‘Rob? No,’ Brooke replied.
‘Really? You two seemed to get on well.’
‘Sure, we did, but it was a holiday romance. You know, he has this big life in London and I’m still finding my feet here, so I’m not looking for a relationship. By the way, thanks for letting Chris and I do the boot camp. It went really well and it showed me how well we can work together. We might try to do another one when the hotel’s quiet, if you’re happy for us to do so?’
‘Absolutely. I have a feeling Chris was a bit of a hit with the ladies.’ Pippa smiled.
Brooke was silent for a moment, then asked, ‘Are you angry? You know, about Rob?’ She chewed her lip worriedly.
‘No, not at all, why would you think that?’
She tried not to think about the fact that she’d crossed the line with Harvey in the scheme of keeping him happy. She might not have had sex with him, but they’d hardly kept things professional, either.
‘That’s a relief, I just didn’t want you to think we were unprofessional. But you know, that woman, Trudy, was after Chris all the time we were training. It was quite funny, really.’
‘Apart from that, it all bodes well for you running a boot camp here. Honestly, I’m happy for you and Chris to put a package together and we’ll brainstorm about how to sell it.’
‘I’d like that so much. Thanks, Pippa. Although I have to survive this yoga class first.’
‘That might be easier said than done,’ Pippa teased, but gave Brooke a warm reassuring hug.
Pippa was surprised to see Hector and Freddie already in the hall.
‘What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at the hotel?’ she asked.
‘Nope,’ Freddie replied. ‘There’s no guests, which you know. We were asked to come and move the chairs, which we’ve done, but I think I might just have to stay to watch. I mean, this is going to be priceless.’
Brooke’s face drained of all colour.
‘Fred,’ Pippa hissed. ‘She’s nervous enough as it is.’
‘By the way, sister dear, I saw how Harvey, our big, swinging fund manger, slipped you his phone number before he left, what was that about?’
‘Who’s Harvey?’ Hector asked sharply.
He’d stayed away from the hotel for the last couple of days, so Pippa hadn’t had to deal with him warning Harvey off.
‘He was the boss of the corporate guests we just had and he gave me his number because he wants to talk about doing more corporate retreats here,’ Pippa lied.
‘That’s what they’re calling it now,’ Freddie quipped.
‘What’s going on?’ Hector demanded. He didn’t seem happy.
‘Nothing,’ Pippa lied again before going to help Brooke lay out the mats and shooting Freddie a ‘shut up’ look. ‘Get a move on, they’ll be here in a minute.’
‘I’m so glad I came,’ Freddie said, standing at the back of the room with Pippa and Hector a short while later as the more mature members of Parker’s Hollow attempted to do yoga.
Even John, the vicar, and his morris dancing squad joined in. Apparently, it might make it easier for them to swing their sticks and ring their bells … John had had an extensive chat with Brooke to make sure that it wasn’t anti-Christian. Pippa had to intervene and explain it was yoga, an ancient tradition, not devil-worshipping. She wasn’t sure that John was exactly convinced, but he agreed to give it a go for his ‘art’.
‘This is better than telly,’ Hector said, trying hard not to laugh.
‘Edie!’ Brooke’s voice rang out. ‘You need to put your left leg forwards, not your right.’
‘That is my left leg,’ Edie argued when it clearly wasn’t.
Brooke looked at Pippa, who shook her head. It was easier not to argue. Brooke was amazing, Pippa conceded, as she kept her cool with them all. She was even unfazed when Gerry fell over during the tree pose and knocked into Hilary. They almost all went down like dominos. Then Rose and Margaret started talking about what they were going to have for dinner when Brooke was trying to get them to learn how to breathe.
‘I know how to breathe,’ Margaret said.
‘Me too, I’ve been doing it for over seventy years,’ Mary argued.
‘Can I ask what the spiritual thinking behind the downward dog is? I’m not sure if this is actually anti-Christian, after all,’ the vicar said worriedly.
‘I’m not sure I can do the tree pose, aghhhh,’ Rose said as she fell on Gerry.
The worst part was that when they lay on the mats at the end to meditate, half of them were definitely asleep and snoring. And when they managed to get everyone awake, they couldn’t get up, so they had to be hauled up. Thank goodness Freddie and Hector had stayed.
