‘That sounds like a nice idea.’
‘Mummy will only let us have the band we’ve always had. Do you remember at Hugo’s engagement party? Most of the band are over seventy and only play waltzes and quicksteps.’
‘But you won’t be there,’ said Alexandra. ‘Does it matter?’
‘Yes!’ said Vanessa. ‘It’s my wedding!’ She paused for a second as she spotted a couple of waiters coming across the room with two dome-covered dishes. ‘At last! Our first course. The service isn’t very good here, is it?’
All through the meal, Meg was aware that Alexandra and Vanessa were being disparaging about the food entirely for her sake. She herself could see it was excellent: modern, sophisticated and what everyone wanted to eat in London or other big cities. And apparently in rural Dorset.
They decided against the crêpes Suzette but had coffee in the lounge instead. It was while they were playing with the gold foil that had covered the chocolate peppermints that Alexandra said, ‘We really need to have a look at one of the rooms. I’ll arrange it.’
Meg looked in horror as her friend sashayed across the room and out into the reception area. ‘I feel enough of a spy already,’ she said to Vanessa, ‘without looking at the rooms as well.’
‘But you do need to do it really,’ said Vanessa. ‘How else will you know what your hotel is missing otherwise?’
Meg knew Vanessa was right, but even so, she crossed her fingers that Alexandra wouldn’t be able to arrange it.
At last Alexandra could be seen on her way back to their table with a young woman smartly dressed in a black suit and black patent shoes with kitten heels. Meg hated her before she even spoke to her because she looked so perfect.
‘Good afternoon, ladies,’ said the woman. ‘The Countess has explained you’re checking to see if this hotel is suitable for your mother.’ She looked at Vanessa. ‘I’m Laura, I’ll be happy to assist you in any way.’
Meg noticed that Laura was wearing a discreet badge with ‘Laura Wilde, Reception’, written on it. Should the staff at Nightingale Woods wear smart suits and badges? she wondered. She wasn’t sure it was a look that would work for them.
They followed Laura up the thickly carpeted stairs to the first floor. ‘I’m going to show you one of our deluxe rooms.’ She unlocked a door. ‘As you see, we have a large double bed. There is a dressing table, wardrobe and chair. All the furniture has been specially made for the hotel.’
To Meg’s horror, Vanessa went over to the bed, pulled back the bedspread and rubbed the sheet between her fingers. ‘My mother is very particular about her bed linen.’
Laura bowed respectfully. ‘Of course. You will have noticed our linen is of the very best quality.’
‘And everything matches,’ said Alexandra. ‘The curtains, the carpets, the bedspread.’
‘Of course,’ said Laura as if everything matching was an essential part of the service.
Meg could tell that Alexandra didn’t really approve of this, and she preferred the decoration in Nightingale Woods too. Things went together, looked harmonious, but they weren’t all the same.
‘The bathroom is through here,’ said Laura, opening a door. ‘All very compact and convenient for our guests.’
‘We’ll go and see the grounds now,’ said Alexandra. ‘And we can manage on our own, thank you, Laura.’
‘Oh.’ Laura was put out. She’d obviously really enjoyed showing off the hotel. It was almost as if she owned it. ‘You won’t forget to see the swimming pool,will you? It’s covered, and heated. Very pleasant when our English summers are so unreliable.’
‘We wouldn’t miss it for the world,’ said Meg, eager to be rid of Laura and her annoying enthusiasm.
Reassuringly, the grounds weren’t as nice or nearly as extensive as those at Nightingale Woods. The swimming pool and its attendant buildings took up a lot of space and the surrounding countryside wasn’t as pretty. It didn’t have the wonderful views down to the river, either.
‘And there is absolutely nowhere where you could put on a play,’ said Alexandra as they walked back to the car. ‘And it’s expensive.’ She looked at a brochure she had in her hand.
‘Did Laura give you that?’ asked Meg.
‘Of course. Do you have a brochure for Nightingale Woods?’
‘Yes, but it’s ancient,’ said Meg. ‘It goes on a lot about accommodation for nannies and how morning tea can’t be served after ten o’clock in the morning.’ She paused. ‘Now, we’d serve morning tea in the rooms at any time if we could.’
‘Add “rewrite the brochure” to your list of things for Justin,’ said Alexandra. ‘I am so sorry I won’t be around to see all the changes.’
‘You’ll have to come if David’s friend puts on a play,’ said Meg, not sure this was likely.
‘I’d definitely come to that – and bring the family. Félicité is brilliant at murals, as you know. She could paint scenery and Henri can play almost any musicalinstrument. Now hop in the car, you two. I wonder what David and Louise have been up to?’
