‘Actually, I think I believe it more than you do, but let’s not argue about it.’ He paused. ‘My uncle is due to come at half past ten tomorrow. Will that suit you?’
‘Why does it need to suit me?’
Justin hesitated as if he didn’t know how to put it. ‘I think you need to know what my uncle may be planning. If you’re with us, to show us round, it’ll give you some idea. I’ve telephoned Dad. He’s trying to get back as soon as possible. With your mother, naturally.’
Something about the way Justin said this sent Meg’s hackles up. ‘You seem unhappy that our parents are apparently a couple now.’
‘I’m not unhappy, but I don’t know your mother really, and as I’ve said before, anyone would be charmed by Nightingale Woods. Maybe that’s what she wants: a house in the country, as well as my father.’
‘I can assure you, as I have also done before, that my mother is not a gold digger. But as it seems likely the hotel will have to be sold, it’s not relevant.’ She took a quick breath. ‘Now, I need to make a chicken salad. No need for you to help me. I can chop my own almonds.’
Chapter Twenty-Three
The guests took a long time to depart the following morning. Fortunately, Lady Lennox-Stanley had a luncheon appointment, which meant she didn’t delay too long. Vanessa, who’d come to the kitchen to collect a breakfast tray for her mother, relayed that, so far, she’d had a ‘very pleasant stay, considering the hotel was really rather shabby’.
‘I probably shouldn’t have told you that,’ said Vanessa. ‘But I thought you might as well know the worst.’
Meg laughed. ‘In my eyes, your mother can do no wrong! She brought Basil Knott-Dean with her, and he has just given us a wonderful review.’ She paused. ‘And in parts, the hotel is rather shabby. Now, does your mother prefer thick-cut marmalade or thin-cut?’
‘I can’t believe you offer a choice!’ said Vanessa.
‘I wouldn’t, but we’ve bought it from two different connections of Susan’s. One is more painstaking than the other. Some guests say they don’t like peel so prefer thick-cut. Easier to pick it out.’
‘I’m afraid I don’t know which she likes. She never comes down to breakfast,’ said Vanessa.
‘Let’s give her a dish of each,’ said Meg. ‘Now, are you sure you can manage the tray? Why don’t you let Ted carry it?’ Meg smiled at this helpful young man who’d appeared in the kitchen at that moment.
Saying goodbye to Russell and Basil seemed like saying goodbye to old friends. ‘Of course, I’ll be back before you know it,’ said Russell, kissing Meg firmly. ‘And I’ll probably bring this old darling, if he’s not too busy to come to my little entertainment at the end of the summer.’
Basil pushed his friend’s shoulder in a friendly way. ‘Your “little entertainment” that happens to include one of the greatest stars of the current theatrical firmament?’
‘You mean Dame Miriam?’
Basil nodded. ‘And of course I’ll come if I possibly can.’
‘Lovely,’ said Meg weakly, hoping the hotel could find space for all these big names who had even bigger personalities.
Basil and Russell both put fat white envelopes down on the desk. ‘A little something for the staff,’ said Basil, who’d come with Lady Lennox-Stanley and now settled down in the hall to wait for her.
Somehow it was no surprise to anyone that while most of the guests left generous tips for the staff, Lady Lennox-Stanley gave less than was considered usual.
Vanessa, acutely embarrassed, explained. ‘She thinks that service is included in the bill. The staff are just doing their jobs, and they shouldn’t expect extra.’
‘She has a point,’ said Meg, who never included herself when sharing out the gratuities, ‘and everyone else was very lavish. Please don’t worry!’
The last car was driving away just as Justin and his uncle pulled up at the front of the hotel. Meg, who happened to be in the hall saying goodbye to the last guests, went down the steps to greet them.
Meg couldn’t decide if Colin Nightingale was younger or older than his brother Andrew. He was dressed in a sheepskin jacket, a checked Viyella shirt, casual trousers and suede shoes. He seemed to Meg like a picture in an advertisement, promoting cigarettes or fast cars. He was the epitome of easy camaraderie.
‘You must be Meg,’ he said, coming towards her with his hand outstretched. ‘Colin Nightingale. I’ve heard such a lot about you.’
Meg took it and Colin rubbed her hand with his free one.
‘Can’t believe a pretty girl like you wants to be stuck away in a kitchen all day!’ he went on. ‘Surely you should be front of house, where you can charm the guests?’
‘Meg takes her work as a chef very seriously,’ said Justin, sounding irritated.
‘And you’re awfully young to be a chef,’ said Colin, who was still massaging Meg’s hand.
