The One Addicted (11 page)

By ten o’clock I’ve answered my emails, ordered some supplies and resolved a major wallpaper catastrophe for Colin at The Ashton. I’ve also spoken to my Mum. Regardless of trying to talk myself out of a romantic trip with Sebastian, Nina Myers was having none of it. “You
are
going. That… is…final… and I won’t hear another word on the matter.”
“But, Mu…”
“Sshh, listen to your mother. I’m serious, Lucia Amelia Myers.” Her authoritative tone makes me smile. She always gets bossy when she’s irritated and my middle name is reserved for special occasions such as these, when she reverts to parent mode.
“Opportunities like this come once in a lifetime and you need to grab onto it with both hands.”
I wonder whether she means Business or Sebastian - I’ve a feeling it’s the latter and I’m happy to do just that.
 
“Finn will be fine with us, as you well know and soon you’ll be home, all rested and relaxed and in better spirits to be the best mum you can be to him. You’re shattered, hunny and you need this break.”
    
She’s not wrong there.
“You’re just happy that Seb & I are finally giving it a go.” I snort inelegantly.
    
“Of course I am – it’s about time you two saw what everyone else did. But I just want you to be happy and not beat yourself up for wanting love
and
a career - it
is
possible, my lovely girl and you’re an amazing mother.”
    
“Well, I learned from the best, Mum. Love you lots. I just feel guilty as I’m away this weekend too at the launch of the new rooms I’ve been working on at that hotel in Holdgate.”
“Well we’ll have Finn then too.”
Bless her.
    
“You don’t need to but I appreciate it. Niall, as you know has been finally stepping up to the mark, and is having him on Saturday night. Friday Finn’s coming with us and we’re having some fun on Saturday with the gang and then he’ll go off with Niall to sleep at his and I can schmooze at the soiree.”
    
“
See!
He’ll love that.” Yes he will.
“Thanks, Mum, I always feel better talking to you. Look I better go, I’m off to see a new client in a bit but we’ll chat more over the next few days about next weekend’s plans.”
    
“Not a problem, that’s what Mum’s are for, as you well know. I just want to see you happy, poppet.”
    
“I know, Mum, love you.”
 
I think I am finally happy in every part of my life, but it scares the hell out of me.
    
We say our goodbyes and on a fond grin I end the call, just in time to grab my portfolio, iPad and bag. Time to
bring it
and meet my new client Mrs. Walters.

*****

My first impressions of The Gilded Fox are childishly sentimental. The whole place reminded me of larger Hansel and Gretel’s cottage; it is extremely quaint and the setting is perfect for this off the beaten-track, luxury Inn. At the reception I’m advised that Ms. Walters will be with me promptly and I take the opportunity to have a wander around the bar, foyer and lounge areas – just to get a feel for the existing interior. I’d already done my research via their website but you can’t absorb ambience via a screen and I drink it in, in abundance.
    
“Lucia – I’m so sorry to keep you.”
I look up and smile warmly, as a woman in her mid fifties makes her way, towards me, elegant and chic in her navy & white ensemble. Shaking her hand politely, she continues in her bubbly voice.
“…blasted deliveries. I’m all yours now – have you been offered some tea?”
“I’m fine for the moment, thank you, Carolyn – shall we head straight to the rooms you are in need of a redress?”
     
“A girl after my own heart – all about the business. Of course dear but you must sample one of our fruit teas before you go – or something stronger if you’d prefer?”
I suspect Carolyn’s sunny disposition is down to the
‘something stronger’
at elevensie’s more often than not. Must be something about hotel owners I consider, thinking of my other current client James Marcell and his ruddy complexion. I choose to ignore my wandering thoughts and instead I smile back her and agree to chat over a pot of tea once we’ve reviewed the space in question. I like the feel of the place as I wander through, a rabbit warren of rooms and nooks and crannies and up and down uneven staircases towards the bedrooms. It’s cosy, yet designer and that’s a tough atmosphere to create with design alone. I’d have to get the gang here for a meal – they’d love it.
    
