Page 48 of The Wife
She pauses. ‘Because there was no point in upsetting you for nothing.’
‘What happened?’
‘Nothing.’
I give her a look.
‘They did a spot check yesterday evening. Found that everything was in order. And then they left.’
I hardly dare hope that that’s the full extent of it. That my overactive imagination can now stop conjuring up images of salmonella-ravaged guests and scurrying rats.
‘And that’s it?’
‘Pretty much.’
‘So they just showed up out of the blue? Is that normal?’
Vicky crosses her legs. ‘Can I ask where you heard about this?’
I realise that Georgie’s brother-in-law could probably get in trouble for blabbing about it. ‘One of my colleague’s clients mentioned it.’
She frowns and purses her lips. ‘Do you know their name?’
I shrug and wince at my lie. ‘Sorry, no.’
Vicky squares her shoulders. ‘Sorry you had to hear about it like that. But it wasn’t common knowledge and I’m obviously not over the moon that people are talking about it. But please don’t worry about tomorrow evening. Everything will be perfect for you and your husband.’
‘I’m just relieved that you’re not being shut down.’
‘Quite.’
‘Is it normal for the environmental health department to just show up like that?’ I ask again, as she didn’t answer me the last time.
‘It’s not normal, no. I mean, it happens. But it’s not a regular event. It can sometimes happen if someone complains about something, or it could just be a random spot check.’
‘So someone could have called them and reported you?’
‘Well, yes, I suppose they could have. But it’s unlikely.’
My body tenses up and I clasp my hands in my lap, trying not to let my imagination take over again.
‘Are you okay, Mrs Johnson?’
‘Uh, yes. Fine, thanks.’ I make an effort to relax my shoulders. ‘And please call me Zoe.’
‘Of course… Zoe. Would you like to stay for a complimentary lunch while you’re here?’
I check my watch. ‘Thanks, but no. I’d better get back to work.’
‘Okay, well, if you’re sure. And, like I said, please don’t worry. Tomorrow’s party will be wonderful.’ She gets to her feet and I do the same before following her back out into the hotel lobby where a well-groomed family are checking in, their matching luggage being wheeled in on a trolley by one of the young porters.
Vicky and I say goodbye and she hurries off. My earlier adrenaline has ebbed away, leaving me tired and hungry. I’m irritated that I’ve had to come on this wild goose chase for nothing, that I’ve wasted my precious time, and now I’m going to have to scramble even more to get everything done before the party.
I march back out to the car, wishing I’d asked Vicky for a sandwich to eat on the way back. I open my handbag and find a couple of Polo mints in their wrapper. They’ll have to do. I pop one in my mouth, slide into the car and head back to work, thinking about who might have reported the hotel to the health department. Could it have been a random spot check, like Vicky thought, or might someone have had a more specific reason in mind? A rival hotel? A dissatisfied customer? Or something else entirely?
I can’t believe this is a coincidence, not with all the other stuff going on. I don’t want to be paranoid, but after what happened with Cassie, I wouldn’t put it past her to try to sabotage my anniversary party. This has got her name written all over it. The one person I’m praying has nothing to do with this is Dina. I know we’re not exactly on the best of terms, but surely she wouldn’t be so malicious as to try to ruin something that means so much to me.Not my own sister.
Twenty
