The Little French Guesthouse by Helen Pollard Read Free Book Online Page A

upstairs, leaving me to gape after them in wonder.
    ‘Really, some people!’ I spluttered. ‘What do they think this is, a five-star bloody hotel?’
    But to my surprise, Rupert began to laugh. It started as a slow rumble deep in his chest, bubbling from his mouth in a delighted splutter. ‘Ring for the bellboy, Emmy, there’s a good girl.’
    There was no option but to see the funny side. If I didn’t laugh, I’d have to cry. In a glorious release of misery and tension, we laughed until the tears rolled down our faces. I hoped the Hendersons couldn’t hear us, but they were probably too busy inspecting every square inch of their room for dust and defects.
    When Nathan returned from his drive, Rupert’s face was purple, and when he laughed, pain shot through his leg so his laughter was interspersed with shouts of agony. The stitch in my side had me doubled up so badly that I’d subsided into an untidy heap against the pale yellow wall. The distaste on Nathan’s face only made us laugh harder.
    ‘Bellboy!’ Rupert stage-whispered to me, pointing at Nathan.
    I howled with merriment.
    Nathan glared at us. ‘What’s so funny?’ he snapped. ‘For crying out loud, Em, get a grip.’
    ‘Can’t,’ I spluttered. ‘Ouch!’ Clutching my side, I tried to get myself under control as Nathan waited impatiently for an explanation. I couldn’t be bothered with one. He was hardly likely to see the funny side. ‘You need to bring the Hendersons’ luggage in and take it up to their room.’
    ‘What?’
    ‘The Hendersons’ luggage. You...’
    ‘I heard. You must be joking! I’m not ferrying luggage about. I’m a guest here myself.’
    His high-handed response sobered me up quicker than a hard slap.
    ‘Rupert can’t do it and Gloria’s still lying down,’ I told him. ‘You could wake her up – I’m sure that would make you popular. As for me, I’m messy and tired and I’ve just spent the last two hours mincing and chopping while you went for a drive. It won’t kill you, surely?’
    Nathan’s face was mutinous as he stared me down. Contempt was written across his face in capital letters. ‘Emmy, I haven’t paid good money to come on some sort of working holiday. I’m sorry Rupert isn’t well, but he’s running a business andhe needs to sort it out. He’ll have to get hired help in. It’s not your job to slave away cooking and cleaning, and it’s not his job to sit and watch while you do it.’
    I opened my mouth to point out that he’d been more than happy to offer his bed-making services to Gloria, but thankfully Rupert cut across me.
    ‘You’re quite right, Nathan,’ he said, his voice steady. ‘Emmy has gone above and beyond the call of duty, and yes, I do need to sort something out, but I hadn’t expected Gloria to be so indisposed. This is a one-off, I assure you. I appreciate Emmy mucking in, and I’ll make sure it’s reflected in your bill.’
    ‘Oh, Rupert, that’s not necessary,’ I chipped in, upset that Nathan had made him grovel.
    ‘If Rupert wants to make the gesture, Emmy, then of course it’s necessary,’ Nathan said. ‘It’s a matter of principle, after all.’
    Uh-oh. Bad choice of words, Nathan.
    ‘A matter of principle? Well, of course, you’d know all about principles! ’ I stopped. ‘Oh, just bring the bloody bags in.’
    ‘Why can’t the bloody Hendersons bring their own bloody bags in? Are they crippled?’
    ‘No, but you will be if you don’t...’
    ‘I can hear that racket down the hall.’ Gloria appeared in the doorway, freshly coiffed and made up. It was good to know her conveniently-timed lie down had resulted in a full recovery.

4
    S omehow , we ended up with delicious antipasto – juicy olives, vine-ripened tomatoes, slivers of smoked chicken, vegetable crudités (chopped into perfect matchsticks by me as per Rupert’s instructions) with balsamic vinegar to dip them in – followed by a tasty country casserole. I enjoyed this very much, until