The Ticket to Happiness

by Faith Bleasdale

  The Singers had closed ranks, along with the community, who thankfully were giving them their full support. John, the vicar, was going to pray for them, but as Harriet said, they needed more than prayers. Their family solicitor had put them on to someone who was better placed to deal with this kind of thing and Harriet had had many meetings trying to go over their options. Freddie was dealing with the press, saying that they refused to make comments until Meadowbrook Sanctuary had launched a full investigation. Basically, they were trying to buy time.

  A couple of regular donors had immediately pulled out with funding and Pippa had been calling other large sanctuary supporters to ask them or, more accurately, beg them not to judge until the mess had been sorted out. She’d given assurances that it would be – with a confidence she certainly didn’t feel but managed to muster up. Because she had to do something. She was relieved that most agreed, albeit a couple reluctantly, and the worst had been two large companies who said they’d have to put their sponsorship on hold until the outcome was decided. Pippa felt a little as if she’d done a bit to help, but each and every one of them were feeling frustrated. Poor Connor had never been so down and Harriet, who was usually a problem-solver, was unable to come up with a solution. Harry was trying to support Connor and remain upbeat, but Pippa knew she was feeling emotionally fragile, too.

  Hector had used his social media and huge fan base to show his support for the sanctuary. He wasn’t going overboard; however, he said he was confident that the sanctuary would be proved innocent. Goodness, it felt as if they’d done something criminal. But Hector proved a great support with some wonderful PR and Pippa was touched by how much he was willing to do. The problem was that none of them knew exactly how to make it go away.

  It was unthinkable that the sanctuary might actually be in trouble. When their father had died, he’d entrusted – no, demanded – that they not only run the sanctuary, but also raise a certain amount of money to do so. One by one, each of them had fallen in love with the sanctuary and the work it did. It was part of Meadowbrook, a huge part, so nothing could be allowed to jeopardise it.

  Brooke had surprised Pippa by stepping in to help with Toby. She was good with him, of course, having been an au pair for a short time – was there no job this twenty-five-year-old hadn’t done? And although Pippa felt a little jealous, because Harriet was so grateful to Brooke, she knew she shouldn’t, because they needed all the help they could get. Pippa was seeing sides to herself lately she wasn’t keen on, but then as they were in the midst of a crisis, she didn’t have time to dissect what to do about it.

  It was threatening to be a disaster, but at the moment they were containing it. It was the best they could do. However, short of paying William off, no one knew how to make it go away. The sanctuary was in big trouble and no one could underestimate how much of a knife edge they were teetering on at the moment. Connor was devastated and blaming himself, and although Lucky had settled into his ‘foster’ home with Gwen and Gerry, no one knew what this meant for him, either.

  Pippa got the staff to lay out the dining room. Before the guests were due that evening Harriet had called a meeting at the hotel so they could all sit down, review where they were and decide how to proceed going forward. Pippa had organised coffee and Gwen, who always baked in a crisis, had baked a lot of cakes. Although this was largely a family meeting, Harriet had invited Mike, Ginny and Clive from the sanctuary, John, the vicar, who was one of the most influential people in the village, as well as Hector and Brooke, who was involved whether Pippa liked it or not. Pippa was trying her best to stay calm. She’d also spoken to Harvey, telling him about the situation, but he still wanted to come this weekend. He was due to arrive later that evening and she was glad she’d have someone to distract her, someone to take the edge off the growing unease that she was feeling.

  During the week they’d all rallied together, but in the evenings they’d all gone their separate ways, probably to recharge, and Pippa was feeling very much that she was on her own. But she wouldn’t be this weekend – she’d have Harvey to hold her, reassure her and hopefully make her feel better. She wouldn’t be alone. However, she had yet to tell everyone, apart from Gemma, about him coming and she was about to do just that.

  They all sat around the table, including Edie. Edie had turned up because Gemma normally took her shopping on Friday mornings and when she heard about the meeting, she insisted on joining them. Toby was in his pram; thankfully, they’d arranged the meeting for his nap time, but Brooke said if he woke then she’d see to him. Of course she would.

