Читать книгу The Ticket to Happiness - Faith Bleasdale - Страница 14

‘I don’t see why I have to be the bloody driver,’ Freddie moaned. ‘I’m not a chauffeur, I’m a serious bar manager and co-owner of the hotel.’

‘You picked Hector up happily enough,’ Pippa pointed out.

‘That’s different, he’s a mate,’ Freddie whined.

Pippa laughed. Her brother acted like a toddler at times; she was almost expecting him to stamp his foot.

‘Fred, I can’t go because I’m needed here. We’ve got guests leaving and I’ve got to get Brooke’s room ready. I’ve got a skeleton staff as there’s some kind of cold bug going round, so someone needs to pick her up from the airport.’

‘But why me?’ Freddie persisted.

He didn’t like being ‘staff’, even though technically he was, but then he’d always been slightly work-shy. Since he’d started managing the hotel bar and running all the hotel’s social media, Freddie had began to work harder than ever, largely owing to Gemma, Pippa thought, but he still didn’t like to do anything that he didn’t want to. Which was a lot of things.

When they first lost their father, the terms of their father’s will stated that the four siblings had to live together in the house for a year and work in the sanctuary. Freddie had been appalled when he was first put on chicken duty, although he was very fond of them now and he spoilt them. But, that hadn’t happened overnight. It had taken a boot up Freddie’s backside to get him to actually do some work – and that boot had come from their father, from his grave.

‘Harry would kill me if we paid a cab to pick her up and included in her price is airport transfer. Fred, she’s an important guest. She’s staying with us for at least two months and she’s paid the full amount up front, so we need to make sure her stay, from the moment she steps out of the airport until she leaves here, is perfect. I trust you to give her the right kind of welcome.’

‘Hummph. What’s this woman’s story, anyway?’ He folded his arms but she could see he’d thawed a little.

‘It’s quite strange, actually. She’s only twenty-five, which seems very young. She’s from California. Apparently, she has some kind of English ancestry who she wants to find out more about and is even thinking of setting up a business here.’

‘Doing what? And when you say here, I’m guessing you don’t mean Parker’s Hollow?’ Freddie frowned.

He had a point. This was a lovely village but young people didn’t exactly pour in to set up businesses here. It was definitely an older person’s type of village; although there had been an influx of younger families lately what with the new housing developments on the outskirts – much to the horror of many of the long-standing residents. It had crossed Pippa’s mind to question why she’d chosen Meadowbrook, but Harriet told her not to pry. After all, they’d find out soon enough when she was staying with them.

‘Not sure, but we do know that she’s vegetarian and she eats a lot of eggs – free-range, of course,’ Pippa grinned.

Their chickens laid eggs and as the coop had almost doubled with ex-battery hens in the past year, they had plenty at the moment.

She continued, ‘And she drinks a lot of green juice. She sent the recipe over and poor Vicky’s getting to grips with the blender and wheatgrass as we speak.’

‘OK, so I’ll go and get her from Heathrow. Please tell me I don’t have to wear a chauffeur’s uniform.’

‘No, that would look silly, especially as you need to introduce yourself as one of the owners of the hotel. No, just look smart. Your best jeans and blazer would work well, I think.’

‘How will I know who she is?’

‘Oh, we made a sign for you. Don’t worry, Fred, we’ve thought of everything. Oh, and take the Range Rover, remember. No Porsche.’ Pippa didn’t want the poor woman arriving terrified.

‘You ruin all my fun,’ Freddie mumbled before heading out.

Pippa was intrigued about their new guest. She knew so little about her but she was looking forward to meeting her. She was also looking forward to having another woman about the place, although Harriet had warned her not to try to push friendship on this guest. While Pippa had taken umbrage at the time, she knew her sister had a point. Pippa did know how to be professional but she could try a bit too hard to be friends with people at times. Gemma had been a case in point. When Gemma came to Meadowbrook to work for them, Pippa had determined they’d be best friends. They’d become so over time, which only proved her right, but she also accepted that she could be a bit pushy and Brooke was a paying guest. Pippa knew she’d have to remember that. Friendly but professional. Of course, if she was going to see a lot of her, a bit like with Hector, then surely it wouldn’t be like the other guests, would it? Pippa knew she’d have to try to find the right balance.

