Summer Evenings at the Seafront Hotel: Exclusive Short Story Read Online Free PDF Page A

Giovanni. Is she OK? It’s just I haven’t heard from her lately, and we normally meet up most days.’
    ‘I don’t know,’ Giovanni shrugged. ‘She seems all right to me. But you know women.’
    Her mobile buzzed on the desk and she went to pick it up. A message, from Anton. She felt a fresh rush of excitement.
    I had a great time with you last night. Still thinking of that kiss Ax
    She smiled. As she wondered what to reply, another message arrived.
    Let’s do it again. Next Thursday?
    Playing hard to get wasn’t obligatory, was it? She typed back a message and sent it right away.
    Sure. That would be fun. x
    At home that evening, Cally’s dad brought a steaming hot plate of spaghetti to the table. ‘Dinner is served.’
    ‘I’m impressed,’ she said, putting down a mat for the hot dish. ‘It looks delicious. I always seem to end up with a mess of scrambled eggs when I try and make carbonara.’
    ‘You’ve been good to me lately,’ he said, sitting down. ‘I thought it was about time I put a meal on the table.’ He dished out the pasta.
    ‘I like cooking,’ she said. ‘But thank you.’
    She took a bite and murmured her appreciation.
    ‘So, how did it go last night?’
    ‘OK.’
    ‘Good OK, or OK OK?’
    ‘Dad!’ Cally protested.
    ‘Come on, humour me.’
    ‘Good OK, I think.’ A smile crept on to her face. Anton was from a world that was much more glamorous and exciting than her own – and he seemed to want her to be a part of it.
    ‘Do you think you’ll see each other again?’
    ‘Yes. We’ve already made a date, actually.’
    Cally felt a tingle in her stomach as she said it. She felt like she might be ready to open herself up to a new relationship, maybe trust again.
    Anton wasn’t someone she’d ever pictured herself with – in fact, if she’d imagined herself with anyone from the hotel it would have been Joe. He was the guy she clicked with, the one who made her laugh. And if she was honest with herself, she’d fancied Joe since school. But life surprised you sometimes – and maybe this could be the start of something with Anton.
    ‘That’s great. He clearly appreciates a good thing when he finds it. Not like …’ he stopped himself.
    ‘Not like Ryan?’
    ‘Sorry. Look, I had nothing against Ryan,’ her dad said. ‘He was a nice enough guy, but maybe he was too young for you. A bit immature.’
    Cally thought of Anton – he had the job, the ambition, the flat – he seemed settled, and grown up. A world away from Ryan.
    ‘I think this one is different.’

Chapter Five
Saturday 14 th July
    At the start of her working day, Cally found a note from her boss on her desk.
Most of first floor rooms ready for bookings now – work on Rooms 14-16 still delayed. Keep them empty for now
.
    She put it next to her computer. She’d had a few enquiries by email the day before, and was glad she’d be able to offer them the available rooms. She switched on her computer, and the welcome note sang out as it started up.
    Joe arrived at the reception desk, his brown hair ruffled and his cheeks glowing.
    ‘Bit early for the bar shift, isn’t it?’ Cally said.
    ‘I’m not in to work. Liliana called me.’
    Cally furrowed her brow. ‘She did?’
    ‘Yes. She said to meet her in Room fourteen.’
    ‘She called you at home? That’s a bit weird.’
    ‘She said it was urgent.’
    ‘Right. Well, you know how she likes a drama.’
    Joe raised his eyebrows.
    Cally realised that her words had come out sounding bitter, and she wished she could unsay them. It seemed her hurt at being ignored by Liliana had hardened into something else.
    ‘She said to get you.’
    ‘Me? I’ve got work to do,’ she shook her head. ‘I haven’t got time for a tea break. And she hasn’t wanted me around much lately, so I don’t know what’s changed.’
    Joe’s green eyes were fixed on her, imploring.
    ‘Cally. It sounded serious. Come up with me.’
    ‘All right,’ she said, reluctantly getting up