The Ticket to Happiness Read online

  Before Toby’s arrival, as their only niece, all the Singers doted on Fleur and she was also very close to their late father. Gus and she had a tempestuous relationship, mainly owing to the fact that he was overprotective and not ready for his little girl to grow up.

  ‘I’m sure she won’t,’ Pippa lied, as that was exactly what Fleur would be doing. ‘Anyway, I’d better go and check on the caterers. All OK?’

  ‘Yes, I’ll finish up here and be in in a bit to help.’ He gave her a hug, handed the empty mug back to her and went back to his pottering.

  The peace of earlier in the day was forgotten as Pippa moved around the house. The kitchen was full of catering staff now, who were preparing food for the evening, so Pippa, on discovering everything was under control, ducked out. She stood in the doorway to the bar, watching Freddie and Gemma laughing. It was heartwarming to see how close her best friend and her brother were, they were so in love. Gemma was passing bottles to Freddie, who was making drinks, but every now and then he’d stop to kiss her. Pippa felt a little like a voyeur, but she didn’t want to interrupt their moment, so she carried on.

  She ran upstairs and checked the rooms were all ready. It might seem silly but she wanted her siblings and her to sleep in their old rooms for one night. She’d got them all prepared, her room, Harriet’s, Gus’s and Freddie’s. Fleur and Gus’s stepdaughter, Hayley, had rooms on the top floor, which used to be the attic rooms for staff back in the day, and Gwen said she may stay over with her partner, Gerry, but she hadn’t quite committed. Gwen had never slept in the main house, only in her apartment, and although she was family, she still said it didn’t seem right. The rooms weren’t the same as when they all lived there, of course, for they were now decorated as hotel rooms, more neutral. Pippa finished her inspection, satisfied that it was all ready as she headed back downstairs.

  Flower arrangements were being set up in the reception area as well as the bar and dining room. Pippa had a florist who delivered every week to ensure the hotel always looked its best and in summer they used flowers from the gardens, too. The dining room was ready to receive the buffet food, which would be laid out on the huge dining table. It was all under control and Pippa was almost disappointed to find that she really didn’t need to do anything.

  She decided to head out for a walk before it was time to get changed. As she passed the drawing room, she glanced in and saw that Toby and Harriet were on the sofa. Toby was on her chest and they were both fast asleep. She smiled at the sight of mother and child and quietly headed out.

  She found herself at the sanctuary, where the animals, oblivious to the festivities, carried on as normal. One of the paddocks saw the donkey, Gerald, and the ponies grazing, while another was home to four goats – three adults and a baby. The pigs, who were Gus’s favourites, had a space beyond that, next to the field where the two alpacas, Sebastian and Samantha, glared at everyone who passed. In the far field were the cows, or to be precise, the bull, David, the cow, Madonna, and their baby calf, Drake. They weren’t the friendliest, either. Fleur got to name most new arrivals, and liked to name them after rappers – hence baby calf Drake and baby goat Kanye.

  As Pippa made her way to the sanctuary office, she passed the chicken pen, the cat quarters and the large kennel, which was apparent by the noise coming from it. Although she loved the sanctuary, she wished that the domestic animals had all been re-homed. She wanted them all in loving homes and the fact they weren’t made her sad. Although Meadowbrook did have a good re-homing success rate, there were always animals coming in to replace those who left and that wasn’t good – or at least not for the animals, as it generally meant they’d suffered.

  ‘Penny for them?’ Connor asked, interrupting her thoughts.

  Connor, Harriet’s partner, was tall, good-looking in a scruffy way, with unruly dark hair and the kindest smile. He had dimples that Toby seemed to have inherited in his cheeks and where Harriet could be scary, Connor was the most laid-back person Pippa had ever met. Yet again, opposites in many ways, but they’d been soulmates from childhood; although they didn’t realise it until after Andrew’s death and when it was almost too late.

  ‘I’ll have you know they’re worth more than a penny,’ Pippa replied. ‘I was at the house and everything’s under control for tonight, so I thought I’d get some fresh air and I found myself here, maybe thinking of Dad a bit today, you know.’ Pippa tried not to get emotional but she always did when she thought of her father.

