The Ticket to Happiness. Faith Bleasdale
I know you probably need me to help with the party, but I just fancied being out here alone for a bit.’
‘I understand, Gus.’ Pippa gave his arm a squeeze. ‘But, yes, when you’re ready, it’s all hands on deck. Where’s Fleur, by the way?’
Amanda, who was in charge of the Meadowbrook gardens and had worked for their father, was Gus’s second wife. Fleur, her niece, was his sixteen-year-old daughter from his first marriage.
‘She’ll be up later with the rest of the family; although I’m sure she’ll be wearing something inappropriate and trying to sneak alcohol,’ he complained.
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.
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