‘Oh that’s fine, really’ said the Englishman, brightening. ‘I go into my own little world when I’m working. A brass band couldn’t distract me. And I’ll be no trouble at all. I’ll be in my room mostly, or on the beach. I’ll wash my own things and I’ll eat what you eat and when you do. I’m not at all fussy.’

Penny found him impossible to put off and a little charming, so just like that, the Bay Hotel had a single guest.

His name was Colin Forbes and as he’d told Penny, he was a novelist, intent on finding inspiration while at their hotel. Certainly plenty of drama around here at the moment, she thought, showing Colin to a quiet and drip-free room at the back of the hotel. Just don’t expect the obligatory happily ever after.

Chapter 16

That afternoon, Elle’s first meeting in Mulberry Bay was with Jim and Della Cleary, who ran the builders providers. It’s where Rob got all his materials from and he’d insisted that they would be only too happy to help.

Elle refused the coffee and biscuits the wife had set out, thinking that it might seem a bit unprofessional to be munching on biscuits while outlining a business proposal. Della had looked askance at Elle’s suit when she greeted her. Della herself was wearing overalls, but that was basically a work suit when you were in the hardware business.

‘Well, I won’t waste your time,’ Elle began quickly, just as Jim had opened his mouth to talk about the weather. ‘Our proposal is quite simple. You support our cause by donating some resources to the Bay Hotel or providing some at a discounted price. Then in return, when the hotel starts making a profit you are considered an investor, and will thus see a financial gain.’ Her words came out like bullets, Elle knew, but she felt extremely ill at ease.

Jim and Della looked at each other doubtfully. Elle hated how married people always thought their ‘secret’ communications weren’t completely visible when it was usually painfully obvious what they were thinking.

‘It’s not exactly what we discussed with Rob . . .’ said Jim slowly and Della shook her head in unison.

‘It could turn out to be quite lucrative, I assure you,’ Elle insisted.

‘Yes, but it’s not very . . .’ Della didn’t finish her sentence and the three sat there uncomfortably, unsure what to say.

‘Fine,’ Elle said, standing up. ‘I won’t take up any more of your time. Thank you for seeing me anyway.’

And before Della or Jim could say another word, Elle had shown herself out of the warehouse.