By #HerbieHind

When Kat checks into a charming seaside cottage, she expects doilies and downtime—not a mysterious room labelled “Renovation in Progress.” But curiosity gets the better of her, and what she uncovers inside is a one-of-a-kind guest amenity, and a surprisingly thorough welcome that leaves her blushing—on more than one cheek. Regulation in Progress is a cheeky tale of misread warnings, unexpected hospitality, and a holiday experience that leaves a lasting impression.

1. A Cosy Little Mystery

Katherine Everley — Kat to everyone except her bank manager — had stayed in plenty of quirky British holiday rentals, but Primrose Cottage took the teacake.

It smelled faintly of lavender blossom and seemed to have doilies on every flat surface. Chintz curtains hung in the living room windows, mismatched teacups rested on crocheted coasters, and the bookshelf was stacked with jigsaws and dusty paperbacks. It was the kind of place where time hadn’t so much stood still as knitted itself a shawl and popped the kettle on.