Chapter Text
Esther was giddy with excitement at the prospect of leaving Sanditon for a few days to go to London for New Year. It had been four long months since she’d seen her friends, Charlotte and Clara and she was looking forward to their tradition of spending New Year together. The three friends had met at Durham University just over six years ago. Some would say that it was the most unlikely of friendships, but as what usually happens when random people are thrown into living with each other in university accommodation, a sense of camaraderie was quickly established and a firm friendship had developed.
Esther came from Sanditon, a seaside town on the South East coast where she had lived with her Great Aunt, a Lady Elizabeth Denham (yes, she was related to nobility). Her Aunt had owned Sanditon House, an eighteenth century manor house which had the most magnificent grounds and gardens. Up until fairly recently (by historical standards), the Denhams’ estate was very large, but in the 1980s, Lady Denham had sold a lot of land to a developer, Parker & Sons, who had in turn built new housing and commercial outlets with the ambition to make Sanditon a fashionable tourist destination. The Parker family still resided in Sanditon and ran the town’s prestigious five star hotel and spa, Northanger Hotel, which also had a Michelin star restaurant.
Esther had a step-brother, Edward. Her mother and step-father had died in a tragic car accident when Esther was seven and Edward was ten. Lady Denham had taken in Esther and Edward after this. Lady Denham had lost her husband only after 5 years of marriage. She was not inclined to remarry, and she did not have any children. As such, she made it abundantly clear that she did not relish her new role as their guardian and hired a Nanny to look after Esther and Edward. Esther did not enjoy growing up in Sanditon. Whilst living a life of a privilege had its advantages, she was deeply scarred by her parents untimely deaths and therefore became rather cold and distant, no doubt also due to the indifference of her Aunt. She didn’t have any close friends growing up, apart from Edward, and came to resent living in Sanditon. She left as soon as she could, determined to get as far away as possible – ending up in Durham and studying History of Art. It was here that she met Charlotte and Clara who almost instantly accepted her for who she was. It was the first real friendships she had ever had.
Esther’s relationship with her brother was initially very close. But he too had his demons and had run off to Manchester at the age of 16. He had broken her heart then. They were estranged for many years until two years ago when her Aunt had fallen ill and Esther was determined to find Edward to be reconciled. She had found him better than she had expected, working for a homeless charity in Manchester – one, she had found out, which had helped him when he found himself destitute and in need. The charity had provided him with supported accommodation and helped him get a decent education. He was so changed and inspired by their actions, that he himself had ended up working for them, eager to help others in the way he himself had been helped.
Lady Denham was diagnosed with breast cancer and, after a battle of nearly a year, succumbed to her illness. During her illness, she and Esther had got close, and it therefore came as no surprise that she had left Esther Sanditon House in her will. Esther knew exactly what she wanted to do with her inheritance. Tom Parker, the current Northanger Hotel owner and business entrepreneur had long been trying to encourage Lady Denham to go into partnership with him and open up Sanditon House to the public. He was convinced that stately homes were an incredibly popular tourist attraction. Whilst Sanditon House would never hold the same prestige as Chatsworth or Blenheim Palace, it seemed like an intriguing business venture and as Esther did not desire to live at Sanditon House herself, she had decided to go into partnership with Tom and make his dream a reality. There was a lot of renovation work to do and the opening was due in May. Esther and Tom had been working flat out over the last few months and therefore the prospect of a few days off between Christmas and New Year was very welcome to Esther indeed.
ESTHER (via WhatsApp group): So… Good news - I’ve finally got round to booking my train for New Year. I’m so looking forward to seeing you guys again! xoxoxo
CLARA: A M A Z I N G! Can’t wait to see you. 😊 I’ve found the perfect place to go out. It’s a new wine bar on the Thames – will have fabulous views of the fireworks. I know the owner, so got us free tickets. Meant to be quite quaint and cosy. Should be fun?! xxx
ESTHER: Friend????!!!!!!
CLARA: Just someone I met at the Jazz Café the other week.
ESTHER: Interesting – looking forward to hearing more.
