A Sanctuary for Elle (12 page)

Elle was ready to burst,' Tell me then?! What do you think happened?'

'Will you give me two minutes?  I need to make a quick phone call.'

W
ithout waiting for her to answer, he strode ten feet away from her and started speaking into his mobile.  At the beginning of the conversation he was angrily cold, speaking in a flat tone.  As she watched him he grew more agitated and began to bark orders
down the phone.  He was throwing his arms out, gesticulating.  Whatever he was hearing, he was angry.  She could see it in his stance.  She wished she could hear the conversation but the wind was strong and his voice was swept away in it.  She waited pati
e
ntly and then eagerly looked up as he turned back and stomped over to her, clearly annoyed. 

Mark rejoined Elle, fury in his eyes.  Elle was desperate to know what he knew.

'Tell me, Mark.  What?'

'It was as I suspected.  It's true I didn't harass your Gr
andmother.  But one of my partners, my colleague did.  His name is David Wenlock, he's young, ruthless and ambitious.  He knew of The Sanctuary and I have just found out that when I let it go, he didn't.  He thought, this is it, this is the big one, the o
n
e that will make me.  He went after The Sanctuary via your Grandmother and I've just sacked him.  He didn't even recognise what he had done may have been upsetting or distressing.  He was so blinded by the greed, the chance to succeed in this cut-throat b
u
siness we work in.  I can't apologise enough Elle.  Despite it not being me directly, I feel responsible.  He worked for me.  I am heartbroken at the thought that his actions effected your Grandmother's poor health.  Tell me Elle, do you think that was th
e
case?'

Elle was angry with this faceless man he spoke of but at the same time it made sense now.  This man before her was honest, was the kind character she had seen in him from day one.  She was pleased for that, she just needed him to know that she no l
onger held anything against him.

'I think that my Grandmother was seriously ill.  That 'other thing' she needed to talk to me about in the voice mail.  It was that she had been battling cancer.  For too long.  And it was beating her.  She had been told tha
t she didn't have long left, to sort out her affairs.  She hadn't told me.  She didn't tell me Mark.  Why didn't she tell me?  I would have been home before she finished telling me!' Elle's eyes brimmed then overflowed with tears. 'I'm sorry, Mark.  No, y
o
u're not responsible, not even indirectly.  I will be wanting to have a few choice words with your ex-colleague but not you.  I'm glad that you were respectful and kind towards Nen, glad you are honest like you said.  I'm actually relieved overall because
I like you.  I wanted to still be able to like you.  So I guess its good it turned out like this.'

'Elle, I'm so sorry.  So sorry for your loss.  Can I hold you?' Mark was so unsure of how she would react, of what she needed from him right now.

Elle steppe
d into his arms without a second thought.  She let him hold her and she cried into his shoulder, releasing the grief and allowing herself to feel all of the emotions she kept inside.

After a while, Mark eased Elle back off his shoulder. 'Come on, sweetie.
Lets take you back.  It's getting cold.'

They wandered back arm in arm.  When they reached the house Elle felt herself drawn to The Sanctuary and she veered off towards it.  She looked to Mark and he followed her over the gravel pathway to the stunning bu
ilding.  She unlocked the grand front door and wandered into the marble-covered entrance.  She stood there gazing around until Mark joined her behind her.  He placed his hands on her shoulders and massaged her gently.

'This was my home Mark.  It's like a s
hadow. You wouldn't believe how much life used to flow through these hallways.  It's just sad.  It makes me sad.  I want to do so much.  Bring it back.' She looked around wistfully, off in her own little world, imagining it when the work had been complete
d.

'Tell me your plans.  Share your vision with me,' Mark implored.

'Really? Are you really interested?'

'Of course I am, Elle.  I look around this place and all I see is possibility. I would love to hear what your plans are, how you'll recreate the hotel t
hat existed before.  Tell me.'

He did look genuinely interested so she began to walk him through how she envisioned The Sanctuary.  She explained how things used to look, where items were placed, how areas were run.  Mark listened attentively and even suggested a few things she hadn't
t
hought of which she was surprised to find that she liked.  He was really interested as well and she found herself more enthused as she spoke of her ideas. 

They finished the tour back in the marble hallway where they had started.  'It's going to be amazin
g Elle, I can hear it as you speak.  I think you've got fantastic ideas.'

'Oh not really Mark.  Most of my plans come from things I remember from before.  I'm just impatient for it to be done, for me to snap my fingers and it be up and running.  I know tha
t's not possible but it'd be good.'

mark chuckled.  'Patience, patience Elle. All in good time.  Thing is, if you want things done fast, they can be. That it, if you have the cash.  It often costs to be quick.  I could give you names of reliable tradesmen
that would do the work well.'

'Thanks Mark, that would be really helpful.'

They wandered back out of the hotel and down the path towards their houses.  Elle was unsure now of their next step.  Should she invite him in?  Or maybe let things slow down a litt
le.

'When do you have to be at work?' Elle asked as they arrived at her gate.

'In about an hour.  We could have a coffee if you like.  I've just got myself a flash, new machine.'

'That sounds great.'

Mark and Elle walked down his path and into the house. 
As she walked in she realised he had been very busy inside.  Gone were the floral prints and patterned rugs Margaret had favoured.  Mark had redecorated with muted tones, clear of all clutter with the occasional elegant piece of tasteful wooden furniture.
She wandered around slowly taking it in, liking what she saw.  He had good taste and it actually fitted with hers.

