Secrets at Meadowbrook Manor

by Faith Bleasdale

  ‘No, there isn’t, I’m sorry,’ Gemma said, overwhelmed. ‘I don’t have anywhere to hold one.’

  ‘Course you do,’ Gwen said. ‘John, bring everyone back to Meadowbrook, we’ll have a drink to toast Gemma’s nan, and I’ll rustle up some sandwiches. Not sure we have any paste though, Edie.’

  ‘But—’ Gemma started.

  ‘No buts. It’s time for you to come home,’ Harriet said.

  ‘So, what do you say?’ Pippa asked.

  ‘I hope when the Meadowbrook Hotel opens, we’ll have better security than the hotel I was in,’ Gemma quipped.

  Pippa laughed.

  ‘Did she just make a joke?’ Freddie teased.

  ‘When do I get my ice cream?’ Samuel shouted as John tried to get him on the minibus.

  Gemma, wondering if now her nan was at peace she could be too, went up to him and kissed his cheek.

  ‘Samuel, you can have anything you want,’ she said.

  No one seemed more shocked than her, apart from Samuel.

  ‘Oh, now I’m far too old for any of that how’s your father.’

  She had never seen him move so quickly as he practically ran onto the bus.

  Gemma waited patiently as the Singers bickered about the cars the way they bickered about most things. Harriet tried to organise the Range Rover, and she said Connor, Gwen, Pippa and Gemma should go in it, and Freddie should go with Gus. But he objected on the grounds that Gus drove like an old man, which of course Gus took offence to, and it was down to Amanda and Gwen to reason with them both.

  Gerry was on the minibus to help with the older ones, and in the end, so they didn’t stay in the grounds of the crematorium all afternoon, Gwen went with Gus, and Freddie with them. None of it bothered Gemma – she had a warmth inside her that she believed her nan had sent her. It was so terrible saying goodbye, but she didn’t feel alone anymore. With Pippa holding tightly to her hand, and Freddie sitting the other side of her, with Harriet, next to Connor, who was driving back to Meadowbrook, and Gus, the others and the minibus following, she felt wanted. She actually felt as if she had people who cared about her. More people than she ever had before. Yes, she had to say goodbye to her nan, but it was as if she had given her a new family as a parting gift: the Meadowbrook family.

  And it was all the strangest sensation – a mixture of sadness, happiness, calm and acceptance. For the first time in her life, the one thing she didn’t feel was fear.

  ‘You know, after Dad’s funeral we all got hammered in the summer house,’ Freddie said as the last of the “guests” departed.

  Gwen and Gerry insisted on clearing up, leaving them all collapsed in the drawing room.

  ‘The summer house is Gus’s studio now, though,’ Pippa pointed out.

  ‘And the last time I went in there, I knocked over his easel,’ Gemma said.

  ‘Oh God, yes, you are so clumsy.’ Freddie laughed.

  ‘It was fine, though,’ Gus said kindly. ‘No harm done.’

  ‘It’s OK, I know I’m a klutz, always walking into things or falling over.’ She smiled.

  ‘But you’re our klutz.’ Harriet giggled. ‘Seriously, it does feel as if you belong here, and I’m sorry I was suspicious of you.’

  ‘To be fair, you should have been,’ Freddie said, pointing at Gemma.

  ‘Oh yes, but Harry let me hire you, and actually, if it hadn’t been for my need to prove myself, I bet she’d have uncovered the truth about you ages ago,’ Pippa said.

  ‘I’ll admit that I was sure she would. God, I was so scared of you, Harriet.’

  ‘We all are,’ Freddie quipped as his sister threw a cushion at his head.

  ‘I didn’t try to find out about you because I didn’t want Pippa upset, and OK, so it was a bit of a roller coaster, but we’re on track now, aren’t we? Despite everything, Pippa was right to hire you, so well done, Pip.’

  ‘I can do this,’ Gemma said determinedly. ‘I can help you to open this hotel.’

  ‘I know you can,’ Pippa replied. ‘You’ve already proved it.’

  She looked around. Pippa was sat next to Freddie; they were both relaxed, smiling. Gus and Amanda were holding hands, looking every inch the perfect couple, as were Connor and Harriet, who couldn’t have been sitting any closer without her actually sitting on him. It was lovely, and she felt content.