‘Hey.’ Gemma walked in and found Pippa in the office.

‘Gosh, it’s like a revolving door around here. Freddie’s just left, you’ve just arrived.’

‘Oh, I missed him?’ Gemma sounded anxious. ‘I’m going to college in a bit. I was hoping to catch him before I left.’

‘You guys literally must have just passed each other.’

Pippa’s brows knotted. She knew Gemma well. When Gemma had come to work at Meadowbrook as their hotel consultant, Pippa and she had become close. Even though Gemma had tried to keep her and the rest of the family at arm’s-length, they soon broke down her barriers. It wasn’t easy and her situation turned out to be complicated. Gemma was serious and hardworking but anxious and almost secretive. They later found out that was because she wasn’t actually qualified to do the job they hired her for – although she was certainly capable – and she’d stolen her old boss’s CV. It had sent Pippa into a rage; she couldn’t believe her friend had lied to her. But then Gemma had explained that her boss was horrible, her nan was in an expensive nursing home and she had nowhere to live, so she’d taken the first risk that she’d ever taken in her life… And she hadn’t expected to get close to the people she worked with.

In the end, Pippa understood. Gemma had had a terrible time, had hardly any family and then her only relative, her nan, had died just before the hotel opened. Pippa had recognised that Gemma wasn’t a bad person and she’d done an amazing job with the hotel. Eventually, she’d thawed and they’d reaffirmed their friendship, and when Gemma and Freddie got together, it had made Gemma more part of the family. And their relationship had seemed wonderful for the past year. Gemma was definitely a positive influence in Freddie’s life and he helped bring out her lighter side. Everyone agreed they were made for each other; they were certainly very good for each other.

‘Freddie and I kind of had a fight,’ Gemma blurted out. Then she burst into tears.

Pippa led her to the sofa, sat her down and passed her some tissues.

‘About what, Gem?’ she asked.

‘Oh God, I’m such a fool. I knew it was too good to be true. This life. Meadowbrook, the hotel, us then Freddie and the beautiful house…’ Her words were interrupted by her sobs.

‘Hey, it’s not too good to be true. You deserve it all.’

Pippa put an arm around Gemma. This was the old Gemma, riddled with insecurity, never feeling good enough. Pippa felt her heart breaking for her. It had taken Freddie a while to get Gemma to agree to move into the barn conversion with him. At first she’d lived at the hotel, sharing Pippa’s apartment – the living room had been a bedroom for a while – then she’d tried to rent somewhere nearer her college. But Freddie had begged her to live with him and eventually she’d relented. They lived with Albert, the cat that Freddie had adopted for her from the sanctuary to persuade her to move in with him. Albert had been Gemma’s favourite. Pippa never knew her brother could be so romantic, especially as Albert loved Gemma but didn’t like Freddie. Although when he first lived with them he’d hiss at Freddie, now he largely ignored him. But Freddie loved Gemma and Pippa thought her being there, with her boyfriend and her cat, and the rest of the Singers not far away, had given Gemma a new family and made her feel secure. But now, it seems she might have been wrong about that.

‘You know I’ve been struggling. When the anniversary of nan’s death came up I felt as if I went right back to when she died. I miss her, you know, and I still feel so lost sometimes. But I’m also lucky. I’ve got you and I’ve got Freddie and the family. But you know how insecure I was and still am sometimes. I try to fight it but it never goes away. Not properly.’

‘I know, but my annoying brother loves you, Gemma.’

Pippa was stern, although sometimes Gemma did need a bit of a talking to. Mind you, Pippa did, too. That was how their friendship worked. Gemma would tell Pippa she worked too hard and Pippa would tell Gemma she was too hard on herself.

‘I do know that, deep down, but Freddie’s so confident, as you know. I’m not and I think I’m trying to push him into something he might not be ready for.’

