Sunshine at Daisy’s Guesthouse: A heartwarming summer romance to escape with in 2018!. Lottie Phillips

has been seeped in Madagascan vanilla pods or been allowed to have the sea breeze of Antigua rush over them, I wouldn’t be surprised if these eggs aren’t just eggs but eggs from a hen with its own masseuse and pool.’

      James chuckled. ‘Yeah but our guests will be appreciative, I’m sure.’ He smiled. ‘In fact, I can hear a car now.’

      Daisy’s heart started hammering. What on earth were they doing? People were traveling to them: the pressure was immense! But, also, somewhere deep down something shifted, a kind of unwillingness to let go of her space even further. It was one thing to allow her friends in but strangers…

      Then a thought occurred to her. They didn’t even have a sodding reception desk! She hurtled past James who followed closely behind. Tom was ushering the dream team out the back door, their shirts draped casually over their buff shoulders. She waved politely and then addressed Tom. ‘We haven’t even got a reception desk!’

      ‘You don’t need one,’ Tom said as he checked off something else on his clipboard.

      ‘I want to feel like we’ve got this covered,’ she said and in one fell swoop, grabbed a sideboard in the hall, twisting it into position, took a vase of flowers from off the other table and James handed her an ancient Indian bell – an anniversary present from Hugh – just as their guest entered the hall. She moved from around the sideboard and stepped forward to greet the man.

      ‘Oh. My. God.’ A voice boomed across the hall. ‘This is unbelievable.’ The accent was not English but the most amazing drawl of a real-life Texan. Daisy’s heart flipped with excitement. They had international visitors.

      A man with a cowboy hat and boots with actual spurs stepped forward, his baby-blue gingham shirt just about containing the overhanging waistline, helped by an opal-encrusted belt thread through his jeans’ belt loops.

      ‘Hi, I’m Bob,’ he said assuredly. ‘Bob from the Hamptons.’ He smiled, a smile so wide it filled the frame of his face. ‘Actually, I lie. I’m from Texas but I live in the Hamptons now.’

      Daisy held out her hand. ‘Daisy – welcome to Atworth Manor.’

      Tom pushed himself forward. ‘I loved Dallas,’ he enthused and James nodded in agreement.

      ‘Dallas, huh?’ Bob said. ‘Yeah, that was shot down the road from where I used to live.’

      Lisa skipped down the stairs, talking loudly as she went, her face a sweaty mess, totally unaware of their guest in the hall. ‘I’ve just finished. Oh my God, Tom, what were you thinking inviting people to stay before we had even furnished the…’

      Daisy had fixed a grin to her face and was giving Lisa a hard stare.

      ‘What’s up, Daisy? If looks could kill…’ She turned her head to the mountain of a man blocking out the natural light. ‘Oh, holy crap, this is our guest, isn’t it?’

      Daisy nodded.

      Bob let out a roar of laughter. ‘Only just finished! You mean to say that this pretty little lady here—’ he indicated Lisa with a warm smile ‘—has been rushing her tiny, English feet off to get ready for me?’ He paused. ‘I’m a cowboy at heart, folks. I would’ve been happy under canvas in your back yard.’

      ‘Probably not a fair swap for your money,’ Daisy offered. ‘But thank you for…’ She realised Bob and Lisa were staring at each other in a strange manner and she coughed, breaking up the moment. ‘Anyway, shall I show you to your room?’

      ‘That’d be great, honey.’ Then he tapped in his head. ‘I tell you what, if this weren’t screwed on… I’ve forgotten something. And that something is my other half.’

      Daisy nodded and Lisa excused herself.

      ‘I’ll only be a tick,’ Bob laughed. ‘That’s what I learnt from some English folks this morning. A tick!’ He chuckled. ‘Isn’t that what dogs get…’ He paused. ‘Oh, speaking of, I’ll go and get my little lady love.’

      Daisy watched the hulk of a man leave and she turned urgently to the others. ‘Is everything ready?’

      Tom crossed something off on his list with a flourish. ‘Be charming as hell to guest. Done.’ He nodded. ‘All done, dear Daisy, and James and I are just about to lock ourselves away and discuss budgets.’

      James looked vaguely alarmed at the concept.

      ‘You look frightened,’ Daisy commented.

      ‘Worrying for a man who worked in the city!’ Tom hooted.

      ‘I don’t think that’s the bit that’s scaring him.’ Daisy laughed as Bob walked back in with just a bag.

      Tom and James excused themselves and Daisy indicated the lack of wife.

      ‘Um, did you forget your, um…’

      ‘Oh, she’s in here.’ He held up his leather weekend bag.

      ‘Right.’ Daisy nodded, wondering if it really was wise to open one’s house to complete strangers with perhaps a variety of issues.

      Then, much to her surprise, the bag moved and she stared at the opening. Suddenly a soft chestnut-coloured Chihuahua’s head popped out.

      ‘Here she is, my little lady.’ Bob kissed her on the head. ‘Her name’s Barbara. Had to bring her to England with me so she could see the sights, drink tea.’

      ‘Oh,’ Daisy laughed, almost relieved. ‘How lovely. Does she like other dogs because we’ve got a couple of border terriers, Ant and Dec, hanging about.’

      ‘Well, if they’re male, she’ll like them.’ He winked. ‘She’s named after Barbara Cartland and she’s a highly-sexed little pooch, though I can assure you she’s been dealt with if you know what I mean.’

      ‘Has Barbara enjoyed herself so far?’

      ‘Hell yeah,’ Bob hooted. ‘She’s seen Buckingham Palace and I showed her a picture of the Queen with her corgis. She thought that was awesome.’ He trailed off and Daisy couldn’t be sure if he was pulling her leg or not.

      ‘Brilliant. Lovely.’ Daisy felt so British and formal next to this man, she wished she could offer him an American welcome with cheerleaders and a BBQ, but it would have to do. ‘Let me show you your room.

      Lisa reappeared at the top of the stairs, a strange smile on her face. ‘I’ll show you, just follow me.’

      Daisy went to excuse herself: Lisa was clearly keen to show Bob herself but Lisa, reading her thoughts, said, ‘Come, too, Daisy. It’s your house after all. Come and see what me and the boys have done.’

      They duly followed Lisa up the stairs and towards the very first room Daisy had opened up yesterday. Lisa pushed the door open and stepped back and Bob, as if he knew this was a momentous moment for them all, on so many levels, took off his hat.

      The room was beautiful. The white bedstead adorned with the greys covers looked warm and inviting, the tartan curtains made it cosy and Lisa had even thought of reed diffusers and soft lighting.

      Daisy’s breath caught as she thought she could almost hear Hugh sigh with contentment. He would have been happy.

      ‘Are you alright, Ms Daisy?’ said Bob, noticing her moist eyes.

      ‘Yes, sorry, fine.’ She brushed them away. ‘Just a big moment, you being our first guest and…’ She didn’t finish. This wasn’t the time to explain her life story.

      ‘Well, I sure am honoured,’ he said, his face serious and eyes filled with compassion. ‘And to you, Miss…? He looked at Lisa.

      ‘Lisa,’ she said, blushing.

      Daisy had finally twigged. She hadn’t seen Lisa this lost for words in well… never. Lisa had fallen in love with their first guest.