A Sanctuary for Elle (18 page)

'I can head over now if you like
.  I'll be about half an hour.'

'Great.  Look forward to seeing you.'

The women hung up and Elle tidied away the papers spread out on the table.  She then went on the hunt for some biscuits and cake, anything she could offer her guests.  She tried to recal
l any more information about Lucy and her background but she didn't think her grandmother had mentioned her.  She knew John had retired some years ago.  Interesting for his daughter to be looking for the same job as her father had once held. John had been
wonderful, a kind but dedicated, thorough manager.  If Lucy followed in his footsteps then she would be the perfect employee for The Sanctuary. 

Lucy arrived half an hour later.  When Elle opened the door, the woman before her smiled widely and bustled in
, baby on her hip, bag on the other side. Elle ushered her to the sofa where she settled down and plopped the little boy on the floor.

'Wow, you look amazing Elle.  The stories I've heard about your modelling, the glamour, the places you've been.  Wow.'

El
le chuckled.  'It's overrated! I'm very glad to be home at last.'

Lucy smiled.  'Well, you still look great.'

'Thanks.'  Elle was already just slightly in love with the little boy crawling all over her leg.  'This little guy is adorable.  What's his name?'

'Joshua. He's a sweetheart, and a handful.  Getting to that stage where he's into everything.'

Joshua was now pulling himself up on her leg and once he managed to stand he help his arms out to Elle.

Elle looked up at Lucy, questioningly.  Lucy nodded to g
o ahead so Elle lifted the little bundle into her arms and nestled him on her lap.  He felt soft and warm and smiled a goofy grin at her which to her horror brought tears to her eyes,

Lucy noticed Elle's reaction immediately and shuffled around the sofa to
sit beside her quickly.

'Elle, what on earth's the matter?'

'Oh, I'm sorry.  It's just he's so lovely, and so sweet.  And well, the thing is..I'm pregnant.  And in love.  But the father doesn't know yet, I don't know how to tell him and I'm terrified.'  E
lle let the words out in a brief tumble, all of her inner turmoil rushing out in a whirl.  She felt awful offloading onto Lucy but the other woman didn't seem to mind at all.

'Elle, hey, don't cry.  Pregnancy is an emotional time.  You'll find yourself cry
ing all the time, sometimes for no reason at all.  Tell me, this fella of yours, does he love you?'

'Yes.  I mean, I think so.  Well yes, I think he does. Although we haven't said those actual words yet. He's away at the moment tying up his business so tha
t he can work at home and be with me.'

'Ah! So that tells you a lot.  If he loves you, it'll be fine.' Lucy sounded sure of it.

'I'm just so scared Lucy.  This wasn't planned at all.  I've had no family for so long and now it seems, I suddenly have a complete unit!'

'Sometimes life has a way of working itself out like that.' Lucy said thoughtfully.  She took the squirming little bo
y from Elle who was beginning to struggle and told her about her own story. 'My little boy here, he's a miracle Elle.  Jack and I were overjoyed two years ago to be pregnant, Elle.  We went through the whole thing oblivious to any problems.  Then, right a
t
the end of the pregnancy, we lost her.  She died.  She ended having to be born stillborn.  We were devastated.  I almost lost myself.  The desire to have a child was still so great though Elle. We tried again and almost a year to the date of losing our d
a
ughter, we had this little bundle of joy.  And it is wonderful, Elle.  Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.  It's why we're here. It changes your world, and for the better.  Life is never the same after you have had a child.  You're changed forever.  They
bring the reality of life back to you, they bring the joy of childhood fresh into your days.  You may be scared right now Elle, but I promise you, this baby will be the most amazing thing you have ever done.'

Elle looked into Lucy's shining brown eyes, fre
sh tears in her own eyes from the woman's sad story. 'I'm so sorry you lost your baby Lucy.  I am being so silly.  You're right. Its a miracle.  I'm overjoyed, really I am.  Thank you.  Thank you so much.  I didn't mean to put all this on you!  You came t
o
talk about the job!'

