And despite all the cynics, Hector’s book had been a huge bestseller and all of a sudden, he was being taken seriously both as a person and a writer. He’d dedicated his first book to the Singers and Meadowbrook.
‘I know,’ he’d said in response, ‘but I’m at the airport in New York and I couldn’t remember the time difference. Oh, and Happy New Year. I’m so sorry I missed the party, but having to promote my book here meant I really couldn’t get away.’
Hector had spent Christmas in America because of an extensive book tour.
‘I know, you told us and it’s fine. We missed you but there’ll always be another party.’
Pippa thought about how much everyone loved Hector, especially the gardening club ladies. She surprised herself by thinking that even she missed him.
‘Right, well, that’s why I’m calling. I’m getting on a flight in a minute and I’m on deadline, so I wondered if I could book into the hotel.’
‘Hector, you have a perfectly good flat in London and although of course we’d love to see you …’
Pippa wasn’t sure if Hector was lonely. Now he had his success and was in demand, he seemed to want to be around them more than ever. Freddie said it was because he was in love with Pippa, but she brushed that off. He flirted with her terribly, but then he could flirt with a candlestick, he was that kind of guy. Lovely, fun, clever, not to mention gorgeous, but too young and too frivolous for Pippa. He was only twenty-nine and although he claimed his playboy days were behind him, she wasn’t convinced.
‘But you know I write best at Meadowbrook. I need to get my next book finished. There’s so much pressure on me, Pippa, and I was thinking three months would do it.’
‘You want to stay here for three months? You do know we’ve put our prices up?’ Pippa teased as Toby wriggled contently in her arms.
When Hector stayed he’d had opening prices, plus a huge discount. Actually, they didn’t want to charge him at all, but he’d insisted. The thing was that the publicity that Hector brought the hotel had been amazing. Not least because of the groups of women booked in hoping to meet him. They should have been paying him, in fact.
‘Pip, I’m going to talk to Harriet about the rate, because she’ll charge me properly.’
‘You’re family and you can stay with us anytime, but I still don’t see why you’d want to be holed up here for three months.’
‘And you call yourself a businesswoman? What would Harriet say if I told her you were turning down paying customers?’
‘She’d kill me.’
‘I’ll call you when I’m in London to let you know when to expect me. Oh, bugger, last call for my flight.’ He hung up.
‘Hector’s coming, Toby. You’ll like him. He’s fun.’
Hector hadn’t met Toby yet. He’d been so busy with his book tours that he hadn’t managed to come over since his birth. Pippa had to decide where he’d stay. Probably in one of the attic rooms; for some reason, Hector loved being at the top of the house. She had a few bookings coming up, but they had plenty of space for the quiet season. Meadowbrook only had ten bedrooms, all doubles, and she always knew who was staying. One magazine had said Meadowbrook was the very definition of a boutique hotel. And that was exactly their intention when they’d opened it. Pippa loved that it was small and it ensured they knew what their guests liked and didn’t like. They made sure they had food that suited their preferences. Catering to their individual needs, as a small, luxury hotel they were more than able to do so. It meant that guests felt they were having an experience suited to them, rather than just a generic five-star hotel stay.
Pippa was actually pleased that Hector was coming. It would be nice to have him around. She grinned – Harriet would be really pleased. One three-month booking to take them through the slow season wouldn’t hurt at all, even if they did heavily discount. Although they weren’t empty, they weren’t full either for the next few months. They had some short mid-week corporate bookings coming up, a couple of groups embarking on Gus’s painting workshop and some more on Gwen’s baking course, which had proved so popular. And because of the baking show on TV – Hector had even taken part in the celebrity version of that – people clamoured. Baking was the new knitting, apparently. Pippa knew they might have some last-minute bookings, too, but she’d been prepared for it being quieter after Christmas, probably until Easter at least.
Soon after the hotel opened, they realised that the Meadowbrook hotel kitchen wasn’t going to be able to accommodate the baking experiences that they were getting requests for. Especially as it was needed to cater for the guests at the same time. However, next to Freddie’s house, one of the barns they’d converted, was another barn that they’d been able to turn into a kitchen – a little like the actual Great British Bake Off layout; although not a tent, of course. There were a number of ovens and fridges, and Gwen ran her baking courses there. They were so well-known that she’d had to rope others in to help her now she was working less, or at least trying to. Hilary, John, the vicar’s wife, helped out regularly, as she was a keen baker, too.
The good news was that the hotel wasn’t running at a huge loss. To Harriet’s dismay, it hadn’t made a profit yet, either, but then as Gemma pointed out, hotels never made money in the first year, which had almost satisfied her. The fact that the hotel was doing OK was enough. For now.
