Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83343 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83343 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
I try and swallow, but my throat is swollen with all the tears I refuse to cry in public.
“This is a big change,” Vincent says. I feel his gaze burrowing into me, and I glance at him, unable to resist the pull of his attention. “I know many of you have worked here a long time and hold the place in great affection. I respect that. And I want to honor that.”
“What does that mean, though, young man?” Granny asks, and I grip her hand. “What about people’s jobs and homes and livelihoods?”
Vincent nods. “I am going to have my team hold meetings with you to go through the details. But the short version is, I will offer a job to everyone who currently works on the estate, if they want one. Now, it might mean we have to upskill or retrain people, but I want to keep you if you want to stay. We won’t need as many gardeners, because as I said, we’re closing the flower gardens, but the hotel will employ many more people than the Crompton Estate currently employs. There will be new roles and responsibilities that need filling and I’m confident we’ll be able to find a new role for each and every one of you. I hope that answers your question, ma’am.” He looks at Granny.
“Not quite,” Granny says. “I live on the estate. As does my granddaughter and others who work here. What happens to us?”
Vincent nods like he was expecting the question. “We’re still working on the plans, and my team will reach out as those plans develop, but we will be rehousing any employees who live on the estate. You will have plenty of notice, and it won’t happen until we’ve found you something suitable.”
The mumbling in the crowd grows, but Vincent raises his voice. “I’ve seen some of the housing you’re in and it’s in dire need of repair, I’m sure you’ll agree.”
Dire. He’s exaggerating of course. It’s not dire at all. Yes, there’s the odd weed here and there and the occasional leak and of course the central heating isn’t entirely reliable, but we live in houses that are hundreds of years old. There are bound to be issues.
The noise dies down and people tune in to what Vincent’s staying. “We’ve identified a builder who’s developing the land behind the car park in the village. We hope to be able to offer housing there.”
“Thank you, young man,” Granny says. “I look forward to hearing more about it.”
I frown. That’s it? She’s just going to let him off the hook like that?
“Any other questions?” Vincent asks.
“Will we be allowed to take pets into the new house?” Sacha asks.
Vincent grins. “We’re still working on some of the details.” He turns to speak to a shorter man I didn’t notice before, standing beside and slightly behind Vincent. “I have a note to make sure we make that clear in the briefings.” He mutters something else to his lackey.
Vincent turns back to his audience. “I’ll be moving my office into the house.”
He’s going to be working from the house? Will he be sleeping here too?
“I want you to know I have an open door, if you have any concerns. If I’m in a meeting, my assistant, Michael,” Vincent nods to the man next to him, “will help you and make sure I get any messages.”
Michael steps forward and gives a small wave. He seems nice, but he’s about to ruin my life, so I shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
“My plan is for my team to sit down with you at regular intervals to keep you abreast of developments. As we work out staffing requirements, we will post on a bulletin board in the café.” He turns to me. “If that’s okay with you, Kate?”
“You own the place,” I say, my tone clipped.
His friendly demeanor doesn’t change at my almost-rude answer. “We’ll put a board up there and if there’s anything you think you might be suited for, even if you don’t have the experience, let one of my team know. We’ll see what can be done.”
“So when is this all happening?” I ask. “When are the tea shop closing? The flower gardens?”
Vincent looks at me and for at least three seconds, the rest of the room falls away; it’s like we’re alone in his hotel room, just like we were a few weeks ago. “Not yet,” he says to me and then raises his voice so everyone can hear. “As far as I understand, there are coach bookings to see the gardens through the end of August, so we’ll honor those. We don’t have firm dates to start work because planning hasn’t been granted, but we anticipate construction starting in about a month. As I said, the majority of the landscaping will need to be maintained throughout the refurbishment and after the hotel opening.”