LITMIR.BIZ

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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

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