  ‘I’m not going to beat around the bush,’ Harriet started, but then she never did. ‘It’s not looking good. We’ve got the papers running the story still and William’s milking it, telling them that he’s suing us for mental anguish as well now, because he loved that dog. There’s a threat the story will go national.’ She sounded grim.

  ‘Bloody William,’ Freddie spat unhelpfully.

  ‘Quite.’ Harriet rolled her eyes. ‘We’ve spoken to a PR company, because although Pip’s done a great job with our major donors, local families are also being put off. They specialise in crisis management and think they can help, but it’s going to be difficult with the lawsuit going on. We’re limited as to what we can do if they officially sue us, which is what they’re threatening.’

  ‘And although they’re very good, they’re expensive,’ Freddie pointed out.

  ‘Can we, you know, can our family trust pay?’ Gus asked.

  ‘Yes, if we all agree,’ Harriet said. ‘But the solicitors have suggested that in order to make this go away, it would be a better use of money if we pay William off.’

  ‘Isn’t that an admission of guilt?’ Pippa asked.

  ‘Not if he signs a non-disclosure. We offer him money on the basis that he drops the case and stops talking to the press, goodness knows he’s done enough damage already. He can’t talk about us or the situation again. And we’re not admitting guilt but…’

  ‘It feels like it,’ Connor said angrily. ‘And again, we’re talking a lot of money. The sanctuary can’t finance that.’

  ‘No, it’ll have to be taken from Meadowbrook,’ Harriet said. ‘I’ll have to speak to the solicitors.’

  ‘I feel so responsible,’ Connor said. ‘I’m sure … I was sure that Lucky was fine to be re-homed.’ He had devastation written on his face.

  ‘Connor, this isn’t your fault. Everyone at the sanctuary felt Lucky would be a great dog to be re-homed and apart from his nerves around loud noises, he’s a gentle, lovely dog,’ Ginny said.

  ‘Gerry and I haven’t had a minute’s trouble from him,’ Gwen cut in. ‘He’s such a lovely, gentle fellow.’

  ‘He’s grand,’ Gerry added.

  ‘Do we know, for sure, that he wasn’t subjected to a loud noise?’ Brooke cut in. ‘I know that there’s a lot of shooting around here at times and although it’s not firework season, it could have been something like that.’

  ‘It’s not shooting season anymore, though,’ Freddie said, seeming to deflate. ‘Although, of course, there’s often shooting up at the farms.’

  There seemed to be a glimmer of hope in the room.

  ‘And we’ve only got William’s word, so how do we prove otherwise?’ Connor asked.

  ‘I could go and flirt with him,’ Edie suggested. ‘See if I can get the truth out of him. You know, like one of the femme fatale types.’

  The room was so silent you could almost hear everyone’s brains trying to get around that offer as the glimmer faded.

  Finally, Harriet spoke.

  ‘Thanks so much for the offer, but we wouldn’t want to put you in a dangerous situation,’ she said carefully.

  Freddie choked and Pippa could hear him mutter, ‘More dangerous for William,’ under his breath.

  ‘But, Edie, we’ll keep it in mind if all else fails.’

  Edie was satisfied with this.

  ‘And of course my morris dancers are happy to help,�
� John said.

  ‘What, dance William into submission?’ Freddie asked in a weak attempt at humour.

  ‘No, Freddie.’ John was keeping his cool as he always did. ‘But remember, we’ve helped with security issues at Meadowbrook before. When that boy tried to let the animals out, and of course tracking down the person who bad-mouthed the hotel. We do have investigative and security experience, if you remember.’

  ‘Of course, and you were so amazing in those cases,’ Pippa shot quickly. They were helpful, in fact. It seemed Meadowbrook security was a bit of a morris dancer sideline. ‘And we’ll keep that in mind,’ she added.

  John seemed satisfied with this.

  ‘So, what’s the next step?’ Amanda asked.

  She’d rearranged work so she could be there for them; she’d been extremely practical and she was keeping Gus calm, which was no easy feat. Even Fleur had threatened to go and ‘beat that bloody man up,’ and no one thought she was joking. Fortunately she had exams at school, so she was at a safe distance while staying at her mum’s.

