Secrets of the Heart (11 page)

`OK,
so what is it you're trying to say?'

`Oh,
I've got so many ideas, but I need to get a few people on my side.' He smiled winningly. 'Now you seem like a lady with a fresh approach and I gather you've got Bryn Freeman's ear. He'd listen to you.'

Annis
shook her head. 'I don't want to get involved in your schemes, Tristan. Look, why don't you go and see him yourself with your ideas? I'm sure he'd listen.'

`I'm
not just talking about utilising an empty unit here, Annis,' Tristan retorted. 'The problem is, Bryn's the majority share-holder and that means he always gets the final say when it comes to change.'

Annis
looked at her watch. 'It's time I was getting back, Tristan I've a busy day ahead of me tomorrow. Dinner was great and I've had a lovely time. I'm sorry I can't help you with your new ideas, but unless I know exactly what you're proposing I can't really advise . . . '

`And
unless I can be sure of your support, I can't tell you.'

He
drove her back to the Mill rather too fast for her liking and practically in silence, but as they reached the cobbled forecourt to the Mill she felt him relax.

Pulling
up, he leaned across. 'I've enjoyed this evening, Annis. Think about what I've said. I reckon we'd make a good team!' And he kissed her firmly on the mouth.

Ross
was in the reception area as Annis entered the Mill. He raised his eyebrows. 'Back so soon? I thought you'd be dancing the night away.'

The
urge to confide in him was strong, but how could she be sure that he and Tristan weren't hatching some scheme together and trying to get everyone to agree to it behind Sally's back? If only she could get some idea of what that scheme might be

`I've
a busy day tomorrow and need my beauty sleep,' she told him.

`Then
I'll wish you sweet dreams,' he said.

But
sleep evaded her, and she lay awake wondering just what Tristan had in mind. When she finally fell into a fitful sleep, it was to dream that all the grounds had been taken over by a housing estate, supermarket, and a new school!

* * *

Annis had started going for a swim before work each morning. Sometimes she was joined by one or two of the staff, all of whom seemed friendly.

On
Friday morning when she came out from the changing room, she saw someone on the diving board and realised it was Ross.

She
stood watching him for a few moments, noting the tanned body and rippling muscles. As he dived in, she realised that Ross really wasn't like Andrew at all. Andrew had disliked swimming and she had had to coax him into the water. Andrew had not been so powerfully built as Ross either, and certainly not so athletic.

`Come
and join me the water's wonderful,' Ross called to her.

She
jumped into the pool and swam across to him, and for a few moments they swam side by side.

`You're
pretty good, Annis — fancy a race?'

She nodded and made for the end of the pool. He was by far the stronger swimmer, but she suspected he was holding back so that they could finish almost together.

`That
was good,' he told her. 'I like the swimsuit, by the way — shows off those lovely long legs of yours.' He said it matter-of-factly, but she found herself colouring at the unexpected compliment.

`I'd
better get changed — I don't want to be late for breakfast,' she murmured.

Ross
climbed out of the pool and held out a hand to help her. Then, fetching a couple of towels and passing one to her, he marched off towards the changing cubicles without uttering another word.

That
day was set to be amazingly busy.

There
was a wedding ceremony that afternoon, but the reception was being held elsewhere. Despite this, it still took a surprising amount of work to make sure that everything ran smoothly, so Annis was excused from the short lunch-time meeting with Bryn Freeman.

The
wedding ceremony was a simple but delightful affair. The bride was an older lady who looked quite lovely in a cream silk suit with a bouquet of cream and pink roses. Her one bridesmaid wore a dress of pale pink print. Everything went according to plan, and afterwards Annis sighed with relief.

There
were two ceremonies booked for the following day, and each was to have a finger buffet reception lasting two to three hours, but no evening function.

By
the time Annis had made sure everything was on target, from marquees and champagne to flowers and cakes, it was mid-evening.

After
a hasty supper, she went up to see Bryn, intending to sound him out about her staying on at the Mill. As usual he was pleased to see her and she spent fifteen minutes filling him in on the activities of the day and the schedule for Saturday.

`Well,
you seem to have got on top of everything, lass. Well done!'

She
took a deep breath and explained the real purpose of her visit.

Bryn
listened intently, nodding his wise old head. When she had finished, he fixed her with his bright blue eyes.

`You've
certainly given it some thought, Annis, and if you're sure it's what you want . . . Of course, you do realise it can only be a temporary position to begin with. We're going to have to wait to see what Zoe wants to do when her maternity leave is up.'

`Yes,
but it would give me time to think, away from London.'

`Between
you and me,' said Bryn, `I've a feeling that once the baby is born, Zoe won't want to come back here full-time, so she might be prepared to do a job share. Anyway, we shall see. It's going to be a mighty busy time for you for the next month or so, Annis. Are you certain that you can handle the pace?'

`I
thrive on hard work,' she assured him, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. `Anyway, I'll have my Sundays more or less free, and naturally I won't expect to be on the payroll until I'm working here on a permanent basis.'

`Oh,
I think we can come to some arrangement. If you can bring a smile back to Sally's face then you'll be worth your weight in gold. She's been so down these past weeks. Now, how about having a cup of coffee with me and watching that wildlife programme on TV?'

