Page 53 of The Village Inn of Secret Dream

Belle woke up in a hot sweat. Was she ill? she wondered, as she threw off the heavy blankets that she had always slept under in the colder months.

Then she heard a small ticking noise and realised it was the radiator next to the bed. She tentatively reached a hand out and felt that it was piping hot. The heating was on. The heating was never on! It had never worked! And yet, here it was.

She lay back in bed and allowed herself a little giggle. It was ridiculous to feel luxury such as heating had made her day, but it truly had. She hadn’t realised how cold she had felt for so very long. The fireplaces were all very nice, but once the fire had died out during the night, the bedroom became cold and draughty.

No wonder she felt so hot under her normal four or five blankets.

She contemplated a shower, wondering if she could face the cool water until the boiler heated up later on. Then she sat bolt upright. The boiler had been replaced. The heating was on. They now had constant hot water.

She sprang out of bed and flung open the door to rush across the corridor in her pyjamas. Then, in the sanctity of the bathroom, she realised that even the towels were now warm and toasty on the new heated towel rail. Belle laughed again and immediately stepped into the hot shower.

The water was steamy and hot and she allowed herself the longest shower that she could ever remember having. It was pure luxury.

By the time she got out, her cheeks were glowing with the steam and heat. But she found herself smiling at her reflection in the mirror. At the time, she had questioned Pete’s extravagant spending, but right now she sent up a silent prayer.

In that moment, she was truly grateful for Pete taking over the inn. Maybe, just maybe, these small changes were good.

Smiling to herself, she flung open the bathroom door and came face to face with the man himself as he headed down the corridor.

‘Good morning,’ she said, giving him a wide smile.

‘Good morning,’ he said, smiling back at her. ‘You’re in an awfully good mood. Did you start drinking early today?’

‘Ha ha,’ she said, fixing the towel around her a little tighter. ‘If you’re speaking to Mr Reynolds today, can you tell him that the boiler is an absolute winner. That shower was incredible.’

‘I’m glad you approve,’ he told her. ‘Personally I prefer not having frostbite on a daily basis.’

Belle nodded thoughtfully. ‘I guess I just got used to the colder temperature,’ she said. ‘When I woke up this morning and the heating was on, I couldn’t believe it. Then all that lovely hot water.’ Her eyes gleam. ‘Think how long a hot bubble bath I could have as well.’

Pete leaned back against the wall, his hands in his jeans pockets. ‘You know, that new bathtub is big enough for two.’ He broke into a grin, his eyes gleaming. ‘We have to watch the pennies on the heating bills, so it’s an idea.’

For some reason, Belle’s cheeks suddenly felt extremely warm again. ‘Well, I’d better get dressed,’ she said, heading across to her bedroom.

But on the way, she tripped over one of the still loose floorboards that had yet to be fixed and fell straight against the wall.

‘Ow,’ she moaned, clutching her head, which was swimming a little after banging against the wall.

‘Are you okay?’ she heard Pete say. ‘Here, come and sit down.’

She felt his hands on her bare arms as he led her into her bedroom to sit her down on the bed.

Her head was still a little fuzzy as he sat down next to her, placing his arm around her shoulders.

‘Don’t worry, I’ve got you,’ he told her.

After a few moments, the swimming feeling began to pass.

‘I think I’m feeling better,’ she told him.

‘Just keep breathing in and out,’ he told her. ‘I’m just going to watch your chest rise and fall to make sure.’

‘Funny man,’ she told him, finally standing up. ‘I’m okay now.’

But his joke had raised a smile and she felt much better.

She heard Pete chuckle and turned to look at him as he stood up and headed to the door.

‘What?’ she asked.