'I like what you've done with the place.'

'Thanks.  I've been quite busy here, worked into the night a lot but it feels so good to do the w
ork yourself.  I feel proud of what I've accomplished.' Mark looked around the room, pleased with his handiwork.

'You should be.  It's really good.  I love the natural effect you've created.'

'I'm glad, I was hoping you would like it.'

Elle was curious.  '
Why?'

'Because you're opinion matters to me Elle.' Mark gave her shoulders a squeeze and a small peck on the cheek before heading into the kitchen.

Well, that was nice.  To have someone who thought she mattered was really sweet.  To have someone value her
opinions good too.  What had she been doing with her ex-boyfriend?  He had really treated her unkindly. 

Elle sat at Mark's kitchen table and became more curious about the man making her coffee. What did she really know about him?  Oh she knew he was kind
and honest.  She knew he had good morals and did the right thing.  She knew he was a talented lover who knew his way around a woman's body.  But what about the other things.  He had said he had a large family, but nothing more.  He worked in property, bu
t
she knew none of the details.  What were his likes, his dislikes?

Elle wanted to know all of these things and was surprised that she wanted to know them now.  She knew she was being impatient but she wanted to know him, all of him.  She liked so much abou
t him she wanted to know even more. 

Mark finished making the coffee and laid the mugs and pot on the table. He also brought cream, milk and sugar. Elle poured herself a cup to her preference as he did the same.

'Go on then,' Mark said to her, a sardonic
look on his face.

'What?' Elle remarked surprised.

'I can practically hear your mind whirling.  What do you want to say to me?'

Elle was shocked he was so perceptive but took the opportunity as it presented itself.  'I was just thinking that I don't know m
uch about you really.  I know the basics but up till now its been me telling you everything about my life.  I don't know anything about your family, anything really about what you do, where you grew up, what your likes and dislikes are..'

Mark laughed, thr
owing his head back.  'I didn't realise you were this impatient to know all there is to know about me! I'm beginning to notice that its a bit of a character trait in you.  You do realise half the fun is taking the time to get to know each other?'

Elle just
smiled at him. The warmth he saw in her face made him concede.

'Okay.  What do you want to know?'

'Tell me about your family.'

'Okay. Well I grew up 5 miles from here, North Wales born and bred.  We lived in a simple two up, two down.  Mum and Dad both wo
rked but neither earned much so we lived a tight existence.  I'm the eldest, I have two younger brothers-Jack and Daniel.  I also have a sister, Amy.  Jack married last year and he and his wife Rosie are expecting their first.  Jack is a pilot.  Daniel is
newly engaged.  He's absolutely besotted right now and its all about weddings with him.  Amy is my youngest sibling.  She is five years younger than me, already married and settled and has three children-Billy, Ellie and Lucy.  She is now a full time Mum,
she actually married a pretty great guy who provides for her and the kids well, he's in finance.  Mum and Dad are still here in Wales.  I bought them a nice, big place when I began earning the big money.  They love the mountains so they would never be hap
p
y anywhere but they are happier now they don't have to worry about money so much.'

Mark paused and looked out the window.  He breathed deeply and then continued. 'We try and get together often.  There are family gatherings ou
t at my parent's place at least once every couple of months.  It's good to keep on touch, don't get me wrong, but there's so many of them.  All with their opinions about my personal life.  It can get annoying.  You don't want to hear this though.'

'Yes I d
o.  It's fascinating to me.  I don't have that family thing going on in my life. It's interesting to me.  Go on, what are they bugging you about?'

'Well, in their eyes I should be married by now, settled.  Two point four children playing in the garden.  I'
m the eldest and I think everyone thought I would be settled by now.'

'And what is it you want Mark.  Do you want to settle?'

'I do, Elle. I really do.  I've accomplished more than enough in my professional life now.  I've earned enough money so that I don
't have to work again if I didn't want to.  I feel like I'm missing something Elle.  That's one of the reasons I bought the house.  I want to feel settled, I want to have a personal life.  I want a family.  But the thing is, I haven't found it yet.'

Elle h
ad been listening attentively and his last few words stung bitterly.  'You haven't?'

'No, up until I met you I hadn't even considered it.'

'Up until you met me?'  Hope sprung up from deep inside her.

'Yes.  I know neither one of us is quite ready for this
conversation but I will say this.  There is something between us Elle.  Something different, special. I for one want to find out more.  I don't want to scare you away, or put myself in a position where I end up being hurt but I can see a future with you E
l
le.  I'm talking long term.  I just want a little time to get to know you more, to find out about each other, to just see where this is headed. Does that scare you?'

Elle smiled at him, pleased beyond words that they were experiencing the same emotions.  '
No.  It doesn't scare me, Mark.'

'Great.  Good.  With that in mind, I have a proposition for you.'

Chapter 11

'Date me.'

'Excuse me?' Elle looked blankly at Mark.

'I said, date me.  Come out with me on a date.'

'And why would I want to do that,' Elle smi
led as she made him work for it.  He looked so earnest, asking her out for the first time.  She wanted to laugh, but instead just grinned at him.

'You should come out with me because I'll make it the best date you've ever been on.'

Mark smiled back at Elle
, loving the playfulness he saw in her face.  It reminded him of the carefree moments they had shared together in the landslide. 

'The best date ever! Well, what does that consist if?'

'That would be telling.  How about you let me surprise you.  If you lo
ve it, you can reward me.'