The Ticket to Happiness

‘Oh my goodness, she might have passed out in the back of your car!’ Hector piped up as he stood up.

‘Yes, she bloody well might. So hurry up and stop asking me stupid questions.’

They all bounded out to the car.

They found Harriet staring into the car as they reached it.

‘There seems to be someone asleep in the car,’ she said, eyeing them all suspiciously.

‘Open the door and check she’s all right,’ Pippa said urgently, panic fluttering in her chest.

It wouldn’t look good if the guest fell ill, or worse, before she even checked in.

‘Why, what’s happened?’ Harriet’s eyes widened.

‘Long story. Please, open the car.’

Pippa almost pushed Harriet out of the way and yanked the door open. She put her head in to check that Brooke was breathing.

‘Aaargggh!’ Brooke screamed, moving with a start and head-butting Pippa.

‘Ow,’ Pippa replied, recoiling and rubbing her head.

‘So she’s all right, then,’ Harriet said, rolling her eyes.

She leant in as Pippa rested against the car, still rubbing her head and trying to ignore the amused looks on Freddie’s and Hector’s faces.

‘Hi, I’m Harriet Singer. Welcome to the Meadowbrook Hotel. Sorry that we scared you but…’

Harriet turned to Pippa, who was still rubbing her head. It really hurt.

‘Sorry, yes, hi, I’m Pippa Singer. Freddie told us how you’d fainted at the airport, so I was just checking you weren’t unconscious.’

Pippa felt herself go red. This wasn’t how she’d envisioned the arrival of their new guest. Not in a million years.

They all waited expectantly as Brooke unclipped her seatbelt, got out of the car and ran her hands through her long blonde hair. Pippa wanted to say ‘wow’. She was about the same height as her, very slim, highlighted blonde hair cascading below her shoulders, with blue eyes, the clearest skin that Pippa had ever seen and the cutest button nose. Pippa couldn’t decide if she had the Californian look or not, but she was certainly stunning.

‘No, I’m sorry, I was fast asleep. It’s been a bit of a journey.’ She smiled, displaying the whitest, straightest teeth Pippa had ever seen.

She was wearing skinny jeans, white trainers and an off-the-shoulder sweater. She was beautiful, Pippa decided, and as she glanced at Freddie and Hector, who were stood slightly open-mouthed, they’d clearly noticed, as well.

‘Welcome to Meadowbrook,’ Pippa gushed, hoping that she didn’t have a lump on her head. ‘We’re so delighted to have you staying with us.’

‘Why, thank you,’ Brooke said, her voice warm. ‘I’m so happy to be here, I really am. I’m sorry I fainted on you.’ She looked at Freddie, who shrugged it off.

‘Right, shall we get you settled in?’ Pippa asked, remembering her role.

‘Oh, please, that would be just great. I’m still a bit tired and wobbly from the journey, so I’d appreciate a bit of a rest.’

‘Absolutely. Freddie’ll take your bags up. Come with me and I’ll get you checked in.’ Pippa turned to Harriet.

‘I need to grab something from the office,’ Harriet mouthed and walked towards the house.

‘Come on,’ Pippa said, ‘we’ve got a lovely room ready for you.’

‘As long as I have a comfortable bed, I’m happy,’ Brooke gushed.

She was definitely American. Pippa picked up her tote bag and led Brooke to the house.

When Pippa walked into the kitchen a while later, Harriet was sat at the table with Hector. Freddie had gone home after taking Brooke’s bags up, saying he’d earned the rest of the day off. In fairness, after the scare that he’d got with Brooke, he probably had.

‘Is she happy?’ Harriet asked.

‘Yes, but tired. She says she didn’t really eat on the flight, which is why she thinks she fainted. I offered her food but she said she had some snacks with her so that would do her until dinner. She asked me to call her at six so she doesn’t sleep for too long.’

‘Great. What a way to arrive. She’s very attractive,’ Harriet said. ‘In that almost cute, American way.’

‘Typical hot LA girl,’ Hector said. ‘I mean she’s gorgeous, but there are a lot of similar-looking women over there. Although her skin’s very pale, most of them have a bit of colour, but then she had just fainted.’

‘No wonder you want to move to LA, then,’ Harriet said.

‘What?’ Pippa glanced sharply at Hector, who turned red.

‘Harriet, I didn’t say I was moving there. And anyway, not my type, so I’m definitely not going there for the women.’ He cast a longing glance at Pippa, who pretended not to notice. ‘Anyway, she seems nice. Sorry she hit you.’ He seemed happy to change the subject.

‘She didn’t hit me; we just clashed heads. And I’ll live.’

Pippa noticed Harriet look at her sharply. She’d obviously snapped at Hector without meaning to. Probably because her forehead still smarted – or was that just excuses?

‘I thought perhaps you and she could have dinner together tonight,’ Pippa said to Hector, sounding a little softer.

‘But I don’t know her!’ Hector sounded alarmed.

