The Cosy Teashop in the Castle: The bestselling feel-good rom com of the year. Caroline Roberts

He could drag this out, but that wouldn’t be fair on the girl. ‘Well, I’d like to offer you the lease on the Claverham Castle Teashop for the season.’

      Silence for a second, then her voice, ‘You would?’

      ‘Yes, I would.’ There was a hint of amusement in his tone.

      ‘Oh … My … Goodness.’

      It wasn’t quite the response he’d expected, but it made him feel good, nonetheless. He’d obviously just made her day. And her genuine enthusiasm and warmth gave him even more confidence in his decision, though she’d have an awful lot to pick up in a short space of time … but he could help; he’d seen how the tearooms had worked over the past couple of years, and the improvements she could easily make. As the landlord, and his experience in running the estate, he knew the ins and outs of health and safety, insurance requirements and the like, he could put her on the right track. And then … functions … the future. His mind was rolling along. Yet, there was no further response down the line. Was she still there?

      Come to think of it, she hadn’t actually said ‘yes’, had she? ‘Oh My Goodness’ wasn’t exactly a yes, he realised. ‘Would you like some time to think about it, Ellie?’

      ‘Oh no, well yes. The answer’s definitely yes.’

      ‘Great … Well, we’d like you to start as soon as possible, to get things up and running before the Easter weekend opening. But I realise you will probably have to work some notice with your present company.’

      ‘Oh, I’ve already looked into that. I officially have to give a month, but I had an off-the-record chat with my supervisor, you know, just in case, and I’m already owed a week-and-a-half as holiday, so she said she could let me go in two weeks. That’d mean I could be with you at the castle a week before the opening weekend.’

      She seemed to have thought things through and be organised. He was pleased she was already living up to expectations.

      ‘Okay, well that should be enough time to get the place ready, just,’ he added with a smile.

      ‘Great.’

      ‘And if you have any particular questions and queries in the meanwhile just give me a call. I deal more with the day-to-day running issues at the castle, so best to ask for me rather than Lord Henry.’

      * * *

       Ellie

      Any questions or queries? My God, she had a running list in her mind … But they wanted her, she had the lease. Wayy-hayyy! She was having trouble keeping still, bouncing on her toes in the hallway of their terraced house. She was going to be her own boss, under the watchful, not unattractive, deep-brown eyes of Joe Ward, and she was going to be working and living (hopefully!) in … a … castle. Were there any pressing questions? She couldn’t possibly ask all the ninety-seven that were bouncing in her head!

      ‘Thanks … Actually, yes, there is something. You mentioned at interview there might be accommodation with the role. Umn, is that still the case?’

      ‘Oh.’ He sounded as if he was thinking on the spot. ‘Well, we can sort you out with one of the guest rooms in the castle. I’ll get Deana to get it all organised for you. Does that sound okay?’

      ‘Ah, yes … And would that be included in the lease payment, or will I have to pay extra as rent?’ She was a little concerned as to how far Nanna’s money was going to have to go.

      ‘Umn, maybe a nominal fee but nothing too much, don’t worry. I’ll have a quick think on it and let you know, if that’s alright.’

      Again she had the feeling he was thinking on his feet. The previous tearoom leaseholder had probably lived locally. This seemed to be a new prospect for him.

      ‘Okay, well thank you. And thanks for giving me this opportunity … I won’t let you or the castle down.’ She had the feeling it was more his decision than Lord Henry’s that she had the offer. She just hoped that in reality she could keep that promise.

      ‘I have every confidence in you, Ellie. We’ll speak again soon.’

      ‘Thanks again. Bye.’

      ‘Goodbye, Ellie.’

      Oh wow, she was going to be living in a castle in two weeks’ time. She was bouncing again. She suddenly felt like Cinderella.

       5

       Ellie

      ‘Just one more flight,’ Ellie tried to sound cheery against the noise of her father’s huffing and puffing. She had rather overloaded that case. Thank heavens he was well built and strong, but she’d need plenty of clothes, and the jumpers and cardigans were essential this time of year, especially here.

      It was cold and draughty in the stairwell, though her dad was dripping with sweat, balancing her massive suitcase against his broad chest as he wound his way up the spiral staircase to her room. Jason was following with a huge black sack of shoes, and her mum was tottering behind with a cardboard box full of kettle, mugs, tea, coffee and basic food essentials to start her off.

      Deana had showed Ellie and her family up to her new lodgings ten minutes earlier. They all stood nodding appreciatively, taking in the room. It wasn’t hotel grade, but it wasn’t bad, considering Joe had asked a mere £100 a month for it – which was some relief. It was a medium-sized bedroom with a high ceiling, white-painted walls, a double bed with black-metal bedposts (like something out of Mary Poppins), a simple dark-wood dressing table and stool, wardrobe, cosy armchair in burgundy velvet – there seemed to be a lot of red velvet around the place – that had seen better days but was extremely comfy when she tried it out, and a small fireplace that was set with kindling and coal but not lit. The only other source of heat was a solitary Victorian-looking radiator that was merely lukewarm. Dad set about trying to adjust the valves, letting some air out with a radiator key he’d had in his coat pocket – the joys of being a plumber.

      In all honesty, the room was a bit drab and Mum looked nonplussed. The small window served to highlight the fact it was grey and drizzling outside, and that didn’t help matters either. But Ellie was determined to stay positive, setting out a few nick-nacks from her room at home, and installing a small TV on the end of the dressing table (was there an aerial point?), and she had her new double duvet to put out (thank heavens she’d gone for the toasty twelve-tog). She’d chosen red-and-cream country-style plaid covers with red scatter cushions to match. It’d be fine. She’d make it feel homely.

      Deana had set out a kettle and tea bags, mugs and biscuits for them. Ellie was touched by her kindness. It was lovely that she’d made such an effort to welcome her.

      ‘Thanks for the tea stuff,’ Ellie remarked later, passing her office with armfuls of gear.

      ‘Oh that’s no bother, flower, thought you’d need a cuppa after tripping up and down those stairs with all your stuff. Do you need a hand with anything?’

      ‘We’re fine, thanks,’ Dad answered, passing by with a stack of DVDs. ‘We’ll manage won’t we, Son,’ he clipped Jason’s ear, who shrugged his shoulders with embarrassment.

      ‘Okay, then. But if there’s anything you need, Ellie, just pop in and give me a shout. Joe’s about somewhere too. I expect he’ll drop by at some point. And really … don’t be afraid to ask if there’s anything you want, or we can help you with. Welcome to Claverham Castle.’

      Dad and Jason headed back to the car to unload the next lot of luggage, while she and her mum took the new bedcover set out of its packaging, tugging it over the duvet and pillowcases.

      ‘Are you sure you’re going to be alright here?’ Sarah began tucking the sheet in, muttering ‘Well, this has seen better days,’ as she eyed the mattress with caution.

      ‘Of