Page 71 of New Beginnings at the Little Christmas Inn
‘Verity’s message in her church service was to forgive but I think it’ll be a long time before I even think about forgiving him.’ Livvy blew out a breath, beginning to feel more like herself.
‘Quite right too, sweetie. Don’t think the man deserves it. And Verity would agree, she’s realistic like that.’ Simona leaned forward. ‘Tell you what though, darling. What did demonstrate the meaning of Christmas was how much everyone was supporting you. They were backing you to the hilt tonight. When Mark ordered Jason to leave, he hesitated, took one look at the crowd and then legged it. He was lucky to get out alive.’
‘And that definitely wouldn’t have been very Christmassy.’
Simona tittered. ‘Hardly.’
‘Can’t say there’s been a dull moment since I took over The George. But, Simona, how can I thank you? Staking out the car park. It must have been freezing.’
Simona gave her trademark silvery giggle again, this time sounding more normal. ‘It was tonight, sweetie.’ She indicated her Marilyn Monroe dress. ‘I wasn’t quite dressed for sub-zero temperatures. Have you seen the snow out there? It’s really coming down now. Think we might have The Beast from the East Mark II after all.’
‘It was brilliant what you and Mark did. I’m so grateful, Si, or I will be when this has all sunk in.’ Livvy shook her head. ‘I can’t believe the lengths Jason was prepared to go to.’
‘Lot of money at stake. Don’t get me wrong, kitten, I’m rather a fan of the filthy lucre myself but there are limits as to what I’ll do to get it.’ Simona sipped her tea thoughtfully. ‘And in myopinion, I think he rather gets off tormenting folk. I expect he pulled wings off butterflies as a child. He’s the sort. Ugh!’
‘I just hope that’s the last we see of him.’ Livvy shuddered. ‘Hateful man.’
‘I don’t think we’ll see him in town again. The good folk of Lullbury Bay may be, on the whole, an unsophisticated lot, but they’re loyal and on your side. His line of business depends on networking. Word will soon get round, darling. And, as I said to him, even if it doesn’t get as far as anything legal, it’ll affect his business and that’s where it’ll hit him where it hurts most.’
Livvy sucked in a breath. ‘And I’m sorry about, you know, what Fabio said. I had no idea that’s how he felt about me.’
‘Didn’t you, angel? It had crossed my mind. I often wondered how he felt about you, whether it went above and beyond how a chef should feel about his boss. The fabulous Fabio always seemed more authentic, somehow, when he was around you. The excitable Italian chef act wasn’t as quite to the fore.’
‘I’m not sure what I’m going to do about him.’ Livvy blew out a regretful sigh. ‘I mean, he’s gorgeous and, in anyone’s eyes, someone you–’
‘–wouldn’t kick out of bed,’ Simona finished.
‘Sorry. Didn’t mean to rub it in.’
‘You’re not, darling. I suggest you talk to the man. Thrash it all out, so to speak. And I’m not surprised you didn’t notice how he was around you. You’ve been so engrossed in your lovely Mark. No room for anyone else.’
‘And I need to apologise about that too.’ Livvy winced. ‘I spent the best part of this evening thinking really dreadful things about you. First, I thought you’d hit on Darrell and then I thought you’d been snogging in the car park with Mark like teenagers. I’m so sorry. I feel awful.’
‘Oh, darling,’ Simona roared. ‘Chance would be a fine thing. No one notices me when you’re around. I think the entire malepopulation of Lullbury Bay is in love with you. And who can blame them? You might even be successful in turning me!’ She blew a kiss with her still perfectly glossed lips to soften the words. ‘But onwards and upwards. I did like… Idolike Fabio,’ she corrected herself. ‘But maybe it’s for the best. He’s far younger and it would only have been a flingette sort of thing. Probably not what I need right now.’ She pulled a comical face. ‘But, then again, maybe I’ll chance upon a hot ski instructor in Klosters?’
Livvy laughed. ‘I hope so.’
‘Although no one will ever replace my Terence.’ Simona lapsed into silence, her mouth working, trying to control the emotion.
‘I know.’ Livvy reached for her hand. ‘Come round tomorrow. Can’t promise any food but we can have a drink. I don’t want you to be on your own.’
Simona patted her hand, her eyes tearful. ‘I will, darling. Thank you.’
‘Oh my goodness,’ Livvy was suddenly aware of the mess. ‘I’d better help with the clearing up. Look at the state of this place!’
‘You stay there, sweetie. I’ll go.’ Simona gazed ruefully at her manicure. ‘I’ve managed to break a nail tonight, so it won’t matter about the others.’ Bending down to tickle Angel’s ears, she said, ‘Look after your mistress, darling doggie. She needs TLC.’
Livvy wasn’t alone long. Eli hovered, shifting his weight from foot to foot. ‘I wanted to say sorry,’ he said on a gulping breath.
Livvy looked up. His face still bore the lumpy, reddened marks of distress. Even though Eli was heading to nineteen, he was still such a child. ‘Eli, I’m the one who’s sorry. I’ve been so preoccupied with everything I didn’t notice how unhappy you’ve been. I knew Gerry and his lot were causing you problems, butI mistakenly thought you were handling them. I should have checked up on you. Sit down here for a minute.’
He perched on the very edge of the chair. Angel stretched. Going to him, she nuzzled into his hand until he gave in and scratched her ears. ‘I’ll pay you back what they owe.’
‘Oh, Eli, that won’t be necessary. I’m just thankful to have found what was causing the discrepancy. We’ve been so busy I just couldn’t understand how we weren’t making a bigger profit. My bad. I need to be more on top of things.’
‘No! You’re brilliant. It was my fault. I should never have given in to them.’
‘They’re playground bullies,’ Livvy said gently. ‘They know what to say to get what they want. And stupid too. I can’t believe Gerry confessed straight away about what Jason made him do. If I hadn’t been in shock I would have found it almost funny.’
