‘I have to say,’ Gus started, ‘that I know I keep my counsel on most things hotel-related, but I do think, and this isn’t just Gemma’s job, that we need to sit down and try to come up with a marketing vision. Gemma can help, but we are the owners of Meadowbrook – it’s important to each of us, and we’ve sort of ignored that part of it. Mainly because I’m not sure we agree.’ He scratched his head.
Gemma shot him a grateful glance. Trust Gus to take the awkward away.
‘Gus is right,’ Harriet said. ‘No one opens a business not knowing the market, or where we are going to get our clients or guests from. I’ve been trying to get you guys to talk about this for ages.’
‘But it’s so hard. Meadowbrook is transforming, and we know what we’re doing, but I’m still a little lost to see how we’re going to attract guests, and what type of guests they are,’ Pippa added.
‘Let’s hope rich ones who like cocktails,’ Freddie quipped.
‘Can I make a suggestion?’ Gemma asked. She was surprised by how easy she was finding it to take control when it came to the hotel. And possibly because she had proved herself, they all listened to her now. They nodded. ‘You guys put your heads together and write a mission statement for the hotel – who would want to stay here, why they should stay here, what they will get from staying here – and when you’ve done that I’ll look at it. Then we need to decide if we should hire an outside marketing consultant to put together a strategy. I think we can take care of social media – after all, Freddie’s a whizz at that – but advertising and PR are tricky, so I believe that we’ll need some help with that.’
‘Gemma, that sounds perfectly reasonable,’ Harriet said, which made Gemma feel not only relieved, but also a little bit proud of herself. ‘I for one am happy for you to continue for another six months, and I’ll draw up the contract. You’ve done a great job so far, the budgets have been kept to, thanks largely to you, and the fact you won’t let Freddie order the most ridiculously expensive alcohol is a big bonus.’
‘Oi!’ Freddie objected with a grin.
‘I would love you to continue,’ Pippa agreed. ‘It wouldn’t feel the same here without you.’ Pippa came over and gave Gemma a hug.
‘We definitely need Gemma – that’s one thing I think we all agree on,’ Gus finished.
‘Right, it’s decided. You’re stuck with us for a bit longer.’ Harriet smiled.
Gemma had never felt needed before, or wanted, and for a moment she felt both. Look how far she had come in a few short months? She believed she could do the job – hell, she was actually doing the job – and she wasn’t even scared of Harriet anymore. OK, she was, but only a tiny bit.
‘Actually, it’s good timing – we’re about to start planning the summer fête,’ Pippa announced. ‘And I know the hotel is a priority, but you’re doing such a good job, and Freddie and I are a bit preoccupied for a couple of months, so if we’re not quite as present as you’d like you’ll know why.’
‘Is there a lot to organise?’ Gemma asked.
‘You’d be surprised,’ Harriet replied. ‘You’ve met the committee, right? We have the traditional stalls we have every year, but as it’s grown in the last couple, we get requests from outside traders wanting to sell, which if they’re suitable we let them. Then we have our annual baking competition, which now attracts people from quite far away, as well as the dog show, the pig racing, which Gus runs, and all manner of activities. Oh! And we also need to find a celebrity to open it. It’s a lot of work, but not only do the villagers love it, it raises a lot of money for the sanctuary as well.’
Gemma nodded.
‘Now we’ve resolved that—’Gus appeared bashful ‘—I would like to tell you all something.’
‘What?’ Harriet swung round to face him.
‘I’ve proposed to Amanda, and she accepted.’
‘Oh Gus, that’s wonderful,’ cried Pippa.
Pippa was the first to launch herself at her brother, followed by Harriet, as they bundled him.
Freddie slapped him on the back. ‘Nice work,’ he said.
Gemma hung back. ‘Congratulations, you are such a lovely couple,’ Gemma said when everyone calmed down.
‘Thank you.’ Gus grinned. ‘I am so happy.’
‘Oh! I can’t wait to see Amanda,’ Pippa said.
‘How did my lovely niece take it?’ Harriet asked.
‘Fine, as long as she didn’t have to wear a “bloody flouncy dress” then she was happy for us.’
