Nick

I was so pleased to show off the work I’d put into our new honeymoon package to its first ever guests but as I stood there holding the door open for Mr Hope-Spring, he suddenly collapsed to the floor and burst into tears. I bent down close to him and tried calling his name, but he couldn’t hear me. I didn’t know what was wrong but my heart-ached for this adorable man who was so upset in front of me.

I cautiously wrapped my arms around him, in the hopes of comforting him, to let him know he wasn’t alone. I wasn’t sure if I should at first, but I’m glad I did. The young man sank into my arms, and I just held on to him until he was all cried out. I felt his breathing start to slow and realised he’d drifted off in my arms. Careful not to wake him, I scooped the smaller man up in my arms and carried home over to the bed, placing him gently on top of the covers. I’d never been so glad for my strong arm caused by years of playing rugby than in the moment.

I moved his case away from the door, left the key on the bedside table and quietly closed the door to the villa so as not to disturb him. Although not before having one last longing look at the beautifully tortured soul who now looked so sweet and peaceful. Hopefully the rest would help him to feel better, maybe he was just missing his husband, I don’t know why they didn’t turn up together but maybe he’ll arrive by the time that cute boy wakes up.

I head back to the front desk and carry on with the work I was doing when Mr Hope-Spring arrived.

I’d been running the Sarah’s for 6 months now, technically I owned it now with my brother David. We both inherited it when our mother passed away, she opened Sarah’s 3 years ago after I’d finished my first year of university. We’d been coming to Menorca every summer since I was little and my Mum loved it here. So once David had got his own place, and I was living away in Leeds at university, she’d decided to buy this small business not far from where we used to stay. She loved this place, it has 12 hotel rooms and 4 little private villas. It didn’t need much work when she took over, the old couple who had owned it before had very proud of it and kept it immaculate, but they were getting too frail to keep going.

Sadly about a year ago, shortly after I finished getting my degree, my Mum was diagnosed with cancer. I came out to help her run the place while she was having treatment but 6 months later the cancer got the better of and she passed away peacefully in the place she loved. I was grateful that David was here too at the end, we didn’t know exactly how long our Mum would have but we wanted her to know we were here and that we loved her. After the funeral David rushed back to England, everything at the hotel was too painful a reminder for him.

We’d agreed I’d stay on and run the place to honour our Mum’s memory, and David would manage the accounts from back home, putting his finance degree to good use. I decide the best way to honour her would be to rename the mini resort to Sarah’s and I’d spent every day since trying to make it the best I could for her.

I hadn’t realised that I’d drifted off into my own thoughts until a soft hand came into contact with my shoulder. My face felt wet and I realised that I’d be crying, I quickly wiped my tears and turned to see who was next to me.

“Hi,” I smiled seeing it was Mr Hope-Spring.

“Hi.”