  ‘I know, and look how far you’ve come. He’d be so proud of you.’

  ‘And you and the sanctuary.’

  ‘Hey, we’re like a mutual appreciation society. By the way, I seem to be missing a girlfriend and a baby.’

  ‘At the house, both fast asleep,’ Pippa smiled.

  Connor ran his hands through his hair.

  ‘Harriet, day-sleeping? Wow. Right, well, I’ll finish up here and head up in that case.’

  ‘See you soon.’

  Pippa watched him depart and then headed back to the house. She was so happy that all three of her siblings had such wonderful partners – however, she did wonder, just briefly, when it would be her turn.

  Chapter Three

  Pippa called it the Meadowbrook magic as she happily floated around the group of partygoers. The celebration was going exactly to plan. The family were having fun, as was most of Parker’s Hollow – their village, their community. There were a lot of people who were important to Meadowbrook, and there were also many who Meadowbrook was important to, so they all deserved to be part of this: of Meadowbrook’s success. Their father had always taught them the value of community and he’d involved as many of the local people as possible in Meadowbrook life. Pippa and the rest of the Singers had carried this on and it was heartwarming for her to see everyone here tonight, people who loved Meadowbrook, people whom she loved.

  She took some time out to watch and listen to them all as if she were invisible. Gus was dancing with his wife, Amanda. This was almost their anniversary party, too, in a way – albeit a bit early ahead of their real anniversary on Valentine’s Day. Pippa felt warm to see bliss written across both of their faces. They made a great couple – Gus a little serious and a worrier, and Amanda who loved the outdoors and embraced life in a way that was helping Gus to do the same.

  Freddie was ordering the bar staff around and trying to ply Gemma with alcohol so he could also ply himself with it, without getting into trouble. Gemma’s cheeks were flushed and she was giggling with happiness and alcohol. Pippa knew her friend well and Freddie’s plan seemed to be working.

  Fleur was trying to sneak drinks off the tables that were dotted around and she was followed by Hayley, her stepsister. They were being so obvious but luckily, Amanda and Gus hadn’t yet noticed. Gwen, Connor’s mother, was laughing at something Gerry was saying. Gwen had met Gerry at Meadowbrook and although they both claimed their relationship was really more of a deep friendship, they all noticed how much time Gerry spent with Gwen these days; in fact, he practically lived with her. Pippa impulsively landed a kiss on Gwen’s cheek. She was like a second mum to them all and she felt so much love towards her in that moment.

  The music that Freddie had selected was loud and vibrant but didn’t seem to be a deterrent to the older members of the community, from what she could see. Many of the gardening club ladies, ladies who were retired and who loved gardening so came to Meadowbrook regularly, were dancing with the enthusiastic morris dancers. Even the volunteers and workers from the sanctuary who didn’t often let their hair down were giving it a good go. Pippa let John, the vicar, who was also the leader of the morris dancers, spin her around the makeshift dance floor a couple of times before giggling and going to find another drink.

  After checking all the guests were having fun, Pippa went over to Harriet and Connor, who were both pale-faced, talking to John – his wife, Hilary, by his side. John and Hilary were pillars of the Meadowbrook community. Not only was he the vicar and head of th
e morris-dancing troop, but he and his wife were also the people who knew everything that was going on in Parker’s Hollow, the village. They also looked scarily alike, both tall, slender or bony, as Harriet said, with glasses that dominated both of their faces. Freddie still found this hard to accept – to him, they looked more like brother and sister than husband and wife.

  ‘You really shouldn’t leave it too long to get the lad christened,’ Pippa heard John say as she approached.

  ‘Pip,’ Harry said, grabbing her.

  Harriet was holding a baby monitor, so she could hear if Toby so much as murmured in the room he was sleeping in upstairs.

  ‘Yes?’ Pippa smiled.

  John, the vicar, was grinning enthusiastically.

  ‘John thinks we need to organise a christening for Toby.’

  ‘You should. We’ve got the family christening robe and the way he eats he won’t fit in it if you don’t hurry up,’ Pippa laughed, thinking that a christening would be another wonderful Meadowbrook event. She might even get to organise it.

