Shallowfield sat on
the southern edge of the Finchbottom Vale and was bordered on the other side by
the Dancingdean forest and the town’s fortunes had always relied largely upon
forestry and agriculture for its survival.
In the post war years
with rationing and a shortage of work a lot of people moved away from the area
and it only just survived and the community around Teardrop Lake fared even
worse.
Only a few of the
houses around the Lake were thriving, a lot of the houses had been rented out
and those that hadn’t were in a poor state of repair, some to such an extent
they were little more than ruins.
By the 70s however
things were beginning to change, thanks mainly to tourism as a result of an
increase in leisure time.
This trend was
reflected by the fact that the previously derelict Shallowfield Lodge, which
had been inherited by a young couple from Lincolnshire, Rob and Sheryl Brown,
was being turned into a Hotel.
From then on
Shallowfield went from strength to strength which was echoed by the fortunes of
the Claremont Hotel.
It was once the home
of a wealthy Downshire family but like so many similar great houses in the
county it fell into disuse as the fortunes of the owners suffered after the Great
War.
It had had many
reincarnations since then, particularly in the years between the wars and had
been used for many things over the post war years but it wasn’t until the 60s
that it became The
Claremont Hotel.
However things had got
tough in the Hotel trade with the success of Travelodge, Premier Inn and Holiday Inn Express
and so places like the Claremont needed to offer something extra to attract the
guests.
So they took every opportunity that presented itself, and put on novelty
weekends, one of which was a Murder Mystery weekend, which had proved very
popular.
But in addition they
put on functions, balls and parties for every occasion, such as the Chinese New
Year which they had been doing every year for five years and like many of the Claremont’s
parties it was fancy dress.
The party was in full swing when Liz Bebb arrived, she’d had to work late in
Abbottsford so she arranged to meet her fiancé, Michael Schaub, at the party.
But a combination of bad luck and an awkward client she was even later than
she’d anticipated and after stopping at home first to get into her costume she
was very, very late.,
But she knew he wouldn’t be angry when he saw her in her costume because
even she thought she looked gorgeous dressed as Red Riding Hood.
But despite how good she looked when Liz walked into the Claremont’s
ballroom it appeared that she was not only late arriving but she was also too
late to save her engagement as she found her fiancé Michael otherwise engaged
in a very passionate kiss with her best friend Angela Buckland.
If Liz had been surprised by what greeted her in the Ballroom when
Spiderman was kissing Marilyn Monroe, it was nothing compared to Spiderman’s
surprise when Liz kicked him in his spidie testicles and there was definitely a
look of surprise on Angela’s face a split second after Liz slapped it.
Leaving Michael doubled up on the floor unable to speak and Angela with a
scarlet hand print on her face, Liz stormed out of the hall like a Celtic
Goddess with her scarlet cloak and flaming red hair streaming behind her.
Liz left the ballroom at speed and rushed out through reception and went
out through the front entrance like a heat seeking missile and shot straight
down the steps and out into the car park without stopping and ran straight into
Matt Wolff, who was a late arrival himself and was at that moment lost in
thought as he walked the other way and after the collision they both ended up
in a heap on the floor.
“Why don’t you look where you’re going you bloody idiot” she screamed, followed
by a string of expletives.
Matt totally ignored Liz’s angry remarks and chose instead to consider, as
he looked at the striking red head in the red cloak, what had upset her.
“Are you ok?” he asked with concern and with an appraising eye.
She looked confused at first, because she had been very rude to him and he
was being nice in return, and then she opened her mouth to launch another
tirade of abuse at him but dissolved into tears instead.
Matt then took her in his arms and comforted her while she cried her
pitiful tears as they sat in the darkness on the tarmac of the car park.
After five minutes or more he helped her to her feet and with his arm
around her shoulder he said
“Come in side and get warm”
“Ok” she responded meekly as she continued to sob, and dribbled on his coat
sleeve as he guided her.
Red Riding Hood and the Wolff sat in a quiet corner of the hotel bar warmed
by brandy and the glow of kindred spirits, he listened intently as she spoke of
her sadness and reason for her rage, and as he in turn spoke words of comfort
to her in return, and their hearts became inexorably entwined.
