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into a celebration. He’d celebrate a letter arriving, even if it was a bill. And, of course, they’d only just got over the hangover from the party two days ago.

      ‘So, I’m guessing that we’ll be eating pizza tonight and probably won’t leave the bar?’ she conceded.

      She knew when to give in; there was no arguing with her brother sometimes. And, of course, Hector’s arrival did warrant a celebration.

      ‘That sounds like my perfect welcome-home evening.’ Hector’s eyes shone. He was so easily pleased.

      ‘Where’s Gemma?’ Pippa asked.

      ‘She’s gone to visit her nan’s grave thingy at the crematorium. You know, she goes regularly but she wanted to tell her about the anniversary party and stuff.’ Freddie’s features softened when he spoke of his girlfriend.

      ‘Why didn’t you go with her?’ Hector asked.

      Pippa had been thinking the same thing.

      ‘I tried, I’ll have you know, but she wanted to be alone. She doesn’t have family anymore, as you know, so talking to her nan’s important to her. I did offer but she said she’d go when I was picking up Hector. Anyway, she’ll be back any minute, so I’ll get her to join us.’ He pulled out his phone and started texting.

      ‘Listen, I’ve only just recovered from the party hangover, so I’m really not going to drink much,’ Pippa said.

      ‘As long as we get the pleasure of your company, I really don’t mind,’ Hector replied with his familiar grin that made most people swoon.

      ‘So, how were the women in America?’ Freddie asked later as they were all sat around a table in the bar.

      So much for not drinking. Pippa could already feel herself on the cusp of tipsy. She poured herself a glass of water. Gemma sat next to her. She’d been emotional after visiting her nan’s memorial but a couple of glasses of wine and a pizza later, she seemed to have cheered up.

      ‘Not a patch on here,’ Hector replied, looking at Pippa from under his long eyelashes. ‘But really, I was working so much I barely had the time to know which city I was in. It was bookshop after bookshop – or store as they say – and radio programme after radio programme. It was great, exhausting, but definitely all work and no play.’

      ‘Freddie should take a leaf out of your book,’ Gemma teased.

      ‘Oi, I’ll have you know I’ve worked really hard this year,’ he retorted.

      ‘You have and you have to admit that you love your job,’ Gemma conceded.

      ‘Talking of that, cocktail, anyone? I can make a pretty mean pornstar martini.’

      ‘It’s lovely to have you back,’ Gemma said.

      She was a big fan of Hector. Didn’t ever stop reminding Pippa of the fact. And Pippa did adore him, but just as a friend, as she constantly seemed to remind everyone.

      ‘How long are you here for?’ Gemma added.

      ‘The book isn’t going to write itself. I’m under huge pressure to make it as good as the first one and you know, I’m actually nervous,’ he admitted.

      Pippa startled. It wasn’t often she saw a vulnerable side to Hector, but there it was.

      ‘You’ll be fine, you’ve got Meadowbrook to inspire you,’ she reassured.

      ‘And that’s exactly what I need,’ he finished.

      ‘Harry, what are you doing here?’ Pippa walked into the kitchen, to find her sister sitting at the table with a laptop in front of her.

      It was only half past six in the morning. Pippa was in her pyjamas and dressing gown. She’d stuck to her guns last night and not drunk too much, and as Hector was the only guest staying, she didn’t need to be up so early, but it had become a habit now. Later today, they were welcoming a small accountancy firm on a team-building break. They were staying for three days – painting one day, baking the next, and the third day they were going to take walks and explore the local area. There were only six of them altogether, so it was going to be quite straightforward, but Pippa wanted to check the rooms, the food and the itinerary well ahead of time.

      One of the ideas Gemma had introduced was that as it was a small hotel, they get each guest to fill out a questionnaire before arrival. It not only asked for food preferences, but also a bit about themselves, so they could get to know each person before their stay. It worked well. It not only personalised the experience, but it also acted as forewarning. If someone didn’t like fish, they’d know not to serve it. If they preferred a certain type of alcohol, they’d make sure they had plenty in. If they wanted entertainment, they’d organise that, too. It was a very individualised stay, which is what Meadowbrook was all about.

      ‘The accounts. I can’t get them to add up. And keep your voice down – Toby’s asleep by the Aga,’ Harriet said eventually.

      Pippa looked over to where her nephew was snuffling away in his pram.

      ‘Right,’ Pippa said and flicked the kettle on. ‘But it’s so early.’

      ‘Yes, Pip, I’m aware of that,’ Harriet snapped. ‘Sorry, sorry, but Toby was up half the night, and Connor and I took turns, but Connor needs to go to the surgery today and I thought if I brought Toby up here then at least he might get a few hours of decent sleep. But these numbers just don’t make sense.’

      ‘Fair enough, but what about you, you look exhausted?’

      Pippa made tea but then thought that perhaps Harriet needed coffee. She went to turn on the coffee machine and when the machine had warmed up, she made her sister a double shot Americano and handed it over.

      ‘You’re a star. And yes, I’m fine. And anyway, after I’ve done these accounts and then some admin at the sanctuary, I’ve agreed to let Gwen sit at mine with Toby for a couple of hours so I get to have a nap. Satisfied?’ Harriet snapped again. Then she grinned. ‘Sorry. How’s Hector? I meant to come up and see him yesterday, but somehow this one kept us hostage in our own home. How can something so small wreak so much havoc?’

      ‘He’s a baby and he doesn’t know what he’s supposed to do yet,’ Pippa said.

      Harriet had bags under her eyes and although Pippa didn’t want to point this out, Harry looked exhausted. No wonder the numbers weren’t adding up. She leant over Harriet’s shoulder and looked at the spreadsheet in front of her. Pippa’s strength wasn’t in maths, that was for sure, but she could see the mistake clearly.

      ‘Harry, I think those expenses are in the wrong column,’ she said softly.

      Harriet narrowed her eyes at her sister then squinted at the screen.

      ‘’Course, I knew that. Right, great, it’s all fine now, then.’

      ‘Anyway, we’ve got the accountant guests arriving later and I’m just waiting for Vicky to come up so we can go through the menus.’

      Pippa knew when to change the subject. Vicky was Gwen’s second-in-command, but she’d been trained up to run the hotel kitchen, although she still deferred to Gwen. Gwen was almost as much of a control freak as Harriet when it came to the Meadowbrook kitchen.

      ‘Ha, I should have asked them to do our accounts. Only joking. Gosh, this coffee is good, Pip. Right, I’m going to finish up here, then I’ll take Toby down to the sanctuary with me. Leave you to get ready, and don’t worry, I won’t be popping up with the baby while we’ve got guests.’

      ‘You know, I could babysit for a bit this morning?’ Pippa offered.

      ‘No, it’s fine. He’ll need feeding soon; I’d better take him with me. But I’ll call you later.’

      Pippa decided arguing was futile as she took her tea into her apartment.

      She’d just blow-dried her

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