‘She’s almost literally eating out of his hand!’ muttered David out of the corner of his mouth. ‘Look! They’re sharing a plate of cake. He is bloody marvellous, that man.’
‘I just need to know when she wants to eat,’ said Meg. ‘Then I can go back to the kitchen and arrange it. Oh, and find out where she’d like to sleep. I’ll go and have a word with Nessa.’
Vanessa, who was sitting nearby, was apparently almost as charmed by Russell as her mother was. Meg made nodding movements which Vanessa correctly interpreted as her friend’s need for a private word.
‘When would your mother like dinner?’ Meg said. ‘And where do you think she’d like to sleep? She will have her own bathroom, but it’s down the hall a bit, so not attached.’
‘Is Russell Rook sleeping here?’ asked Vanessa.
‘I imagine so. There are rooms ready for him and David.’
‘Then I’m sure she’ll want to stay.’ Vanessa paused. ‘But what’s the alternative if she says no?’
‘I’ve booked her room at the hotel in Newton-cum-Hardy – where she usually stays.’ Meg felt a little smug about this, considering it was all at such short notice.
‘We need to show her the room,’ said Vanessa, ‘but how we’re going to get her away from Russell Rook I have no idea.’
‘Let’s get David on to it,’ said Meg. ‘I’ve never been in a hole he hasn’t been able to get me out of.’
‘And this is hardly a hole,’ said Vanessa primly. ‘It’s a very nice hotel.’
Meg dug her in the ribs and caught David’s eye.
Having checked that Lady Lennox-Stanley’s glass was replenished, David addressed her and Russell. ‘Meg is wondering what time we’d like to eat? And also if you’d like to see your room, Lady Lennox-Stanley?’
Russell, who took the hint, stood up immediately. ‘Let’s do it together, Lady Lennox-Stanley. Did you have lunch on the road? We found a charming little pub that provided us with bread and cheese and a glass of ale but you may not have fared so well.’
Meg knew she had to do her mother’s job and make sure the guests were happy with their rooms and as she followed the party upstairs she amused herself by picturing Lady Lennox-Stanley being offered a lump of cheese and a pickled onion for her lunch. It did present an entertaining picture.
Everyone was gathered on the galleried landing and Meg sidled her way to the front. ‘Do follow me. This is the Yellow Bedroom,’ she said. ‘All the rooms are called after the names on the bell indicator in the kitchen. Although,’ she added hurriedly, ‘they’re no longer operational.’
She actually had no idea if the bells worked or not, but she wasn’t risking Lady Lennox-Stanley ringing one at all hours of the day or night. She opened the door of the room.
‘There’s just a small chance the room was named after the colour of the wallpaper,’ said David.
Meg gave him a look. The wallpaper was beautiful; it was pale yellow with exotic birds and creepers climbing up it. It was faded but possibly nicer because of it.
Lady Lennox-Stanley went in. All the furniture was antique and the curtains were also yellow though rather faded.
‘It’s a lovely room, Mummy!’ said Vanessa encouragingly.
‘Where’s the bathroom?’ asked Lady Lennox-Stanley imperiously.
‘Here,’ said Meg, leading the way. ‘It’s not directly adjoining but it is for your exclusive use. The hotel isn’t busy at the moment.’
‘Not surprising if you can’t offer bathrooms with the rooms,’ said Lady Lennox-Stanley, glancing at the large old-fashioned bath, the elegant washbasin and the lavatory with a varnished wooden seat. She didn’t seem to notice the array of towels, the flowers or the selection of soaps and bath salts.
‘We’re currently installing bathrooms into some of the rooms,’ said Meg. ‘If you should come again, they would certainly be available to you.’ She paused and swallowed. ‘However, if this accommodation isn’t up to your high standards, there is a room available foryou at the other hotel which is nearby. They have bathrooms “en suite”.’
‘As they say in France,’ said David.
‘Oh, do stay here, darling Lady Lennox-Stanley,’ said Russell. ‘It’ll be such fun to have you!’
Lady Lennox-Stanley laughed in a way that could only be described as girlish. ‘You must call me Amanda! And of course I’ll stay. The room will be perfectly adequate.’
Meg caught Vanessa making an apologetic face at her. The Yellow Bedroom was lovely and would be extremely comfortable, her face said. But ‘adequate’ probably represented high praise.
‘I can see you’re longing to get back into the kitchen, Meg,’ said Vanessa. ‘Shall we find our own rooms? Meet you downstairs later? What time did we say we wanted dinner?’ She looked at her mother.