CHARLOTTE: It still amazes me how you manage to meet these people Clara!
CLARA: Well perhaps you would too if you ever went out.
CHARLOTTE: I go out!
CLARA: When?
CHARLOTTE: My work xmas party last week.
CLARA: Exactly my point.
CHARLOTTE: Ok, fair play.
ESTHER: Well at least you got an xmas party. The night scene in Sanditon leaves much to be desired.
CLARA: Come on, we’re not middle aged yet! Will be a great night out. Oh yes, and I’ve got a ticket for Georgie too Charlotte.
(Georgiana Lambe worked with Charlotte)
CHARLOTTE: Great – she’ll be thrilled.
ESTHER: Yay! See you in a couple of weeks. xoxoxox
CHARLOTTE: Whoop! xx
CLARA: 😉 xxxxxx
Charlotte smiled as the messages pinged on her phone. How she loved her friends! She was so excited about New Year and was in desperate need of a break. She’d started her job as a newly qualified solicitor in commercial law at Thornton and Hale LLP in September and it really was a sink or swim experience. Whilst not a magic circle firm, the firm was in the top 20 law firms in the country and the work was very demanding. There had already been a few all-nighters, but this was part and parcel of the job.
As soon as Esther’s inheritance had come to light, she had instructed Charlotte’s firm to deal with the legal elements of the project, which greatly impressed the Partners and had led to her being offered a permanent position. Charlotte still sometimes couldn’t believe that a farmer’s daughter from the tiny village of Willingden had come to work at such a reputable law firm. She had been the first to go to university in her family and they were incredibly proud of her.
Charlotte and Clara shared an apartment in London, Clara having secured a place at Imperial College to do a PhD in Chemistry after she graduated from Durham. Charlotte loved living in London, but her social life was rather limited, although she did go out every so often for work functions. The friends’ New Year meet up was therefore long overdue.
“Charlotte – have you finished drafting that contract yet?” Her boss chanted, breaking out of her musings.
“Nearly – should be there in the next half an hour.” She replied.
“Great. Thanks.”
Right – back to work Charlotte.
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Meanwhile, another series of WhatsApp messages were being sent among group of friends.
CROWE: So Sid – you’re definitely coming for New Year aren’t you? Big night for us.
PARKER: I promised didn’t I?
CROWE: Yes, but we know what you’re feelings are towards New Year. You better not bail on us this time.
PARKER: I was ill last year
BABS: No you weren’t
PARKER: F*** off
CROWE: Well you aren’t playing that card this year. No excuses. Be there Parker.
CROWE: … pretty please
BABS: … pretty pretty please…
PARKER: Fine
Sidney put his phone to one side and gazed out the window in his office in Canary Wharf. (He was a technical director of a large tech company, which at the age of only 29 was pretty impressive). He really didn’t want to celebrate New Year, but he owed it to his friends to support them in their latest business venture. Crowe, Babington and Sidney had been friends since they met as boys at Winchester College. They each went to separate universities, but stayed in touch and eventually all ended up in London. On leaving university, Harry Crowe and George Babington had gone into business together. They had set up a wine bar in Soho and it had been so successful, that six months ago they had bought another in a well sought after location on the Thames. New Year was a big night for the new bar, particularly given its proximity to the famous midnight firework display and they were counting on Sidney to bring his network with him. Crowe ran the day-to-day business and Babington was more of an executive director. This was because Babington was in fact the son of the Earl of Chichester and was due to inherit his title and estate on his death and in the last two years, his father had passed a lot of the management of the estate to his son.
Sidney’s phone rang – it was his brother, Tom. He had a meeting in 10 minutes, so didn’t answer as he knew his brother would demand at least half an hour of his time. Since Tom had entered into partnership with Esther Denham, he was constantly badgering Sidney for favours to move the Sanditon House project forward. Sidney was well connected and moved in influential circles and Tom wanted to use that to his advantage. Sidney wanted to help his brother, but he also had a day job to do!
He sent him a polite text telling him he’d call him later and went off to his meeting.
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