  ‘I’m going to meet with the solicitor again later today,’ Harriet said. ‘Gus, can you come with me?’ she asked.

  ‘Of course,’ Gus replied.

  Although Gus wasn’t necessarily calm, he was sensible, so he was a good choice.

  ‘Also,’ Connor added, his voice devoid of any of its usual cheerfulness, ‘perhaps someone could call William and tell him we’re working something out with the solicitor but can he please not talk to anyone until we get back to him. It just might mean a bit more damage limitation. He seems to be trying to turn this into something like five minutes of fame. I heard the other day he’d told someone that he was in talks with breakfast TV!’

  ‘Good thinking, Con.’ Harriet reached over and squeezed his arm.

  ‘I’ll call him,’ Amanda offered. ‘After all, I spoke to him before and although I hate what he’s doing, he was polite to me and I won’t lose my cool.’

  ‘Thanks, Amanda, that would be great. I’m not sure I could even bring myself to speak to him,’ Harriet said.

  ‘Is the hotel staffed this weekend?’ Freddie asked.

  Although he’d normally know this, Pippa and he had been a bit like ships passing in the night since the situation with Lucky, where one would manage the hotel while the other concentrated on the sanctuary and they kept swapping over to where they were most needed.

  ‘I’ve got full staff and we’ve got a fair few guests. There’s a family of four, a parent and two teenage girls, a couple celebrating their anniversary and a group of six women, one of whom has just got divorced and so they wanted a treat. A couple of the women have their own rooms and four are sharing.’ Pippa paused. ‘I haven’t had the chance to tell you yet, but I’ve got a friend staying, too. In my apartment.’ She concentrated very hard on the table.

  ‘Not the mysterious French girl?’ Hector asked.

  Gemma chewed her lip anxiously. Pippa wished she didn’t have to tell them now, what with Edie and John, the vicar, also being there, but she had to come clean.

  ‘Not exactly. He’s called Harvey and I met him … we’ve been … well, sort of talking a bit.’ She felt her cheeks reddening as all eyes were on her.

  ‘This really isn’t a good time,’ Harriet said, her eyes narrowed at her sister.

  ‘I know, I know, but I explained that to him and he said he’ll just muck in.’ Pippa could feel her cheeks burning.

  ‘Is this the guy from that investment bank who came here with Prince Harry?’ Brooke asked a little loudly.

  ‘No one told me Prince Harry had come here,’ Edie said.

  ‘He could have come to church,’ John, the vicar, added.

  ‘No, it was a guest who looked a bit like Prince Harry,’ Pippa replied, her face still red.

  ‘It’s a date, then?’ Hector asked.

  Pippa couldn’t help but hear the hurt in his voice.

  ‘Um, well, um, it might be a bit,’ she replied, going back to staring at the table.

  ‘He seemed OK,’ Freddie said, looking around the table. ‘I mean he can hold his drink, which is always a good sign…’ He tapered off.

  ‘I have to go. Sorry, but I’ve just remembered I need to make some calls.’

  Hector stood up so fast he sent his chair flying, but he didn’t stop to pick it up as he rushed out of the room.

  ‘What on earth?’ Pippa asked.

  ‘I’ll go after him,’ Brooke said, hurrying out after him.

  ‘Poor Hector,’ Harriet said. ‘Pip, you had to know that would hurt him.’

  ‘What am I supposed to do? Never date again?’

  Pippa felt defensive. She hated upsetting anyone, especially Hector, who she was so fond of, but she’d tried to be subtle, not that she’d managed it, and perhaps this was what he needed to get over his silly crush on her. She was probably doing him a favour.

  ‘No, but…’ Freddie scratched his head.

  ‘Pippa’s tried to do this the right way and she deserves to be happy,’ Gemma defended.

  ‘Anyway, Hector only wants me because he can’t have me. And he and Brooke have been spending a lot of time together lately.’

  ‘Actually, they’d make a very good couple,’ Edie observed. ‘If he and I aren’t meant to be then perhaps I should help him find happiness with Brooke.’