‘What do you mean?’ Pippa asked, feeling herself go cold.

Maybe her suspicions were right. Her brother had never been a fan of commitment but with Gemma that was changing. However, Pippa knew that he had to make the changes in his own time.

‘I mentioned marriage and babies. Seeing Harriet with Connor and Toby, well, it kind of makes me want that. I want my own family.’ She dissolved in tears again.

‘Oh, Gem. Freddie loves you and perhaps he should be thinking along those lines at his age. In fact, he might well be. But you know, he’s not the kind of guy you push into doing things,’ Pippa said gently.

‘I know. He said he didn’t like children and he really didn’t want a baby. He said he preferred chickens.’

Pippa couldn’t help but laugh.

‘That’s such a Freddie thing to say. And you know he doesn’t mean it. But, Gemma, he does love you, I can see that. Anyone can see that. But you need to give him some time.’

‘I know, and there’s no rush.’ Gemma was only thirty, after all. ‘I just can’t help myself. You know, everything’s going so well, so why am I trying to sabotage it?’

‘Million-pound question. Listen, we need to spend a bit of girly time together, give Fred some space. Let him stew with his chickens. Once he gets back from picking up our new guest, that is.’

Gemma laughed. ‘I could certainly do with that.’

‘Let me settle in the new arrival and then perhaps we can have a trip into Bath for some shopping and lunch.’

‘Sounds lovely. Thanks, Pippa, I don’t know what I’d do without you.’

‘You don’t have to know.’ Pippa hugged her. ‘That’s what friends are for.’

She just prayed Freddie and Gemma would work this out, because she didn’t want to lose her friend and she also knew how much Gemma didn’t want to lose Freddie. Not only that, but Pippa knew how much Freddie needed Gemma. She just hoped that Freddie knew it, too. She thought he did but equally, she knew that he was probably panicking about Gemma’s grown-up demands. Just as everything seemed to be going smoothly, problems were mounting once more.

What with Harriet and the baby, Gus and Fleur, and now this, Pippa was worried. Was there yet another storm about to break? She sincerely hoped not.

Pippa had run out of things to straighten. She had even straightened up Hector, who was working in the bar. He’d chosen a table by the window and was typing away. Pippa had taken him coffee after coffee, trying to keep busy. She didn’t know why she was nervous, but it was probably because the hotel was quiet, so their new guest, Brooke, would notice everything. She wanted her to arrive and think how perfect, how wonderfully British it was, that was important to Pippa.

She had a group of women arriving the following day, best friends, who were participating in a painting workshop with Gus for a long weekend. That would certainly add a bit of life to the place but for now, she hoped that Brooke would fall in love with Meadowbrook. She was the first American that the hotel would welcome and she hoped the Englishness of the place would go in their favour. But she was worried that a young Californian woman would find it a bit dull or lonely being here alone for two months. Yes, she said she was looking at setting up a business, but what would she actually do every day?

She shook herself; she was fretting for no reason. She was polishing some already polished glasses at the bar, just for something to do. The rhythmic typing of Hector’s laptop was fairly soothing and it was almost as if she were polishing in tune. The bar was designed with a nod to art deco, and the tables and chairs scattered around had been inspired by Freddie’s obsession with Bright Young Things. It was quite dark, the furniture, but the floor-to-ceiling glass doors that led out to the patio brightened up the room. The bar ran across the top of the room, commanding it, and mirrors above reflected the bright array of liqueur that they provided. It really was Freddie’s domain and it was a huge hit with all the guests.

‘Hi.’ Freddie bounded in suddenly.

Pippa almost dropped the glass she was holding. Hector looked up.

‘Haven’t you forgotten someone?’ Pippa’s voice was filled with horror. ‘Where’s our guest?’

‘She’s asleep in the car, or at least I hope she’s asleep.’ He didn’t look happy.

‘What do you mean? Is everything all right?’ Pippa asked, chewing her bottom lip anxiously.

