Home. He swallowed hard. I want to go home. Back to their place, back to their dogs, Charlotte and Winnie, back to Northumberland. Travelling around with Devan was fun, but Jonty’s head hurt. He wished they could go somewhere and just do nothing. There was still a list of places they’d been planning to visit and Jonty had the feeling that Devan was taking this break from work for his sake, trying to show him the world. Jonty loved him for that, but the world was spinning too fast. There was so much to see and they couldn’t see it all. Jonty had never spent so long not working and it made him anxious.
“Jonty! Good morning.” Alan smiled at him from the door that led from reception.
Jonty pushed to his feet and held out his hand. “Good morning. Thanks for seeing me at such short notice.”
“No problem. Come on through.”
Jonty followed Alan to his office and sat in the chair Alan gestured towards.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Alan dropped into his own chair. “Did you find something to occupy yourself with?”
“I’ve been looking at that awful painting.” Oops.
“Right. Why do you think it’s awful?”
“It’s not restful. It makes your eyes jump around. I bet by the time people get to see you they have a headache.”
Alan smiled. “I’ve never thought about it like that. It is a bit…busy.”
“Did it cost a lot of money?”
“Yes. It’s one of a kind.”
The kind of thing Jonty wanted to forget he’d ever seen. “Hmm.”
“What does that mean?”
“Did you choose it?” Crap, I should have thought of that.
“Yes.”
“Sorry. But does anyone like it? You should do a poll. An anonymous one. If everyone hates it, sell it while it’s still worth something. I could paint you something similar for free.” Jonty was sure Winnie and Charlotte could do something better without even trying. Maybe he’d give them paintbrushes when he got back.
“My niece painted it.”
Jonty looked for a hole to fall into. “How old is she? Seven?” Oh look, I found a hole.
Alan laughed.
“Can I start again?” Jonty asked.
“That’s a good idea.”
“Okay, well, that’s a very interesting painting in reception. A great talking point. I expect you’re wondering what I want. I’ll keep it brief. Well, not too brief. Devan says I can’t do really brief.” Stop it! “The plan is a Halloween event at The Dunes. A night at a haunted hotel. It was a convalescent home after the war and people have said they’ve heard ghostly creaks and groans. Sometimes I thought I did and convinced myself it was just the pipes and…”
He took a deep breath. “I know Halloween is only two weeks away, but there’s plenty of time to organise an event. Guests who are already booked in for the 31st can be offered the chance to change their booking if they’d like, but I’ve checked reservations and the hotel is nowhere near full. I’m picturing a big fancy dress party with music and themed food and lots of creepy surprises. All the staff would be dressed up as zombies. The event would be open to those not staying there as well. One free Halloween-themed cocktail on arrival and then they’d pay for drinks. I was thinking thirty pounds for a ticket. Two hundred people as well as around eighty or so hotel guests. How does that sound? And can we ask people not to come as clowns? I hate clowns.” Which sounded better than admitting to the big boss that he was scared shitless of clowns.
Alan gaped at him.
“Did I go too fast? Shall I say it all again but slowly?”
“No, I think I got it. Seventy pounds a ticket sounds better. Package price of two hundred and fifty if a couple stay overnight in a standard room. More for the premium ones.”
“Seventy sounds a lot.”
“A meal, a drink, dancing, entertainment for the entire evening? I think seventy is fair. What budget are we talking about?”
Jonty pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and put it on Alan’s desk. He’d written a list of things he needed to buy or hire, food he thought might be suitable and costed as much as he could, but he wasn’t too sure about the amount of money needed for the food and drink.
“I think you’ll need more than that. You’re going to have to pay staff overtime and employ extra people. Double it and you’re nearer. Has Devan seen this?” Alan held up the piece of paper.
“Not that piece of paper, no.” Though he knew that wasn’t really what Alan meant. “He’s at his parents’.”
“How is his mother?”
“She’s having trouble speaking and eating, but the doctors think she’ll make a full recovery.”
“That’s good. I must send some flowers.”
“Are you saying yes?” Jonty asked.
“Let me speak to the hotel manager.” Alan picked up his phone. “Morning, Bruce… What would you say to a Halloween event at The Dunes? …Yes, this Halloween… No, someone else would be doing the organising… Good. You need to hold further reservations for the 31st until we have details in place. Inform those already booked that the hotel will be busy and noisy that night. Two hundred tickets for those who aren’t guests. A big extravaganza. Costume ball. Themed food. Maybe a murder-mystery element… Devan and Jonty… Okay. Right. Will do.”
Alan ended the call and smiled at Jonty. “Mock up something for marketing and email it to me. We’ll handle that side, and organise the website for ticket purchases. I’ll make sure it says the event is not for children. Or clowns.” Alan gave a creepy clown’s laugh and Jonty flinched.
Oh my God. What have I done? Devan’s going to kill me.
~~~
Jonty was in a state of extreme agitation all the way back to the flat. He’d thought hosting a Halloween party at the hotel was a great idea. He’d got all excited thinking about it and he’d really wanted to do it. Except now he could do it, he was scared to death of cocking it up. Plus, he’d sort of implied that Devan was onboard and Devan didn’t even know there was a boat and what if that boat was called the Titanic?
He ought to phone and tell him.
He should.
He would.
He didn’t. Devan had too much on his plate.
Coward!
Yes. Indeed, I am.
Instead, he emailed something for Alan to give to the marketing guys, then made lists of what he needed to buy and do. After he’d drawn a plan of what he envisaged happening in various places in the hotel and outside, he started to spend money with the corporate card Alan had given him months ago that had sat unused in his wallet until now. He was worried if he didn’t get some of the stuff ordered now, it might not arrive in time.
His phone rang just after lunch, and when he saw it was Devan, he gulped. Did he know?
“Jonty!”
Yep, one word told him Devan knew. Oh God, I should have called him first. “How’s your mother? I hope she’s feeling better. Hug her for me, but hug her first and then tell her it was from me after or she might—”
“I’ve just spoken to Alan.”
“Mmm?”
“Apparently, we’re organising Halloween at The Dunes. Care to explain?”