Hello and welcome to Sleep Stories with Steph,
A romantic bedtime podcast guaranteed to help you drift off into a calm and restful sleep.
Come with me as we travel into the heart of the Bridlington Hotel,
The most prestigious enterprise on the coast of East Riding.
Meet the characters as they go about their everyday lives,
Albeit amongst scandal and intrigue.
Not a day goes past at the Bridlington without something happening.
But before we begin,
Let's take a moment to focus on where we are now.
Take a deep breath in through your nose.
That's it.
Then let it out on a long sigh.
It is time to relax and fully let go.
There is nothing you need to be doing and nowhere you need to go.
This is your time.
Feel your shoulders melt away from your ears.
Feel the pressure seep away from your cheeks.
And let all the muscles in your face relax.
As you sink into the support beneath you,
Let the pressures of the day seep away.
The Bridlington A series set in an English hotel.
Written and performed by Stephanie Poppins.
Episode 16 Emily Croft rubbed her eyes viciously.
It was the light cutting through the slit in the thick hotel drapes.
That was what was making them sting.
She reached up to let the thin beam rest on her new cabochon.
This was Jatin's latest gift.
A dark sapphire encased in fine Turkish gold.
What time is it,
Baby?
Time I smothered you in more of the same,
He whispered.
It looks outstanding.
Emily cuddled in closer still and pretended for just one moment they were somewhere else.
Somewhere new.
They say Istanbul's beautiful this time of year,
She mused.
Patience,
Darling.
Not long now.
The two lovers were closer than they had ever been.
Albeit exhausted from the incessant scrutiny of the local police.
The theft of a Sanwa sunscape was big news.
Especially when it happened in the Bridlington Hotel.
That place that couldn't seem to stay out of scandal for more than one season.
Get some more sleep,
Jatin added.
I'll get Jane to cover you.
I can't.
My mum's everywhere at the moment,
Emily replied.
Even if she wanted to,
Her mother was threat enough.
She had to be on top form to deal with her.
Not to mention James.
She needed to be there for him.
There was no shutting her eyes to that.
Back and forth they'd been the night before to the hospital,
Where Chef lay.
He was still in a critical state and he hadn't yet gained consciousness.
Things were looking grim,
And James,
To top it all,
Had lost his position alongside her at reception too.
She'd yet to tell him about that.
He wasn't going to take this demotion easily.
But that was one thought too many.
Just to get through the day ahead was enough.
I've already squared it with Jane,
Jatin replied.
She doesn't mind adding a couple of hours to her night shift.
And you've got too much going on today.
Lack of sleep is not going to help that,
Is it?
Just because Jane's got no one at home,
It doesn't mean I can take the mickey,
Emily insisted.
She's no spring chicken,
Is she?
It's tiring staying up all night,
Especially for her age.
But Jatin had never been more sure.
She likes looking after people,
Em.
It's in her nature.
Makes her feel needed.
And she's a lovely woman.
Emily sat up slowly,
Her smooth skin pale against his.
And how do you know so much about Jane all of a sudden?
We had our heart to hearts when I was avoiding you,
Didn't we?
I had to have someone to talk to.
Most of the time we were on the late shifts together.
When you weren't with Dakota,
You mean?
Emily teased.
Now it was Jatin's turn at mock offence.
I'm just playing,
She confirmed.
She's got nothing on me,
Has she?
Not at all,
My English rose.
Emily knew Jatin had eyes for nobody but her.
But it didn't hurt to be reminded of it once in a while.
I'm glad you had someone to talk to anyway.
I don't know what's worse,
Having no mum or ending up with a mother like mine.
I don't know any different.
She died when I was three.
But Jane's brilliant.
If I had to choose,
It would definitely be her.
And she wants to help,
So why don't you just let her?
Trust is not something listed on my CV,
Darling,
You know that.
But Jane's different.
There's not a hard bone in her body.
Not like my mum's,
You mean.
Well,
You said it.
OK,
Maybe just an hour then.
Emily lay back,
The memory of her conversation with her uncle Tom now in the forefront of her mind.
Taking time for herself sounded all well and good,
But in reality,
It only gave her more space to work and rework the plans she'd had for that night.
Jayten watched her closely.
She may be tired,
But Emily refused to shut her eyes.
There was something else going on with her.
She had something else on her mind.
What was it?
What hadn't she told him?
Why was there always something she hadn't told him?
Why are you looking at me like that?
You know why.
Jayten,
Emily,
If this is going to work,
You're going to have to talk to me.