‘Whether everything is all right, Pip, depends on your point of view. So there I was at Heathrow, stood with the sign … actually, the other drivers who were waiting thought I was one of them and they struck up conversations with me about traffic. They were very friendly but what do I know about traffic? I know nothing about traffic, so I had to nod and agree that the M25 was the worst motorway ever and I don’t even know if that’s true or not.’

‘Freddie, the guest?’ Pippa pushed.

‘Oh, yes, so I was waiting and after what seemed like ages, a blonde woman, almost hidden behind her luggage trolley, appears. She made her way over to me and blinked at my sign, so I went to greet her, told her I was Freddie Singer and then she fainted on me!’ Freddie explained.

‘You should be used to girls falling at your feet,’ Hector joked.

‘Well, maybe, but not actual fainting, though. We had to get help, first aid, and it took ages for her to come round. I got her some water and when she did wake up, she was really embarrassed. Kept apologising. So eventually we got her into the car – I had to push the luggage and they put her in a wheelchair; although she said it wasn’t necessary. Anyway, when we got to the car, she sat in the back and didn’t speak to me. When I asked her a question with no response, it became clear she’d fallen asleep. So I panicked the whole way back that there’s something wrong with her. What if she’s unconscious? Perhaps I should have stopped and checked.’ He scratched his head.

‘Oh my goodness, she might have passed out in the back of your car!’ Hector piped up as he stood up.

‘Yes, she bloody well might. So hurry up and stop asking me stupid questions.’

They all bounded out to the car.

They found Harriet staring into the car as they reached it.

‘There seems to be someone asleep in the car,’ she said, eyeing them all suspiciously.

‘Open the door and check she’s all right,’ Pippa said urgently, panic fluttering in her chest.

It wouldn’t look good if the guest fell ill, or worse, before she even checked in.

‘Why, what’s happened?’ Harriet’s eyes widened.

‘Long story. Please, open the car.’

Pippa almost pushed Harriet out of the way and yanked the door open. She put her head in to check that Brooke was breathing.

‘Aaargggh!’ Brooke screamed, moving with a start and head-butting Pippa.

‘Ow,’ Pippa replied, recoiling and rubbing her head.

‘So she’s all right, then,’ Harriet said, rolling her eyes.

She leant in as Pippa rested against the car, still rubbing her head and trying to ignore the amused looks on Freddie’s and Hector’s faces.

‘Hi, I’m Harriet Singer. Welcome to the Meadowbrook Hotel. Sorry that we scared you but…’

Harriet turned to Pippa, who was still rubbing her head. It really hurt.

‘Sorry, yes, hi, I’m Pippa Singer. Freddie told us how you’d fainted at the airport, so I was just checking you weren’t unconscious.’

Pippa felt herself go red. This wasn’t how she’d envisioned the arrival of their new guest. Not in a million years.

They all waited expectantly as Brooke unclipped her seatbelt, got out of the car and ran her hands through her long blonde hair. Pippa wanted to say ‘wow’. She was about the same height as her, very slim, highlighted blonde hair cascading below her shoulders, with blue eyes, the clearest skin that Pippa had ever seen and the cutest button nose. Pippa couldn’t decide if she had the Californian look or not, but she was certainly stunning.

‘No, I’m sorry, I was fast asleep. It’s been a bit of a journey.’ She smiled, displaying the whitest, straightest teeth Pippa had ever seen.

She was wearing skinny jeans, white trainers and an off-the-shoulder sweater. She was beautiful, Pippa decided, and as she glanced at Freddie and Hector, who were stood slightly open-mouthed, they’d clearly noticed, as well.

‘Welcome to Meadowbrook,’ Pippa gushed, hoping that she didn’t have a lump on her head. ‘We’re so delighted to have you staying with us.’

‘Why, thank you,’ Brooke said, her voice warm. ‘I’m so happy to be here, I really am. I’m sorry I fainted on you.’ She looked at Freddie, who shrugged it off.

‘Right, shall we get you settled in?’ Pippa asked, remembering her role.

‘Oh, please, that would be just great. I’m still a bit tired and wobbly from the journey, so I’d appreciate a bit of a rest.’