‘Chip off the old block,’ Freddie added.
‘Don’t say that, Fred – we’ve only just started talking again after the fire business. And she has been on her best behaviour ever since, so I really think she might have turned a corner.’
‘Right, family dinner, this Friday, is in your honour,’ Harriet announced. ‘We all love Amanda, and I want her to know how excited we are to welcome her into our family.’
‘That would be lovely, and hopefully I’ll get both Fleur and Hayley to come.’
‘That would be lovely. Gemma, I hope you’ll join us,’ Harriet said.
‘Me, but I’m not—’
‘Yes you are,’ Pippa interjected. ‘You’ve been part of Meadowbrook for months now and it feels like years. Of course you’re invited.’
‘I agree,’ Gus said.
Gemma inflated with happiness.
‘In that case, can I invite Charlotte?’ Freddie said.
Her happiness got a puncture.
‘Charlotte?’ Gus asked.
‘Our interior designer,’ Harriet said. ‘Why would you invite her? Next you’ll want Roger there as well.’ She laughed.
‘Actually, we’ve been on a date,’ Freddie explained.
‘She is lovely,’ Pippa added. ‘But she’s almost ten years older than him.’
‘An older woman, wow.’ Harriet arched an eyebrow. ‘If you think Gus’s engagement dinner is the place to introduce her to us all, then fair enough.’
‘The more the merrier, I say, but perhaps not Roger,’ Gus added.
‘Oh Gus, will you be having the wedding here?’ Pippa asked.
‘Well, Amanda and I have spoken about it, and I think it’s for her to decide. If John is happy to marry us, what with us both being divorced, we’d love to get married in the church, in honour of Dad and the village, and I can’t speak for Amanda, but I would love to have the reception here.’
‘Oh how marvellous. Freddie and I can organise it.’ Pippa clapped her hands together.
‘As long as it doesn’t get in the way of the hotel.’ Harriet’s lips twitched.
‘I’ve got an idea,’ Gemma said. Everyone looked at her. ‘Why don’t we make this the hotel opening? I mean, I’m not sure how many people you’d invite, but if we did a buffet rather than a sit-down, we could accommodate quite a few, especially as the bar will be open, and some of the guests could use the rooms. Like a sort of test run.’
They all stared at Gemma, and she had no idea what they were thinking.
‘And we could stay here after the reception, and Amanda the night before the wedding with her family.’ Gus’s eyes lit up.
‘What a brilliant idea,’ Pippa gushed.
‘So, you’ll have to get married in February,’ Freddie said.
‘Let’s have a Valentine’s Day wedding!’ Pippa sounded as if she would explode with excitement.
‘Hang on a minute, don’t you think we should ask the bride?’ Harriet interjected.
‘Oh I will, on Friday at dinner. But I’m sure she’ll love the idea.’ Pippa brushed away her objections.
By the look of them all, Gemma realised that Amanda didn’t stand a chance.
Chapter 29
Gemma put her wine glass down and told herself to steady on – she felt the alcohol coursing through her; she’d already drunk too much. She was struggling with the evening, as was becoming her usual contradictory state. It was a lovely dinner – Gwen had cooked up a mouthwatering feast, as always, and th
ere was a festive air at Meadowbrook. The evening had begun with champagne in the drawing room, and now they were enjoying wine, which was so delicious that Gemma couldn’t stop drinking it. The dining room looked beautiful – Pippa and Harriet had spent hours not only getting the table right, but also hanging “congratulations” banners, which somehow managed to look tasteful rather than tacky.
Everyone had made an effort, including Gemma herself, although she couldn’t help but feel she didn’t quite measure up. Not to perfect Charlotte, she thought bitterly.
Charlotte had arrived in a cloud of expensive perfume. She wore skintight leather jeans and a top that gave just a small hint of cleavage – Gemma was sure those breasts weren’t real, as they seemed far too upright. But she greeted everyone warmly, and had brought the hugest bouquet of flowers for Gus and Amanda, and a bottle of vintage champagne. Charlotte’s confidence seemed to diminish Gemma’s. The worst thing was that she was lovely.
