Page 129 of The Making of Jonty Bloom
“But you don’t get those views in the south.”
“Which will be reflected in the price.”
DEVAN PULLED UP OUTSIDE TAY’Shouse. “I’ll try to be as quick as I can. I’m looking forward to that pizza you promised. Tay could come and eat with us if he wanted to.”
“He won’t be able to. When you get back, I’ll introduce you to him, as long as his mum’s okay with that.” Jonty pecked him on the cheek and climbed out of the car.
What was wrong with Tay? Devan couldn’t figure it out. He carried on toward McAllister’s hoping this was all going to be straightforward.
THE WEDDING HIT HIM BEFOREhe’d even walked across the car park, loud music and guests milling around outside, even though it was cold. Inside, the bride and groom were having pictures taken on the stairs, which had been draped with flowers.Thank God I didn’t marry Ravi.Devan didn’t have one single pang of regret. One week with Jonty and his head had finally cleared.
Clara and Roger were waiting in his room. Clara sat at the desk while Roger was on the bed with his drawing pad.
“Hi guys.” Devan closed the door.
“Hi, Devan.” Clara smiled at him. “This site is amazing. The beach is fabulous. We went for a quick walk. I’ve never been to Northumberland before.”
“I have,” Roger said. “It’s bloody cold up here.”
Devan sat on one of the chairs. “So what’s the verdict?”
“I love it.” Roger passed him his sketch pad. “There’s so much potential.”
Devan went through the drawings the architect had done. A magnificent new entrance, much larger. Extended glass fronted balconies for each room. A new build at the side of the hotel that would contain the spa and have additional guest rooms above. Meeting rooms. A way of making a large ballroom. Roger hadn’t been short of ideas. Including a helipad.
“That could go nearby,” Roger said. “A field a couple of miles away if necessary. As long as the council gives planning consent.”
“You know it’s an area of outstanding natural beauty?” Devan asked.
“Yes, but developing this place would give a bump to local businesses and provide more jobs. Our hotel would draw people who’ve never come up here before which in turn draws even more.”
“The growth potential is huge.” Clara talked about revenue streams and income projection. Her figures looked good and were in line with Devan’s.
“A state-of-the-art spa with qualified therapeutic staff would be a big draw,” Roger said. “Having sports facilities as part of what we’d offer as well is brilliant. Padi diving, fishing, surfing, sightseeing, sea kayaking. Any filming being done up here, then this hotel would be the place where the stars would stay. It has everything but the sunshine.”
“Which is a big disadvantage,” Clara said.
“But celebrities and wealthy people don’t go to a hotel to sunbathe. Not in the UK anyway,” Roger pointed out.
“True.” Clara put her laptop on the table between her and Devan. “The rough costs for renovation, but they are very rough.”
“Eight hundred thousand.” Devan thought that was at the low end.
“Not enough?”
“No. Let’s have another look. Did you check out the places coming up for auction that Alan found?” Devan asked.
“Yes, but this offers the best potential by far,” Roger said which was what Devan had thought.
THE DISCUSSION DIDN’T TAKE ASlong as Devan had expected. He didn’t need Alan’s go ahead to make the offer, all he needed was Hamish to say yes. Devan made the call and put it on speaker phone.
“Hamish McAllister.”
“Hi, it’s Devan Smith. I’m calling with an offer.”
“Go ahead.”
“One point two million.” Devan expected to be pushed up, but he’d had to pitch it at a point that wasn’t insulting.