  Brooke and Hector, Pippa thought. Why did that suddenly bother her so much?

  She was just about to go into the dining room to check the table was ready. All the guests had checked in, they were happy and they were due to dine together. Minus Hector, who wasn’t replying to her when she tried to find out if he wanted dinner, or Brooke, who was also giving her the silent treatment.

  ‘Oh!’ She jumped as Brooke appeared as if from nowhere. ‘You scared me, I didn’t see you,’ she said.

  ‘I just wanted to talk to you,’ Brooke said, in a clipped tone.

  Her eyes were narrowed, and Pippa had never seen this side to her.

  ‘What about, Brooke?’ Pippa asked. She felt as if Brooke was about to give her a ticking off and she wasn’t happy about that.

  ‘Poor Hector, he’s so besotted with you and yet you let another man come here, where he’s paying to stay so he can be close to you, to rub his nose in it.’

  Pippa took a step back.

  ‘Hang on. Hector and I have known each other for years. He first tried to chat me up when I was married, even. Of course I’m flattered, but I’ve told him a number of times that we’re just friends. He’s one of my closest friends, in fact. And anyway, if you knew Hector like I do, you’d realise that he only likes me because I’m the only woman ever to say no to him.’ It sounded a little lame even to her ears.

  ‘I don’t believe you, Pippa. I do know Hector, having spent time with him recently, but you just see what you want. You think he’s too young, too flirty, not good enough for you, but I see someone who knows more about love than you do, who adores you, who cares about your whole family, who’d do anything for you, and you treat him like dirt.’

  Her words cut Pippa but her voice had softened. ‘If anyone doesn’t know the real Hector, it’s you.’

  Leaving Pippa speechless, she turned on her heels and made to walk away.

  ‘By the way, I suggested to Hector that he go away this weekend so you don’t get to rub his nose in it, but he said no, he needed to be here to support you all with the Lucky situation. You don’t know how valuable, how honourable, how decent he really is.’ She was angry again.

  ‘Now hang on! Hector’s one of my closest friends,’ Pippa protested.

  ‘Then I’d hate to see how you treat your enemies.’

  Pippa was still reeling from the encounter when Harvey arrived. She’d called Gemma in tears, who was helping out in the bar tonight, so she’d rushed to calm Pippa down. She was so sweet but Pippa got the impression that she didn’t totally disagree with Brooke. Gemma was just too nice to voice it. Pippa felt wretched. It was true that she didn’t take
Hector’s feelings seriously, but then if she did it would probably ruin their friendship and that would affect her whole family. Hector was a part of Meadowbrook and he’d never really said anything to her to imply that he was unhappy with them being friends. Most of the time, it was just harmless flirting, after all. Why was life getting so complicated? And was Brooke right? Because if she was then Pippa had to apologise and she didn’t like apologising.

  Although Pippa was known as the sweetest of the Singers, she was also known as the most stubborn. She hated being wrong and she had a real problem with saying sorry. She’d been like that since childhood. For now, though, she needed to concentrate on Harvey, who was perhaps her happiness, and she wasn’t going to ruin that because of other people. She rarely put herself first but now she was going to.

  Letting Harvey in, she ushered him straight through to her apartment. She had a cheeseboard waiting for him and a good wine. She didn’t want to have to see anyone else tonight, not after the day she’d had, and although her family might want to meet him tomorrow, with the Lucky situation, they were too preoccupied to ask too many questions. In any other circumstances, she’d be grateful for that.

  ‘You’re a sight for sore, tired eyes,’ Harvey said. ‘Come here, beautiful.’

  ‘I definitely have tired eyes too,’ Pippa replied, kissing him. ‘Wine?’

  She poured two glasses and they settled on the sofa.

  ‘So, is the dog thing resolved?’ he asked, sipping his wine.

  ‘No, and goodness knows what we’ll do. We’ll probably have to pay this guy off, get him to sign something to say he withdraws the allegations, without us admitting culpability.’

  ‘It’s the best solution. Give him money, he goes away and you can get back to normal.’