  She took a sip of her wine; she wasn’t drunk, because she wanted to savour the evening as she gave a silent toast to her nan. She said goodbye, she told her she loved her, she always would, she thanked her for all she did for her and was pretty sure still was, because her nan had somehow led her here, and now she felt as if she belonged somewhere.

  She didn’t even mind admitting her shortcomings, because they didn’t scare her anymore. She could be herself, it was all out in the open, and besides, she had proved herself. Seeing them all believe in her, and Pippa too, she knew it was time to believe in herself. Her future, whatever that may be, was full of promise. She would help them open Meadowbrook, and when they no longer needed her, she had options. She might even go back and finish her studies.

  She had thought it was too late, but it wasn’t. While she was breathing, it was never too late. And she knew now that when she did leave Meadowbrook, she would always have the Singers in her life. Pippa, her best friend, Harriet, who no longer scared her, Gus, who was the kindest person she knew, Freddie, who was, well, Freddie. Amanda, Connor and Gwen, who had all helped her adjust to life at Meadowbrook, in their own way. And of course the villagers, especially Edie, who told her, after a few too many drinks, that she would love Gemma to see her as her surrogate family, which Gemma gratefully leapt on.

  It felt nice. No, that didn’t do any of it justice – she felt her heart swollen with love and gratitude; she felt as if she could conquer the world now she had all these people, kind, loving, warm, crazy people around her. And she knew full well that they had all saved her.

  Meadowbrook had saved her.

  Epilogue

  Freddie rushed in through the back door, wearing a pair of baggy joggers and a hoodie, and even in that he was impossibly handsome.

  ‘God, it’s a nightmare being kicked out of my own house,’ he said as he grabbed the cup of coffee that Pippa was holding and greedily drank from it. ‘Yuk, I hate sugar,’ he pronounced.

  ‘It was my coffee.’ Pippa shook her head. ‘And, Fred, it’s not your house, well it is, but it’s a hotel now,’ she said proudly.

  It was. As of yesterday, The Meadowbrook Hotel was a reality.

  ‘And aren’t you supposed to be with Gus?’ Gemma asked.

  ‘Oh, he’s fine, he’s down chatting to his pigs. Honestly, I’m amazed he didn’t insist on them coming to the wedding. I think he would rather Geoffrey be his best man than me.’

  ‘Hilda’s coming,’ Pippa pointed out.

  ‘That dog goes everywhere,’ Freddie replied with an eye roll.

  It was the day of Gus and Amanda’s wedding. The rooms at Meadowbrook had been ready since the beginning of February and were now filled with guests. Pippa and Gemma were staying in Gwen’s old quarters, which the genius of Charlotte and Roger had managed to make into a two-bedroom apartment. It was small but it was liveable, for now. As well as the two bedrooms, there was a bathroom. They had commandeered the snug in the main house as their living room; after all, it was too small for hotel use, so they would watch TV in there in the evenings, and of course it meant they were on hand for when any guests needed them. Which they could let them know via the iPad system they had set up. Anyone working in the hotel had one, and guests were given a mini iPad to use on arrival for the duration of their stay.

  It had certainly been put to the test when Freddie had insisted on playing the guest, and his demands had kept both Gemma and Pippa on their toes for hours. They conceded if they could deal with him asking for things every five minutes, any other guest would be easy.

  They hadn’t yet had any paying guests. The Valentine’s Day wedding
was the real test. Gus and Amanda had filled the rooms with Amanda’s family and some of Gus’s friends; they were also staying after the wedding. Gus had requested his old room, which had been named The Gloucester Old Spot in honour of Geoffrey, the pig, and he’d painted a beautiful picture of him on the door. Amanda had spent the night before the wedding there, and observing tradition, Gus had stayed at home, with Freddie and Connor to try to calm his nerves. Hayley and Fleur were sharing one of the attic rooms so they could get bridesmaid ready.

  This morning, they had all had the first ever hotel breakfast in the dining room, cooked by Vicky, who had been trained by Gwen, and served by the three members of staff: Robin, who was a waiter, as well as a barman; Chantelle, who was both helping with the kitchen and serving; and Mickey, who was hired as sort of an assistant to Gemma and Pippa. The job titles were vague because the hotel was far from traditional, but they were managing to fill roles easily and with an impressive calibre of people. Although Harriet insisted on full background checks for all staff.

