Stormy Weather at Castle Court by Holly Hepburn

Author:Holly Hepburn [Hepburn, Holly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Chapter Six

It was just before midnight when Cat’s phone vibrated with an incoming message. She glanced across at the faint glow on the bedside table then turned her gaze back to the darkened ceiling, resisting the temptation to pick the phone up. Weren’t screens supposed to disrupt the brain’s ability to rest and make it harder to sleep? She certainly didn’t need that; her own brain had been racing from the moment she’d turned off the light and tried to go to sleep – it didn’t need more stimulation. On the other hand, who was she trying to kid? Seb would be coming up from the bar any minute and his arrival would put paid to sleep far more effectively than a quick glance at her phone. Besides, it might be something important . . .

She smiled with relief when she saw it was from Sadie: Crosses are good to go! X

Excellent, she tapped back. Now sleep! X

Cat replaced the phone and listened for sounds that Seb was on his way. She was surprised when her phone buzzed again.

PS Lissy saw Adam – he says he’s got honey. Tell Seb to get his order in quick if he wants some. X

Seb would definitely want some, Cat thought as she typed her thanks. Several of his most popular cocktails used honey and Adam’s bees produced a top-quality, organic product; Seb had been complaining for months that his stocks had run out.

She heard the scrape of his key in the lock just as she pressed send, and leaned over to flick the bedside lamp on. She might as well give him the good news now, before the chaos of preparing for a busy Easter weekend using someone else’s kitchen drove it from her mind.

She knew the moment he walked into the bedroom that he wasn’t in a good mood. His shoulders were hunched and his face had a closed expression.

‘Tough night?’ she asked softly as he tossed his shoes into a corner.

He grunted. ‘Something like that.’

Cat wrapped her arms around her knees. ‘Want to talk about it?’

‘No.’

He turned away and began to undress. Cat frowned; it wasn’t unknown for Seb to be grumpy after a busy night but he was usually keen to tell her about it. ‘Is there anything I can do to help?’

‘No.’

Her unease deepened. Like all of Castle Court’s food businesses, Seb had his share of difficult customers and staffing problems but he was usually able to laugh about them and he rarely brought them upstairs once the bar was closed. Whatever had soured his mood tonight must have been bad.

She waited, watching for signs that his temper was improving. But he kept his back to her, stripping off with silent fury.

‘I’ve got some news that might cheer you up,’ she ventured, after a few more seconds had passed. ‘Sadie says Adam has got honey for sale if you’re interested.’

Was it her imagination or did his shoulders stiffen? ‘I’ve got a new supplier now.’

‘I know you have,’ Cat said patiently.

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