We stop at an arched doorway, with a hand-painted number 1 on the door, and I wait as Carolyn, fiddles with the keys, then swings the door open to what could only be described as
‘a room without a soul’.
    
“I know – sad isn’t it?” Her voice is tentative but she winces as she delivers the words.
    
Never one to mince my words I reply, directly. “Definitely in need of some love, but the possibilities are endless.”
    
“I knew you’d be able to pull something out of the bag. Shall I leave you to
‘get a feel’
?”
    
“That would be great, Carolyn – which other rooms are you wanting to revamp at the same time?”
    
“Well Rooms 1- 5, really for now. They are all pretty much the same as here but this room’s probably the biggest of the five. I also want a bit of titivating in the hall, foyer, bar area downstairs but I’ll leave you the keys and go order us some tea and cakes. Just head on down when you’re done.”
    
“Any ideas what you are after? Anything in particular you don’t want or do want to incorporate?
    
“Not really – I loved what you did with The Queen’s Head up in The Lake District, that’s where my daughter first heard of you, I think, and providing it suits the Inn theme and isn’t too modern I’m open to almost anything – I’ve reached a dead end, hence why you are here!” her tinkly laugh is infectious and I smile encouragingly.
    
“No probs. Let me get a vibe for the rooms and I’ll be along soon. We can have a chat about it all then.”
    
I sense her retreat and set about making some notes. To be honest I already knew just how I was going to decorate this place – the theme I’d had in mind was perfect, now I’d seen it in person and I am excited about this new project. Looking throughout the rooms, there doesn’t appear to be a huge amount of building work to do, apart from renovating the bathrooms – they had to go!
    
I wonder who her daughter is? Maybe a previous client?
Well thank you Miss Walters, whoever you are!

   
I make some detailed sketches and notes and weave my way between the corridors and different levels – this place would be fabulous to stay over with Sebastian. My body tingles at the thought of him. Keep it about the business. Something about hotels and just being around a bed makes me sizzle in desire for his touch. Then again, we seemed to always be around them and
in
them, these days. I still can’t stop thinking about our make-up yesterday at The Ashton. He’d hardly left me alone since and admittedly I’m glad.
    
Together we work, apart we … well, it’s a landslide.

    
I shake my head with a smile at my raging hormonal teenager antics and duck to miss clocking my head on a blackened beam as I head back towards the main bar and locate Carolyn, discussing that nights menus with her head chef. At my arrival she acknowledges me, and gestures for me to take a seat in the corner by the large open fire. It was lit, as the September weather was turning Autumnal but still slightly muggy; I could imagine in the winter it would be extremely romantic.
    
“So then – what do you think of our little Inn?” she takes a seat opposite me and clasps her hands.
    
“I think I’ve died and gone to heaven, Carolyn; seriously this place is…”
    
“…magical? Like a fairytale? Wind in the willows meets Goldilocks?”
    
We laugh in unison. “Yes! All of the above – I love it!”
    
“I’m so glad you get it. That way the rooms will be designed to fit the building but without being too themed? It’s a tough ask though – you think its your thing?”
    
“Of course. I already think I know what is required for this makeover.” I wrinkle my nose in certainty. I had this in the bag.
    
“Really?” her smile is back again “You’ve been bitten by The Fox?”
    
We are interrupted as a young waitress delivers pots of tea and beautiful mis-matched vintage china cups, followed by a cheese and chutney tray on a black slate slab and a cake stand with an array of prettily iced sweet bakes on doilies. Yum!
    
“Thank you, Sarah. Please tuck in, Lucia – you are our guinea pig today for the lemon curd frosted muffin – its Chef Rupert’s work of art.”
   
“Well bring it on! I’m more than happy to be a taster – this all looks delicious Carolyn but you didn’t need to go to so much trouble; honestly!”
    
