"Hi, how's the holiday going?" she asked in a bright and breezy voice when Rachel answered.
Rachel sounded anything but bright and breezy. "Fine. Is anything wrong?"
"Not at all! Just wanted to check you two are doing what you're told for a change and relaxing."
There was a pause. "Of course."
"Much rain?"
"That's a given." Rachel forced a chuckle.
Laura frowned. "Are you okay?"
Another pause. "I'm fine, it's just a little early, that's all."
"Oops. Sorry. I just wanted to . . ."
There was a retching sound at the other end of the phone. "I'll ring you back!" Rachel gasped, and the phone went dead.
Laura stared at it in dismay. She'd been hoping for a little light banter before easing her way into the subject of Daniel and Stone Brothers, but Rachel sounded terrible. She looked guiltily at her watch. It was early. Maybe they'd only just got up.
When Rachel rang back five minutes later, she sounded a lot brighter—but they'd been friends a long time, and Laura knew it was forced.
"Rachel, what's wrong? You sound awful!"
"I . . . think I ate something dodgy yesterday," Rachel blustered. "It might have been the . . . er . . . the mussels."
"Rachel, you've been eating mussels for years with no prob—" Laura stopped dead. Early morning. Retching. That first night, when Laura arrived, she'd been pale and had barely eaten anything. Two plus two equals . . . "Rachel, are you pregnant?"
There was a long pause, and then her friend burst into tears. "Yes!"
"But that's wonderful! Aren't you . . . aren't you happy about it?"
"I'm happy about having a baby," Rachel managed between sobs. "I'm not happy about throwing up a dozen times a day. I can't eat anything. I feel sick all the time."
"That's a shame," Laura sympathised. "Especially on your holiday. Aren't you enjoying any of it?"
Rachel sighed. "It's nice to be away from the hotel with Paulo for a while. And it's nice seeing the family. Everyone's over the moon about the baby. We weren't going to tell anyone yet, but it's hard to keep it a secret when you've got your head in someone's toilet most of the time!"
Laura laughed. "Does Maria know?"
"Of course. She's no fool!"
"That she isn't." Laura thought about the permanent worry lines on Maria's brow. Maybe it wasn't only business that was occupying her. "And how does Paulo feel about it?" she asked.
"Proud. Scared. Crazy happy. Worried."
"Sounds about right for a first-time father." Laura's mind raced. No wonder the Silvas were worried about business. The possibility of losing some of their block bookings, the money that would be needed to get Teresa through the course she wanted to start next year, and now a baby on the way . . . Not only would there be another member of the family to take care of, but Rachel wouldn't be able to work so hard, which would mean taking on more staff.
The conversation Laura had originally planned suddenly seemed ill-timed. She'd wanted to tell them about Daniel, maybe ease some of their worries, but with Rachel so sick, it sounded like they had enough to deal with. This might be their last chance for a proper break before the baby came, and she didn't want to spoil what was left of it for them, or worse, have Paulo come rushing back on what might be a wild goose chase. Daniel had been complimentary about the hotel, but she needed to be sure his interest was genuine. She would speak to Paulo the minute he got back and ensure he got in touch as soon as possible. It was the best she could do.
"Take care, Rachel," she said with genuine feeling. "Try to enjoy yourself as best you can."
Tossing her phone onto the bed, Laura groaned with frustration. After the boat trip yesterday, followed by her conversation with Natalie, she'd decided she would be better avoiding Daniel if at all possible. Natalie was welcome to him if she was that determined to have him.
But Rachel's news had put paid to that. It seemed Laura was still on "keep the customer sweet" duty whether she liked it or not.
****
As it turned out, she needn't have worried. Either Daniel was busy with meetings and visits, or luck was giving her a break and making sure she didn't bump into him. Laura hadn't seen him for two days.
She'd spent the better part of those two days helping Maria and Teresa set out tables in the function room with spotless white linen and colourful flower arrangements. Further chairs spilled onto the lawns outside, and fairy lights had been strung between the fruit trees. Now, she surveyed the scene before her with pride. She couldn't help but think if she was ever foolish enough to consider getting married – which she doubted – then the Quinta Maria had to be the most beautiful setting anyone could wish for. Even the weather seemed to know it had to behave today. The early morning mist had long since cleared and it was sunny but not too hot, with dreamlike white clouds floating lazily across a perfect blue sky.
Satisfied everything was in order, she headed back to the house where Maria and Teresa had been slaving with the other help in the kitchen since dawn. Laura had attended numerous events during her stays here, and she never ceased to be filled with admiration for Maria's skill and special touches. Somehow she always made sure each event was perfect and unique.
"You look like you're all in need of a cup of tea!" Laura declared as hot, tired faces turned towards her.
"What a good idea!" Pushing aside some of the equipment on the large farmhouse table, Maria sank wearily onto a chair while Laura made tea and brought it to the table.
"Thank you. Is everything alright out there?" Maria asked anxiously.
"Absolutely gorgeous, just as it
