LITMIR.BIZ

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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?’

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