Summer Evenings at the Seafront Hotel: Exclusive Short Story Read online

  ‘That grisly Scandinavian drama is on the telly. That’ll keep me occupied.’

  ‘Really? You were terrified last time we watched it. Said I wasn’t ever to let you see it on your own.’

  ‘It’s a good sort of fear.’

  ‘If you say so. Red or silver?’ She held up the dresses she’d been wavering between.

  ‘Red,’ he said, pointing to it without hesitating.

  ‘Red it is.’ Cally shook her hair loose from her ponytail and pinned up a section at the front. The rest fell in dark waves around her shoulders.

  ‘You look just like your mother with your hair like that.’

  Cally’s eyes met her dad’s in the mirror. Tears welled up. It had been over ten years since her mother died, but the sadness only faded. It didn’t go away.

  ‘You look beautiful,’ her dad added. ‘I hope he’s worth it.’

  ‘Will you try some oysters?’ Anton looked up from his menu. ‘They’re fantastic here.’

  Cally glanced around the room, shifting slightly in her seat. She’d walked past the seafood restaurant a few times, but never imagined she’d actually eat there. With its glass tables, chandeliers and silver cutlery, it was a step up from Nando’s, that was for sure. Not the kind of place Ryan would ever have chosen. It felt special, as if she were in a film. The menu was unintelligible, and it was so quiet you could hear yourself breathe, but that was all part of the experience, wasn’t it?

  ‘Oysters would be nice, yes.’

  He waved the waiter over and ordered for the two of them, requesting a bottle of champagne at the same time.

  ‘Champagne? Are you sure?’ Cally whispered over to top of her menu.

  ‘Of course. I’m out with you, and this is a meal I’m not cooking myself. That makes it a special occasion.’

  She smiled. Liliana’s reaction had been unjustified – and with each word from Anton she was more convinced of it.

  ‘You look lovely tonight,’ Anton said.

  ‘Thank you.’ She smoothed a hand over the fabric of her dress, instinctively. It felt good to be out of her work uniform for once.

  ‘It’s a good colour on you.’

  Cally was relieved when the waiter arrived and poured them both out glasses of champagne. She sipped from her glass.

  Anton was watching her. Sitting back in his chair, in a pale blue shirt undone at the neck, he was the picture of easy confidence. She should probably ask him something about himself.

  ‘Whereabouts do you live?’ she managed, finally. ‘Close to the hotel?’

  ‘In North Bay. One of the new apartments there, close to the beach huts.’

  ‘Oh. The ones with the big glass windows, and lots of metal?’

  ‘Yes.’ He laughed. ‘I’m not sure you’d make an estate agent, but yes, that’s them.’

  She knew the flats – everyone did. They were some of the most expensive properties in the city, sleek and elegant with a swimming pool and gym attached.

  ‘I’ve been there five years now. It suits me.’

  ‘That’s nice. Are your neighbours friendly?’ The moment the words were out, Cally regretted them. She sounded so unsophisticated.

  He shrugged. ‘I don’t really get much time to socialise.’

  ‘What about you? Where do you live?’

  ‘With my dad, a couple of blocks from the hotel, on South Street.’

  ‘Are you saving up to buy somewhere?’

  ‘No. It’s … it’s complicated. But I enjoy being there.’

  ‘Right,’ Anton said. ‘Ah, here come our oysters.’ His face lit up at the sight of the waiter bringing over plates.

  Cally watched as Anton manoeuvred his fork expertly around in the shell, freeing the oyster, and then swallowing it. She copied him and the oyster pinged back onto her plate.

  ‘What is it you really want to be doing?’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Cally asked, wrestling with another shell.

  ‘It seems like you’re more than a receptionist.’

  ‘Oh. I don’t know,’ she shook her head, ‘I quite enjoy it. And I need the money.’

  ‘Yes. But you don’t want to do it for ever, do you?’ Anton furrowed his brow. ‘Answering those endless questions the holidaymakers ask you? It must drive you mad.’

  ‘Sometimes,’ she laughed. ‘But usually I enjoy it. And I like the people I work with. Joe, Liliana. Valerie.’