‘I know that, but I wanted to set up a proper dinner in the dining room to welcome her and she can’t dine alone. Tomorrow there’s four women staying, but tonight…’

‘Fine, but only if you join us,’ Hector said.

‘I agree,’ Harriet added. ‘It’ll make Brooke feel more comfortable if you have dinner with her as well as Hector. You can barely expect her to have dinner alone with a strange man when she’s just arrived. It might feel like a date or something. No offence, Hector.’

‘None taken,’ Hector grinned.

‘It’ll be a nice welcome but without being too unprofessional. Anyway, I’d better go.’ Harriet stood up.

‘Where’s your baby?’ Pippa asked as if noticing for the first time.

‘With Granny Gwen. She insisted on having time with him this afternoon. She’s getting more forceful. I said I was fine and she basically wrestled the baby out of my arms. I should be catching up on sleep but I wanted to get started on the budgets for next month.’

‘’Course you did,’ Pippa grinned. ‘Oh, and by the way, Hector, dinner is vegetarian tonight.’

‘That’ll be good practice for LA. I think everyone’s turning vegan over there. I would, although I’m a little worried about cheese. I really love cheese.’

Pippa glanced at him again. Was he really planning to move to LA for longer than he was letting on? And if so, why wouldn’t he tell her that?

‘Oh boy! this room is something else,’ Brooke exclaimed as she walked into the dining room.

She had napped, showered and changed. She was wearing tight black trousers and a leopard print top. She looked sexy rather than cute. Clearly, this woman could morph into different looks. A skill Pippa hadn’t mastered. She’d never managed sexy.

Pippa had taken a large glass of white wine up to Brooke’s room shortly after six and Brooke had certainly come alive since her rest. She had enthusiastically responded to Pippa’s offer of a tour and so had seen the basement pool and gym – which she loved – the drawing room – which she adored – and finally the bar – which she couldn’t believe. ‘It’s awesome,’ she kept saying. She seemed to love the house, which made Pippa feel so much better than she had when poor Brooke had first arrived.

‘You met Hector earlier, but now you can be introduced properly,’ Pippa said.

‘Hector Barber at your service,’ he half bowed. ‘I’m a guest here, too – or, more accurately, the writer in residence.’

‘You’re Hector Barber, the writer?’ Brooke’s eyes widened.

‘I am. Have you read my book?’ His eyes lit up.

‘No, but I’ve heard all about you from a friend who’s a huge fan and she has the most ginormous crush on you. Wait until I tell her I’ve met you! Oh! and of course I could read your book while I’m staying here,’ she said.

She was bubbly, effervescent even, and Pippa couldn’t help but warm to her.

‘I’ll give you a signed copy,’ Hector offered gallantly.

Pippa smiled to herself. He was being even more ‘English public schoolboy’ than normal and Brooke seemed to be lapping it up. Why wouldn’t she, though? He was charm personified.

‘You’re really hot, in that typical English way. You know, a bit like a blond Hugh Grant when he was young. My mum’s a huge Hugh Grant fan,’ Brooke explained.

Pippa couldn’t help but smile. She was definitely not afraid to say what she thought, which Pippa again slightly envied. She wished she had her confidence at her age. She definitely didn’t have it when she was Brooke’s age; although of course she was married to Mark then, who was very good at making sure she felt uncertain of herself.

‘Why, thank you.’ Hector’s cheeks flushed and Pippa smiled.

‘Great, now sit down and I’ll tell them we’re ready for dinner. I’ve selected a white wine to go with dinner, I hope that’s all right?’ Pippa asked.

She felt as if she sounded more English than she usually did – either because of Hector or perhaps because Brooke’s perky American accent was such a contrast to hers.

‘Sounds great,’ Brooke said.

Hector insisted on pulling chairs out for both Brooke and Pippa, and after they were all seated, Pippa’s lips curled with amusement. Thankfully on cue, their waiter for the evening arrived.

While they ate, Pippa was pleased that she’d insisted on them dining together. Hector was asking questions and Brooke seemed more than happy to answer them.

‘Where do your parents live?’ Hector asked after they’d established that they knew a couple of the same places in LA.

‘Orange County. Or rather, my mom lives there. My dad died six months ago, so…’

‘Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,’ Pippa said quickly. ‘We lost our father a few years ago now, so I understand.’

‘Thank you.’ She didn’t meet Pippa’s eyes. ‘It was a shock, that’s for sure. I mean, I’m only twenty-five and you don’t expect to bury a parent at that age…’ Her eyes filled with tears.

Pippa shot Hector a pleading look.

‘So, what brought you here?’ Hector asked.

‘I guess I just started to think about my life a bit. I didn’t have a job I loved, I’m single and I knew I had English ancestors … I kind of thought I’m twenty-five, I should have some direction by now, so why not take a big chance, and that’s how I ended up here.’

‘Wow, that’s incredibly brave.’ Hector’s voice was full of admiration. ‘But why Parker’s Hollow?’