When the spotlight was on Charlotte, she didn’t hog it but tried to turn the attention back to Gus and Amanda. She was great with the girls – it turned out she had two children, which made Freddie pale slightly, but only slightly, when she spoke about them. It was as if there were no bad side to the woman. Gemma desperately wanted to hate her – no, not hate, that was horrible, but dislike her – but she couldn’t. She could only feel the knot of envy twisting inside her.
Charlotte was everything Gemma wanted to be: beautiful, stylish and confident. She was kind, and interesting, and she was funny. She was almost perfect, Gemma thought. Despite how far Gemma had come, Charlotte was a stark reminder of how ordinary she actually was.
She could hardly bear to see how attentive Freddie was to her. Gemma felt so foolish. Yes, she had a crush on Freddie, probably from when she met him, but it didn’t matter. Because Freddie wouldn’t look at her twice, not in that way. It was the bloody fake date and the kiss that cemented it. It made her feel things she had no idea a person could feel. Then the night in the barn after the fire, when emotion stripped away and she felt she really knew him. When he asked her to help him study for his licence and she could see how nervous he was, how important it was for him to succeed, which just endeared him to her more. And now she was ruined. Freddie was oblivious, but her feelings for him made her feel alive for the first time in ages. Really alive.
Now, though, she had to hold it together. She needed to seem as if she were having a wonderful time, rather than wanting to stab herself with a fork. Amanda had never looked prettier. Even the girls, especially Fleur, were on their best behaviour. Gemma, feeling a loss of control unlike anything she had ever felt before, needed to pull herself back. She needed to be sensible, boring Gemma again, because that was far safer. Although, she couldn’t help but think that even the confusion and the envy, the anger and the pain was good for her in some way.
‘So,’ Gwen said, ‘Gus, Amanda, are you going to have a Valentine’s wedding?’
Gwen was taking on the role of mother of the groom. She had been talking about buying a hat and offering advice about catering. She did keep sneaking looks at Connor and Harriet, but Harriet obviously cottoned on to this and avoided all eye contact with her.
‘You know when Gus first mentioned it, I thought gosh no. I mean I’m so not a romantic, although Gus surprised me with a very romantic proposal.’ She reached across and kissed his cheek.
‘Yuk,’ Fleur said, not quite quietly enough.
‘Fleur, when you get a boyfriend and snog him all over the place I’ll remind you of this,’ Harriet chastised.
‘Sorry,’ she mumbled. ‘I am actually happy for you.’
‘Thanks, love.’ Amanda was her usual unruffled self. ‘When Gus explained that the wedding would be the test for the hotel, I thought great. I’ve always liked the idea of a winter wedding. The snowdrops will be out and I love snowdrops. Meadowbrook is the perfect venue, it means a lot to both of us, and after all we met here, so why not? Also, it means that Valentine’s Day will be our wedding anniversary, not just Valentine’s Day, which makes it so much better. I can buy Gus an anniversary card rather than a Valentine’s one.’
‘You’ve never given me a Valentine’s card,’ Gus said.
‘Exactly.’
‘It gives us a great opening date.’ Gemma spoke – she needed to say something before they all thought she’d become mute again.
‘And we want a small wedding,’ Gus said. ‘Although we really do have to invite the gardening club and the committee members, so it might not be that small.’
‘We can use the bar area for drinks,’ Gemma said, forgetting to feel miserable. ‘Then if we clear the drawing room, that could be the reception room, and have all the food laid out in the dining room. It’ll mean a buffet, but I reckon we could get a hundred in here easily.’
‘Gemma, you are so on top of things,’ Pippa said proudly.
‘And it won’t be a hundred.’ Gus paled at the idea. ‘Hopefully.’
‘It’s all decided,’ Harriet said. ‘Valentine’s Day, here. And now Pippa and Freddie as the organisers will plan the wedding for you, and all you have to do is approve them.’
‘God, that is my idea of wedding bliss.’ Amanda laughed. ‘The last thing I wanted was to have to turn into bridezilla.’
‘I can’t imagine that.’ Harriet laughed. ‘Gus would be more likely than you.’