  Anton looked away, glancing over to the waiter and asking for a top-up of champagne.

  Cally thought of Joe, and Liliana, the way a five-minute chat with either of them would brighten her day. It hadn’t been the same without Liliana’s company the past few days.

  ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘But what about a career?’

  ‘Really, there’s nothing,’ she pushed away her doubts. ‘I like what I do.’

  They fell quiet for a moment. ‘You? A Michelin star, I’m guessing?’

  ‘I wouldn’t say no,’ Anton said, with a smile. ‘Hopefully one day.’

  Anton ordered them both a six-course tasting menu, and as they ate their way through it, the conversation started to flow more easily. She felt confident, grown-up. If only Ryan could see her now.

  After the meal, Anton helped Cally into her jacket. ‘Can I walk you home?’

  ‘OK.’ They stepped out into the gentle sea breeze and walked together down the Esplanade.

  ‘You know, I always thought you were …’ She paused. ‘I didn’t think you’d ever want to go out with someone like me.’

  ‘Well, you were wrong,’ he said, calmly.

  He stopped walking for a second and took her hand. Her heart thudded loudly in her chest.

  As he brought her closer to him, she felt the breath go out of her. Was this really happening? OH GOD. She should do something, shouldn’t she? Do I even know what to do any more? She hadn’t kissed anyone but Ryan for years.

  Anton pressed his mouth against hers. OK, she did remember how to do it, after all.

  The next day, Cally put on lipstick for work, and blow-dried her hair rather than putting it up in her usual ponytail.

  When she arrived, she busied herself with opening the post and answering emails and tried not to wonder if she’d run into Anton that day. Giovanni was sitting in his usual spot by the window, gaming on his phone and emitting the occasional whoop of excitement. She was actually growing to like his laid-back-to-the-extreme company; at least she knew where she was with him. Unlike Liliana, who seemed to have frozen her out.

  Valerie was sitting near him today, laughing quietly at his jokes and sipping from her coffee. She had her feet up on the window seat and was looking out at the sea.

  ‘Giovanni,’ Cally said.

  ‘Yep,’ he looked up momentarily from his screen.

  ‘Do you know if Liliana got that role?’

  ‘Which, the hospital drama one?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘No. She didn’t.’

  ‘That’s a shame,’ Cally said. Liliana deserved a break. ‘Listen, Giovanni. Is she OK? It’s just I haven’t heard from her lately, and we normally meet up most days.’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Giovanni shrugged. ‘She seems all right to me. But you know women.’

  Her mobile buzzed on the desk and she went to pick it up. A message, from Anton. She felt a fresh rush of excitement.

  I had a great time with you last night. Still thinking of that kiss Ax

  She smiled. As she wondered what to reply, another message arrived.

  Let’s do it again. Next Thursday?

  Playing hard to get wasn’t obligatory, was it? She typed back a message and sent it right away.

  Sure. That would be fun. x

  At home that evening, Cally’s dad brought a steaming hot plate of spaghetti to the table. ‘Dinner is served.’

  ‘I’m impressed,’ she said, putting down a mat for the hot dish. ‘It looks delicious. I always seem to end up with a mess of scrambled eggs when I try and make carbonara.’

 
‘You’ve been good to me lately,’ he said, sitting down. ‘I thought it was about time I put a meal on the table.’ He dished out the pasta.

  ‘I like cooking,’ she said. ‘But thank you.’

  She took a bite and murmured her appreciation.

  ‘So, how did it go last night?’

  ‘OK.’

  ‘Good OK, or OK OK?’

  ‘Dad!’ Cally protested.

  ‘Come on, humour me.’

  ‘Good OK, I think.’ A smile crept on to her face. Anton was from a world that was much more glamorous and exciting than her own – and he seemed to want her to be a part of it.

  ‘Do you think you’ll see each other again?’

  ‘Yes. We’ve already made a date, actually.’

  Cally felt a tingle in her stomach as she said it. She felt like she might be ready to open herself up to a new relationship, maybe trust again.

