Page 78 of Christmas at Sturcombe Bay
Shelley had always liked Lisa’s mother. Warm and friendly, her dark hair laced with threads of silver, her eyes full of smiles. If any of the teachers at the schools she had attended had been like her, she was sure things could have been different.
Helen came over and sat down at the centre island. “So, you want to catch up with your reading.” Her voice was very calm and matter-of-fact. “Were you ever tested to see if you were dyslexic?”
“Yes, twice. They said I wasn’t.”
Helen nodded. “Okay. So tell me, what parts of reading do you have trouble with?”
“All of it, really. No . . .” She shook her head. If she was going to do this, she had to start in the right place. “I can read some things. Like a notice or something, where there’s just a few words. But if it’s a whole sheet of paper . . .”
“Well, that’s a good start. Maybe it’s your confidence as much as anything — that’s not unusual. And, of course, you have a very good vocabulary — I’ve heard you speak. In fact, haven’t I heard you speak a little French, and even German?”
“Well, yes,” Shelley confessed awkwardly. “Just how to say hello and things like that. I’ve picked it up when we’ve had people over for the golf tournaments.”
“See.” Lisa grinned. “I said you were bright.”
Shelley managed a smile. They both seemed to have so much faith in her. Maybe she could do this.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Kate looked up with a smile as Mike opened the door of the café. “Hi, Mike.”
He hesitated in the doorway. “Um . . . It’s nearly your closing time. Am I too late for a coffee?”
“Of course not. Have a seat and I’ll fetch it over.”
“Thank you.”
She poured his coffee, and one for herself, and took both over to his table.
“Isn’t it great news about the hotel?”
“Yes. Yes, it is.” He smiled, but it looked a little forced. “Very good news. You found out very quickly?”
“Debbie met Julia when she went to fetch Amy from school.” She stirred a swirl of cream into her coffee. “It’s really exciting. Fancy old Arthur’s grandson being so wealthy he can afford to buy it just like that.”
“Apparently he made his money in real estate in Canada.” Mike hadn’t touched his coffee. “He and Paul Channing are going into partnership.”
Kate frowned. “You don’t seem very happy about it.”
He sighed heavily. “I don’t really think I’d fit into their new plans.”
“Whyever not?”
“It’s just . . . I’m not very dynamic.” He had picked up one of the small packs of sugar — which he didn’t take in his coffee — and was twiddling it in his fingers. “It’s probably my fault that the owners have invested so little in the place. I haven’t been assertive enough.”
“You can’t blame yourself,” she protested, indignant on his behalf.
“I should have insisted on what we needed to do to keep the place looking smart. Used a bit of imagination to come up with new ideas.”
She leaned across the table and took his hand. “Mike, don’t even think it. You’ve kept the place running smoothly all these years, in spite of everything. You always turned up a regular profit, even if it wasn’t the sort of profit those greedy bean counters want. It isn’t your fault that the owners were so short-sighted. Paul and Alex will be much better.”
“They’ve got so many plans. I’m just afraid I’ll hold them back.”
“Oh, Mike. You mustn’t think like that. You’ve got so much knowledge, so much experience. They’d be lucky to have you. But whatever happens, you must do what’s right for you. Whether you stay or leave, it will all work out in the end. You’ll see.”
He smiled and lifted her hand to his lips, brushing a kiss across the back of her fingers. Just a fleeting touch, but it send a flood of warmth through her veins.
“You’re a good friend, Kate.”
