The Book Club Hotel

“It’s not just the kids. I can’t keep having babies to solve the problem. There will always be a ‘last baby.’”

“I know, but by then you’ll be too old to care.” Pete drank the espresso and then put the cup down carefully. “Do you want to know what I think?”

“I’m not sure. Do I? Your last suggestion bordered on wild.” Feeling shaken and unsettled, she walked across the kitchen and topped up Lola’s water bowl. She had a feeling Pete didn’t really understand, and perhaps wasn’t trying hard to understand, and that made her feel lonely. A ripple of panic spread through her. She never felt lonely in her marriage. When had Pete not understood? They talked about everything.

“I think we should get the tree together this weekend,” he said, “and then you should go away with your friends and enjoy yourself. You always love your week together. You come back buzzing. You really missed it this summer.”

“I know, but summer is different.”

“It doesn’t have to be. What’s cozier than curling up in a snowy inn talking about books?”

“Do you mind me going?”

“Mind? Of course not. You’re lucky, Anna. Books have been your hobby forever, and your book club has been a big thing for you since college. Go and have fun. Drink hot chocolate. Argue about plots and characters and inexplicable decisions. Forget about the kids. Christmas will still be here when you’re back. It’s not going anywhere.”

He was right, of course. Books were her hobby. Reading kept her going. Some people exercised, and Anna did try to exercise when she could summon the motivation, and some people meditated, but all Anna had to do to relax was pick up a book and she was immediately transported to another world. And it would be fun to spend time with her friends. Also, she was worried about Claudia and wanted to give her some support.

With that thought uppermost in her mind, she picked up the phone to Erica before she could change her mind.

Her friend answered immediately.

“I’m coming,” Anna said. “Book it now.”

“Did the kids try and stop you?”

She felt a pang. “They didn’t try and stop me.”

“Good. You deserve some time to yourself, Anna. Pack your winter clothing and your snowshoes. You’re going to have the time of your life and I promise I’m going to give you more Christmas atmosphere than you can handle.”

“That isn’t possible. I can handle a lot. You’ve reserved the rooms?”

“Not yet. I’ve been swamped with work. Why do companies cut corners and never think about the consequences? Anyway, now you’ve confirmed I’m going to call them first thing tomorrow because you know how fussy I am about details. Claudia emailed me to say she’s in, so I’m booking three rooms at the Maple Sugar Inn. Hot chocolate. Cookies. It will be like those late nights back in college when we all curled up and tasted whatever Claudia had baked. Did you read the stuff I sent through about the place?”

“Yes. It looks idyllic.” Anna wondered what it would be like to wake up every day to that view. She felt a flash of envy. “And although it’s horrible that she lost her husband, at least Hattie Coleman is able to carry on their dream. I’m sure that brings her comfort.”



FIVE


Hattie

“The pillow is too hard. I don’t like a hard pillow.” The woman glared at Hattie. “I haven’t slept a wink.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Mrs. Green.” Her apology was genuine, as was her feeling of sympathy. If anyone understood the impact of lack of sleep it was her, but right now even if she slept on a fluffy cloud she doubted she’d be able to switch her brain off. “I’ll ask the housekeeping staff to give you fresh pillows.”

“Don’t give me the ones I had on the first night. They were too soft.”

Too hard, too soft—it was like trying to please Goldilocks, Hattie thought. Still, trying to make sure the guests had a perfect stay was the part of the job she enjoyed. She wanted to give them a moment they’d remember forever, because those moments were important. Happy moments sustained you when life was hard.

“I’m going to ask Chloe to bring you a selection so you can choose,” she said. “It’s important to us that you’re comfortable. We’ll make it a priority to sort it out, I promise. In the meantime, if you head into the dining room I’ll make sure the staff gives you your favorite table overlooking the river and the mountains. We have eggs Benedict on the menu. Chef’s specialty. I recommend it.”

The phone rang and Hattie waited for Mrs. Green to head into the dining room for breakfast before she answered it.

“Maple Sugar Inn, how may I help you?”

“I’d like to book three rooms for the middle of December. My friends and I meet every year in a different hotel for our book club so three rooms close together would be appreciated if that’s possible.” The woman’s voice was crisp and professional and Hattie felt a stab of envy. What wouldn’t she give to be spending a week with friends, talking about books? Before she’d met Brent she’d worked briefly in a bookshop. She loved reading, but these days the only books she read were children’s books with Delphi. So far this week she’d read about dinosaurs, sharks and a walrus who hated his tusks.

She was too busy to read any of the novels waiting on her nightstand, and then there was her concentration, which, since Brent had died, had been shot to pieces.

She checked her computer screen. “You’re in luck. We have three rooms left for those dates so I can reserve those for you now. My name is Hattie, by the way. I should have said that right away.” There was no response and Hattie frowned. “Hello? Are you still there?”

The woman cleared her throat. “Yes.”

“Oh, good. I thought for a moment that I’d managed to cut you off.”

“You’re Hattie.”

“That’s right.” There was something strange about this conversation. “And I have three rooms, if you’d like them.”

There was a pause. “What’s your cancellation policy?”

Hattie was confused. The woman hadn’t even booked yet, and she was thinking of canceling? “We always try to find you an alternative date. If we can rebook the rooms then we just charge a small admin fee.” It was all on the website. Was this conversation weird or was she tired? “Would you like to go ahead?”

There was another long pause. “Yes. Let’s do it.”

Hattie blocked the dates in her system. Maybe the woman was stressed about Christmas. The season did strange things to people. “A book club, you say? In that case, you’ll need somewhere to sit and chat. Your rooms are lovely, but the seating area is a little tight for three. Would you like me to reserve the library for you and your friends? It’s the perfect place.”

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