  Anton wasn’t someone she’d ever pictured herself with – in fact, if she’d imagined herself with anyone from the hotel it would have been Joe. He was the guy she clicked with, the one who made her laugh. And if she was honest with herself, she’d fancied Joe since school. But life surprised you sometimes – and maybe this could be the start of something with Anton.

  ‘That’s great. He clearly appreciates a good thing when he finds it. Not like …’ he stopped himself.

  ‘Not like Ryan?’

  ‘Sorry. Look, I had nothing against Ryan,’ her dad said. ‘He was a nice enough guy, but maybe he was too young for you. A bit immature.’

  Cally thought of Anton – he had the job, the ambition, the flat – he seemed settled, and grown up. A world away from Ryan.

  ‘I think this one is different.’

  Chapter Five

  Saturday 14th July

  At the start of her working day, Cally found a note from her boss on her desk. Most of first floor rooms ready for bookings now – work on Rooms 14-16 still delayed. Keep them empty for now.

  She put it next to her computer. She’d had a few enquiries by email the day before, and was glad she’d be able to offer them the available rooms. She switched on her computer, and the welcome note sang out as it started up.

  Joe arrived at the reception desk, his brown hair ruffled and his cheeks glowing.

  ‘Bit early for the bar shift, isn’t it?’ Cally said.

  ‘I’m not in to work. Liliana called me.’

  Cally furrowed her brow. ‘She did?’

  ‘Yes. She said to meet her in Room fourteen.’

  ‘She called you at home? That’s a bit weird.’

  ‘She said it was urgent.’

  ‘Right. Well, you know how she likes a drama.’

  Joe raised his eyebrows.

  Cally realised that her words had come out sounding bitter, and she wished she could unsay them. It seemed her hurt at being ignored by Liliana had hardened into something else.

  ‘She said to get you.’

  ‘Me? I’ve got work to do,’ she shook her head. ‘I haven’t got time for a tea break. And she hasn’t wanted me around much lately, so I don’t know what’s changed.’

  Joe’s green eyes were fixed on her, imploring.

  ‘Cally. It sounded serious. Come up with me.’

  ‘All right,’ she said, reluctantly getting up from her seat. ‘I just hope that Stuart doesn’t come by on his round.’ She picked up the key for Room 14.

  A message buzzed through on Joe’s phone, and he read it hurriedly. ‘Liliana again. She says to hurry up.’

  Cally and Joe walked up the stairs, picking up speed as they approached the first floor. Cally turned the key to Room 14 and opened the door.

  Standing in front of her, her face flushed and eyes wide with panic, was Liliana.

  ‘God, Lili,’ Cally said, taking in her expression. ‘What’s going on?’

  ‘It’s not me,’ she cried. ‘Cally, help us! Help her.’

  On the floor, lying on top of the dustsheets, was a woman wailing in pain, her dress raised up and legs spread. Her hair lay in damp strands on her face. Cally didn’t recognise her at first, then it slowly dawned on her.

  ‘Valerie,’ Cally whispered, shocked.

  She turned to Liliana. ‘Have you called an ambulance?’

  ‘She said she didn’t want anyone to know.’

  Cally caught Joe’s eye. ‘Call one,’ she said. He got his phone out and dashed out of the room.

  ‘You’ve studied this,’ Liliana said to Cally, a pleading tone in her voice. ‘You know what to do, don’t you?’

  Cally took in the scene. At college they’d talked about hospitals, water pools, gas and air, epidurals … This wasn’t quite what she’d expected a birth to be like. Valerie looked up, her brown eyes full of fear. Cally took a deep breath and got down by her side. A calm came over her. She’d never done it before, but a voice within her told her she could.

  Cally put a hand on her arm. ‘Deep breaths, Valerie. In and out, breathe with me.’

  ‘I’m so scared,’ Valerie whispered.

  ‘Don’t be,’ Cally reassured her. ‘You’re going to be fine. You can do it.’

  From the corner of her eye, Cally saw Joe come back into the room with a pile of fresh towels.

  ‘Christ. She’s really having a baby, isn’t she?’ He went pale.

  ‘Put down the towels and go and cover reception,’ Lili reprimanded him. ‘The last thing we need right now is you passing out.’

  Valerie’s breathing became more regular, and her moans deeper and louder.

