Page 36 of Counting Down To You

“But they didn’t even consider me,” Lucie continues, picking up a cardboard beer mat and spinning it on the table. “They just swooped someone else in, no questions asked. And look, don’t take this the wrong way”—I try to control my grimace, given that is basically code for, I’m going to say something you won’t like—“but you have no experience in hotels and you’re only here temporarily, so it seemed like the only reason you got the job was because you’re dating the manager.”

Right then, I wish I could tell Lucie that I am not dating him and most certainly did not sleep my way to the top, so to speak. But it would make me sound even worse to admit that whole thing and Lucie might not even believe me. Really, though, I can see why Lucie would be pissed off. I’d be pissed off. Probably.

“I’m not necessarily saying any of that is your fault,” Lucie says with a sigh. “And, hey, maybe if I was dating someone in, like, Hawaii, I’d ask them to pull some strings too.”

“I didn’t ask him,” I say firmly. This, at least, I can be honest about. “I mean,” I continue, trying very hard not to glance over at the bar, “it’s great to be here with him and everything. Who wouldn’t want that?” Oh God, I’m going into babble mood. Stick to the truth, Ali. “My friend, Cal, he recruits for the hotel, and he said you were stuck and needed someone to cover after the last GRM…” I trail off, not sure how much of what Cal said is true.

“…Proved to be particularly interested in the relations part of the role, yes.”

I let out a little laugh, and it relaxes me a bit, enough that I can take a gulp of beer. “So I volunteered,” I say. Which is sort of true. “I don’t know if Leo pulled any strings”—also true, technically—“but I’m sorry if he did. I didn’t realize there was anyone here who wanted it.”

Lucie considers me for a moment, then nods, like she’s decided to believe me. “Look, it’s not a big deal. I hadn’t actually told anyone I wanted it. I just thought they might ask me, that’s all. And it’s a step closer to being manager. Not in terms of hierarchy,” she adds, and I smile into my drink at the fact she’s reinforcing that, “but in terms of the day-to-day stuff. It would look better on my CV, I think, for next year. Because I love this place,” she sweeps a hand around the bar, “but over summer I want to try something new, and look for something longer term. Like a year or so.”

It’s not really “long term” as far as I’m concerned, but given the circumstances, I’ll allow it. I wonder briefly if I should ask Cal if he knows of any hotels looking for a manager—I think Cal would sort of love Lucie.

“Well, technically, you could still apply,” I say. “I’m only here temporarily, like you said. It would make more sense for them to hire someone who knows the place, the guests. I think it’s obvious you care about what you do, so maybe you just need to be more proactive about it.”

Shit, okay, I regret saying that. Especially given the way Lucie is narrowing her eyes right now. But then she huffs a laugh, picks up her drink. “Why do I get the impression you like giving out life advice?”

I grin. “Careers advice, specifically. I’m a recruitment consultant too,” I admit. “It’s how I know Cal.”

“Really? And here I was, thinking you were a GRM.”

“I’m on sabbatical,” I say by way of explanation.

Lucie frowns. “Don’t people usually go and lie on a beach on sabbatical? Although, I suppose you have other reasons to want to be here.” Lucie looks over at the bar, and I can’t help it, I do too. He’s laughing at something one of his friends is saying. Though, like he can sense us looking at him, he glances over and gives me a small smile of acknowledgment before turning back to his friend.

I sigh. “You know, if you’re going to keep making pointed comments, then you’re going to have to tell me what your issue with him is.” As soon as it’s out, I wonder if I’d say that kind of thing if I really was going out with him. Possibly? But I want to know. I want to know why Lucie hates him, but I also just want to know more about him.

Lucie hesitates. “He hasn’t told you anything?”

“Not about you.”

“No. Well, it’s not really about me.” She spins the cardboard coaster again. “Look, Leo, he…He kind of has a bit of a…”

“Reputation?”

“Well, yeah. Not necessarily the word I was going to use, but, sure, that’s one way of putting it.”

“Right,” I say. “I know.” There. That sounds confident and like I actually know some of Leo’s past.

Lucie wrinkles her nose as she sips her cider. “Okay, fine,” she says. “I’ll tell you but it’s only because I’ve had a drink, so I cannot be held accountable if you take offense.”

I nod, adopting a serious expression. “Got it.”

She sighs—she really does have a way with sighs. “The year before last, I came out here for the first time. Me and a friend wanted to make a thing of it—she’s also in hospitality, and we’d worked together before.”

“Okay,” I say, nodding to show I’m listening.

“So toward the end this friend had a bit of a thing with Leo. At least I thought it was just a bit of a thing. Turns out she was massively into him. Anyway, last year, we decided to come back out, do another season. I only realized when we got here that she wanted to come out for him.”

“Ah.”

“Yes,” Lucie says. “And they’d been texting—and he said he’d be out here for the season, and she’d got massively excited about it. Was convinced he was ‘the one’ or whatever. No offense,” she adds quickly.

“None taken,” I say, gesturing for her to continue.

“Anyway, he showed up for, like, three days in November, before the season started. He was happy to…I’ll just say rekindle things with her, but then he left. Before the snow even started to fall. I know you’ll know this already, but he left. He didn’t say a word to her, didn’t explain why. He didn’t say a word to any of us.”