Page 60 of Happier Days

‘I wasn’t going to say anything yet.’ He unlocked the front door and stepped inside. ‘But seeing as you’re Ms Impatient, in you go.’

Eliza followed him, her eyes narrowing as she looked around.

‘Well, this is a tip,’ she exclaimed. ‘Don’t tell me you’ve bought it?’

‘I have.’

Her eyes widened in disbelief then. ‘What on earth for? You know most people around here can’t afford their own properties and you come along and buy one so there is less choice? What are you going to do? Please don’t say you’re going to Airbnb it?’

‘Of course not.’

‘So you’re going to rent it out to one of the villagers?’ She calmed down a little. ‘I suppose that’s something.’

‘I’m not going to do that either.’

Jack stepped into the kitchen, Eliza hot on his heels.

‘So what are you going to do with it?’

Jack turned back to her, and it was all he could do to stop from bursting into laughter. But he’d teased her enough now.

‘I bought it for you to use.’

Eliza’s mouth dropped open.

‘I don’t want any rent either.’ Jack shrugged. ‘Sometimes I think it’s good not to live on the premises. You can see things differently when you don’t spend all your time there. I love my cabin, its privacy and its feeling of home. I can switch off when I’m there. I don’t think you get the chance. So I thought I’d offer it to you. I know you lost everything when James died as your home was rented. What do you think?’

Eliza ran a finger over the worktop, shuddering with disgust when it came back filthy. ‘I think it will need a lot of work to get it feeling homely.’

‘I’ve got three guys coming to give me some quotes later in the week. I’ll know more then but I reckon they can crack most of it in three or four months. It’s structurally sound. It just needs some TLC.’

‘Are you serious?’ she asked.

Jack nodded. ‘You’ve had a rough time lately. I thought I’d try and make you smile again.’

Eliza’s bottom lip trembled, but she did manage a grin. ‘I don’t know what to say.’

‘Your brother is a genius, and thanks a million will do for a start.’

‘I do have some savings that I’ll have to give you towards it. I can’t just take it.’

‘I don’t want any of your money, and if you prefer to stay in the hotel, then you can rent it out. To a local, of course.’

She laughed. ‘Wait until I tell Willow.’

‘So you’re not mad at me for wanting to tart the hotel up?’

‘Not now.’

‘Good, because it was never our intention to sell. You heard something but not all of it. I’ve given Mum and Dad some cash to finish the renovations and redecorate a few rooms. It wasn’t to sell the place – well, it might have been until Ava persuaded Mum not to.’

‘Ava did?’

‘Mum said Ava saw it through an outsider’s eyes, how it could be better with a few small changes. Of course, I’ve been trying to persuade her to do the same for months, but she wouldn’t listen to me.’ He rolled his eyes, but he was smiling. ‘Ava made her see it differently. I think she also told her about why you didn’t think you should take on Dan’s job.’

‘The meddling cow!’ Eliza’s eyes widened, but she was still smiling. ‘I told her that in confidence.’

‘Mum says you’ve got it wrong. She would love you to have the role of events manager. Ava thought she was doing the right thing, her intentions were good, and it will probably clear up things, too. Mum wanted to see you about it before you pushed me into the store cupboard.’

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