‘I think dynamic yoga is less tiring,’ Brooke said after everyone eventually left. ‘To teach, anyway.’
‘But they all enjoyed themselves and that’s the main thing. They love it when they get to do things as a community,’ Pippa pointed out. Yes, it was chaos, but everything they did in Parker’s Hollow was. ‘Come on, let’s go and get a drink at the pub. I’m buying,’ she said, slinging an arm around Brooke.
‘In that case, I’m in,’ Hector agreed.
‘Fred, why don’t you call Gemma and get her to meet us there?’ Pippa suggested.
‘Sure thing.’ He started writing a text.
‘Shame Harriet couldn’t come,’ Brooke said.
‘Oh, she’d have really enjoyed it,’ Hector laughed.
‘She really would! Come on, Brooke, you’ve earned a very large glass of wine.’
The pub was quiet when they walked in.
‘There’s Lucky!’ Brooke squealed and she rushed over.
Lucky, the dog, had recently been adopted and was sitting by his new owner’s feet. He looked contented and seeing this, Pippa felt they got to see the real importance of the animal sanctuary. Lucky was happy and had his new home, and William, who was alone before adopting Lucky, had a new companion.
‘Hey, Lucky,’ Brooke said, bending down to fuss him. She was such a dog lover.
‘Hi, William,’ Pippa said, ‘can we get you a drink?’
‘No, thank you, I’m good,’ he mumbled in response.
‘How’s Lucky settling in?’ Pippa asked as Lucky and Brooke were making a real fuss of each other.
‘Fine,’ he replied.
He was a man of few words and he looked at his pint so intently that Pippa got the impression he was finished with their chat, so she nodded and made her way to the bar.
‘I’m so glad that Lucky’s OK,’ Brooke said.
‘You’re such a softy when it comes to those dogs,’ Freddie said. ‘You’re right, though, normally when they’re adopted we don’t get to see them again, so it’s nice to see him looking so happy.’
‘William’s always in here, apparently,’ Hector said. ‘Issy said he’s a bit of a day-drinker.’
‘As long as he takes care of Lucky, that’s OK, isn’t it?’ Brooke sounded worried.
‘Nothing wrong with day-drinking and the dog seems happy enough. Right, to the bar.’ Freddie got the attention of the barmaid and ordered.
They sat down in a quiet spot and sipped their drinks.
‘Seriously, this is one crazy town,’ Brooke said.
‘I know, although it’s technically a village,’ Freddie replied. ‘But yes, it is eccentric. Those morris dancers doing yoga was something I never thought I’d see in my lifetime.’
‘The vicar was surprisingly flexible,’ Pippa giggled.
‘Stop, stop this horror show right now,’ Freddie said.
‘Talking of horror, I was wondering if I could tag along to your Easter party committee meeting tomorrow?’ Hector asked.
‘God, I’d forgotten about that.’
‘It’s my turn to stay and man the hotel,’ Freddie said gleefully.
Pippa scowled at him. There were only a few weeks to go and although they’d largely agreed on most things and even started the publicity, they still had a few
things to finalise. Not that Pippa was in the mood, she realised. She felt too consumed about what would happen with Harvey and her. She hadn’t thought through the next step, yet.
‘Hey, can I come, too?’ Brooke asked.
Pippa looked at her in shock.
‘You really want to come along? It’s normally a little unruly,’ Pippa pointed out.
‘That’s an understatement,’ Freddie said.
‘I’d love to. We don’t have big Easter events where I’m from so I’d be really interested.’
Brooke’s face was flushed but she sounded sincere. Pippa had to remember that she was possibly lonely and at least she was now being much friendlier towards Pippa. This was what Pippa wanted, after all. Of course Brooke would be welcome.
‘We’d love you both to come,’ Pippa said. ‘And although Hector has experience already, you’ll truly have your eyes opened,’ Pippa laughed and her phone pinged.
She glanced at the screen and saw a text from Harvey. She didn’t want to read it, not with the others at the table, but she was dying to see what it said. She moved so no one could see and read the screen:
Can you get away this weekend? Hotel in the Cotswolds. You, me and a lot of champagne? x
‘Who’s that?’ Freddie asked.
