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He had famous people stay often, and sometimes paparazzi, but rarely did they realize who he was.
“Pretty busy,” Fin said, pulling up as close as he could get to the entrance. “Need me to come in and run interference, Ted?”
“No. We’ve got this, but thanks, Fin. Seriously.”
Ted gripped his friend’s hand hard.
“All good, bud. Friends, remember.”
“Yeah, I think I may be finally understanding that concept.”
“He always been a slow learner, Toby?”
“Pretty much.”
Ted cuffed Toby over the head, then got out of the car.
“Okay let’s do this,” Ted said walking beside his bother up the steps to the lodge. Entering he found mayhem in his lobby.
“Ted!” Lenny came forward looking harassed, which wasn’t comfortable on a man who was usually anything but.
“It’s okay, Lenny.” He placed a hand on his manager’s shoulder. “I’ve got this. These people are my family, for better or worse,” he muttered.
“Senator Hosking is your dad?”
“He is, and this is Toby, my youngest brother.”
“Hi.” Lenny held out a hand, and Toby shook it.
“I’ll go and deal with my family now, Lenny. Thanks.”
They were chatting, smiling, and doing what they did best. Putting on a facade. A cameraman was filming every move, and cameras were clicking.
“Edward, how wonderful to see you.” Anthony came forward with his wife, Melinda. They were cut from the exact same cloth. Ted stuck out his hand, opening his fist so he didn’t plant it in his brother’s face.
“You better get this done and get out of my town soon, or I’m causing a scene that will ensure you don’t get elected,” Ted whispered in his brother’s ear before they parted.
Anthony didn’t look quite so confident when he pulled back.
“Hello, Edward.” Melinda made a show of greeting him. He released her as soon as he could.
“No cameras or filming inside the lodge.” Ted turned to face the press. “My guests come here for privacy. I’m afraid on this, I insist.”
“Oh come now, Edward.” Elizabeth Hosking walked forward. “Surely you can allow a few family snaps?”
“Mother,” Ted greeted her. She had a few more lines, but that was the only thing that had changed in the years since he’d seen her. Tall, elegant, with style written all over her perfectly made-up features, she greeted her eldest son with a peck on the cheek. No one watching them would realize they hadn’t seen each other in years. “And yes, I can, but outside.”
Ted turned to face the press. “Leave, please, now.”
One of them lifted a camera and snapped. Ted smiled, then came forward slowly. “I can call the police in if you want.”
“No need for that, Edward. They are here to take some campaign shots, nothing more.” Anthony moved in front of him and dealt with it. Minutes later, the press were outside the lodge doors.
“There was no need for the heavy hand,” Anthony said.
“This is my hotel; I make the rules. If you don’t like them, then leave.”
Anthony and their mother were the same people. Self-obsessed and arrogant. Neither had been to see Ted, just as he’d not returned to their home since Emily’s death.
