“Get out of here, you filthy old man!” they shouted after him, shoving him out of the hotel. Only later did they discover who he truly wasbut by then, it was too late.
The young receptionist, impeccably dressed and neat, blinked in astonishment at the man in his sixties standing before her. His clothes were worn, carrying a sharp, unpleasant odour, yet he smiled kindly and made his request:
“Miss, could you please book me the finest suite?”
His bright blue eyes gleamed with familiarityas though Emily had seen that gaze somewhere before. But before she could place it, irritation prickled. With a disdainful flick of her wrist, she reached for the silent alarm button beneath the desk.
“I’m afraid we dont accommodate guests of your sort,” she said coldly, tilting her chin upward.
“My sort? Do you have special admission rules, then?”
The man looked wounded. Not a beggar, certainly, but his appearance left much to be desired. He carried the lingering scent of something foul, like fish left too long in the sun. And yet he dared ask for a suite!
Emily scoffed, eyeing him mockingly. He couldnt possibly afford even the cheapest room.
“Please, dont waste my time. Id like a bath and a rest. Ive had a long day.”
“Ive made myself clearyoure not welcome here. Find another hotel. Besides, were fully booked.” She added under her breath, “Filthy old man, expecting the best”
Edward Montgomery knew betterthere was always one room reserved. He opened his mouth to argue, but the guards seized him, twisting his arms roughly as they marched him outside. They exchanged smirks, chuckling at the old fool whod overestimated his means.
“Grandad, you couldnt even scrape together enough for a budget room. Clear off before we teach you a lesson!”
Edward was stunned by their cruelty. Grandad? He was only sixty! If not for that blasted fishing trip, hed have shown them who was past their prime. A fight would risk police involvementunthinkable. Swallowing his pride, he vowed silently: if he ever owned this hotel, these men would be dismissed on the spot.
His attempt to return ended in failurethreatened with the law, he retreated to a park bench, muttering curses. How had it come to this? A simple fishing holiday gone awry. The fish had been scarceonly tiddlers, tossed backthen the rain came, soaking him through as he slipped knee-deep into the river. His keys vanished in the mud, his mobile drained.
His daughter, Charlotte, was away on business; no one would let him in. Hed meant to surprise her, only to find her packing for a trip. Had he known, hed have waited. Hed taken leave just to spend time with her.
“Dad, Im so sorry to leave you alone. Ill be back soonpromise me you wont mope?” She kissed his temple.
“Mope? Ive fishing to do! Why else would I come?” He forced a laugh.
“I thought you came just to see me,” Charlotte pouted, then grinnedshe knew his teasing well.
With his phone dead, Edward had hoped to wait at the hotel. Instead, he found himself barred. Never before had he been judged so harshly. Was he drunk? A vagrant? Nomerely a fisherman caught in the rain. A bit muddy, yes, and perhaps smelling faintly of the catchwas that reason enough for scorn?
Staring at his useless phone, he sighed. No friends here, no family. A locksmith wouldnt helpthe house was in Charlottes name. The phone might as well have been a brick.
“What now, old boy?” he muttered wryly. No one had ever called him “grandad” before. His employees wouldve gaped.
A strangers voice pulled him from his thoughts. A middle-aged woman, kind-faced and well-kept, offered him a warm pasty. Gratefully, he accepted, his stomach growling.
“Youve been here all day. Whats happened?”
Edward recounted his misadventures: the fishing, the rain, the lost keys, the hotels cruelty.
“Likely at the bottom of the river now,” he sighed. “Never thought Id end up like this. All because folk judge by appearances.”
The womanMargaretnodded. She ran the bakery nearby and had watched him for hours, unnoticed by passersby.
“I knew you werent trouble,” she smiled. “You dont seem the type.”
“Good heavens, no,” Edward chuckled. “Healths precious at my age. But today I was called old and tossed out like rubbish. Forgive meMargaret, is it? Might I borrow your phone? I need shelter. Its too late to trouble Charlotte.”
“Youre welcome at mine. Ive a spare roomclean up, rest, and call her in the morning.”
“Truly? Im endlessly grateful. Ill repay your kindness.”
Touched, Edward followed her home. A modest cottage, yet warm. After a hot bath and a meal, he felt human again.
“Youve a good heart. Thank you for taking the risk.”
Come morning, he called Charlotte. Furious, she stormed to the hotel.
“We couldnt house someone like that,” Emily protested. “You shouldve seen him!”
“Someone in need? He wasnt drunk or dangerous! Every one of you will resign. This hotel is under new management.”
The staff paled when Edward arrivedclean, composed, unmistakably the magnate from the papers. Emilys face drained of colour.
“Dad, Im so sorry.”
“Not your fault, love. But well hire someone who values decency.”
He proposed Margaret as manager. Charlotte agreed instantly. The hotel was hersEdward had gifted it when shed chosen to stay in town after university. Hed never visited until now.
Margaret suggested partnerships with hostels, ensuring no one was turned away. Shed train the staff herself. Charlotte knew shed found the right person.
Edward returned home, laughing over the taleyet the memory stung. That brush with indifference had shaken him.
He thought often of Margaret afterward. A day together had sparked something tender. Hed loved his late wife dearly, but life moved on.
In time, he sold his flat, handed his business to a trusted partner, and bought a home near Charlotteand Margaret. She welcomed the news warmly. Though neither rushed, when he asked her to the theatre, she smiled and accepted.
Charlotte watched them with quiet joy. Shed seen the affection growingand for the first time in years, her father smiled without reserve.