‘I know I have some kind of family tie to Somerset, so I googled hotels and as soon as I saw Meadowbrook, I fell in love with it.’

The smile on Brooke’s face spoke volumes. It lit up the room and Pippa couldn’t help but want to beam back at her. She was infectious. And perhaps it would be nice to have another single woman around, Pippa couldn’t help but think, although Harriet’s voice in her head told her to slow down.

‘Everyone does,’ Pippa replied. ‘And we’re so glad you chose to stay here,’ she added quickly. She didn’t want to sound as if she was boasting or downplaying Brooke’s comment.

‘I’m sure my business will be more city-based, or at least in a town eventually, but there’s always Bath, which everyone in America talks about, or Bristol, which I hear is a great city. I’ve done loads of research.’

She was full of enthusiasm which, again, Pippa found infectious.

‘So, what kind of business are you setting up?’

Pippa hoped she wasn’t coming across too intrusive. She tried to give Hector a ‘please ask more questions look’, but she was unsure if he saw it, as he seemed quite happy munching away on his dinner.

‘Fitness. My background’s in the fitness industry. I’m not full of details at this stage but you know, there’s a lot of innovation in and around LA, so I thought it would be a great idea to bring some of it over here. I kind of thought that if I was going to have a new start, I’d like to bring something of LA with me,’ she laughed.

Pippa marvelled at the ease she seemed to have developed already. Brooke seemed so relaxed and happy, not what she’d expect from such a young woman who’d left her home to start a new life potentially. Pippa would have liked some of her confidence, that was certain.

‘That does sound good. So you exercise a lot?’ Hector asked finally.

Pippa looked at Brooke’s figure and guessed the answer was yes. Although Pippa had always been slender, she was allergic to exercise. Harriet was always running or swimming or something, the same went for Gemma, but Pippa was more of a couch potato. Harriet always said she’d get to a certain age and then she’d have to exercise because she’d start putting on weight, but Pippa’s attitude was that she’d cross that bridge when she came to it. No need to panic yet. And running around keeping the hotel guests happy was probably a workout in itself most of the time.

‘Sure, I love working out. I’ll be using the gym, going for runs, you know. I’ll also be checking out other gyms in the area at some stage.’ She smiled, her perfect pearly white smile.

‘Harriet used to run, but she hasn’t so much since she had her baby. But Gemma – she’s Freddie’s girlfriend – runs most days. If you want company then I’m sure one of them’ll join you. Actually, probably Gemma right now. Harriet’s losing the baby weight by breastfeeding and worrying.’

They all laughed.

‘That’d be great. Thanks, Pippa. What about you?’ Brooke asked.

‘Oh good God, no. Pippa doesn’t ever exercise,’ Hector said quickly. ‘She thinks it was invented by the Devil.’

‘What?’ Brooke sounded horrified.

‘Ignore him, Brooke, it’s his British humour. Anyway, I did yoga for a bit,’ Pippa replied defensively.

She didn’t add that it had only been for a short time and that she’d fallen asleep when they were supposed to be meditating then woken with a start, dribbling, and had been too embarrassed to go back.

‘But you’re so slim,’ Brooke said. ‘Although being slim isn’t the same as being fit,’ she added.

‘Good genes,’ Pippa replied.

She and Freddie took after their mother, who was very small-framed, but Harry and Gus took after their father and had to watch their weight.

‘I’m sure I’d love to run with Gemma at some point. And I teach yoga,’ Brooke explained. ‘I’ll probably do yoga every day in the gym, and maybe swim, as well.’

Pippa thought her life sounded exhausting; although if fitness was her business then it made sense.

‘Won’t your mum miss you when you’re away? I mean, are you two close?’ Pippa asked.

‘Oh my! this food is delicious. I hope it wasn’t too difficult for me being vegetarian?’

‘No, we also have experience in vegan food, actually. We serve lots of vegetarian dishes, but Gwen does a lot of vegan baking and we can adapt to whatever you want.’

Pippa decided to ignore the way she avoided her question. Brooke was a guest and she needed to remember that. Of course, she had hopes that as Brooke was here long-term, she’d become part of Meadowbrook. Perhaps not quite in the same way that Hector was, but at least a bit; although she’d keep reminding herself to stay professional. Otherwise, she’d have Harriet to answer to.

‘That’s why this place was so perfect for me. I’m going to love it here, I just know it.’

Brooke downed her glass of wine and let Hector refill it. Pippa raised her eyebrows. For someone so small she could certainly drink. As she giggled loudly at something Hector said, Pippa wondered if she was a bit tipsy. The long journey, the fainting, jetlag and coming to a new place, it was all probably a little overwhelming for her.

‘Let’s raise a toast,’ Hector said. He was a bit tipsy too, his cheeks flushed, which was his tell. ‘Here’s to Meadowbrook and new friends.’

‘Wow, that’s so nice. To new friends and to Meadowbrook Manor.’

Brooke clinked glasses with them and Pippa had a feeling that this was going to be a fun few months at the hotel.

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