Pippa hoped she didn’t look as flushed as she felt. She tried to think quickly. She didn’t want anyone to know about Harvey, not yet.
‘An old schoolfriend. She’s over from France for the weekend and wants me to meet her in London.’
She was surprised how that tripped off her tongue. Pippa wasn’t a good liar – after all, she never lied; she hated lying, in fact – but she couldn’t tell them about Harvey. Not with Hector looking at her with his hangdog eyes. To be fair, she wasn’t keen on anyone knowing. If her family got wind of it they’d interrogate her and make it a bigger deal than it should be.
‘Which old schoolfriend?’ Freddie asked, sounding suspicious, which just confirmed her initial thoughts about telling them.
‘Maxine.’ It was the first name that sounded vaguely French that came to mind. ‘She lived nearby but her father’s French so she moved to France a few years back. Anyway, you probably don’t remember her.’
Pippa felt guilty but she hoped they’d believe her.
‘No, although I did get flirted with by most of your friends so I should.’
Freddie looked as if he were wracking his brain for this person who didn’t exist.
‘Are you going to go?’ Brooke asked.
‘It depends. I’ll have to see how the hotel’s fixed.’
‘A weekend away would do you good. You’ve worked so hard this year. I’m sure Gemma and I can step in,’ volunteered Freddie.
‘That’s really kind, Fred. I’d love to go – you know, if it would be OK?’
‘I’m happy to help out too, if it means you get to catch up with an old friend,’ Hector said.
Pippa felt so guilty; he wouldn’t be so keen to muck in if he knew the truth.
‘Hey, I can help, too,’ Brooke offered.
‘But you’re a guest. I mean Hector is as well, but you’re a proper guest.’
‘Oi, why am I not proper?’ Hector asked.
‘Because you practically live with us,’ Freddie pointed out with a grin.
‘Ah, yes.’
‘But at the moment, so do I,’ Brooke countered. ‘And I’d like to help. I kind of like being busy now I’ve sort of started working again.’
Pippa let her mind drift to a weekend with no work and the gorgeous Harvey, in a hotel that she didn’t have to worry about, and she had to admit it sounded pretty damn appealing. She thought about how electrifying his touch had been. Even little gestures like giving her hand a stroke as he passed her made her feel as if she were on fire.
‘OK, if you’re sure, I’ll go.’ She texted back just one word:
Yes x
Chapter Twenty-one
Pippa found it hard to focus on the meeting. The Easter event committee were in fine voice this time. Harriet was chairing the meeting but she was already exasperated. Edie wanted the event to be more elaborate than ever but had no idea how and Hilary was trying to decide if she could add in a chocolate-making class, when she didn’t know how to make chocolate. John, the vicar, was fretting about the slot for the morris dancers, Gerry was asking what else he could build, Rose and Margaret were arguing about the raffle prizes, and Mary was eating all the food that had been laid on for them and wasn’t much help at all. Doris and Pete were sitting there observing everyone, seeming unsure what to say.
Gus was in a bad mood, after another row with Fleur, and was sulking. Hector was trying his best to be helpful, and Brooke sat there opening and closing her mouth like a goldfish. All Pippa could think about was her upcoming weekend and seeing Harvey again.
What should she pack? She didn’t want to seem to be making too much effort – they were, after all, going to the countryside for a nice relaxing weekend – but she didn’t want to look as if she hadn’t made any effort, either. What about her underwear? It was clear that they’d be sleeping together, but she didn’t want him to think she was slutty, not yet; after all, this would be their first time being together properly.
‘Pippa?’ Hector’s voice interrupted her.
‘Yes, sorry?’ The whole table were staring at her.
‘I said I’d dress up as Humpty Dumpty and Gerry will build me a wall. That way we can recreate the nursery rhyme and perhaps the children can throw foam eggs at me to try to get me to fall off the wall!’
‘That’s a brilliant idea!’ Pippa, firmly back in the room and her thoughts away from her knickers, added, ‘Wonderful. It’s going to fit well with the other things we’ve decided.’
