The Second Chance Hotel by Rachel Dove

Author:Rachel Dove
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2020-04-20T17:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

April was signing a delivery note for the last of the machines and pool tables for the games room when a little voice behind her startled her.

‘What’s in the van?’

She turned, lowering her gaze till she saw Orla, holding Pinky and sucking her thumb. Cillian’s eyes looked out from under her little lashes, and April had to ignore the squeeze of something in her chest. Something warm and fuzzy.

‘Good morning, Orla. Pinky.’ She gave the clipboard to the driver, showing him with a friendly point where the delivery should go, then kneeled before Orla. She gave the bear a little salute, and after a moment, Orla moved the bear’s arm to give one back. ‘This van is full of games for our new games room, so we shall have loads of fun when the other guests arrive.’

There had been a steady stream of bookings over the last few days, well, more of a trickle than a stream. Which was good, since everything was still coming together. The huts looked a lot better and they had started to finish some of them on the inside too. April was enjoying making the chalets look great on a budget, and the holiday homes were looking more welcoming and cosy than her old house with Duncan ever did, with their premium carpets and expensive trinkets. It was starting to feel like home, and she couldn’t wait now to open.

‘Orla, come and get your bag love, and put Pinky inside. He can stay here while you’re at nursery.’

Orla looked at Pinky a little fearfully.

‘We’ll look after him, pinkie promise,’ April said to placate her. She didn’t like to see the little girl frown. She always looked like such an old soul, which broke her heart to watch. Orla lifted up the hand not clinging to the bear and raised her little finger. April laughed softly and wrapped her pinkie around the little girl’s. ‘High five for a good day at nursery!’ Orla giggled, slapping her palm against April’s. Hugging the bear in both hands, she turned and ran off past Cillian to their chalet.

‘Morning,’ April tried, but Cillian walked straight past her, van keys in hand. ‘Cillian?’

Still nothing, and he was half in the van now. Looking back towards the chalet, with the door still ajar, she huffed. What was his deal lately? He’d been so weird after that night on the couch. Feeling more than a little irritated, she tapped on the passenger-side window. Cillian glared across at her, but after a heavy sigh, he wound down the window. She had a plan to get him talking to her again. Burying himself in work had meant that things were speeding along nicely, but the relaxed atmosphere was gone.

‘Martha needs us to run that errand for her today. Could we go first thing?’

His green eyes were different too, as though the shine had been taken right out of their surface. He ran his hand roughly down his face and nodded.

‘Your money, boss. What’s the errand?’

April heard a door slam behind her and opening the van door, she leaned in quickly.

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