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 finally the bar – which she couldn’t believe. ‘It’s awesome,’ she kept saying. She seemed to love the house, which made Pippa feel so much better than she had when poor Brooke had first arrived.
‘You met Hector earlier, but now you can be introduced properly,’ Pippa said.
‘Hector 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.’
