A thrilling and informative story set around a magical hill in DEVON
‘The Short Straw Weekend’ by Faith Hogan
16th May 2023
Amy looked up at the old fashioned little guest house. Her luck always fell on the short straw when it came to these assignments. Lucy Quinn or Lucky Lucy, as Amy always thought of her, had bagged a jaunt to Monte Carlo. Amy was getting two nights in The Willows Guesthouse overlooking the Atlantic Ocean with crashing frothy grey waves beneath a gun barrel sky.
‘Ah, Amy, is that you?’ A birdlike old lady craned her neck around one of the dome chairs in the entrance hall. ‘I’m Esme, I think I spoke with you on the phone.’
‘Yes, that’s right.’ Amy said moving towards the old dear and she had to admit that the glow of the open fire and the general shabby elegance of the place was actually a welcome surprise.
‘It’s busier than usual I’m afraid, but we’ll do our very best to make a fuss of you. Come here, sit with me while Marta gets your room ready.’ Esme tapped the chair next to her. ‘We have warm scones just out of the oven and freshly brewed coffee. You must be worn out after the drive from Dublin.’ The old lady was still talking, but all Amy was aware of was the comfort of the huge velvet chair around her as she sank into it. ‘Of course, usually, this late in the season, we’re closing our doors, but this year, well…’ she nodded towards a bandage across her ankle. ‘It’s certainly been one to remember.’
‘It’s very…’ Amy wanted to say quaint, but it was almost Tardis like, much more welcoming on the inside than the slightly faded facade on arrival.
‘Hmm, you’ll find it’s really what you make of it here.’ Esme stopped, as if sensing something unsaid between them. ‘Of course, some people just come to snuggle down for a few days, walking for miles along the beach isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Whether it’s mending a broken heart or finishing off a work project, this old place is a bit of a sanctuary.’ She stopped, felt around the tray for her coffee cup and it was only then that Amy realised that Esme was blind.
‘Perhaps I’m suffering from a bit of both.’ Amy thought of Peter. It was over; their relationship of six months was ended. He was going travelling. Alone. She had a feeling that there was more to it than just itchy feet.
‘In that case, I can’t promise a mended heart, but I can certainly promise you lots of diversion.’ Something close to amusement seemed to play about Esme’s lips. Amy would settle for a slice of peace and quiet. Maybe all she needed was hot buttered scones and sitting by an open fire listening to the wind howl in the chimneys.
A loud crash against the front door almost made Amy jump from her chair and she stretched forward to see the most unexpected sight before her eyes. Tommy Ledger – THE TOMMY LEDGER – dripping onto the old fashioned mat inside the door.
‘Oops, sorry Esme, for the noise and… oh, I’m making such a mess, but filming went on longer than we expected and you were right about the weather…’ he was pulling off huge boots, leaving them out in the porch.
‘Is that…’ Amy leaned across towards Esme. What on earth was an Oscar winning movie star and international heart-throb doing in a remote place like this?
‘Oh, yes, dear. Didn’t I mention they’re making a film here? He’s actually staying in the room next to yours.’
‘That’s…’ Amy found her gaze drawn to meet the bluest eyes she’d ever seen and it felt as if her heart beat stopped and the whole world pull to a dramatic halt with it.
‘Hey?’ He moved forward with unexpected self consciousness. ‘Where did you come from?’ he smiled and for a moment, they looked at each other wordlessly, although it felt to Amy as if a thousand conversations lay between them to be had.
‘I’m Amy.’ She sounded a lot more poised than she felt
‘And I’m Tommy.’ He took her hand and held it for a lingering moment.
‘And he’s single.’ Esme whispered too loudly. With that, they all laughed and the tension that had filled the air between them broke like a welcome relief.
Thank goodness, she hadn’t pulled the long straw and ended up in Monte Carlo instead of the Guest House by the Sea
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What a lovely ‘coffee break’ sized story and it works beautifully having read ‘The Guest House By The Sea’, as I know in my minds eye, exactly what The Willows looks like and how the character of Esme fits inside its walls. Amy and Tommy are in for an organised crash course in getting-to-know-you 🙂
1 Comment
How lovely of you to stop by. It’s so nice when you can visualise the bigger picture, having read the novel!!