'Yes.  I did.  But also to remember a friendship, and hopefully we can renew it.  I have few friends left in the village, when I heard you had returned I hoped we would become close again.'

Elle smiled, feeling happy. 'I'd love that L
ucy.  I could do with a good friend right now!'

'Well consider yourself sorted.  One friend, at your disposal!'

'Thanks, I appreciate it.  So about the job?'

'Yes.  Well, the thing is before having Josh I worked at many different hotels after working in Th
e Sanctuary.  I've managed one for five years and it was very successful. I have good references for my work there.  When I saw your advert I thought it looked perfect.  I need to start earning some money now Josh is past one year old.  I thought it would
be worth enquiring about anyway.'

'It sounds perfect.  What about Josh, what will you do while you work?'

'Well, my Mum is still local and willing to have him, and there's always nursery's.  It wouldn't be a problem.'

'Wouldn't you miss him though?'

Lucy l
ooked downwards towards her little boy, 'Well, I guess so.  But I would adjust.'

Elle spoke as she thought out loud, 'What if we set up our own creche in The Sanctuary once we're up and running. It would be good for you, and me when I have the baby.  Think
about the guests as well, I'm sure they would find a creche useful if they wanted some adult time or something.'

'It's a wonderful idea, Elle.' Lucy's face lit up with the brilliant idea. 

'I definitely want a family orientated hotel and this could be an
advertising point, that we have our own fully run creche.'  Elle mulled on the idea, it could be advantageous on many levels. 

'Not many hotels offer that too so it could be something that makes 'The Sanctuary' stand out from other local hotels.'  Lucy m
ade a lot of sense.

'So tell me Lucy, do you think you could run an operation like 'The Sanctuary.'  You see what I'm looking for is a hands on manager who can deal with all the day to day aspects of running the hotel. I want to be able to oversea everythi
ng but not be tied down to the nitty gritty aspects of managing the hotel, the staff, the restaurant etcetera.  I'm willing to offer a good salary for the hotel to be run well.'

'Well, I have plenty of experience Elle.  I was manager of 'The Horse and Houn
d' for four years and then I went on the manage 'Ty Gwyn' for seven years before I left to have Josh.  I know what I'm doing, I like a challenge and I'm a hard worker.  I think I would be a really good manager for you.  Here, I printed my CV and I have se
v
eral references of people you can talk to about my experience.' 

Elle looked down at the paper holding Lucy's work history.  It seemed perfect and she was the type of person she wanted involved, clearly family orientated and with enough knowledge and know
how to get on with the job.  Elle needed someone who had done this before as she didn't have a clue!

'Great, Lucy.  What I will do is speak to your references and then we can get together again.  How about that?'

'That sounds great, thanks for your time t
oday Elle.  It has been lovely to see you again.  And you know what? You're going to be fine.  You'll be a wonderful Mum as you already care so much for the baby growing inside you.  I'm sure it will work out just fine.'

'Thanks Lucy, that's exactly what I
needed to hear today and sorry if I offloaded on you so much! I think I needed someone to talk to.' Elle smiled at her renewed friend. 

'Any time, and I mean that-you know even  if the job doesn't work out, I hope we'll be friends.  Our babies could play
together.'

'What a lovely thought Lucy.  Yes, I am sure we're going to be good friends.'  Elle hugged Lucy and gave Josh a kiss on his head.  He gave her a toothy grin as Lucy collected her bag and coats. 

'See you soon then,' Elle opened the door for he
r friend.

'Yes, definitely.  See you soon.  Bye.'

Elle watched as Lucy secured Josh in his car seat and then reversed down the gravel path.  She waved and then went back inside.  Elle went straight to the phone and spoke to both people list
ed on Lucy's CV.  They both gave Lucy glowing recommendations and by the time Elle had finished she was sure she had found the right manager for The Sanctuary.  Later in the evening she phoned Lucy and offered her the job.  Lucy was overjoyed and they arr
a
nged to meet later in the week.  Elle gave Lucy the task of making a list of the staff she would need in full so that they could advertise and start interviewing for the posts together.  Lucy assured her that she would have the list ready for the next mee
t
ing and they hung up, both feeling happy. 