‘Absolutely. Freddie’ll take your bags up. Come with me and I’ll get you checked in.’ Pippa turned to Harriet.

‘I need to grab something from the office,’ Harriet mouthed and walked towards the house.

‘Come on,’ Pippa said, ‘we’ve got a lovely room ready for you.’

‘As long as I have a comfortable bed, I’m happy,’ Brooke gushed.

She was definitely American. Pippa picked up her tote bag and led Brooke to the house.

When Pippa walked into the kitchen a while later, Harriet was sat at the table with Hector. Freddie had gone home after taking Brooke’s bags up, saying he’d earned the rest of the day off. In fairness, after the scare that he’d got with Brooke, he probably had.

‘Is she happy?’ Harriet asked.

‘Yes, but tired. She says she didn’t really eat on the flight, which is why she thinks she fainted. I offered her food but she said she had some snacks with her so that would do her until dinner. She asked me to call her at six so she doesn’t sleep for too long.’

‘Great. What a way to arrive. She’s very attractive,’ Harriet said. ‘In that almost cute, American way.’

‘Typical hot LA girl,’ Hector said. ‘I mean she’s gorgeous, but there are a lot of similar-looking women over there. Although her skin’s very pale, most of them have a bit of colour, but then she had just fainted.’

‘No wonder you want to move to LA, then,’ Harriet said.

‘What?’ Pippa glanced sharply at Hector, who turned red.

‘Harriet, I didn’t say I was moving there. And anyway, not my type, so I’m definitely not going there for the women.’ He cast a longing glance at Pippa, who pretended not to notice. ‘Anyway, she seems nice. Sorry she hit you.’ He seemed happy to change the subject.

‘She didn’t hit me; we just clashed heads. And I’ll live.’

Pippa noticed Harriet look at her sharply. She’d obviously snapped at Hector without meaning to. Probably because her forehead still smarted – or was that just excuses?

‘I thought perhaps you and she could have dinner together tonight,’ Pippa said to Hector, sounding a little softer.

‘But I don’t know her!’ Hector sounded alarmed.

‘I know that, but I wanted to set up a proper dinner in the dining room to welcome her and she can’t dine alone. Tomorrow there’s four women staying, but tonight…’

‘Fine, but only if you join us,’ Hector said.

‘I agree,’ Harriet added. ‘It’ll make Brooke feel more comfortable if you have dinner with her as well as Hector. You can barely expect her to have dinner alone with a strange man when she’s just arrived. It might feel like a date or something. No offence, Hector.’

‘None taken,’ Hector grinned.

‘It’ll be a nice welcome but without being too unprofessional. Anyway, I’d better go.’ Harriet stood up.

‘Where’s your baby?’ Pippa asked as if noticing for the first time.

‘With Granny Gwen. She insisted on having time with him this afternoon. She’s getting more forceful. I said I was fine and she basically wrestled the baby out of my arms. I should be catching up on sleep but I wanted to get started on the budgets for next month.’

‘’Course you did,’ Pippa grinned. ‘Oh, and by the way, Hector, dinner is vegetarian tonight.’

‘That’ll be good practice for LA. I think everyone’s turning vegan over there. I would, although I’m a little worried about cheese. I really love cheese.’

Pippa glanced at him again. Was he really planning to move to LA for longer than he was letting on? And if so, why wouldn’t he tell her that?

‘Oh boy! this room is something else,’ Brooke exclaimed as she walked into the dining room.

She had napped, showered and changed. She was wearing tight black trousers and a leopard print top. She looked sexy rather than cute. Clearly, this woman could morph into different looks. A skill Pippa hadn’t mastered. She’d never managed sexy.

Pippa had taken a large glass of white wine up to Brooke’s room shortly after six and Brooke had certainly come alive since her rest. She had enthusiastically responded to Pippa’s offer of a tour and so had seen the basement pool and gym – which she loved – the drawing room – which she adored – and finally the bar – which she couldn’t believe. ‘It’s awesome,’ she kept saying. She seemed to love the house, which made Pippa feel so much better than she had when poor Brooke had first arrived.

