“Get out of here, you disgusting old man!” they shouted after him as they threw him out of the hotel. Only later did they find out who he really wasbut by then, it was too late.
The young receptionist, impeccably dressed and neat, blinked in surprise at the man in his sixties standing at the desk. His clothes were worn and carried a sharp, unpleasant smell, but he smiled politely and asked,
“Miss, could you book me a suite, please?”
His blue eyes gleamed with something familiaras if Emily had seen that look before. But before she could place it, irritation flickered across her face as she reached for the silent alarm button.
“Im sorry, but we dont accommodate guests like you,” she said coldly, tilting her chin up.
“Guests like *what*? Do you have special admission rules?”
The man looked offended. Not a beggar, certainly, but his appearance left much to be desired. He carried an unpleasant odour, like fish left under a radiator for days. And he had the nerve to ask for a *suite*!
Emily scoffed, eyeing him with disdainhe couldnt even afford the cheapest room.
“Please dont waste my time. I need a shower and rest. Im exhausted.”
“Ive made myself clearyoure not welcome here. Find another hotel. Besides, were fully booked,” she added under her breath. “Filthy old man, thinking he deserves a suite”
William James knew for a factone suite was always kept vacant. He was about to argue when two security guards seized him, twisted his arms, and shoved him onto the street. They exchanged glances and snickered, as if the old fool had overestimated himself.
“Granddad, you couldnt even pay for a budget room. Scram before we count your bones!”
William was stunned by their rudeness. *Granddad*? He was only sixty! If it werent for this blasted fishing trip, hed have shown them who was old. Part of him wanted to teach them a lesson, but he was too weary for a fight. Getting arrested was out of the question. Swallowing his pride, he silently vowed: *If I ever own this place, theyll be the first to go.*
His attempt to return failedthey threatened to call the police. Muttering under his breath, William trudged to a park bench. How had it come to this? Hed only wanted a quiet fishing trip, but everything had gone wrong. The fish had barely bittenjust small fry hed thrown back. Then the rain came, and on his way home, he slipped near the bank, knee-deep in muddy water. Hed struggled out, but his clothes were ruined, and his keys had vanished.
His daughter, of all times, was away on business, so he couldnt even get into her flat. Hed come to surprise her, only to find her packing for a trip. If hed known, hed have waited. Hed even taken leave just to spend time with her.
“Dad, Im so sorry to leave you alone. Ill hurry back, promise?” Charlotte hugged him and kissed his cheek.
“Why would I mope? Ill go fishingthats what I came for!” he laughed.
“I thought you came just to see me,” she pouted, then grinnedshe knew he was joking.
He hadnt checked his phones charge before leaving. Now, stranded, hed hoped to wait at the hotel until Charlotte returned. But they hadnt even let him inside. Since when did appearance dictate service? He wasnt drunk or a vagrantjust a man whod been fishing. So he smelled a bit? Was that reason enough to be rude?
Staring at his dead phone, William sighed. He had no friends or family in town. Roadside assistance wouldnt helpthe flat was in Charlottes name. His phone might as well have been a brick.
“What now, granddad?” he muttered. No one had ever called him that before. *Granddad*? He was in his prime! His employees wouldve been stunned.
A woman beside him snapped him from his thoughtsmiddle-aged, kind-faced, offering warm pastries. Gratefully, he accepted, his stomach growling.
“Youve been here all day. What happened?”
William told herthe fishing, the rain, the lost keys, the locked door.
“Ill never find them now,” he sighed. “Probably sank. I never thought Id end up like this. All because people judge by looks.”
She nodded. She ran a bakery nearby and had noticed him sitting alone, ignoring passersby.
“I could tell you werent some drunk,” she smiled. “You dont seem the type.”
“God forbid,” William chuckled. “Healths precious at my age. But today, they called me old and threw me out. Margaret, may I borrow your phone? I need to find shelter. I wont call Charlotteits late, and I wont worry her.”
“You can stay with me. I can see youre decent, just unlucky. My house is small, but theres a spare room. Clean up, rest, and call her in the morning.”
“Really? I cant thank you enough!”
William was genuinely moved. Margaret was the first person all day to show him kindness. He silently promised to repay her.
After closing the bakery, she led him home. Over the years, shed seen enoughpeople walking past others in need. Once, when shed collapsed, only a stranger had called an ambulance. Without her Margaret knew helping a stranger was risky, but since her husbands death, she had no family or fortune left. All she had was faiththat kindness was never wasted.
After a hot shower and fresh clothes, William ate heartily. Her home was modest but cosy. Though accustomed to luxury, he felt truly happyjust hours ago, hed resigned himself to sleeping outside.
“You have a good heart. Thank you for helping me,” he said before bed.
In the morning, Margaret handed him her phone. Charlotte was furious when she heard what had happened. She stormed to the hotel, demanding answers.
“We couldnt accommodate someone like that,” Emily defended, playing the victim. “You shouldve seen him!”
“Someone who needed help? He wasnt drunk or dangerous! Every one of you will submit a resignation. Staff should be professional *and* humane. My father owns this place, and I wont tolerate this behaviour.”
The staff exchanged bewildered lookswhy apologise to a “pathetic old man”? Then William appeared: clean, composed, confident. Emily gaspednow she recognised him from business magazines. Her face paled; realisation came too late.
The guards fell over themselves apologising, but Charlotte was firm. None would keep their jobs.
“Dad, Im so sorry they treated you like this. Ill find a manager wholl train them properly.”
Emily wept, begging forgiveness, but the moment was lost.
When William suggested Margaret for the role, Charlotte agreed instantly. He explained the hotel was hershed only gifted it to help her start her business. Hed never visited until now.
Charlotte dreamed of a place where everyone was welcomed. Margaret embraced the idea, proposing partnerships with hostelsredirecting those who couldnt pay, not ejecting them. She even offered breakfast pastries from her bakery and volunteered to train staff in kindness.
Charlotte knew shed found the right person.
After a few days with his daughter, William returned home. He laughed recounting the ordeal, but bitterness lingered. That night had been terrifyingfacing indifference and cold alone.
Lately, hed thought not just of Charlotte, but Margaret. Theyd spent only one day together, yet something warm had sparked. Hed loved his late wife dearly, but life went onand the thought of aging alone grew harder to ignore.
Finally, he made his choice: handed his business to a trusted partner, sold his flat, and bought one near Charlotte and Margaret. The woman was delightednow they could meet more often. Though neither rushed, William invited her to the theatre that weekend. She smiled and agreed.
Charlotte merely raised an amused brow, watching her father. Shed noticed the growing tenderness between themand was truly happy to see him smile again.