Elle spent the next few days unloading the mass of furniture that had been delivered to the hotel.  The large items were moved by some of the workmen she had employed, rooms began to take shape as the beds began
to fill them.  Elle positioned all the smaller items herself and began to dress the rooms attractively as all the painting was complete and the carpet fitter had laid all of the carpet that was going down.  Elle had chosen a neutral colour for the rooms s
o
she added a different colour for each room so she could label them as the 'pink' room or the 'green' room.  This would help to manage the various rooms.

Elle found the perfect area for the nursery/creche area.  They had a room which they had once called
'The Sunshine Room' as it was similar to a conservatory as it was heavily windowed and always sunny and pleasant.  It was large and secure and downstairs, just off from the main hall area. It could easily be changed into a large, playroom which could cate
r
for about fifteen toddlers or babies.  Elle stood in the doorway to the room and made notes for what they needed.  The list she made quickly grew and she then ran upstairs and made yet another internet order which was available for 24 hour delivery.  She
clicked confirm and the order was placed.  Elle went back to making up beds with brand new linen and dressing the rooms with side-tables, paintings, lights and complimentary toiletries.  There were 13 bedrooms in total, two single rooms, ten spacious doub
l
e rooms and one massive room which was called 'The family room' but which was also sometimes used as an executive suite.  Elle finished dressing the rooms and was pleased with her accomplishment.  The single rooms were basic and yet warmly comfortable.  T
h
e rooms which held double beds were more spacious, they were all attached to en-suites.  Elle had added personal touches to each room and they were all looking plush, comfortable and luxurious.  The family room held a double bed, a single bed and a cot. 
I
t had a toy chest and wardrobe and chest of drawers.  There was a large bathroom attached with a jacuzzi style bath installed with a separate shower as well.

Elle took the order in the following day for the creche.  The delivery men carried the mass of boxes into 'The Sunshine Room' and once they had left, Elle started unpacking.  As the room had fresh carpet she could place things where they would stay.  She
h
ad ordered a large snakes and ladders rug which she laid in one end of the room, next to which she placed an adult low chair where stories could be read. Four large book holders were put in that area too which would be filled with stories for the children.
  In the other end a role play corner was set up where the children could go in and out of the little house she had bought.  Into the house she put the wooden kitchen she had bought and the pretend washing machine and ironing board.  In the centre of the
r
oom she added the pint-size tables and chair which the children could sit at and draw, play and eat at. 

When she was finished she sat down on a chair and looked at the lovely scene she had created.  A few more toys and she would have a fully functioning
nursery room. The room made her smile. It was colourful, so colourful.  Toys and puzzles everywhere, children's toys and games littering the sides.  It made her think of the child she carried.  She ran a hand across her belly and thought of the child play
i
ng in this room. Would it be a little boy, with Mark's impish grin? Or would it be a little girl with her long, dark hair running freely down her back?  They would surely love playing in here, she thought.  That was a definite. 

Elle made herself got up b
ut the movement seemed to shock her system.  She felt uneasy all of a sudden and found herself stumbling towards the nearest bathroom.  Inside the room she leant on the sink as she waited for the uneasy feeling to dissipate.  Instead of getting any better
it felt worse for a moment and then to her surprise Elle was sick in the sink.  It came as if from nowhere and after washing her face and mouth out he felt a lot better.  Elle looked at herself in the mirror.  Morning sickness she decided.  So this was wh
a
t it was like. The reality of the baby was increasing with each passing day and now this physical reaction showed her how real this situation was.  Instead of feeling sad though, Elle smiled at her pale face in the mirror.  She was having  a baby! And she
was so pleased.