Sanditon Melodies

Chapter 22: The Garden Party Part 1

Esther was already on her second cup of coffee and it was only 8am. She'd been up since the crack of dawn, the weight of the 101 things on her to do list playing on her mind making her unable to sleep. Coffee was surely the only way she would be able to get through today! Esther had got to Sanditon House half an hour ago. The tents and marquees had been put up yesterday by a small team of volunteers along with the stage for the performances, but now they needed to set everything out which was going to take a fair amount of time. Esther looked at her checklist: The children's games and arts and crafts tent, the PA system for the stage (where were the sound guys?) and tables and chairs needed putting out by the food vans. Then there needed to be a staff/volunteer briefing at least half an hour before everyone came in for they had a team of people to help with carparking, taking entrance fees, manning the bar etc. Could they get everything in place by 10am? At least the weather forecast looked promising.

A car was coming up the road and Esther recognised it to be Tom's. Hopefully Charlotte was with him. She was also expecting a few others to turn up at any moment to assist. Edward had also offered his services, but Esther had judged that he would be more of a hindrance than a help so she had told him not to bother. As soon as Charlotte and Tom stepped out of the car, Esther starting barking instructions at them, even though Tom was her boss and technically in charge! Tom of course, tried to make some last minute changes, which Esther vehemently resisted. They barely had enough time as it was to get everything in place before they opened the gates to the public.

After an hour or so, Esther's Aunt decided to make an appearance to inspect their progress. Esther and Charlotte were so engrossed in what they were doing, that they didn't notice when Tom and Mrs Denham approached them.

"Esther." Mrs Denham said, interrupting their conversation.

"Aunt Anabelle." Esther said, trying to smile.

"I must say this is coming together rather nicely." Mrs Denham commented, rubbing her hands together.

"Yes, we're nearly there I think." Esther said, eager to get away.

Mrs Denham turned her gaze to Charlotte. "Tom tells me you're the singer my nephew has been raving about." Mrs Denham said eyeing her up.

Charlotte didn't really know how to respond so she just smiled politely.

"She is indeed." Tom interjected. "This is Charlotte Heywood. She is quite a crowd pleaser Mrs Denham. She has a beautiful voice."

"Is that so?" Mrs Denham said, still regarding her curiously. Esther excused herself to go and check how things were going in the children's tent.

"So how did you find yourself here in Sanditon Miss Heywood?" Mrs Denham asked Charlotte.

"Well, it was quite by accident actually. I feel asleep on my train home from university, missing my stop and ended up here. Tom and Mary were good enough to put me up in their Annex."

"That was very fortunate." Mrs Denham remarked, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "And now you work at Mr Parker's bar with my niece?"

"Yes, that's right."

"And how do you like our seaside town?"

"I like it very much. I love being able to go to the beach everyday."

"Yes, the beach. Not so much a fan of it now in my old age. All the sand. Gets everywhere." Mrs Denham observed. Tom hummed in agreement and nodded.

"You have a beautiful home here Mrs Denham. I'm looking forward to exploring the gardens." Charlotte said.

"Yes, well it's been in the family for generations. Costs a fortune to maintain, but I am determined not to part with it while I still live and breathe, even if my relatives try and persuade me otherwise." She said glancing over at Esther. "Do you know I'm hounded by developers at least once or twice a week trying to get me to sell off bits of my land so they can build those monstrous apartment blocks. The cheek of it!"