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 Hector 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?’
‘It won’t,’ Gus said. ‘Pip and I both married too young to know what we were doing. You’re older and I would say wiser but…’
‘Although it doesn’t always seem you know what you’re doing, you actually do in this case,’ Harriet pointed out. ‘Gemma’s the best thing that happened to you.’
‘I agree and she’s going to be so happy,’ Pippa agreed.
‘I need a ring, of course,’ Freddie said. ‘I want to do it properly but in a way that’ll suit us, so I thought I’d arrange a dinner at the hotel when it’s empty, just the two of us, in the dining room, because that’s where I first met her, and after dinner I’ll pop the question.’ He fiddled nervously with his hands.
‘That’s perfect.’ Pippa had tears in her eyes.
‘We’ll help you. Do you want to go ring shopping with him this weekend, Pip?’ Harriet asked.
‘I can’t. I’m visiting my friend, Maxine.’
‘Oh yes, the French girl no one remembers,’ Harriet teased.
Pippa went red but thankfully this was Freddie’s moment.
‘OK, Fred, I’ll come with you. Gemma needs something beautiful but simple,’ Harriet said.
‘Thanks, Harriet.’
‘She’s got something beautiful but simple,’ Gus laughed. ‘Our Freddie.’
‘Oi!’
They all laughed and then Harriet insisted on them having a toast. Pippa was so happy and with her weekend to look forward to, everything was looking rosy.