‘Right, to recap,’ Harriet said, obviously keen to get this meeting closed. ‘Gerry’s leading the Easter egg hunt; you’re always a huge hit as the Easter bunny.’ Gerry flushed with pleasure. ‘Gus is running the egg-decorating station. I was also thinking we could do something with the chickens. I mean, I know we can’t let the children in there to terrorise them, but maybe we could let the children feed them over the fence. Can Freddie be in charge of that?’
‘Brilliant, I think we’ve cracked it. Excuse the pun,’ Pippa said, fully back in the room.
Everyone laughed.
‘And of course we’ll have our raffle. I’ll rope in people to help you sell tickets,’ Pippa offered.
Rose nodded.
‘I can do that,’ Brooke said.
‘Oh, and that nice man of yours can help, too,’ Margaret suggested.
‘Who?’ They all asked.
‘That Chris in the tight jeans,’ Margaret said. ‘He’s got ever such nice legs.’
‘You could both dress up as chickens,’ Gerry suggested.
‘I’m not sure…’ Brooke sounded mortified.
‘If you did it would be so good. The kids would love it,’ Hector said just as Pippa was going to try to rescue her.
‘Although, if she dressed as a sexy bunny girl, the men would buy more raffle tickets,’ Edie suggested.
Brooke paled. ‘Edie, that’s sexist,’ she said.
‘No way, everyone knows I’m a rampant feminist,’ Edie replied curtly.
‘Great, it’s all decided, then.’ Harriet clapped her hands together, a smile curling at her lips.
‘What about the morris dancing?’ John asked, sounding a little put out.
‘Well, you guys’ll close the show, of course,’ Pippa said. ‘You’re our grand finale.’
‘Excellent!’ The vicar flushed. ‘And after that yoga lesson I think you’ll be impressed with our new moves.’
After the meeting, Pippa was planning on retiring to her room, picking out all her outfits for the weekend and thinking some more about Harvey. But she’d barely pulled out her weekend case, when Freddie texted her summoning her to Meadowbrook’s office. Sighing, Pippa made her way down.
The hotel was empty apart from Brooke and Hect
or in the drawing room. Hector was typing away on his laptop while Brooke was slumped on a sofa with a book. They looked as if they belonged in the room, Pippa thought with a pang. She never got to enjoy the house the way the guests did anymore. Not often enough, anyway.
Pippa was the first in the office. She tidied the desk from earlier and sat behind the largest one: her father’s desk. It was her desk now, really, and although she shared the office, it was her desk in the main. She liked to sit there, look at the huge picture of her father that dominated the wall and think about what he’d do when she had a work issue.
Freddie burst in as if he were late, saw that it was just Pippa then went to the drinks trolley – again, her father’s – and poured himself a brandy.
‘Take it you don’t want one?’ he said.
‘No, thanks, it’s a bit early.’
‘Yes, well, I need one.’
‘Why?’
‘I’ll tell you later when the others are here.’
‘What others?’ Pippa asked.
‘I’ve asked Harry and Gus too.’
Gus and Harriet walked in together, and seeing Pippa sat behind the desk, they both went to the sofa and sat down.
‘What’s this about?’ Pippa asked.
‘Brandy, anyone?’ Freddie asked.
‘God no, Fred, what are you doing?’ Harriet said.
‘The old Fred’s back again,’ Gus mused.
‘OK, well, I might as well tell you. I think I’m going to ask Gemma to marry me.’
‘Oh my God!’ Harriet exclaimed.
‘That’s wonderful!’ Pippa gushed. They’d officially be sisters.
‘Congratulations, mate!’ Gus went and shook his hand. ‘My baby brother’s all grown up.’
‘Now, steady on. Here’s the thing. You guys made me see that although I’m not for marriage, Gemma is. And she hasn’t got anyone but us, which makes her insecure, and I love her. Therefore, I need to do what I can to ensure she does feel secure. And I know I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I’m just worried about the marriage curse.’
‘Oh, not this curse thing again,’ Pippa said.
‘Look, Pip, you’re divorced. Gus is divorced. Our mother died. Harry’s never been married and is still with her first love. What if I marry Gemma and it goes wrong? What if it’s the Singer curse or maybe even the Meadowbrook curse?’
The Ticket to Happiness Page 18