proved that I’ve just about reached that point.”
Rory nodded in agreement.
“Right, I’m off home. See you up there soon,” Grimson said looking back over his shoulder as he strode away and disappeared into the darkness.
Home?
thought Rory.
Hotel Grimm?
If only rebranding were that simple.
15. Make or break
The second trip up Scrab Hill and into Hotel Grimm seemed more straightforward to Rory. From the start he knew that he’d survived one encounter so he felt that he had every chance of making it through another. Secondly, he was armed with his very own solution to the challenge of rebranding Hotel Grimm, a smart folder containing five crisp sheets of typed paper outlining his ideas. Not only that, but another journey there meant that he had the chance once more to enjoy the view of Aberfintry, while in Grandad and Bonnie he had people who knew where he was going, even if they didn’t agree with what he was going to say when he got there.
It was also less alarming on a second occasion to have the door opened by a butler who was as disconcerting as Grog was.
“So there you have it,” concluded Rory after presenting his suggestions to Granville Grimm, who was seated once again at the far end of the table.
Rory rustled his papers together, feeling happy that he had presented his suggestions enthusiastically and clearly. He had pointed out that the hotel had unwittingly carved out a niche for itself. Recent trends in guests not making it back down the hill, whilst unfortunate, had meant that the hotel could be viewed as a place of excitement and intrigue. The family’s reclusive nature and their slightly unusual staff, meant that there was curiosity value for visitors intrigued by the Grimms.
“Think of yourselves as a kind of royal family or a family in a soap opera,” he said. “People want to know about you’re going to do next.”
As he finished there was an awfully long pause. In the gloom, Granville Grimm had put down his copy of the report and pressed his hands together as if he was praying. Rory cleared his throatnervously, not sure whether to make another move and wondered momentarily if praying might be a good activity for himself. He tried to read the reaction on the man’s face. The only hint of emotion was a flicker on his brow as if a fly had brushed past. Eventually, the silence was broken by a quiet, calm voice.
“Are these serious suggestions?” asked Granville Grimm.
Rory was so taken aback at this opening line that he had nothing to say in response.
“Is there a problem?” Rory heard his own voice quavering as he asked the question.
“No there is not
a
problem,” said Granville Grimm, “There are lots and lots and lots of problems. Correct me if I’m wrong,” he continued in his measured, polite voice. “The fact that my family doesn’t fit with people’s expectations, and that there have been a series of deeply unfortunate accidents, are what you want to make the centre of your campaign? That is both disappointing and insulting.”
Rory could feel panic beginning to rise inside. Swallowing hard and pulling at his collar to let off some heat, he tried to play things as cool as he could. “I’m sorry to hear that,” he said, as his mind whirled.
“You seem to consider the main attraction to be that we are odd and possibly dangerous,” said Granville Grimm.
“I didn’t say that,” said Rory, knowing that at the very least he had thought it.
“No, you said …” Granville Grimm flicked back through the report, “unusual … out of the ordinary … different. You seem to suggest that the hotel ought to become some kind of zoo and we are to be on display.”
“Er … it’s not like that,” said Rory thinking that this was nearly how Bonnie had interpreted his idea.
“It sounds like that,” said Granville Grimm sliding the report across the table top to Rory as if he had seen quite enough of it and wanted it nowhere near him now.
Rory knew he had to
Rory nodded in agreement.
“Right, I’m off home. See you up there soon,” Grimson said looking back over his shoulder as he strode away and disappeared into the darkness.
Home?
thought Rory.
Hotel Grimm?
If only rebranding were that simple.
15. Make or break
The second trip up Scrab Hill and into Hotel Grimm seemed more straightforward to Rory. From the start he knew that he’d survived one encounter so he felt that he had every chance of making it through another. Secondly, he was armed with his very own solution to the challenge of rebranding Hotel Grimm, a smart folder containing five crisp sheets of typed paper outlining his ideas. Not only that, but another journey there meant that he had the chance once more to enjoy the view of Aberfintry, while in Grandad and Bonnie he had people who knew where he was going, even if they didn’t agree with what he was going to say when he got there.
It was also less alarming on a second occasion to have the door opened by a butler who was as disconcerting as Grog was.
“So there you have it,” concluded Rory after presenting his suggestions to Granville Grimm, who was seated once again at the far end of the table.
Rory rustled his papers together, feeling happy that he had presented his suggestions enthusiastically and clearly. He had pointed out that the hotel had unwittingly carved out a niche for itself. Recent trends in guests not making it back down the hill, whilst unfortunate, had meant that the hotel could be viewed as a place of excitement and intrigue. The family’s reclusive nature and their slightly unusual staff, meant that there was curiosity value for visitors intrigued by the Grimms.
“Think of yourselves as a kind of royal family or a family in a soap opera,” he said. “People want to know about you’re going to do next.”
As he finished there was an awfully long pause. In the gloom, Granville Grimm had put down his copy of the report and pressed his hands together as if he was praying. Rory cleared his throatnervously, not sure whether to make another move and wondered momentarily if praying might be a good activity for himself. He tried to read the reaction on the man’s face. The only hint of emotion was a flicker on his brow as if a fly had brushed past. Eventually, the silence was broken by a quiet, calm voice.
“Are these serious suggestions?” asked Granville Grimm.
Rory was so taken aback at this opening line that he had nothing to say in response.
“Is there a problem?” Rory heard his own voice quavering as he asked the question.
“No there is not
a
problem,” said Granville Grimm, “There are lots and lots and lots of problems. Correct me if I’m wrong,” he continued in his measured, polite voice. “The fact that my family doesn’t fit with people’s expectations, and that there have been a series of deeply unfortunate accidents, are what you want to make the centre of your campaign? That is both disappointing and insulting.”
Rory could feel panic beginning to rise inside. Swallowing hard and pulling at his collar to let off some heat, he tried to play things as cool as he could. “I’m sorry to hear that,” he said, as his mind whirled.
“You seem to consider the main attraction to be that we are odd and possibly dangerous,” said Granville Grimm.
“I didn’t say that,” said Rory, knowing that at the very least he had thought it.
“No, you said …” Granville Grimm flicked back through the report, “unusual … out of the ordinary … different. You seem to suggest that the hotel ought to become some kind of zoo and we are to be on display.”
“Er … it’s not like that,” said Rory thinking that this was nearly how Bonnie had interpreted his idea.
“It sounds like that,” said Granville Grimm sliding the report across the table top to Rory as if he had seen quite enough of it and wanted it nowhere near him now.
Rory knew he had to
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