Page 11 of Brighter Together

Tommy doesn’t simply own Greenview Manor Hotel. He lives in it, works in it and probably dreams about occupancy rates.

His flat is in the attic, although he spends far more time in his office or helping out wherever he’s needed than he ever does relaxing upstairs. How he hasn’t burnt himself out completely is beyond me.

My phone vibrates against the desk.

I glance down and my stomach drops.

Lee.

For a moment, I simply stare at his name before my eyes flick towards the office door. It’s closed, Tommy is still upstairs and nobody else is here.

I take a slow breath.

It’s only a message. My brother can’t reach through a phone, but my body doesn’t seem to know that. My fingers tremble around it, my pulse thudding hard beneath my skin.

Lee

Just checking we are all set with the big boss.

I swallow and type carefully.

Me

Of course. Your appointment is set for four p.m. on Tuesday, as per my email.

The reply comes almost immediately.

Lee

That’s not what I meant. Have you been working him?

My thumb hovers over the screen.

Me

What?

Lee

To make sure he hires us.

Heat crawls up my neck.

Me

He’ll choose whichever company is best.

My family’s architecture firm is well known in Cumbria. They don’t need me to influence Tommy, and they certainly shouldn’t need me to make the decision for him.

Lee

For fuck’s sake, Ella. For once put the family first.

My jaw clenches.

For once.

That’s all I had ever done, until I left for good.