That's what Jane said,
And she's right.
You've been deep in thought ever since that meeting with your uncle.
Emily twitched irritably and moved away,
Just very slightly.
How could she possibly navigate a relationship when she had all this other stuff going on?
And as for Saint Jane.
.
.
There's too much going on,
That's all.
Do you really want me to have to pick this to pieces as well?
But Jayten refused to let it go.
Stop deflecting.
This is not about what I want,
And you know it.
You said you'd trust me.
You have to be able to trust me in order for this to work,
Remember?
It is just you and me.
And Jane.
Emily couldn't help herself,
But she regretted it as soon as the words left her lips.
She was being pathetic.
They both needed all the support they could get,
And Jane had been like a mother to Jayten in his hour of need.
She had no right to admonish him for that.
Sorry,
That was beneath me.
I don't want you to be sorry.
I want you to trust me.
Slowly,
Purposefully,
Jayten pulled back the covers and made his way to the bathroom.
Emily watched as his strong,
Muscular form caught the dim light.
He was right,
Of course.
And Jane was right too.
So what was her problem exactly?
Okay,
Okay,
You win.
She jumped up quickly and joined him in the bathroom.
But you better hold on to your hat.
Really?
Jayten smiled.
How bad can it be after everything that's just happened?
I don't want you talking me out of it.
You underestimate me,
Girl.
No,
I don't.
I just know that you're.
.
.
I'm what?
More cautious than I am.
I have every right to be.
I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth.
Emily turned to leave.
And now it was Jayten's turn to be sorry.
Look,
He coaxed her back.
Whatever it is,
Whatever you want to do,
I'm here for it.
100%,
Okay?
Okay.
But you've got to agree before I tell you.
No ifs,
No buts.
Because it's happening,
Like it or not.
Jayten dropped his toothbrush back in frustration.
We're not kids,
Em.
I'm growing tired of these mistakes.
What is it?
I think they call it breaking and entering.
Where?
My father's old doctor's surgery.
When?
Tonight.
Right.
And will I need my balaclava?
Then,
With one cheeky wink,
Jayten hopped in the shower,
Followed by one very pleasantly surprised,
Emily Croft.
James wriggled uncomfortably in the waiting room's last available low chair.
He hated hospitals,
But he hated the idea of Chef in pain much more.
James Brighton,
Is it?
He looked up slowly.
Was this the news he'd been dreading?
Had the worst happened and Chef finally lost the strength to fight?
But to his complete surprise,
The woman standing before him was not a nurse.
She was dressed in a suit and she was almost as good looking as he was.
Almost.
That's right.
He stood up stiffly.
And you?
Benny.
The tall woman held out a thin white hand,
Manicured and elegant.
She had long,
Dark hair and dark,
Sultry eyes.
Right.
He was getting that sick feeling again,
The one he always got when he felt he wasn't welcome.
This must be Chef's girlfriend.
It had to be.
How has he been?
He's stable now.
He has been for the last couple of hours.
But it was touch and go at one point.
James was confused.
Why hadn't this woman turned up earlier?
And how did she know who he was?
Did you have a long journey to get here?
Yes,
I've come down from Scotland.
Not the girlfriend then,
He thought.
Sister,
Perhaps?
Whoever she was,
She wasn't telling.
Mr Brighton?
And there was the doctor,
Come for the latest update.
How's he doing?
He's out of danger and asking for you.
For me?
What about his next of kin?
What about his girlfriend?
Benny said nothing.
So James followed the doctor through the double doors and down the narrow corridor to Ward 51.
Something inside him stirred.
Something that had lain dormant for so long.
This was hope.
But how ridiculous was that?
The man wasn't even gay.
Down the long wall,
They continued,
Past the frail,
Past the weak,
Until at last,
There he was.
The huge frame that was Chef.
Propped up on a pile of white,
Plump pillows,
Looking very much the worse for wear.
Only a couple of minutes,
Warned the doctor,
And no excitement.
I can't promise anything,
James muttered,
Which made everyone smile.
The doctor left promptly and James settled himself into the soft chair at the head of Chef's bed.
Do you need anything?
He wanted to say how relieved he was.
He wanted to say life wasn't worth living without seeing this man every day.
But instead he said,
I'm starving.
Any chance of one of your specials?
Their eyes met and Chef held out an open palm.
It was unexpected.
And James's heart sang.
This was an invitation.
An unexpected,
But real invitation.
And taking Chef's heavy hand in both of his,
He said,
It doesn't get any more special than this.