  ‘Thanks for the support,’ Harriet hissed in her ear. ‘OK, that’s great, John, but Connor and I still need to find godparents and then we need to organise a party, I guess,’ she said carefully.

  ‘I’ll do the catering,’ Gwen cut in, as it turned out she’d been listening. ‘And I insist on making a very special cake. I’ll go and get some brandy from Freddie now while I think of it.’

  ‘Mum, are you all right?’ Connor’s brows etched in concern.

  ‘Oh, yes, just had one too many sherries,’ Gwen replied, swaying slightly.

  ‘Now, if I might interfere, I’d be very happy to put my hat into the ring for a godfather role,’ Gerry offered.

  Harriet looked so startled she was unable to speak.

  ‘Gwen’s Granny and I’m her partner, so it’d be nice for me to have an official title, too,’ he said. ‘I’m also willing to dress up as any character he might like for any of his birthdays.’

  That was Gerry’s pitch. No one knew what to say. Gerry did like to dress up, though, at any excuse, which no one liked to think too much about; although it did come in handy for the Meadowbrook events.

  ‘Oh, and I should be godmother,’ Edie – one of the gardening club members and a pillar of the Meadowbrook community – said, appearing suddenly as if from nowhere.

  Edie was eccentric to say the least. She’d just turned seventy-something but pretended she was sixty. No one dared argue with her.

  Pip stifled a giggle. Harriet’s face had turned grey and even Connor looked concerned.

  ‘Great, well, you have two godparents right here. You only need one more man if tradition serves or, as I’m a very progressive vicar, you can have more if you like,’ John offered magnanimously. ‘I know some people these days like to have quite a few.’

  ‘We’ll definitely need more,’ Connor said, sounding a little shell-shocked.

  ‘Let’s think about it and we’ll call you soon to lock down a date.’

  It wasn’t often that Harriet gave in but, Pippa realised, they’d caught her on the rare occasion she’d had a drink since Toby’s birth. She’d have agreed to anything, Pippa thought as Harriet downed the wine left in her glass.

  ‘And after the service we’ll be happy to do a special morris dance for Toby,’ John finished.

  ‘Oh, how lovely. A christening and morris dancing. Of course, I’ll make the quiches,’ Hilary offered. ‘I should go and find Gwen so we can discuss the menu.’

  As Pippa watched Connor shrug helplessly and Harriet’s eyes fill with panic, she wondered if she should intervene.

  ‘I think I heard Toby crying,’ Harriet said. ‘John, it all sounds lovely, thank you.’ And grabbing Pippa’s hand, she thrust the baby monitor into Connor’s hands then pulled her sister with her before she was coerced into anything else.

  ‘For God’s sake, we’ll need to get Toby other godparents – you know, those who might even outlive his parents,’ Harriet whispered when they were in her old bedroom.

  Toby was in a Moses basket sleeping soundly, silent but for the occasional snuffling noise.

  ‘Think of the pictures!’ Pippa laughed. ‘Oh, but Gerry’s so sweet, though, and so’s Edie. It’ll mean so much to them, too. They love little Toby.’

  ‘I know that,’ Harriet hissed, ‘but I’m not sure it’s the best thing for Toby. I mean, aren’t the parents meant to choose godparents, not the other way round?’

  ‘I wonder what Edie’ll wear?’ Pippa felt uncontrollable laughter bubbling up. They loved Edie and she certainly lent colour to Meadowbrook.

  ‘I dread to think, Edie in her finest. I adore her but tonight she was definitely channelling Madonna circa 1988.’

  ‘But she was delighted with her ra-ra skirt; she got it when Gemma took her to the charity shops in Bath.’

  ‘At least Toby’ll be oblivious to it all, so that’s one good thing—’

  The door burst open and Connor ran in, brandishing the other baby monitor.

  ‘Oh no!’ Harriet cringed.

  ‘What did they hear?’ Pippa said, her heart falling.

  ‘Thankfully, as soon as I heard Harriet blaspheme, I ran out of the room. I think John heard you take the Lord’s name in vain, but I definitely saved you from the worst.’

  ‘Oh, Con, how can I ever thank you?’ Harriet giggled, throwing her arms around him.

  ‘You could always ask Edie if you could borrow her ra-ra skirt,’ he winked.