“Nonsense – you look like you usually eat on the run, so tuck in whilst we talk. I insist.”
Helping myself to the lemoncella muffin that probably oozed calories but looked mouth-wateringly good, I pour my tea and continue. “The rooms and downstairs need a theme but nothing gimmicky. We need…
Tartan
. Lots and lots of tartan.”
    
I look up for her reaction and encouraged by her placid façade, I run through my ideas in further detail, showing her some of my sketches, the swatches of fabric I’d brought along and mood board I’d already created on Pinterest, via the iPad. The sparkle of excitement glinting within her fading blue eyes is a total giveaway – I’m on the money with this one.
    
“The Gilded Fox needs to feel like an exclusive tavern, with luxury fabrics, in tartans and corduroys for hardwearing purposes and lots of textures. Downstairs, I’d add some modern stags heads and lots more cream to balance the colour we will introduce, greys, greens, burnt oranges, heathers and the upstairs in the rooms we will have a new name for each room, something cute like
‘the fox and the hound’
etc. and continue the masculine hunting lodge theme, with luxury textures and fabrics to feminize it. Lighting should be subtle.”
    
“What about the Bathrooms?”
    
“I visualize copper bathtubs… but if the budget can’t take one in every bedroom we can adapt and continue the theme but with a white suite and save the copper baths for the larger rooms.”
    
“I love it all. I can’t wait to see it all take shape.”
    
Before we know it we’ve chattered away for over an hour and confirmed, design ideas, deadlines, budgets and a second meeting to measure up with the first site visit.
    
“Right, I better head back to the office. Thanks so much for the tea and treats.”
    
“No, thank you, Lucia – I can’t wait. My daughter is going to be very impressed we’re moving into the next century upstairs… you’ll meet her next time. We bought the Inn together when she left her lousy ex, to you-know, give her something-to-do, and never looked back.”
    
I look up as the tone in her voice alters - I sense there’s more to this tale but choose to remain quiet. It wasn’t my place to delve. “No probs – well if she has any questions, just get her to give me a bell and I’ll go through things with her too.”
    
“That would be great. She’s had a very difficult time the past few years and this project is just what she needed to focus on the future and rebuild her confidence.”
    
We say our goodbyes and I head out to my car. I do love it when you have a successful meeting and get a buzz from the brief at the outset - what an interesting, and eccentric lady Carolyn Walters is.

*****

    
Switching the engine on, Lana Del Ray fills the Audi and only adds to my good mood. After this morning’s good start, things were on the up. I need to sort so many things before I leave.
 

    
So that’s it you’re going then?

    
Of course you are - was there ever any real doubt?

    
My phone bleeps and a quick glance, makes me smile further at Abby’s silliness.

Do buy or not Dubai?
 

That is the question?

We need to shop babe and we have to strategise.

Hurry up and make your mind up - don’t leave a girl hangin,

not when she’d rather be bangin! ;) Xx

    
She’s right I do need to go shopping; I need new swimwear, summer gear and all the paraphernalia that comes with a beach holiday. A trip to Boots was in order. I also need to sort work and it’s imperative I make an appointment with Sophie my hair stylist for a colour treatment, I needed to for The Ashton party anyway; oh and Amy at the salon for a wax, spray tan and mani and pedi. I need all my girl parts bringing their
A game
to the party and most certainly to any Beach, not that I think it’s that type of break but surely we’d be swimming at some stage - Dubai is supposed to be boiling hot? I’m sure there would be a great beauty expert in Dubai but I prefer to stick with what I know.
    
Woah - slow down girl, enthusiastic much!
    
I raise my shoulders with an excited thrill and decide to be proactive, spending the next few minutes booking those necessary appointments in before I forget; then head off to Finn’s Crèche to collect him early. It’s time to treat my little boy and talk to him about things - he has final say. Then and only then I’d text Abby and Seb with my answer.

*****