Chapter Thirteen
As they arrived at Starcross Manor, Felicity swirled round like a Disney princess, looking up at the impressive ceiling in the reception area. ‘Just look at this place.’
‘It’s quite impressive isn’t it?’ remarked Julia, noticing Wilbur, Flynn’s father, walking towards them. Wilbur had been in the village for a few months, staying with Flynn at his home in Love Heart Lane. He’d become good friends with Rory’s parents, Stuart and Alana, and was a likeable chap. Julia had seen him milling around the village but hadn’t been introduced to him yet.
‘Welcome, welcome, welcome!’ bellowed Wilbur, his voice echoing around the grand entrance hall. He was a jolly-looking fellow, with a huge beam on his face, wearing a flamboyant blue velvet suit, sporting a bright-red checked cravat, and leaning on his cane. Even though he had similar mannerisms to Flynn his dress sense was more daring. ‘The workers are finally here, are you ready to feast?’
Julia stretched out her hand. ‘We most definitely are. I’m Julia,’ she said, before introducing everyone else.
‘Pleased to meet you all. Now, if you would like to follow me, we’ve set up the private dining suite for you all.’
They followed Wilbur through the entrance hall into a huge reception room.
‘Look at this place,’ Meredith was awe-struck, ‘that chandelier must cost more than the value of my pub,’ she was looking up at the ceiling with her jaw wide open. ‘Simply stunning.’
Julia knew all too well how breath-taking this room was, looking out over the gardens of the manor house.
‘I wish we’d got changed now,’ muttered Eleni, ‘this all looks very posh and look at the way we’re dressed.’
Julia looked down at her dowdy clothes and couldn’t agree more, her bobbled black jogging pants were covered in dust and grime, and her white T-shirt was smeared with dirt. With her hair scraped back into a ponytail and her early-morning makeup long gone, she wished they’d made a little effort to clean themselves up now.
‘There you all are,’ Flynn was walking towards them and greeted them with a smile.
‘Thank you so much for feeding us,’ gushed Felicity with excitement. ‘It’s a wonderful place you have here.’
‘It’s no trouble, Andrew will be testing out his new menu on you and please do give your honest feedback.’
‘Ooo, what are we eating?’ asked Isla, rubbing her hands together. Her stomach rumbled loudly and everyone laughed as she clutched it, mortified.
Flynn clasped his hands together. ‘I have it on good authority that for the starter, you’ll be sampling crispy duck and watermelon salad. For main you have grilled calf’s liver, whipped potatoes, bacon and melted onions, then for pudding…’
‘If we have any room,’ interrupted Aggie.
‘You have lemon meringue with a twist.’
‘I can feel my mouth watering already,’ exclaimed Felicity.
Julia had to admit she was feeling ravenous too, and couldn’t wait to tuck in to the food.
‘I’ll show them to the dining area, you’ll need to get going otherwise you’ll be late,’ remarked Wilbur looking at Flynn then tapping his watch. ‘And where’s your tie?’
Flynn was dressed in a classic blue tailored suit accompanied by a white shirt. He pulled a tie from each pocket and looked down at them in his hands. ‘I couldn’t quite make up my mind.’
Almost immediately, Julia pointed to the navy, white and red-diamond silk tie in his left hand, ‘Definitely that one.’
Flynn smiled. ‘Good choice,’ he answered, handing the other one over to Wilbur.
‘Are you off anywhere nice?’ asked Julia, intrigued.
‘Just a business meeting.’
‘Talking of business, I’ve got an idea to run past you? Something that’s going to benefit the whole community. Can we arrange a meeting… to talk about it?’
Flynn narrowed his eyes. ‘A business idea? Now I am intrigued. I’ll catch you tomorrow and you can tell me all about it.’
‘Perfect,’ replied Julia, as Wilbur shooed him out the door.
‘Ladies, if you would like to go and get yourselves a drink at the bar, compliments of the house, I will be back in five minutes to show you all to your table.’ Wilbur waved his cane in the air before he turned and walked off.
As soon as Wilbur turned his back Julia realised they were all staring at her. ‘Why are you looking at me like that?’ she asked, puzzled.
‘That tie is perfect, Flynn,’ teased Felicity, mimicking Julia’s voice. ‘We all saw the way you were looking at him.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous, the man didn’t know which one to wear, I just pointed out the one that went better with his suit.’
‘Mmm, that’s your story and you’re sticking to it,’ Eleni marvelled at Julia’s embarrassment.
‘Let’s get that drink,’ suggested Julia, trying to brush Eleni’s comment under the carpet, knowing full well that Flynn wore the suit well and it complemented his physique perfectly.
They all began to walk towards the bar when they heard a commotion over by the huge glass windows. All of Julia’s B&B guests were huddled together in a group and pointing at something in the gardens. ‘What’s going on over there?’ asked Felicity, standing on her tiptoes, trying to snag a look over the bobbing heads.
They curiously ambled across the room to take a look. ‘Wow! Look at that,’ exclaimed Julia.
All of them witnessed a red-and-yellow helicopter hovering over the centre of the lawn. Julia noticed the pilot wearing dark glasses, arched over the controls, and as the blades slowed, he landed the helicopter.
‘OMG!’ exclaimed Isla, pointing at Flynn who was hunched over, holding the lapels of his jacket as he was seen hurrying across the lawn.
‘How the other half live, eh? That’s some hell of a business meeting,’ added Eleni, staring out across the lawn.
They watched Flynn climb inside the helicopter and the door closed behind him. Once more the blades began to spin and the helicopter lifted effortlessly off the ground, and within seconds took to the sky. The room was a buzz of excitement, the children’s eyes glued to the machine in the sky until it had completely disappeared behind the clouds.
After returning to the bar they ordered their drinks, and within minutes Wilbur reappeared. ‘Follow me ladies, let me take you through to the private dining area.’
Julia raised an eyebrow at Eleni; she could get used to this. As they followed Wilbur Julia heard her phone ping and after delving into her bag, saw it was Flynn’s name flashing up on the screen.
She read, ‘Good choice of tie.’
‘What are you grinning at?’ Eleni narrowed her eyes at Julia.
‘Nothing, absolutely nothing,’ she smiled.
‘Seb will be your waiter for the evening,’ announced Wilbur, gesturing towards the man at the far end of the room leaning against an oak easel. At the mention of his name Seb looked up and fiddled with his cufflinks as he began to walk towards them. ‘Good evening ladies,’ he said politely. Julia noticed his accent wasn’t Scottish, maybe Southern.