Page 123 of Brighter Together

He finishes his tea and stands.

“That you off?” I ask.

“Nearly. Your head housekeeper sent for me as well. Apparently you have a broken headboard.”

I groan. “Room twenty-six?”

“Yep.”

“Of course it is.”

Room twenty-six has been cursed since the day we finished renovating it. Staff keep blaming the ghosts of Greenview Manor. I blame careless guests.

Alex is our first call whenever something wooden breaks around the hotel. Not because he is my friend, but because he is excellent at what he does and actually turns up when he says he will.

He reaches the door.

“Thanks, mate. For Ryan and the headboard.”

“No worries.”

He pauses with his hand on the door.

“And Tommy?”

“What?”

“I meant it. I'm happy for you,” he says softly.

“Thanks.”

Alex nods and leaves.

The office feels strangely quiet after the door closes.

I turn my chair towards the window.

The grounds of the hotel stretch out below me, sloping towards the shore of Windermere.

I love this place.

I always have.

Protecting Greenview Manor has been my entire life.

Until recently, I didn’t question that.

Now I keep wondering whether loving something means it has to consume every spare hour I have.

“Tommy?”

Ella’s voice pulls me back.

She is standing in the doorway.

“Ella, would you mind coming in and closing the door, please?” I use my best boss voice.

Her mouth curves. “Of course, sir.”