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‘Are you here?’ Freddie boomed, bursting into the office as she stood up.
‘Fred,’ she greeted.
‘Pippa, gorgeous as ever.’
Hector, with his floppy, public schoolboy dark hair, and his favoured look of chinos and a cable-knit sweater, stepped forwards and engulfed her in a hug. He was tall, well-toned – he liked his fitness – with a smile that lit up rooms. His body was often featured in magazines as being a ‘hot bod’ and his blue-green eyes were the subject of many a crush. Hector, with his boyish good looks, wouldn’t have been out of place in a Hollywood film.
As she felt his arms around her, Pippa couldn’t help but smile. It was so familiar, hugging Hector; he’d become one of her closest friends over the years. Pippa didn’t have many friends. She had her family, the villagers and Gemma. All of her girlfriends had been lost when she was married – Mark didn’t approve of her mixing with anyone he hadn’t chosen for her – and that made her sad, but now she knew she should count herself lucky.
‘Welcome back, Hector. Hope the drive with Freddie wasn’t too bad?’ Pippa arched an eyebrow.
Freddie had offered to pick Hector up from the train station in Bath. It gave him a chance to drive his Porsche outside the village and also to catch up with Hector, with whom he was firm friends.
‘It was great. Honestly. I’m so happy to be here,’ Hector gushed. ‘Missed the old place. America was nice but crazy busy and you know, just before I was due to leave I didn’t think of my flat in London, I thought of here.’
‘Right, first things first, welcome drink,’ Freddie announced. ‘Come on through to the bar.’
‘It’s only four o’clock,’ Pippa pointed out. ‘And I’ve got to organise food for you for tonight.’ Pippa knew that she shouldn’t be thinking of work but she always did.
‘Honestly, Hector’s just arrived back after a successful book tour and you can’t even toast him?’ Freddie tutted.
‘Of course I can,’ Pippa argued, narrowing her eyes at her brother.
Freddie had a habit of turning anything into a celebration. He’d celebrate a letter arriving, even if it was a bill. And, of course, they’d only just got over the hangover from the party two days ago.
‘So, I’m guessing that we’ll be eating pizza tonight and probably won’t leave the bar?’ she conceded.
She knew when to give in; there was no arguing with her brother sometimes. And, of course, Hector’s arrival did warrant a celebration.
‘That sounds like my perfect welcome-home evening.’ Hector’s eyes shone. He was so easily pleased.
‘Where’s Gemma?’ Pippa asked.
‘She’s gone to visit her nan’s grave thingy at the crematorium. You know, she goes regularly but she wanted to tell her about the anniversary party and stuff.’ Freddie’s features softened when he spoke of his girlfriend.
‘Why didn’t you go with her?’ Hector asked.
Pippa had been thinking the same thing.
‘I tried, I’ll have you know, but she wanted to be alone. She doesn’t have family anymore, as you know, so talking to her nan’s important to her. I did offer but she said she’d go when I was picking up Hector. Anyway, she’ll be back any minute, so I’ll get her to join us.’ He pulled out his phone and started texting.
‘Listen, I’ve only just recovered from the party hangover, so I’m really not going to drink much,’ Pippa said.
‘As long as we get the pleasure of your company, I really don’t mind,’ Hector replied with his familiar grin that made most people swoon.
‘So, how were the women in America?’ Freddie asked later as they were all sat around a table in the bar.
So much for not drinking. Pippa could already feel herself on the cusp of tipsy. She poured herself a glass of water. Gemma sat next to her. She’d been emotional after visiting her nan’s memorial but a couple of glasses of wine and a pizza later, she seemed to have cheered up.
‘Not a patch on here,’ Hector replied, looking at Pippa from under his long eyelashes. ‘But really, I was working so much I barely had the time to know which city I was in. It was bookshop after bookshop – or store as they say – and radio programme after radio programme. It was great, exhausting, but definitely all work and no play.’
‘Freddie should take a leaf out of your book,’ Gemma teased.
‘Oi, I’ll have you know I’ve worked really hard this year,’ he retorted.
‘You have and you have to admit that you love your job,’ Gemma conceded.
‘Talking of that, cocktail, anyone? I can make a pretty mean pornstar martini.’
‘It’s lovely to have you back,’ Gemma said.
