With raised eyebrows Maeve nodded and Nancy nodded too. ‘Good. Go through to the dining room and I’ll get Frank.’
Bess took a deep breath and put on a smile. ‘Coming for lunch?’ she asked, entering the office.
‘Yes, I’m starving.’ Frank put down the papers he’d been working on and, crossing the room, met Bess in the middle. ‘You’ve got to be strong,’ he said, looking into her eyes. ‘You knew this day would come and she would go back to Maeve.’
‘I know. And it isn’t as if we won’t see her again. I mean she’s only a few miles down the road. There’ll be no stopping her coming over when Aimee gets back.’
‘That’s right.’ Frank opened the door and stood to the side to allow Bess to leave first. ‘We’ll be in the dining room if anyone wants us,’ Frank said, as they passed Jack. Bess’s usual reminder to take messages and telephone numbers went unsaid. Today she had other things on her mind.
Bess had no appetite, but made the effort with a bowl of soup and a bread roll. When she had finished eating she remembered that, because Maeve was early, Jack hadn’t had his lunch. ‘I’ll be on reception,’ she said, leaving the table. ‘With one thing and another, Jack hasn’t had a break since this morning.’ Frank stood up at the same time. ‘You stay and finish your lunch, darling. Keep Maeve and Nancy company. See you before you go, sweetheart,’ she said to Nancy. And, putting on a smile, Bess hurried out of the dining room before the sadness she felt in her heart manifested in tears.
Soon after taking over from Jack, Bess saw Frank, Maeve and Nancy coming out of the dining room. ‘I’ll go up and get little one’s case,’ Frank said, leaving them at reception and heading towards the staff stairs.
Bess watched as Maeve held Nancy’s coat for her to put on. She then bent down and buttoned the coat up, straightened the left side of the collar so it was level with the right side. ‘There,’ she said, standing.
Frank was soon back with Nancy’s case. He gave it to Maeve. ‘Would you like me to drive you to Kirby Marlow?’
‘No, thank you. I borrowed Reverend Sykes’ car.’ Maeve turned and looked at Bess, Bess looked at her, and they both looked at Nancy. ‘Well, I suppose we’d better go and let Aunt Bess and Uncle Frank get back to work,’ Maeve said. ‘So, what do you say, Nancy?’
The little girl looked up at Bess. ‘Thank you for having me.’
‘It’s been a pleasure.’ Bess bent down and kissed Nancy’s cheek. ‘We’ve loved having you. Haven’t we Frank?’
‘We certainly have. Thank you for all the help you gave me, feeding the animals and collecting the eggs. I don’t know what I’d have done without you.’
A bit of an exaggeration, but a lovely thing to say, Bess thought.
Nancy ran to Frank and stood on tiptoe with her arms outstretched. Frank crouched down until his face was level with hers and she threw her arms around his neck. ‘Bye-bye, sweetheart.’ Nancy leaned in closer to Frank and hung on to him. ‘Come and see us anytime you like,’ Frank whispered. ‘We’ll always be here.’ He looked over the little girl’s head and Bess saw tears in his eyes.
Still clinging to him, her head buried in his chest, Nancy mumbled, ‘Look after the chickens, Uncle Frank.’
Frank laughed and cuffed away a tear, ‘I will.’
As the small party walked to the door, the telephone on the reception desk began to ring. Bess turned immediately. ‘I’ll get it,’ she said, relieved that she didn’t have to watch Nancy leave. ‘See you soon, Nancy,’ she called after the little girl, blowing her a kiss.
Bess clenched her fists, took a deep breath to stem her tears, and picked up the telephone. ‘Foxden Hotel. May I help you?’ It was a booking for two, arriving on Monday and staying for five days. When she replaced the receiver on its cradle, Bess gripped the edge of the desk and took another breath. She felt no calmer.
‘Well!’ Frank said, striding across the hall to her. ‘Saying goodbye to little Nancy was harder than I thought it would be.’
‘I was pleased when the telephone rang, to be honest.’
‘That’s why I didn’t offer to answer it. Hey?’ Frank said, putting his arms round Bess. ‘Why don’t you go into the office and make yourself a drink? Better still, make two, and add a drop of brandy to each of them.’
Wiping her eyes, Bess laughed. ‘Any excuse,’ she said. ‘But yes, I could do with a drink. Coffee for you?’
Frank nodded. ‘And then, why don’t you go up and have a lie down? I’ll finish your shift. I’m on tonight anyway.’
‘But then you won’t get a rest.’
‘Not sure I want one. I’m better staying busy.’
‘You liked having her here, didn’t you? I knew you would,’ Bess said.
‘I did. But, she has gone home with her aunt, which we knew she would do. So, where’s my coffee, woman?’
When Bess returned with Frank’s coffee, Jack was back from lunch. ‘Right, you stay here with Jack and cover the rest of my shift and,’ she looked at the clock, ‘I’ll be back before Jack leaves.’
‘We’re both on reception tonight. It’ll