‘You met Hector earlier, but now you can be introduced properly,’ Pippa said.

‘Hector Barber at your service,’ he half bowed. ‘I’m a guest here, too – or, more accurately, the writer in residence.’

‘You’re Hector Barber, the writer?’ Brooke’s eyes widened.

‘I am. Have you read my book?’ His eyes lit up.

‘No, but I’ve heard all about you from a friend who’s a huge fan and she has the most ginormous crush on you. Wait until I tell her I’ve met you! Oh! and of course I could read your book while I’m staying here,’ she said.

She was bubbly, effervescent even, and Pippa couldn’t help but warm to her.

‘I’ll give you a signed copy,’ Hector offered gallantly.

Pippa smiled to herself. He was being even more ‘English public schoolboy’ than normal and Brooke seemed to be lapping it up. Why wouldn’t she, though? He was charm personified.

‘You’re really hot, in that typical English way. You know, a bit like a blond Hugh Grant when he was young. My mum’s a huge Hugh Grant fan,’ Brooke explained.

Pippa couldn’t help but smile. She was definitely not afraid to say what she thought, which Pippa again slightly envied. She wished she had her confidence at her age. She definitely didn’t have it when she was Brooke’s age; although of course she was married to Mark then, who was very good at making sure she felt uncertain of herself.

‘Why, thank you.’ Hector’s cheeks flushed and Pippa smiled.

‘Great, now sit down and I’ll tell them we’re ready for dinner. I’ve selected a white wine to go with dinner, I hope that’s all right?’ Pippa asked.

She felt as if she sounded more English than she usually did – either because of Hector or perhaps because Brooke’s perky American accent was such a contrast to hers.

‘Sounds great,’ Brooke said.

Hector insisted on pulling chairs out for both Brooke and Pippa, and after they were all seated, Pippa’s lips curled with amusement. Thankfully on cue, their waiter for the evening arrived.

While they ate, Pippa was pleased that she’d insisted on them dining together. Hector was asking questions and Brooke seemed more than happy to answer them.

‘Where do your parents live?’ Hector asked after they’d established that they knew a couple of the same places in LA.

‘Orange County. Or rather, my mom lives there. My dad died six months ago, so…’

‘Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,’ Pippa said quickly. ‘We lost our father a few years ago now, so I understand.’

‘Thank you.’ She didn’t meet Pippa’s eyes. ‘It was a shock, that’s for sure. I mean, I’m only twenty-five and you don’t expect to bury a parent at that age…’ Her eyes filled with tears.

Pippa shot Hector a pleading look.

‘So, what brought you here?’ Hector asked.

‘I guess I just started to think about my life a bit. I didn’t have a job I loved, I’m single and I knew I had English ancestors … I kind of thought I’m twenty-five, I should have some direction by now, so why not take a big chance, and that’s how I ended up here.’

‘Wow, that’s incredibly brave.’ Hector’s voice was full of admiration. ‘But why Parker’s Hollow?’

‘I know I have some kind of family tie to Somerset, so I googled hotels and as soon as I saw Meadowbrook, I fell in love with it.’

The smile on Brooke’s face spoke volumes. It lit up the room and Pippa couldn’t help but want to beam back at her. She was infectious. And perhaps it would be nice to have another single woman around, Pippa couldn’t help but think, although Harriet’s voice in her head told her to slow down.

‘Everyone does,’ Pippa replied. ‘And we’re so glad you chose to stay here,’ she added quickly. She didn’t want to sound as if she was boasting or downplaying Brooke’s comment.

‘I’m sure my business will be more city-based, or at least in a town eventually, but there’s always Bath, which everyone in America talks about, or Bristol, which I hear is a great city. I’ve done loads of research.’

She was full of enthusiasm which, again, Pippa found infectious.

‘So, what kind of business are you setting up?’

Pippa hoped she wasn’t coming across too intrusive. She tried to give Hector a ‘please ask more questions look’, but she was unsure if he saw it, as he seemed quite happy munching away on his dinner.