  After the wedding, when the real work began, they had some journalists staying to try to get publicity, and they had managed to procure their first actual paying guest. It was Hector Barber though, and Gemma was convinced he had booked himself in to try to win over Pippa. She didn’t care, as long as he was paying, and also, the publicity he was going to generate for the hotel wouldn’t hurt. And actually, he was coming to the wedding, due to arrive any minute.

  Freddie, the proud licensee, had shown himself to be hard-working and dedicated as he set up the bar, which looked amazing. Gemma was incredibly proud of what he’d done. The garden room had turned out gorgeously opulent, and they’d hosted a preopening reception for the villagers, to see how it would work. The brass-and-marble tables and rich velvet furnishings might have been a little wasted on some of them, especially as they said they preferred floral and complained that it was very dark – which is was, but then it was February and pitch-black outside, and inside Freddie and Charlotte had gone for a sort of seductive look. But, Freddie’s cocktails went down well. Gemma had to practically carry Edie to the front door.

  No one had broached the subject of Gemma leaving, but she knew she would have to soon. Not only was the apartment too small, but she also didn’t feel she’d be needed for much longer. She was sure, although it hadn’t been said, that Pippa and Freddie would share the general manager role between them, which made sense. Harriet took charge of all the finances, and as all the systems had been set up, once they were up and running and had ironed out any teething trouble, it would be time to move on. To where, she had no idea. But it didn’t scare her like it would have done a short while ago.

  The bungalow had been sold, and although she had lost her nan, for the first time in her life she had some money. She wasn’t rich, but she had enough to buy a small flat somewhere and think about returning to her studies. She was no longer terrified about leaving Meadowbrook, sure she’d miss it, but she would be here a lot. They weren’t going to get rid of her that easily.

  For now, Freddie had moved in with Harriet and Connor, which didn’t suit any of them. But until the barn conversions were finished – which would be a while – he was technically homeless, as he liked to remind everyone. Gus and Amanda had just exchanged on a bigger house in Parker’s Hollow, and they had offered Freddie the temporary use of their old house when they moved, until the barn was ready. Freddie jumped at it. Even though it meant driving to Meadowbrook every day, he said anything was better than Harriet’s bossiness. He declared that Connor deserved a medal for putting up with her. Harriet said it was like living with three children. Although Hilda was the least problematic.

  Everything was almost in place, Gemma thought with a huge feeling of joy as she inspected the hotel. She’d hired a marketing consultancy, and they’d come up with a strap line: Meadowbrook, the hotel with a beating heart. Which Pippa loved, and their proposals for local advertising, social media and corporate targeting with regard to the painting, animals, gardening and baking breaks was all ready to go. It was exciting, seeing it come to fruition, and Gemma couldn’t have been prouder. Of everyone, but also of herself. A new but wonderful feeling.

  ‘Hey, what do you want me to do?’ Hector Barber appeared, wearing a smart grey suit and a cravat.

  As the hotel was full, he was staying with Freddie at Gus and Amanda’s house.

  ‘You’re dressed already? The wedding isn’t until three,’ Pippa replied, straitening his cravat.

  He did look good in his suit, Gemma thought, and she had even told Pippa what a gorgeous couple the two of them would make, but Pippa dismissed it – apparently he was too young. Gemma secretly thought it was time she went for someone younger, rather than her usual middle-aged type, but she held her thoughts – for now.

  Their friendship was stronger than ever. She had opened up to Pippa in a way she hadn’t done with anyone ever and they had talked about abandonment, losing parents, feeling as if they didn’t fit in, and she was amazed to know that Pippa – beautiful, sweet, confident Pippa – had felt a bit like she did growing up. She struggled at school, and felt that her siblings were so talented and she came up short. Pippa had even broached the subject of looking for Gemma’s mother, but Gemma said she wasn’t ready, and she wasn’t sure she ever would be. She was terrified of more rejection.

  ‘But I thought if I was ready, I could make myself useful,’ Hector protested, interrupting her thoughts.

