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‘I’m sure I will.’ She flashed him a smile, wishing that the nerves in her belly would settle and stop fluttering around like trapped butterflies.
He pulled into a carpark at the side of the hotel then got out and came around to her side of the car and opened her door. He held out a hand, and she took it, then slid out of the seat as gracefully as she could. Brooke was used to wearing jeans and trousers, so a long dress was a dramatic change and it made her think of Victorian ladies who’d have worn long skirts and dresses and cumbersome underwear, and she sent out a silent thank you to the universe that she hadn’t been born hundreds of years ago. Getting dressed up could be nice, but it wasn’t something she’d want to do regularly because she loved the comfort and convenience of modern clothing.
Nolan locked the car with the key fob, then held out his arm. ‘This way, my lady.’
They crossed the gravel and reached the double front doors of the hotel. A doorman welcomed them, and they passed through the doorway and entered a large, airy hallway where drinks were being served.
Brooke gazed around, attempting to keep her mouth closed because it truly was magnificent. The high ceiling was lit by sparkling chandeliers, the wide staircase towards the rear of the space led up to a floor that branched off in three directions, andthe carpet on the stairs was held in place by shiny brass rods. A table in front of the staircase boasted a large bowl of rum punch, glasses of champagne and some fancy-looking cocktails. Servers were moving seamlessly between guests carrying trays of canapes that looked delicious. It made Brooke realise how hungry she was and so when a server offered her a tray with some small, round crackers topped with smoked salmon, she accepted one and took a bite. It was light and delicious, so she stuffed the rest of it into her mouth and reached for another.
‘Let’s get a drink,’ Nolan said, taking her elbow and leading her towards the drinks table. ‘What would you like?’
‘Champagne, please.’
He got two flutes and handed her one and she took a sip, keen to wash the crackers down.
‘I haven’t had champagne since my thirtieth!’ She laughed.
‘You’re thirty?’
She nodded. ‘I had Allegra young.’ She appraised him. ‘Let me guess … you’re about thirty-three?’
He snorted and pushed his free hand through his hair. ‘I’m … uh … twenty-eight, actually.’
She giggled. ‘I was teasing.’
‘Or trying to tell me that I haven’t aged well.’ He shook his head, looking sad, and she giggled again.
‘I’m so sorry. You do look younger than me but I’m rubbish at guessing ages anyway. Everyone looks like they’re either twelve or thirty-something to me now.’
‘It’s fine, I’m not offended.’ He flashed her a grin that sent warmth flooding through her and she thought she’d better slow down on the champagne.
They strolled leisurely around the hallway, admiring the paintings that spanned hundreds of years. ‘This place is old,’ Nolan said. ‘I think it dates back to Tudor times.’
‘Really?’
‘It was a hunting lodge back in the day. Possibly used by Henry VIII.’
‘Wow!’ Brooke shook her head. ‘That’s incredible.’ She shivered. ‘And kind of … unnerving. It’s seen so much history and probably a lot of pain.’
‘And good times, don’t you think?’ he asked. ‘I’d like to think it’s seen all of life’s shades, whether good or bad.’
‘Do you think a building can retain some of the joy and pain that was felt within its walls?’ she asked, taking another sip of her drink.
‘I guess it’s possible.’ He gave a small shrug. ‘At least I suppose it could absorb the emotions in some way.’
‘Something has to remain after we go, surely?’ She glanced at her flute and saw that it was almost empty.
‘I hope so and I understand why that would be important to you in light of what you’ve been through. I also think that we leave something of us behind in the people who loved and cared about us and in the good we do in the world.’
‘That’s a nice way of seeing it,’ she said.
‘Looks like they’re going through to the ballroom,’ he said. ‘Shall we get you another champagne and then follow the party?’
‘Sounds good to me.’
The food was delicious, served at tables that seated twelve, laden with crystal glasses and elaborate floral centrepieces. Brooke ate well, savouring every mouthful and she enjoyed listening to Nolan’s stories. He introduced her to colleagues and to CEOs of companies who were sponsoring the event and who made generous donations to support the activities that Nolan and his colleagues arranged for the teenagers.
After dinner, there were speeches and coffee, and then the band began playing a range of cover songs. Brooke watched as people went to the dance floor and she felt something inside her give, as if a knot had been loosened. It gave her some relief in her shoulders in a way that made her aware of how tense she’d been recently, even when she’d been trying to relax. Being here with Nolan, out with other people who would at some point in their lives have been through their own loss and challenges, was somehow comforting. Everyone experienced pain at some point and yet they kept going, found comfort in being with other people, in helping others and in keeping going.