She was a big fan of Hector. Didn’t ever stop reminding Pippa of the fact. And Pippa did adore him, but just as a friend, as she constantly seemed to remind everyone.
‘How long are you here for?’ Gemma added.
‘The book isn’t going to write itself. I’m under huge pressure to make it as good as the first one and you know, I’m actually nervous,’ he admitted.
Pippa startled. It wasn’t often she saw a vulnerable side to Hector, but there it was.
‘You’ll be fine, you’ve got Meadowbrook to inspire you,’ she reassured.
‘And that’s exactly what I need,’ he finished.
‘Harry, what are you doing here?’ Pippa walked into the kitchen, to find her sister sitting at the table with a laptop in front of her.
It was only half past six in the morning. Pippa was in her pyjamas and dressing gown. She’d stuck to her guns last night and not drunk too much, and as Hector was the only guest staying, she didn’t need to be up so early, but it had become a habit now. Later today, they were welcoming a small accountancy firm on a team-building break. They were staying for three days – painting one day, baking the next, and the third day they were going to take walks and explore the local area. There were only six of them altogether, so it was going to be quite straightforward, but Pippa wanted to check the rooms, the food and the itinerary well ahead of time.
One of the ideas Gemma had introduced was that as it was a small hotel, they get each guest to fill out a questionnaire before arrival. It not only asked for food preferences, but also a bit about themselves, so they could get to know each person before their stay. It worked well. It not only personalised the experience, but it also acted as forewarning. If someone didn’t like fish, they’d know not to serve it. If they preferred a certain type of alcohol, they’d make sure they had plenty in. If they wanted entertainment, they’d organise that, too. It was a very individualised stay, which is what Meadowbrook was all about.
‘The accounts. I can’t get them to add up. And keep your voice down – Toby’s asleep by the Aga,’ Harriet said eventually.
Pippa looked over to where her nephew was snuffling away in his pram.
‘Right,’ Pippa said and flicked the kettle on. ‘But it’s so early.’
‘Yes, Pip, I’m aware of that,’ Harriet snapped. ‘Sorry, sorry, but Toby was up half the night, and Connor and I took turns, but Connor needs to go to the surgery today and I thought if I brought Toby up here then at least he might get a few hours of decent sleep. But these numbers just don’t make sense.’
‘Fair enough, but what about you, you look exhausted?’
Pippa made tea but then thought that perhaps Harriet needed coffee. She went to turn on the coffee machine and when the machine had warmed up, she made her sister a double shot Americano and handed it over.
‘You’re a star. And yes, I’m fine. And anyway, after I’ve done these accounts and then some admin at the sanctuary, I’ve agreed to let Gwen sit at mine with Toby for a couple of hours so I get to have a nap. Satisfied?’ Harriet snapped again. Then she grinned. ‘Sorry. How’s Hector? I meant to come up and see him yesterday, but somehow this one kept us hostage in our own home. How can something so small wreak so much havoc?’
‘He’s a baby and he doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do yet,’ Pippa said.
Harriet had bags under her eyes and although Pippa didn’t want to point this out, Harry looked exhausted. No wonder the numbers weren’t adding up. She leant over Harriet’s shoulder and looked at the spreadsheet in front of her. Pippa’s strength wasn’t in maths, that was for sure, but she could see the mistake clearly.
‘Harry, I think those expenses are in the wrong column,’ she said softly.
Harriet narrowed her eyes at her sister then squinted at the screen.
‘’Course, I knew that. Right, great, it’s all fine now, then.’
‘Anyway, we’ve got the accountant guests arriving later and I’m just waiting for Vicky to come up so we can go through the menus.’
Pippa knew when to change the subject. Vicky was Gwen’s second-in-command, but she’d been trained up to run the hotel kitchen, although she still deferred to Gwen. Gwen was almost as much of a control freak as Harriet when it came to the Meadowbrook kitchen.
‘Ha, I should have asked them to do our accounts. Only joking. Gosh, this coffee is good, Pip. Right, I’m going to finish up here, then I’ll take Toby down to the sanctuary with me. Leave you to get ready, and don’t worry, I won’t be popping up with the baby while we’ve got guests.’
‘You know, I could babysit for a bit this morning?’ Pippa offered.
‘No, it’s fine. He’ll need feeding soon; I’d better take him with me. But I’ll call you later.’
Pippa decided arguing was futile as she took her tea into her apartment.