‘Fitness. My background’s in the fitness industry. I’m not full of details at this stage but you know, there’s a lot of innovation in and around LA, so I thought it would be a great idea to bring some of it over here. I kind of thought that if I was going to have a new start, I’d like to bring something of LA with me,’ she laughed.

Pippa marvelled at the ease she seemed to have developed already. Brooke seemed so relaxed and happy, not what she’d expect from such a young woman who’d left her home to start a new life potentially. Pippa would have liked some of her confidence, that was certain.

‘That does sound good. So you exercise a lot?’ Hector asked finally.

Pippa looked at Brooke’s figure and guessed the answer was yes. Although Pippa had always been slender, she was allergic to exercise. Harriet was always running or swimming or something, the same went for Gemma, but Pippa was more of a couch potato. Harriet always said she’d get to a certain age and then she’d have to exercise because she’d start putting on weight, but Pippa’s attitude was that she’d cross that bridge when she came to it. No need to panic yet. And running around keeping the hotel guests happy was probably a workout in itself most of the time.

‘Sure, I love working out. I’ll be using the gym, going for runs, you know. I’ll also be checking out other gyms in the area at some stage.’ She smiled, her perfect pearly white smile.

‘Harriet used to run, but she hasn’t so much since she had her baby. But Gemma – she’s Freddie’s girlfriend – runs most days. If you want company then I’m sure one of them’ll join you. Actually, probably Gemma right now. Harriet’s losing the baby weight by breastfeeding and worrying.’

They all laughed.

‘That’d be great. Thanks, Pippa. What about you?’ Brooke asked.

‘Oh good God, no. Pippa doesn’t ever exercise,’ Hector said quickly. ‘She thinks it was invented by the Devil.’

‘What?’ Brooke sounded horrified.

‘Ignore him, Brooke, it’s his British humour. Anyway, I did yoga for a bit,’ Pippa replied defensively.

She didn’t add that it had only been for a short time and that she’d fallen asleep when they were supposed to be meditating then woken with a start, dribbling, and had been too embarrassed to go back.

‘But you’re so slim,’ Brooke said. ‘Although being slim isn’t the same as being fit,’ she added.

‘Good genes,’ Pippa replied.

She and Freddie took after their mother, who was very small-framed, but Harry and Gus took after their father and had to watch their weight.

‘I’m sure I’d love to run with Gemma at some point. And I teach yoga,’ Brooke explained. ‘I’ll probably do yoga every day in the gym, and maybe swim, as well.’

Pippa thought her life sounded exhausting; although if fitness was her business then it made sense.

‘Won’t your mum miss you when you’re away? I mean, are you two close?’ Pippa asked.

‘Oh my! this food is delicious. I hope it wasn’t too difficult for me being vegetarian?’

‘No, we also have experience in vegan food, actually. We serve lots of vegetarian dishes, but Gwen does a lot of vegan baking and we can adapt to whatever you want.’

Pippa decided to ignore the way she avoided her question. Brooke was a guest and she needed to remember that. Of course, she had hopes that as Brooke was here long-term, she’d become part of Meadowbrook. Perhaps not quite in the same way that Hector was, but at least a bit; although she’d keep reminding herself to stay professional. Otherwise, she’d have Harriet to answer to.

‘That’s why this place was so perfect for me. I’m going to love it here, I just know it.’

Brooke downed her glass of wine and let Hector refill it. Pippa raised her eyebrows. For someone so small she could certainly drink. As she giggled loudly at something Hector said, Pippa wondered if she was a bit tipsy. The long journey, the fainting, jetlag and coming to a new place, it was all probably a little overwhelming for her.

‘Let’s raise a toast,’ Hector said. He was a bit tipsy too, his cheeks flushed, which was his tell. ‘Here’s to Meadowbrook and new friends.’

‘Wow, that’s so nice. To new friends and to Meadowbrook Manor.’

Brooke clinked glasses with them and Pippa had a feeling that this was going to be a fun few months at the hotel.