The Wake-Up Call by Beth O'Leary
Author:Beth O'Leary [O'Leary, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2023-09-26T00:00:00+00:00
* * *
⢠⢠⢠⢠â¢
We drink our coffees in the bar, and then have our smoothies on the walk back to the car. In defiance of Lucas, Pedro cheerfully made me something delicious, spiked with fresh ginger and stuffed with tropical fruit. Itâs admittedly quite refreshing, but I maintain that this is not breakfast. Coco Pops: now, that is breakfast.
Mrs. Muller passes us on her way from the dining room as we enter the hotel. Her hair is in a silk wrap and she has a paintbrush tucked behind her ear.
âMorning, Mrs. Muller!â I call.
âMuses striking!â she calls back with a languid wave. âDonât talk to me!â
I nod. Fair enough. Mr. Townsend smiles up from his armchair, folding his newspaper on his knees as we approach.
âLucas!â he calls. âMay I call upon you to take me to Budgens tomorrow?â
âOf course.â
This is a fortnightly traditionâMr. Townsend likes very particular snacks in his room, and Lucas likes any excuse to drive his car.
âCoffee afterwards, yes?â
I glance at Lucas in surprise. Itâs not like him to socialise with a guest, but Mr. Townsend said that as though itâs become a regular feature.
âIâd like that. Now, if youâll excuse me,â Lucas says, with a nod of his head, âI must speak to Arjun.â
âHow was the night?â I ask Mr. Townsend as Lucas disappears into the kitchen. We donât have an overnight receptionist at the moment, but Mr. Townsend usually knows exactly whatâs been going onâhe goes to bed late and wakes up early.
âThe young âun slept like a log,â Mr. Townsend says, nodding towards the Jacobs familyâs room. âJust one two a.m. feed. Those blackout blinds you ordered have worked like a charm.â
âAnd you?â
âI got more than enough rest,â he says with a smile. âMaisie used to say weâre better with a little fatigue in our systems. It keeps us fighting.â
I pull a face, scanning the lobby for jobs that need doing. âShe sounds hard-core.â
âShe was an actress,â he says. âTheatre. I think she just wanted an excuse to stay out even later than she already did. That woman could dance the feet off a caterpillar.â
âSounds like a girl after my own heart,â I say, rearranging the fir branch on the mantelpiece. Though actually itâs been ages since Iâve danced. Except for that day in Shannonâs flat, which I am now having to try very hard not to think about.
âSo, whatâs he got planned for you?â Mr. Townsend asks, nodding in the direction Lucas went.
âSorry?â
âIt is Lucas Day, isnât it?â
âWho told you that?â
Mr. Townsend tries looking mysterious for a moment, and then gives up and says, âOllie.â
âWho told him? No, donât tell me, it was Arjun. So does everybody know?â
âI donât think Barty does,â Mr. Townsend says. âBut Barty never seems to know whatâs going on around here, does he?â
I manage not to laugh at this, and give myself rare full marks for professionalism. A family pass on their way to brunch in the dining room, and Mr. Townsend and I pause politely before launching back in.
Download
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.
The Greek's Christmas Bride by Lynne Graham(3700)
One Day in December by Josie Silver(3527)
Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber(3024)
Wyoming Winter: A Small-Town Christmas Romance (Wyoming Men) by Diana Palmer(2651)
I Heart Forever by Lindsey Kelk(2584)
On the Naughty List by Lori Foster & Carly Phillips & Beth Ciotta & Sugar Jamison(2271)
Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy by E L James(2225)
The Italian's Christmas Secret by Sharon Kendrick(1879)
Home for Christmas by Alexa Riley(1832)
The Holiday by Jane Green & Jennifer Coburn & Liz Ireland(1780)
Mistletoe Wedding by Melissa McClone(1666)
An Innocent, A Seduction, A Secret by Abby Green(1651)
The Santa Trap by Fiona Davenport(1633)
Mischief & Mistletoe by Tanya Anne Crosby - Mischief & Mistletoe(1546)
An Heir Fit for a King by Green Abby(1544)
The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger(1528)
Christmas Cakes and Kisses by Anne Hagan(1513)
The Wedding Proposal by Sue Moorcroft(1462)
Mooseletoe by Helmer Tiffinie(1446)