She’d just blow-dried her hair, when a message pinged on her iPad. The hotel had been set up so that guests could send instant messages from the mini iPad each room was presented with when they checked in. Another of Gemma’s ideas. And it made Pippa’s life easier, especially when the hotel was full. If they wanted anything – room service, fresh towels – they could send a message. Mixing modern technology with a Georgian manor house, they liked that at Meadowbrook, the old with the new.
She read the message:
Join me for breakfast?
Of course it was from Hector. Who else?
Meet me in the kitchen, she replied.
No guest ever ate in the kitchen. They had a formal dining room or they could eat in their rooms, but Hector was different. And Vicky would probably be there by now, so she could whip up something for them.
‘Hector,’ Pippa said as he walked into the kitchen a few minutes after her.
‘Pippa, morning!’ He grinned his boyish grin.
Whenever he did book signings, it was always full of women who wanted to get close to him. He said he felt a bit like a sex object, as he was sure half of them didn’t even read the books they brandished for him to sign. It made Pippa laugh. After all, he’d become famous for wearing swimming shorts and little else, and chatting up women, so he had little grounds for complaint.
‘Hi, Hector,’ Vicky said, turning a nice shade of red.
All the Meadowbrook staff, both male and female, had crushes on Hector. When he’d stayed here to write his first book, they’d all fallen in love or lust with him.
‘Vicky, you look lovely as always. Can I have my usual?’ Hector asked charmingly.
‘Yes, full English and cappuccino coming up. Pippa?’
‘I’ll just grab some yoghurt and fruit. Tomorrow, we need the dining room set up for six, unless you want to join the accountants for breakfast, Hector?’ Pippa asked.
‘No, I really don’t want to do that. Can I have breakfast in here?’ he asked.
‘I’m not sure that’s a good idea when we have other guests,’ Pippa said.
‘Of course,’ Vicky said at the same time. ‘It’ll be fine. I’ll take care of you myself.’
Pippa rolled her eyes.
‘Great. You know, sitting at this wonderful kitchen table eating breakfast in here inspires my writing,’ Hector declared. ‘As does your very wonderful cooking, Vicky.’
‘Oh, that’s so lovely to hear,’ Vicky said, flushed with pleasure.
No wonder everyone fell at his feet. Apart from herself, of course.
Freddie was doing a stocktake in the bar and Gemma was helping him when Pippa returned from checking the rooms.
‘God, the village can drink,’ Freddie observed as he started to type into his iPad what he needed to order after the party had depleted a fair bit of stock.
‘They learnt from the best,’ Gemma teased, giving him an affectionate squeeze.
‘Gem, do you fancy coming for a walk down to the sanctuary with me? I never see you these days,’ Pippa complained.
She was so happy her best friend and her brother were together, but she missed the times when she and Gemma were setting up the hotel together, both living at Meadowbrook. They’d have late-night chats and early morning chats … She was lonely, Pippa knew. Not anything bad, but she did miss the companionship of having her friend around. They got on so well and Pippa was still getting used to spending more time on her own. Even when the hotel was full, Pippa would be working and then she’d go to her apartment alone to sleep. There was definitely a feeling of isolation at times, but she knew she was probably being self-indulgent. She wanted the hotel and she’d got it. She should be counting her blessings, not worrying about what she didn’t have.
‘I see you nearly every day,’ Gemma pointed out. ‘But sure, I’ll come with you; we might get to see Drake.’
‘He’s very sweet,’ Pippa said of the new arrival, the calf that Fleur had named. ‘But of course Madonna won’t let you go near him.’
‘Nor will David. They’re a tight little family,’ Freddie said. ‘I thought parenthood might soften them, but it’s actually made them more aggressive. A bit like Harry, actually …’
Pippa swiped at him.
‘I might get to see Toby as well,’ Gemma added, pointedly ignoring Freddie.
‘As I said, Harriet’s about as protective of him as Madonna is of Drake. You’re lucky she hasn’t tried to charge you when you get too close,’ Freddie said.
They both left him to it, shaking their heads. It was almost true. Harriet hadn’t wanted anyone to hold Toby for about a week after he was born. Even the midwife had to prise him out of her arms, but she was getting better. She was no way as bad as Madonna was, thankfully.
