Cherry Blossoms by Patricia Keyson Page B

furnishings. However, there is a staff discount and you’ll be offered a generous expense account now that you’re my adviser.”
    Cherry opened her mouth to object to this obvious charitable gesture, then closed it again as she realised she wasn’t in a position to haggle. “So what will the rent be?” she repeated.
    Oliver muttered to himself, putting his head comically on one side as though working out som e great arithmetical challenge. “From what I can tell, you and Jay will live here free and have your meals at the hotel. They’ll be included as part of your salary, of course.”
    Cherry couldn’t contain herself any longer. She put her arms around Oliver and hugged him tightly. “Pat said you were a lovely man,” she breathed.
    “ And what do you say?” asked Oliver.
    “ I say she’s right.” So close to him, Cherry sank her face into his damp jacket and felt that if the world ended now, she’d be happy.
    After what seemed like an age, Oliver gently disengaged himself. “I’ll help you move your things. Come on.” He took her by the hand and led her back to the chalet.
    Used to being independent, Cherry had to stop herself from saying tha t she could manage on her own. She could, but she didn’t want to. For once she forgot about Jay and surrendered herself to the pleasure of spending time with Oliver.

Chapter Ten
    On Monday, Cherry had mixed feelings about going into work. She wanted to see Oliver, but didn’t know if he would ignore her, perhaps regretting their physical contact. Usually she felt quite cheerful when she was preparing for work. She changed into her overalls and tied her hair back in a ponytail without saying a word to Pat.
    “ Are you all right?” Pat asked as Cherry stuffed her clothes into her locker.
    “ Fine,” she replied, plastering a false smile on her face. “Must get on.”
    “It’s not like you not to stop and chat. I’m worried about you. I thought you would have been singing with joy, now that you have somewhere decent to live and it’s all above board. You’ve had so many setbacks, it was no wonder you’ve been down, but surely you should be happy now.”
    “You’re right, Pat. We are lucky.”
    Cherry felt embarrassed when she bumped into Oliver as she made her way up the stairs to the first floor. She could still feel the roughness of his damp jacket on her cheek.
    “ Let me,” Oliver said, taking the box of cleaning materials she was carrying.
    “ I’m sure you have better things to do with your time,” she said, as she unlocked the door of the first room she had to clean.
    “ Probably, but I’d rather be here chatting to you. You’ll be pleased to know Darius set off for the conference this morning. No more gambling for Jay for a while. That brother of mine is a bad influence. Anyway, he seemed quite cheerful about going today. He seems to think there are going to be some attractive young women there. That’s all he seems to have on his mind . . .” He tailed off.
    Aware he was watching her, she stopped and turned to face him. “Oliver,” she said feeling her face flush, “we mustn’t get close again. I’m your employee. We’ve got to work together and I’ve got Jay to think of.” Looking at him now, she wanted to relive the moments when she’d hugged him and he’d taken her hand.
    “ Mmm, you’re probably right,” Oliver said, gazing out of the window.
    Cherry was disappointed. He might have protested, made her feel that it had meant at least something to him. She turned and bashed the pillows into shape.
    “ But as you say we do have to work together and . . . as your employer of course . . . I’d like you to go with me to look at the boats I was telling you about. I think we should make the decision together. Whether we like them and how many to buy. I’d like to go tomorrow if that fits in with your schedule.”
    “ Tomorrow? I can’t. I’m so sorry, but as you know it’s half-term, and I can’t leave Jay all day to