  Chapter Four

  Pippa was woken by a quiet knock on her bedroom door. She slowly sat up, acknowledging that hungover, sleepy feeling as her memory seeped back. She was in her childhood bedroom, not her normal room. Of course, the bedroom now belonged to the hotel now. It had a four-poster bed and was one of the more romantic rooms, she often felt.

  ‘Come in.’ She stretched her arms above her head.

  Harriet walked in clutching Toby and a baby’s bottle.

  ‘What time is it?’ Pippa asked.

  ‘Half six, but your nephew needs feeding and Connor’s snoring, which makes me want to stab him. How can he sleep through a baby crying? It’s ridiculous!’ Harriet hiccupped. ‘Pip, I think I might still be drunk and I’m not sure I should be allowed to be in charge of my baby. Gwen offered to have him sleep at hers but I’ve never spent a night away from him and …’

  ‘Hand him over.’

  Pippa took Toby, cradled him in her arms and planted a kiss on his head. She loved babies. She loved this baby. When Harriet was first pregnant, Pippa didn’t like to admit it but she was jealous, or maybe that was envious, because she was so happy for Harriet and Connor at the same time. When she was married to Mark, she’d been so desperate for a child and now she was single, it wasn’t looking likely to happen anytime soon. She loved being an aunt, although she needed to persuade Harriet to let her spend more time with Toby. It would do them both good.

  She took the bottle and looked into Toby’s eyes as he began to suck contentedly, his eyes flickering as he drank. Harriet collapsed in a heap next to them on the bed.

  ‘Why don’t you go back to bed and leave Toby with me for a couple of hours? I’m only going to be pottering this morning. The clearing up can wait and I’ve got help coming in later anyway.’

  ‘I couldn’t—’ Harriet started.

  ‘Don’t be silly, Harry, you’re in no fit state and if you have a few more hours’ sleep you’ll feel much better; you might even be sober. He’s safe with me and I’m not leaving the house, so if I need you, I promise I’ll come and get you straight away.’ Pippa tried to sound stern.

  ‘I love you, Pip. Hey, why don’t you join Edie as Toby’s other godmother?’

  ‘You asked me a hundred times last night and I’m his aunt. If anything happens to you and Connor I fully expect to get him anyway. But if you really want me to be—’

  ‘I do. Then if anything happens to Connor and me you’ll have a better case to argue with Edie. Godmother and aunt, she
won’t stand a chance. You’ll trump her!’

  ‘I know nothing’ll happen to you, by the way, Harry, but you know, those alpacas are a bit evil. Not to mention the no-longer-gay bull.’

  Pippa was referring to some of the animals at the sanctuary that were part of Meadowbrook. The two alpacas, Samantha and Sebastian, had perfected being rude to everyone they encountered.

  ‘Now I’m never going to sleep again. Except I will right now, actually. I’ll put the nappy bag outside your door and if you need me, then you know where I am. If he sounds upset or anything, please let me know.’

  ‘We’ll be fine, Harry. Now go.’

  As Harriet staggered off, Pippa giggled – Harry was definitely still drunk.

  Pippa finished feeding Toby, burped him and then laid him across her as they relaxed in bed. She fancied a coffee but then she wanted to keep cuddling her nephew for a bit longer. He really was the most divine child and he had the Singer look about him with her father’s nose, or the beginning of it. He was beginning to look like a perfect mix of both of his parents, actually.

  Pippa’s phone rang, interrupting her doting, and she looked at the screen. It was Hector. Why was he calling so early?

  ‘Hector, it’s practically the middle of the night,’ she said, snatching the phone.

  Hector Barber was a long-time friend of Meadowbrook, having been introduced by Freddie as a ‘celebrity’ at their summer fête. In truth he was a reality TV star, having appeared on a show called Singles Holiday, though he’d been kicked off for having sex with most of the women on there. From there, he’d gone on to feature on most ‘celebrity’ reality TV shows going and was a huge national heartthrob. But he’d become firm friends with the Singers and over time, he’d become like part of the extended family. Just before they opened the hotel, he’d announced he was writing a novel and after they’d all managed to get past the shock, he’d been the hotel’s first official guest, moving into the hotel to write his first book.