* * *

It was after ten-thirty when Annis finally left Bryn. She came down the stairs in a rush and nearly collided with Ross at the bottom. He straightened her up.

`Just
the person I needed to see! Can you spare me a few moments? Come on, let's go for a walk.'

`But
it's nearly eleven o'clock!' Annis looked at him as if he were mad.

`Just
a stroll around the grounds? We've got a bit of a crisis on our hands and I'm wondering if you've got any bright ideas.'

As
Annis wondered what had happened now, Ross took her by the arm and led her outside. It was a beautiful moonlit night.

`Chef
s been called away — his father-in-law up in Scotland has died suddenly.'

`Oh,
poor Luis. Well, I'm sure the sous chef will manage admirably. He's been trained well.'

`I'm
sure he has, but unfortunately he's gone to Paris with his fiancée for a much deserved break.'

`Well,
not to worry you've still got Niall and he's pretty reliable.'

Annis
heard Ross sigh and her heart sank.

`What's
happened to him?' she asked. `He took umbrage at something Stella said to him, and he and his wife walked out this evening. I'll try to talk them round after they've had a chance to cool off.'

`What
did Stella say?' Annis asked.

`Apparently
she told him that the pastry on this evening's pie tasted like cardboard!' Ross's mouth twitched and then he started laughing. 'I'm sorry, but actually she was right, and she was the only person to dare say so. He was definitely having an off day!'

Annis
joined in with his laughter, but then he sobered.

`They
do say laughter is the best medicine,' he said, 'but really, it's quite a serious situation. I've e-mailed all the agencies we use, so let's hope they come up with someone suitable, but in the meantime we've got a bit of a problem.'

`Oh,
it'll be all right Sally's due back in a few days' time.'

`So?'
he asked in a puzzled tone.

`So,
both of us have done cordon bleu cookery courses, and while we wouldn't pretend to have the expertise of the regular chefs, we could get by for a short time.'

`Annis,
you're like a breath of fresh air! What about the weddings?'

`We've
two ceremonies tomorrow, but they're fairly low-key affairs, around fifty guests each with a few hours' grace between them. The small marquees are up already, as you can see. The menus are fairly straightforward, and I've no doubt that the remainder of the catering staff can cope admirably.'

She
heard his sigh of relief.

`We've
a big conference coming in at the beginning of next week, and some of the delegates will be arriving on Sunday afternoon,' he murmured. 'Oh, well, I guess we can get by somehow.'

`Of
course we can . . . it'll all work out OK, you'll see.'

`You
know something, Annis? I'm beginning to wonder how we ever managed without you.'

`You
didn't think that when I first came here you couldn't wait to see the back of me,' she pointed out.

`Yes,
well, I'm the first to admit if I make a mistake. I know I took a bit of convincing and I'm sorry I was so hostile towards you.'

They
were walking by the lake and the solar lights were reflected in the water. His arm rested lightly round her waist and suddenly he caught her to him and dropped a gentle kiss on her lips.

Her
heart pounded. She realised it was only meant as an apology, and was taken aback at the intensity of her feelings.

Annis's
mind was in turmoil. She realised that if she wasn't careful, she could fall for this man in a big way and not just because he reminded her of Andrew. She had stopped thinking that soon after her arrival at Heronsbridge.

They walked back to the Mill in silence, and she wished she could at least hint that she had begun to accept Ross for himself, although she would never forget Andrew. He had been a part of her life that had, for the most part, been happy.

* * *

The next morning was glorious. Annis had a quick dip in the pool and then went to the kitchen to see if they needed any help. Ross was there already. He looked up and gave her a devastating smile that sent a frisson dancing down her spine.

`I've
explained to everyone that until we can get some more help, they must just continue the best they can. In the meantime, Lisa here is in charge and I've told her you'll lend a hand, Annis, as and when you can.'

It
didn't take too long for Annis to check the food for the two wedding receptions, the first of which was to be at one o'clock.

Staff
breakfasts were in hand and everything on the surface, at least, seemed to have an air of calm.

The
morning flew past. There was no apparent hitch with the first of the two ceremonies.

When
the first reception was underway, Annis slipped back into the kitchen and, donning an overall and cap, helped with decorating desserts and arranging quantities of miniature savoury tartlets and chicken pieces on platters for the next reception.

Lisa
was expertly piping cream into tiny pastries and éclairs. They had been working against the clock all morning, but now things were coming together at last.

Suddenly
the kitchen doors swung open and Stella strode in.

`Come
along, everyone, the guests will be heading towards the marquee at any moment. Everything ought to be ready by now.'

She suddenly noticed Annis and her eyes widened. 'What on earth are you doing here? Shouldn't you be outside?'

Annis
explained briefly that the first reception was already underway and the second one wasn't due to begin for a couple of hours yet, and then turned her attention back to what she was doing.

Stella's
eyes narrowed. 'That's as may be but this is most irregular — I shall speak to Mr Hadley. Meanwhile, I suggest you return to the marquee area immediately.'

`Certainly,
Mrs Freeman -- but in that case, perhaps you'd care to take over here? It's all hands on deck today. I volunteered to step in since I've got a cordon bleu qualification, but if I'm needed elsewhere . . . '