Meadowbrook Sanctuary was an integral part of the estate, although largely they kept it separate from the hotel. While some guests showed interest in the animals, many didn’t, so it was kept at a discreet distance, figuratively speaking. The reality was that you drove past it to get to the hotel, but they’d found a balance, as some of the fields had been concealed with large trees, and it worked. As Gemma pointed out, not everyone who came to a five-star hotel wanted to watch pigs rolling around in mud. Although Connor couldn’t think why not, Pippa and Harriet had agreed.
The sanctuary had expanded over the past year. With Harriet at its helm, it was growing year on year and the donations were up. Of course, the result of the sanctuary being so well known meant that animals being brought to them were also on the increase, so they’d had no choice but to expand. Connor would never turn an animal away and nor would he put a healthy one down, so they all had to ensure that they could cope with the demand.
Each of the siblings had their own roles to play. Gus looked after the pigs, Freddie the chickens, while Harriet was more of a general manager and finance person, and Pippa floated between all the animals wherever she was needed. They had more staff than ever now, both paid and volunteers.
She found Harriet with Toby by the paddock looking at the tiny ponies, Cookie, Clover and Brian, along with their latest editions, Star and Bea, a couple of Shetland ponies who’d been mistreated. Many of the stories behind how some of the animals who came to the sanctuary had been treated had them all in tears. No one was immune and Pippa found it hard to believe they could live in a world where people were so cruel. Gerald, the donkey, approached them; he was never far from the ponies, of whom he seemed to take care. But his leg was still a little wonky from an injury he’d sustained in a fire before the hotel opened. Thinking about that still filled Pippa with dread, of how close they’d come to losing some of the animals … It made her shudder.
‘Hey,’ Pippa said, going over to her sister and trying not to grab Toby from her arms.
‘Hello,’ Harriet said. ‘Right, which one of you wants first hold?’
She was definitely getting better at letting people near her child.
‘Me!’ they both said.
‘Gemma, you have him first; after all, Pip, you’ve had more time with him lately.’
Gemma clutched him to her and kissed his head.
‘You really are the most beautiful baby,’ she cooed.
Harriet and Pippa exchanged a glance. Was she broody? Pippa wasn’t sure if Freddie was ready for fatherhood. He was barely ready for adulthood, after all.
They watched as Gemma started walking Toby around the field.
‘He’s pretty relaxed about being handed around,’ Pippa said, as Toby seemed happy with Gemma.
‘Um …’ Harriet didn’t look pleased. ‘I expected more loyalty.’
‘With a mother as neurotic as you, that’s a miracle. He obviously takes after Connor,’ she added with a laugh.
‘Shut up! I’m not neurotic.’ Harriet swiped at her. ‘Well, only a bit. But there’s something I need to tell you. Have the accountants arrived yet?’
‘No, they’re due at three for tea, it’s all organised,’ Pippa replied.
‘Great. So, I just had an email through the booking system. A woman wants to book in for at least a couple of months.’
‘Really? Who is she?’
‘I don’t have much info, to be honest. Her name’s Brooke Walker. She’s from California, is thinking of moving here to start a business and wants a quintessential English experience.’
‘But two months will cost her a fortune. I know Hector’s on mates rates, but he’s still paying a lot and he can afford it.’
‘She must be well off, too. I gave her a quote, with a small discount, and she agreed straight away. She also said she’d pay two months upfront and then see if she wanted to extend. The good news is that we can fit her in, even with the other bookings, and the brilliant thing is that this’ll be a healthy amount of money through the winter. In fact, if she stays two months that’ll take us to spring and if she stays longer …’
‘Gosh, with her and Hector we’ll have two long-term residents. What else do you know about this woman?’
‘I’m waiting for her to answer the questionnaire. She did say that she had a British heritage she knew very little about, which is one of the reasons she was coming, along with the idea she might settle here and run a business, but I’ve no idea about anything else. Hopefully, we’ll hear more soon; I’m quite intrigued. I have no idea how old she is, even. She’s arriving in a week’s time and I said that we’d organise the airport transfer.’
‘Brooke, that’s a very American name,’ Pippa mused.
‘Who’s Brooke?’ Gemma asked, rejoining them.
‘Some woman from California who wants to stay here for a couple of months,’ Harriet explained.
‘God, she’s bound to be blonde and beautiful,’ Gemma lamented. ‘And thin. I’ll bet she’s thin.’
