The Winter Guest *Complete*

Chapter 2





As days went by, the arrival date of the actors and some of the crew drew nearer. As it turned out they had hired some of the bigger hotels in the city for the child stars as they had a bigger entourage, the parents of the kids mostly joined them as well. The big adult stars were placed in my hotel.

As I told myself fiercely the night before their arrival, I was going to behave normal and would not be swept away by Mr. Rickman. I had told myself over and over, that he was probably not as good looking in real life, he would likely be a big pain in the but, being a big star, and I also forbid myself to watch any more movies with him in it. Most of my staff had been watching all the Harry Potter movies to prepare themselves a little for the big stars. And with my staff being nervous enough it was my job to stay calm and controlled.



The morning of the arrival I awoke with sweat on my back and bad dreams lingering in my mind of the last night. As I got dressed the nerve wracking waiting had begun.

Positioning myself at the reception was of course inevitable since I was the hostess, in the morning most of the crew arrived and this gave me some time to be occupied with them and get to work.

At last when it had gone dark outside and the crew already had enjoyed a good diner, Jean-Pierre really had gone through a tough night wanting to do his utter best for these special guests, the door of the reception opened and I saw three men entering the reception.



One of them, I didn’t recognise him from the movie I had seen, but it was obvious he was an actor, all the crew had looked a bit shabby, wearing baseball caps and jeans. This man was dressed with eye for detail and was wearing sunglasses. “Uhm…bon soir…uh…God I am crap at this, David you speak French please do the talking”

The other of the three came in vision now he was very tall and he had a friendly smile. But before I let him talk I said: “ English is ok with me gentlemen.” The man who had spoken first looked at me with a surprised expression on his face an taking of the sunglasses he replied “ Well, you were too good looking to be French anyway…” The man he had called David looked me while I flushed bright red. It had definitely been a while since I had to deal with flirty comments like these. I hated myself for showing it. David smiled and said “ Don’t worry, the rest of us is well behaved you’ll just have to forget my friend here. If I am correct there are some rooms booked for us here, we are part of the Warner Brothers crew.”

I smiled at him and asked him his name so I could check in which room he would stay.



“Thewlis, “ he said “ David, and this here is Mr. Oldman.” The man who had spoken first winked at me and added “ Do call me Gary Mrs…”

“Miss actually” recovering quick from his cheeky remarks I answered. “ But please call me Kate.” Gary held out his hand and I shook it a little anxious. David turned round to see where the other guest had gone, his back was turned at the reception admiring the drawings that I had put up the walls.



“Oh, and that is Mr. Rickman. Alan?” As he turned I felt as though somebody had grapped my throat and slightly squeezed. He came walking up to me and it felt like years before he started talking.



“ Yes, sorry, Alan Rickman” I had to blink and swallow before I could properly hand them their keys and give them all the other information.



“ I know it must be very uncomfortable to be in a hotel so long, but I will make sure that your stay will be as good as possible so if you need anything, please ask” I concluded my story nearly sighing of relief that I hadn’t stuttered or said something stupid.

Expecting them to leave now I nearly turned away from them as Gary put his arms on the receptions desk, looking not like he was going to leave.

“ So, “ he asked me while David and Alan exchanged looks and I swore I could see them hiding their laughs. “ What the hell is somebody like you doing here, in the middle of nowhere? “

“Excuse me? “ I looked at him completely puzzled. “ Well, you look like the kind of lady who shouldn’t be hiding here. Why do you work here?” I was totally not prepared for this kind of attack, at least, that’s how it felt.

“ I don’t just work here, I live here” I answered a little nervous. David pulled at Gary’s arm and said “ Go on, leave her, she just had our whole lot falling on her today give her a break. “

Gary smiled at me and said “ I was just joking, it looks really nice Kate, but I’m off to bed, bloody hell that flight was too long.” And he was pulled away by David.



I laughed nervously at Alan now standing all alone at my desk.



“I am so sorry he was like that” his velvet voice made me forget all other thoughts racing through my mind. I smiled and told him it was ok. “ No it’s not ok, but you’ll just have to forgive him, he’s like that. He’s just a little…..strange sometimes. But you’ll like him.” I hardly dared to make eye contact. Too afraid that he might sense some of the things I had been thinking about him.



“ Well, I will go unpack then. Should have picked a real job don’t you think? Living out of suitcases half the year.”



I suppressed a stupid giggle, feeling very childish at the moment. And telling myself of for not being able to make a normal conversation with him. I wished him good night and he sent one of his angel smiles at me. As he left heading towards his room, I really did sigh this time and looked at the list. Everybody was in. Most of them had enjoyed a good diner, and Alan had not been cruel nor ugly as I had told myself he would have been.



The evening was once again soft and warm. I had just finished showering and had promised myself a glass of wine on the balcony. I opened the doors and settled in the big comfy chair that was placed outside. The night was dark but I couldn’t be bothered by lighting a candle, I was perfectly happy like this. As I pored some wine in a glass I settled back and listened to the soft sounds of crickets and birds. All rooms were occupied now and the room next to mine had its door open just like mine. Allowing the evening breeze to tickle the curtains. I nearly dropped my glass as I heard a familiar voice coming from the room.



Shit, shit, shit, wasn’t I absolutely sure that I had placed one of the soundmen next to my room?



But it was Alan who walked out onto the balcony holding two glasses of wine and right behind him was David.