Pippa sat at her desk in the office going through the bookings. Everyone had left, the housekeeping staff were turning the rooms around and Pippa was nursing her persistent hangover with a much-needed cup of tea while making notes to ensure that during the coming week she was on top of things.
Growing up, with her three siblings and their father, not to mention Gwen and Connor, who were there most of the time, Meadowbrook had felt alive. But when one by one her siblings left – first to boarding school, then university, before going off to jobs in various places – it was just Pippa, the baby of the family, her father and Gwen. They’d filled the house with people: her father’s friends, the village community and Pippa’s school friends, who’d practically lived there when they were teenagers. When Pippa left Meadowbrook to marry Mark, she’d felt a stab of guilt – no, more than a stab of guilt – about leaving the house with just her father and Gwen. But she’d visited often and her dad never complained about being lonely. He kept busy and that was when he’d started the animal sanctuary.
Pippa felt tears surface. She still missed him and she wished he was with them; although she felt his presence in the house every day and that was why she’d always take care of Meadowbrook. It was the one place she could feel her father and she never wanted to lose that feeling.
Pippa wiped the tears off her face furiously as there was a knock on the office door. Gus appeared with a big smile. Mainly calm – apart from when it came to his teenage daughter – and level-headed, he was the most sensible of the siblings. He was also creative; although he’d been an insurance salesman before he managed to find his true passion: painting and gardening.
‘Why the tears, Pip?’ he asked, chewing his bottom lip anxiously.
‘I was thinking of Daddy. I’m not sure how I got there but with the party, it was emotional. You know, we’ve kept this place open for almost a year and it’s all going well, but I miss him. I wish I knew what he thought of it.’
‘I know.’ Gus came over to where Pippa was sat and bent down to hug her. ‘He’d be so proud of you, you know. All of us, but especially you.’
‘Thanks, Gus. Oh! by the way, Hector’s coming to stay. He needs to finish his new book.’
‘It’ll be nice to have him back. Anyway,’ he hopped awkwardly from foot to foot, ‘I need to get the details for my painting workshop. And Amanda said to complain about the lack of gardening interest.’ His lips curled in a slight smile.
‘Gus, it’s winter. Who wants to garden in the winter?’
‘Amanda!’ they both said and laughed.
Gus’s wife, Amanda, lived for her gardens. She was even out there
in the snow, protecting her plants. But although the gardening courses were popular – funnily enough, especially with the younger generation – they weren’t in demand in the winter, when bookings had all but dried up.
‘I’ll sign Hector up,’ Pippa joked. ‘That’ll keep her happy.’
‘She’s got enough to do, really,’ Gus groaned. ‘Not only with existing clients, but she’s also taken on a new client. A rich family have bought a crumbling old manor house near Bath and they’ve got acres of grounds that need restoring. The house, too. Amanda hasn’t met them yet, but I think they might be Russian billionaires from the sound of it. Probably Mafia or something like that.’
‘Tell her to be careful, then. Although it sounds like a great project.’
‘She says it’s all grand statues and water features at the moment. But I’m worried she’s overstretching herself.’
‘Let Amanda do what she wants to do, Gus. Don’t clip her wings.’
Gus’s first marriage broke down because his then wife ran off with one of his friends, but afterwards she’d said that Gus had suffocated her by trying to please her all the time. Gus could be a bit like that. Unfortunately, he was the sensitive member of the family and their hard-to-please father didn’t really do sensitive. So Gus had spent most of his childhood trying to please their father, something their father recognised later in life and apologised for, but Gus was still battling with insecurity as a result. Amanda made him happier than he’d ever been, but old habits died hard.
‘I know, she’s happy, we’re happy, and I need to remember that. You know what a nightmare I can be!’
‘Exactly. Right, here’s your next two painting workshops.’
‘Any sign of Freddie?’ Gus asked.
‘No. Gemma dragged him home a couple of hours ago but that hangover isn’t going anywhere soon.’
‘Typical Fred.’
Pippa laughed. The Singers had settled into themselves and for four siblings who were so close, they were all so utterly disparate. Harriet the boss, Gus the sensitive one, Freddie the fun one and her … Pippa was still trying to find herself. She was on her own now for the first time, she was working for the first time and she was getting to know herself for the first time, but she still had a lot to learn. She might be in her thirties, but she felt as if she was only just now discovering who she really was.
Chapter Five
Pippa was absorbed in reading the latest edition of Hotels, a trade magazine, in the office, when she heard the front door bang open and raised voices. The noise startled her and she jumped. Glancing at her watch, she saw it was later than she thought. She must have been miles away.
‘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.
The Ticket to Happiness Page 3