  Cally washed her hands and examined her. Her breath caught as she realised she could feel the baby’s head.

  ‘Not long now, Valerie. You’re almost there.’

  ‘I can’t,’ Valerie puffed, shaking her head.

  ‘You can. You’re already doing it.’ It was really happening – any minute now. ‘You’re going to meet your baby.’

  At midday, Joe and Cally were sitting on the sofa in the hotel bar as the ambulance drove away down the Esplanade, siren blaring. Liliana had gone to the hospital with Valerie and her newborn baby girl.

  ‘Well, I wasn’t expecting that today,’ Joe said.

  ‘Neither was I.’ Up till now she’d been operating on adrenaline, but what had happened was just starting to sink in. ‘I had no idea at all. I think Liliana was the only person here she told.’

  ‘She didn’t even look pregnant, did she?’

  ‘Not at all.’ Cally thought back to when she’d seen Valerie tug at her dress where it was tight – that was the only sign there had been.

  ‘It was so lucky you were there.’

  ‘She did the hard part …’

  ‘You were great,’ Joe said. ‘So calm.’

  ‘I guess I must’ve picked up something on the course,’ she smiled. ‘But it happened a lot more quickly than I was expecting.’

  ‘You did an amazing job.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Listen, I know it’s only lunchtime, but I could really do with a drink. Can I tempt you to a G &T?’

  ‘Yes, please. Seeing as Stuart’s given me the rest of the day off, I might as well take advantage of it.’

  He went behind the hotel bar and made up their drinks, ice clinking in their glasses.

  Joe brought the drinks over with some sandwiches from the fridge. ‘I had a word with Lili before she and Valerie left. Asked her if I should call the dad and let him know.’

  ‘What did she say?’

  ‘That there was no point, he wasn’t interested.’

  ‘That’s terrible.’ Cally shook her head.

  ‘Then she said that he’d find out soon enough anyway, because he worked here at the hotel.’

  Cally looked at him blankly.

  ‘I couldn’t think who she was talking about at first.’

  Cally felt sick to her stomach. Somewhere inside, she already knew the answer.

  ‘It’s Anton, isn’t it?’ she said.

  Joe nodded. ‘I never trusted
that guy.’

  The name echoed around in her head. Anton. She’d thought that date might be the start of something. All along there had been this. How had she got him so wrong?

  Chapter Six

  Monday 16th July

  The night after Valerie’s baby was born, Cally had barely slept. The events kept running and rerunning in her head. Even after she’d got the text from Liliana, saying that Valerie and her daughter Amelie were doing well at hospital, she hadn’t been able to unwind. On Sunday she went with her dad for tea at the Seafront Tea Rooms, and told him what had happened.

  She couldn’t believe she’d missed the signs. Valerie had gone through pregnancy virtually on her own.

  On Monday, Cally got to work early, and put her handbag down under her desk. But she knew she wouldn’t be able to concentrate unless she did something else first. Instead of opening her computer, she went downstairs into the kitchen.

  Anton was there, with a cup of coffee in his hand, making notes for the menu.

  ‘Cally,’ he said, looking up surprised.

  ‘Is it true?’ She said, her voice hard.

  He opened his mouth and she thought for a moment he might deny it.

  ‘We aren’t together,’ he said. ‘We never were.’

  ‘And that’s supposed to make it better?’

  ‘It was her decision to keep it.’

  ‘You’re incredible.’ Cally spat the words out.

  He shrugged. ‘If you want, I’ll go and see her.’

  ‘If I want? What does it matter what I want, Anton? We hardly know each other, and to be honest I’m quite glad about that. You have a daughter now, and she’s the important one. She deserves to be treated a whole lot better than you’ve treated Valerie. And me, while we’re at it.’

  Anton looked down.

  ‘This isn’t going to go away. You know that, don’t you?’

  He looked back at her, his eyes narrowed as if pained him to talk. ‘I’m going to do the right thing.’

  At lunchtime, Joe dropped a note on the reception desk. ‘I’ve got something for you later,’ he said. He winked and walked towards the bar.

  She opened the note and recognised Liliana’s handwriting right away. Lunch? Now?