The Traveling Tea Shop by Belinda Jones

Author:Belinda Jones
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group, USA
Published: 2015-02-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 28

And so to the Schoolman Suite. The color scheme appears to be a celebration of New England foliage—emerald-green paintwork, orangey-gold wallpaper, red accent walls. And then along come the trademark traveler’s treasures: a tarnished Moroccan lantern strung overhead, a rich Persian rug beneath our feet and a pair of bow-legged coffee tables that look as though they’ve been lifted from the back of an elephant in Siam.

Pamela and Ravenna are sharing the king-size bed at the top of the wrought-iron staircase. Their loft area has a particularly beautiful window in the shape of a fan. Of course it’s dark now, but that’s going to be quite something to wake up to.

“Sleep well,” I say as I leave them to it.

My bedroom is off the living room, through a pair of sliding doors. The walls are of scalloped wood, similar to some of the houses we saw today. It has dusty pink accents, fringed lamps and a floral bedhead that I am more than ready to be propped against. But I feel I should offer it to Charles one more time before I succumb—I personally only lasted an hour on the deck in Newport.

“Honestly, I’d be perfectly happy sleeping on one of the sofas,” I insist as I lean out into the cool air.

Instead of replying, he beckons me over. “I hear Pamela told you?”

Ah. He wants to talk. “She did,” I confirm. “Congratulations?”

“I know this isn’t what you signed up for, a lot of family drama on this trip.”

“Actually I sort of did. I promised Gracie I’d stick it out, come what may.”

He smiles. “She’s a force of nature, that one.”

“Yes she is.”

I’m about to turn back inside when he asks, “Are you close with your father?”

“No,” I say simply. “I never really knew him.”

“Well, I can certainly relate to what he’s missed out on.”

I’m not quite sure what to say in reply. “I think Ravenna is very lucky to have a dad like you, however belatedly. And you two have got plenty of time ahead of you.”

“If she accepts me.”

“I don’t think it’s you she’s going to have the problem with.”

Charles heaves a sigh. “She carries a lot of resentment toward her mother, doesn’t she?”

“She does. But I think there’s hope.”

His eyes meet mine. “Thank you for saying that.”

I feel tears welling as a voice within murmurs, “I wish I had a dad like you.” I take a steadying breath. “Anyway, I should get to bed, early start tomorrow.”

“Of course.”

“Last chance to swap.” I hesitate.

“Honestly, I’m fine. I love camping. And this is more like, what’s the new term?”

“Glamping?” I smile.

“That’s it.”

“Good night.”

“Good night Laurie.”

• • •

Despite all the thoughts swirling in my head, I fall asleep as soon as my head touches the pillow. But within a few hours I’m awake again, parched from our Tea Dance boozing. I desperately need a slug of water and remember there are glasses in the bathroom. Of course at home I can feel my way around in the dark but here I fear that would involve knocking down a series of irreplaceable heirlooms.

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