  He had booked to stay at the hotel for at least a month to write this book of his. And to win over Pippa as well, hopefully.

  ‘Come with me; I’m checking all the flowers,’ Pippa said, and like a puppy, Hector bounded off after her.

  The house/hotel was a flurry of activity as everyone got ready for the wedding. The cars lined up on the drive, to take them down to the church, where Gus would be waiting, nervously. After Freddie made more coffee and stole some toast, he left to do his best man bit. Harriet arrived with Hilda, who had a big bow around her neck, which she was trying to eat; Connor had gone with Freddie to Gus. Fleur and Hayley were giggling and excited. The day was cold but bright, and excitement buzzed around Meadowbrook. Its walls were full of happiness.

  Gemma had bought a new outfit for the day; she and Pippa had gone shopping together. It was another first for her, shopping with a friend, and Gemma was finding a life where she wasn’t isolated suited her. She was coming out of her shell, and her tongue-tied clumsiness seemed to be lessening as well. She hadn’t fallen over or knocked into anything for ages.

  Gemma spoke to her nan regularly, and going to church comforted her. She wasn’t sure she had found religion, but it was a good place to think about her nan, and John’s sermons were priceless. The last one was about how Jesus was obviously a morris dancer. Freddie had been with her, and he could barely hold himself together.

  She also sat with Edie, who Gemma told Freddie was her surrogate gran now.

  ‘Surrogate mum,’ Edie snapped at her. ‘I’m nowhere near old enough to be your gran.’

  They were silent as they waited for the bride to come down the Meadowbrook staircase. Pippa was wearing an emerald green dress, with a fake fur jacket – a vintage look – and she was stunning as per usual. Hector hovered next to her, lining up compliment after compliment. They had all had their hair and make-up done professionally, and Gemma felt that she looked better than she thought possible, her hair swept up and her blue velvet suit fitting perfectly. Fleur and Hayley stood with them clutching their bridesmaids’ bouquets and wearing simple dresses and stoles – they both looked lovely, neither children nor women yet. Gwen, in her huge hat, twitched nervously as Gerry held on to her. Amanda’s family and friends were all chattering excitedly.

  When Amanda emerged in a beautiful satin gown, her hair flowing around her shoulders, she looked like The Lady of the Lake, which one of the attic rooms had been named, as it overlooked the lake. She smiled as she clutched a beautiful bouquet of snowdrops, and made her wa
y down the stairs, with her father proudly by her side.

  Gemma choked up. She doubted she would ever have this, but she was happy for Amanda rather than sad for herself. She had come a long way. But then, she thought, it was lucky it wasn’t her – she would definitely trip on her dress and probably tumble down the stairs, not even making the church. She smiled at Fleur, who smiled back.

  ‘I know I said weddings were lame, but it’s kind of nice,’ she whispered to Gemma.

  ‘People being happy is nice, remember that,’ she said. ‘I didn’t for a long time, but I will do now.’

  ‘You know, I like having you around, Gemma,’ Fleur said and gave her hand a squeeze.

  The day passed in a blur. The church service was beautiful. Edie ate a whole bag of sherbet lemons, Gwen cried, Harriet did a lovely reading, Pippa cried, and even Gemma felt tearful when they were declared “man and wife”. John, the vicar, didn’t mention morris dancing once.

  The reception at Meadowbrook was a bit of a squeeze, as most of the village was there, as well as friends and family, and they all crammed in, but it worked. Gemma helped the catering staff that they’d hired in for the day, and they were all kept on their feet. The food was a success, as was the special cocktail that Freddie had designed for the happy couple.

  The speeches were touching; even Freddie’s was unusually sentimental. Amanda’s dad said that he felt his daughter had got it right this time, and he hoped that it was the same for Gus. Fleur choked loudly on a posh cocktail sausage as he said he would like some more grandchildren, and she had to have her back slapped.

  ‘No bloody babies,’ Fleur said.

  ‘You don’t fancy a little brother or sister?’ Gemma asked.

  ‘God no, they’d probably get me to change nappies or babysit for free. And all that crying and puke. Yuk.’

  ‘Charming,’ Connor said.

  ‘Anyway, my dad’s past all that,’ Fleur said.