Meredith. ‘Do they need to be taken back indoors?’
Julia sat up and glanced over to the mattresses propped up against the wall, standing to attention like naval officers. ‘I think they can stay there tonight, there’s no rain forecast and it’s another hot day tomorrow.’ She lay back down and closed her eyes. She was absolutely shattered. Julia felt like she’d lost all contact with the world today. The day had been manic, but thankfully things were beginning to look a little brighter and hopefully there was light at the end of the tunnel.
‘How you feeling?’ asked Eleni, lying down next to her. ‘Difficult day?’
‘Emotionally and mentally drained, to be honest. But we are nearly there. Everything aches, muscles I didn’t even know I had. These things come to try us.’
‘Don’t they just,’ murmured Aggie. ‘All this humping at my age.’
Everyone burst out laughing.
‘But we always to pull together,’ added Aggie.
Everyone was quiet and lost in their own world for a moment. Julia contemplated taking a nap in the glorious sunshine, but her stomach growled and all she could think about was a large bowl of pasta, salad, and garlic bread. ‘I’m absolutely starving, and I mean starving. Flynn offered us a meal up at Starcross Manor when we’d finished.’
‘That he did and look, you’ve made the headlines,’ piped up Isla, opening up the daily newspaper that had been posted through earlier.
‘Me, why? What have I done?’ Julia sat up and peered over her shoulder at the newspaper.
‘Blimey! They don’t miss a trick.’ The headlines were black and bold. ‘Millionaire Property Developer Saves The Day.’ There was a photo of Flynn standing outside Starcross Manor with all her guests.
Julia’s stomach felt like a tumble dryer going round and around as she began to read the article.
‘Flynn Carter, the multi-millionaire superhero, came to Julia Coleman’s rescue after a freak accident at the Heartcross B&B left guests stranded.’
‘They’ve quoted some of the guests,’ remarked Eleni, reading over her shoulder.
Mr Cullen: ‘This place is magnificent, five stars, first class! Mr Carter’s hospitality has been beyond generous. No charge for the rooms, full access to all the amenities including the spa and swimming pool. We can’t wait to come back.’
Julia sucked in a breath. ‘I’ve got a horrible feeling,’ she gave herself a little shake. ‘No, I’m over-thinking it…’
‘I know exactly what you are thinking,’ Aggie interrupted. ‘Did Flynn Carter use your unfortunate position to showcase his hotel to guests that frequent Heartcross time and time again? Is this man to be trusted?’
Julia’s initial reaction towards Flynn came flooding back – did she need to be wary of him? Was this a ploy by him to pinch her guests? Surely not, he’d gone out of his way over the last twenty-four hours to help her. He’d seemed so genuine about putting the past behind them.
‘What do you think Isla?’ asked Julia.
‘Maybe he is just doing a good deed, but he’s standing in front of his new hotel with your guests and they are looking forward to going back there.’ She shrugged.
For a second, Julia began to doubt his generosity. Was he just playing her? She started to panic a little.
‘Let’s stay positive,’ declared Eleni. ‘Let’s not worry about things beyond our control. The hotel will hopefully bring in different types of guests, not everyone can afford hotel prices, and thankfully there are still folk out there who like basic B&B and tents.’
‘You’re right, I’d prefer to wake up to the sound of the cows mooing and the smell of muck spreading. Hotel rooms aren’t for everyone,’ declared Isla, shutting the newspaper. ‘And after a while you get used to the smell of cow dung.’ She sniffed her T-shirt and wrinkled her nose. ‘Or maybe not.’
‘Are you going to voice your worries?’ asked Felicity, folding the paper and tossing it to the side. ‘Julia?’
Julia was lost in her own little world for a moment. ‘I am, and I’ve got a plan that I think might benefit the whole community.’
‘I love it when a plan comes together,’ chipped in Eleni. ‘Any hint on what the plan is?’
‘Not just yet, but I’m going to talk to Flynn about it first this time. If he is genuine about fitting into Heartcross, I can’t see why he would turn down my idea.’ Julia was giving nothing away, leaving everyone intrigued. She thought back to the photographs, and the list of suppliers she’d discovered on the notepad in Andrew’s room when he’d stayed a few nights ago; that list was the basis of her proposal.
For a moment they all lay back on the grass in silence, until their blissful five minutes were interrupted by the sound of Eleni’s phone beeping. She shielded the screen and read the text.
‘It’s Jack. Dinner is waiting for all of us up at Starcross Manor.’
‘I actually can’t wait to have a snoop inside,’ exclaimed Felicity.
Isla jumped up. ‘And I’m starving,’ she said brushing herself down.
‘I’ll have to check that’s okay with Fraser, the poor man has been on his own all day running the pub.’ Meredith had a look of doubt on her face.
Isla slipped her arm through Meredith’s. ‘Nonsense, if you go anywhere near the pub, he’ll make you feel guilty for having extra time out. We deserve this after today.’
Meredith didn’t need any more persuading. ‘I’m in. I’m dying to take a look inside too.’
Everyone chattered excitedly as they wandered down the path towards Starcross Manor, all except Julia who hung back slightly. Once again Flynn had gone out of his way to help them and Julia was so grateful. She thought about the idea whizzing around her head and felt excited. It would make perfect business for Flynn and the community of Heartcross, all she had to do now was arrange a meeting and put her ideas forward, and hope Flynn agreed. She had everything crossed.