Page 52 of Brighter Together

“Morning,” I reply.

He comes out from behind reception before I can stop him and takes the garment bag from my hand.

“I can carry that,” I say.

“Don’t take my job from me, boss.”

“Stop calling me boss.” I look at him.

He grins.

The lad has been here less than a year and is already getting far too comfortable.

Which is a good thing because that usually means people are planning to stay.

John reminds me of myself when I first started at Greenview Manor Hotel. He’ll do anything, ask questions about everything and somehow still looks cheerful when someone hands him a task nobody else wants.

“You taking the car round?” I ask as we step aside for a couple to pass us.

“Already done,” he laughs.

“Of course you have.” I shake my head.

He walks towards the entrance with my bags while I stop at reception.

Lindsey looks up from the computer.

“Sheila’s in charge while we’re away,” I tell her. “If anything comes up, go to her first. If it can’t wait, call me or Ella.”

“Got it.”

“And if the fire alarm goes off…”

Her eyes widen.

I let her suffer for half a second.

“I’m joking.”

Mostly.

She laughs and shakes her head.

I really should stop terrifying new staff.

Outside, the morning is bright and cold enough that my breath fogs slightly in front of me.

Then I see Ella.

She’s standing beside my car with one hand tucked into the pocket of her coat and the other wrapped around a takeaway coffee. Her hair is loose today, falling over her shoulders rather than pinned up the way she usually wears it at work, and my eyes go straight to it.

She sees me and straightens.

“Morning.”

The smile she gives me is smaller than usual.

Nervous.