‘What about the stag do?’ Freddie asked. ‘I mean, assuming I’m your best man.’
‘Of course you are. I mean I meant to ask you, but I forgot,’ Gus said. ‘But saying that, Connor, would you organise the stag do?’ He grinned.
‘Yes, whisky and poker at mine OK?’ Connor replied.
‘Perfect.’ Both their lips twitched as Freddie looked horrified.
‘No way, we’re going away, for the weekend, Amsterdam maybe.’
‘No drugs or whores, Freddie,’ Harriet stated.
‘God, Auntie Harry, should you be saying that in front of me and Hayley?’ Fleur asked.
‘You’ve heard worse. I mean it, Freddie.’
‘What about a golfing weekend in Portugal?’ Gus suggested.
‘God, it’s a stag do, not a retirement do. OK look, Gus, whatever you want, but can we have one stripper?’
The phone woke her. She looked at the time and it was only 5 a.m. Her head was thick as she looked and saw the number for the nursing home on the display. Her heart started beating faster as she answered.
‘Gemma Matthews,’ she said, her voice shaking.
‘It’s Marian from the home, Gemma,’ a kind voice said. ‘I’m so sorry to call you so early, but your nan’s had a stroke, and she’s been taken to hospital, Southmead. I can’t tell you any more. I called you as soon as I could, love.’
‘I’m on my way,’ Gemma said and hung up.
She dressed, not noticing what she was putting on. She somehow made it downstairs and grabbed the keys to Pippa’s car from the console table and quietly left the house, which was so silent it was almost eerie.
She put the hospital address into the sat nav and started driving there, furiously wiping the tears from her cheeks as she did so, to ensure that she could actually see where she was going. She said fervent prayers as she drove; she knew her nan was unwell – no, more than unwell, she was becoming enslaved to a cruel master: dementia – but she was alive and, selfishly, Gemma wanted her to stay that way. Because without her she would have no family at all and that terrified her. More so now she had experienced Meadowbrook and the Singers.
She bashed the steering wheel as she sat at traffic lights, which seemed to take an interminable time to turn green; emotions weren’t what they were cracked up to be, after all.
She found a space in the hospital car park, which was shrouded in darkness, and only a scattering of cars occupied it at this early hour. Gemma’s legs shook as she let herself out of the car, remembering to grab her bag, which at least had a purse and her phone inside, then made her way to the main entrance.
‘I’m looking for my nan, Sue Matthews,’ she said as the tears returned and her voice choked.
She was directed to the stroke unit.
‘Please let her live,’ Gemma said, silently. ‘Please, just for a while longer. I’m not ready to let her go.’
The beeping of her phone woke her. She must have fallen asleep in the chair. She shifted uncomfortably; her body seemed to have seized up. She looked at her nan. Lying in bed, she was sleeping now, but there were wires and tubes monitoring her. The stroke hadn’t been a major one, but they were keeping her in for observation and tests.
She had woken briefly but hadn’t seemed to be aware of anything around her as she went back to sleep. Her arm was slack as Gemma clutched her bony hand, and she was struck again by how selfish she was being, because her nan looked so shrunken in that bed, and it seemed almost worse to Gemma to want to keep her alive like this.
The young female doctor had said to her that it was too early to tell but her mobility might be affected, and also her speech, which wasn’t great at the moment anyway. Was Gemma trying to condemn her nan to an existence, a not very nice existence, rather than a life? But she still couldn’t bear to say goodbye. She just couldn’t bear it.
She finally remembered the phone. It was nearly lunchtime. She’d been here hours but hadn’t left the bedside, and her phone, as she pulled it from her bag, informed her that she had missed calls, voicemails and texts. All from Pippa. Damn! She hadn’t thought to let her know, and now she probably thought she’d stolen her car. She wasn’t sure about the rules of using phones in hospital, but she took the risk and dialled.
‘Oh, Gemma, are you all right? We’ve been so worried,’ Pippa breathed as she answered her phone almost immediately.
‘It’s my nan,’ Gemma said and then she burst into tears.
Secrets at Meadowbrook Manor Page 23