‘Gemma, I hate to point it out, but you’re beautiful and slim – not thin but slim,’ Pippa said. ‘And if she is, the only man who might be remotely interested in her is Hector.’
‘But he’s only got eyes for you,’ Harriet pointed out. ‘But then Freddie only has eyes for you, Gem, so there’s no problem.’
Gemma looked unconvinced. That was the only thing with her, Pippa worried. Gemma still wasn’t the most confident of women and her brother probably wasn’t the best at picking up on this. Pippa was going to have to watch that, because if Gemma needed reassurance, she’d have to point that out to Freddie.
‘By the way, I’ve got a re-homing-cum-adoption day to organise for the dogs. Gemma, have you got time to help me in the next couple of weeks?’ Harriet asked.
‘Sure, I’m on top of my college work.’
Gemma was studying for a business degree; the hotel had given her a taste for starting up something of her own, but she worked so ridiculously hard she was always ahead. And top of her class. For someone who lacked confidence, she was very good at what she did and Pippa never failed to remind her of this.
‘Great, why don’t we meet later and brainstorm? I’ll call you when I know what Toby’s schedule is. Speaking of which, he’s due a feed.’ Harriet took him gently from Gemma.
Pippa looked out over Meadowbrook. It really was the most magnificent place in the world, she thought. There was nowhere quite like it. And with that, she headed back to the house to greet her latest guests.
Chapter Six
‘Bloody hell! Who knew accountants could drink so much?’ Freddie’s eyes were wide as he sat in the bar with Pippa, Hector and Gemma, the evening after their six latest guests had departed.
‘I told you they all said they liked tequila. That should have been a warning sign,’ Pippa laughed.
‘Yes, well, that woman, Patricia, she was very frisky. She kept trying to touch my bum,’ Hector complained.
‘You know, you should stay here for free. No, you should actually be paid to stay here, the way you were the star attraction,’ Gemma stated.
It was true. Everyone wanted to talk to Hector. When the accountants discovered he was staying there – thankfully not until their last night – the group had insisted he join them for dinner and then drinks. Hector had obliged with good grace, although he did go to bed earlier than them, citing work. Pippa thought it was to get away from the groping woman, Patricia. She was so mild-mannered when Pippa met her – as well as throughout the painting workshop and the cooking – so when she drank and became a bit of a cougar, they were all taken aback. It had been fun, though. They’d loved their stay and the bar bill had been great for Meadowbrook’s profits. They left with a flurry of compliments and assurances they’d return. She wasn’t going to tell Hector that, though. Not yet. He really might demand to be put on the payroll.
‘So, tell us about your new book,’ she said instead, trying to change the subject as they sipped much-needed glasses of wine.
She had her feet up on the table. It was nice at times being at Meadowbrook without guests and it felt like home again. As much as she loved the hotel, she did miss having the house as a family home at times. But that was only natural. And as she was the only one who actually lived in Meadowbrook, it wouldn’t ever be the same family home again.
‘It’s sort of a sequel, although I’ve introduced some new characters. Did I tell you that the first one might be being made into a film?’
‘No way, mate, you never said. Congratulations!’ Freddie sounded delighted.
‘You know I was in LA before New York, going to all these meetings where everyone says they love you, they love the book? Well, on and on they went and often it comes to nothing. But I just got confirmation that there’s been an offer and they want to get started straight away. So although it might not see the screen, my agent’s confident it will.’
‘That’s amazing!’ Pippa leant over and kissed Hector’s cheek. ‘I can’t tell you how proud we are of you,’ she said.
He blushed. Hector always looked young for his age; he wasn’t quite thirty, but he looked even more like a schoolboy when he blushed.
‘So, you have to write book two now. What about the film script?’ Gemma asked.
‘They’ll be getting a scriptwriter in. I didn’t think I knew how to write a book and I’ve never written a script, so I don’t want to push it. But I get to consult on it and when I’ve finished this book, I’m probably going to go to LA for a bit.’
‘To live?’ Freddie couldn’t keep the horror out of his voice.
‘No, but maybe for a while. After all, why not? I’m pretty flexible, I’ve got no ties here.’ He glanced at Pippa, who pretended not to notice. ‘But the problem is that this new book has to be good. It’s great that The Coron Files was such a success and the family intrigue seems to be the main hook – you guys were my inspiration, by the way.’