Faith Bleasdale - The Ticket to Happiness

‘Tell her to be careful, then. Although it sounds like a great project.’

‘She says it’s all grand statues and water features at the moment. But I’m worried she’s overstretching herself.’

‘Let Amanda do what she wants to do, Gus. Don’t clip her wings.’

Gus’s first marriage broke down because his then wife ran off with one of his friends, but afterwards she’d said that Gus had suffocated her by trying to please her all the time. Gus could be a bit like that. Unfortunately, he was the sensitive member of the family and their hard-to-please father didn’t really do sensitive. So Gus had spent most of his childhood trying to please their father, something their father recognised later in life and apologised for, but Gus was still battling with insecurity as a result. Amanda made him happier than he’d ever been, but old habits died hard.

‘I know, she’s happy, we’re happy, and I need to remember that. You know what a nightmare I can be!’

‘Exactly. Right, here’s your next two painting workshops.’

‘Any sign of Freddie?’ Gus asked.

‘No. Gemma dragged him home a couple of hours ago but that hangover isn’t going anywhere soon.’

‘Typical Fred.’

Pippa laughed. The Singers had settled into themselves and for four siblings who were so close, they were all so utterly disparate. Harriet the boss, Gus the sensitive one, Freddie the fun one and her … Pippa was still trying to find herself. She was on her own now for the first time, she was working for the first time and she was getting to know herself for the first time, but she still had a lot to learn. She might be in her thirties, but she felt as if she was only just now discovering who she really was.

Pippa was absorbed in reading the latest edition of Hotels , a trade magazine, in the office, when she heard the front door bang open and raised voices. The noise startled her and she jumped. Glancing at her watch, she saw it was later than she thought. She must have been miles away.

‘Are you here?’ Freddie boomed, bursting into the office as she stood up.

‘Fred,’ she greeted.

‘Pippa, gorgeous as ever.’

Hector, with his floppy, public schoolboy dark hair, and his favoured look of chinos and a cable-knit sweater, stepped forwards and engulfed her in a hug. He was tall, well-toned – he liked his fitness – with a smile that lit up rooms. His body was often featured in magazines as being a ‘hot bod’ and his blue-green eyes were the subject of many a crush. Hector, with his boyish good looks, wouldn’t have been out of place in a Hollywood film.

As she felt his arms around her, Pippa couldn’t help but smile. It was so familiar, hugging Hector; he’d become one of her closest friends over the years. Pippa didn’t have many friends. She had her family, the villagers and Gemma. All of her girlfriends had been lost when she was married – Mark didn’t approve of her mixing with anyone he hadn’t chosen for her – and that made her sad, but now she knew she should count herself lucky.

‘Welcome back, Hector. Hope the drive with Freddie wasn’t too bad?’ Pippa arched an eyebrow.

Freddie had offered to pick Hector up from the train station in Bath. It gave him a chance to drive his Porsche outside the village and also to catch up with Hector, with whom he was firm friends.

‘It was great. Honestly. I’m so happy to be here,’ Hector gushed. ‘Missed the old place. America was nice but crazy busy and you know, just before I was due to leave I didn’t think of my flat in London, I thought of here.’

‘Right, first things first, welcome drink,’ Freddie announced. ‘Come on through to the bar.’

‘It’s only four o’clock,’ Pippa pointed out. ‘And I’ve got to organise food for you for tonight.’ Pippa knew that she shouldn’t be thinking of work but she always did.

‘Honestly, Hector’s just arrived back after a successful book tour and you can’t even toast him?’ Freddie tutted.

‘Of course I can,’ Pippa argued, narrowing her eyes at her brother.

Freddie had a habit of turning anything 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.