We stop at an arched doorway, with a hand-painted number 1 on the door, and I wait as Carolyn, fiddles with the keys, then swings the door open to what could only be described as ‘a room without a soul’.
“I know – sad isn’t it?” Her voice is tentative but she winces as she delivers the words.
Never one to mince my words I reply, directly. “Definitely in need of some love, but the possibilities are endless.”
“I knew you’d be able to pull something out of the bag. Shall I leave you to ‘get a feel’?”
“That would be great, Carolyn – which other rooms are you wanting to revamp at the same time?”
“Well Rooms 1- 5, really for now. They are all pretty much the same as here but this room’s probably the biggest of the five. I also want a bit of titivating in the hall, foyer, bar area downstairs but I’ll leave you the keys and go order us some tea and cakes. Just head on down when you’re done.”
“Any ideas what you are after? Anything in particular you don’t want or do want to incorporate?
“Not really – I loved what you did with The Queen’s Head up in The Lake District, that’s where my daughter first heard of you, I think, and providing it suits the Inn theme and isn’t too modern I’m open to almost anything – I’ve reached a dead end, hence why you are here!” her tinkly laugh is infectious and I smile encouragingly.
“No probs. Let me get a vibe for the rooms and I’ll be along soon. We can have a chat about it all then.”
I sense her retreat and set about making some notes. To be honest I already knew just how I was going to decorate this place – the theme I’d had in mind was perfect, now I’d seen it in person and I am excited about this new project. Looking throughout the rooms, there doesn’t appear to be a huge amount of building work to do, apart from renovating the bathrooms – they had to go!
I wonder who her daughter is? Maybe a previous client? Well thank you Miss Walters, whoever you are!
I make some detailed sketches and notes and weave my way between the corridors and different levels – this place would be fabulous to stay over with Sebastian. My body tingles at the thought of him. Keep it about the business. Something about hotels and just being around a bed makes me sizzle in desire for his touch. Then again, we seemed to always be around them and in them, these days. I still can’t stop thinking about our make-up yesterday at The Ashton. He’d hardly left me alone since and admittedly I’m glad.
Together we work, apart we … well, it’s a landslide.
I shake my head with a smile at my raging hormonal teenager antics and duck to miss clocking my head on a blackened beam as I head back towards the main bar and locate Carolyn, discussing that nights menus with her head chef. At my arrival she acknowledges me, and gestures for me to take a seat in the corner by the large open fire. It was lit, as the September weather was turning Autumnal but still slightly muggy; I could imagine in the winter it would be extremely romantic.
“So then – what do you think of our little Inn?” she takes a seat opposite me and clasps her hands.
“I think I’ve died and gone to heaven, Carolyn; seriously this place is…”
“…magical? Like a fairytale? Wind in the willows meets Goldilocks?”
We laugh in unison. “Yes! All of the above – I love it!”
“I’m so glad you get it. That way the rooms will be designed to fit the building but without being too themed? It’s a tough ask though – you think its your thing?”
“Of course. I already think I know what is required for this makeover.” I wrinkle my nose in certainty. I had this in the bag.
“Really?” her smile is back again “You’ve been bitten by The Fox?”
We are interrupted as a young waitress delivers pots of tea and beautiful mis-matched vintage china cups, followed by a cheese and chutney tray on a black slate slab and a cake stand with an array of prettily iced sweet bakes on doilies. Yum!
“Thank you, Sarah. Please tuck in, Lucia – you are our guinea pig today for the lemon curd frosted muffin – its Chef Rupert’s work of art.”
“Well bring it on! I’m more than happy to be a taster – this all looks delicious Carolyn but you didn’t need to go to so much trouble; honestly!”
“Nonsense – you look like you usually eat on the run, so tuck in whilst we talk. I insist.”
Helping myself to the lemoncella muffin that probably oozed calories but looked mouth-wateringly good, I pour my tea and continue. “The rooms and downstairs need a theme but nothing gimmicky. We need… Tartan. Lots and lots of tartan.”