19 The Bridlington - Original Story By Stephanie Poppins

The Bridlington Hotel is the most prestigious getaway on the coast of the East Riding. Owned by the cantankerous Lady Perklington-Smythe, it is never far from scandal. However, reception staff members Emily, James, and Joe are professionals and committed to maintaining appearances, come what may.

In this episode, Cetin is out to impress.

Transcript

Hello and welcome to Sleep Stories with Steph,

A romantic bedtime podcast guaranteed to help you drift off into a calm and restful sleep.

Come with me as we travel into the heart of the Bridlington Hotel,

The most prestigious enterprise on the coast of East Riding.

Meet the characters as they go about their everyday lives,

Albeit amongst scandal and intrigue.

Not a day goes past at the Bridlington without something happening.

But before we begin,

Let's take a moment to focus on where we are now.

Take a deep breath in through your nose.

That's it.

Then let it out on a long sigh.

It is time to relax and fully let go.

There is nothing you need to be doing and nowhere you need to go.

This is your time.

Feel your shoulders melt away from your ears.

Feel the pressure seep away from your cheeks.

And let all the muscles in your face relax.

As you sink into the support beneath you,

Let the pressures of the day seep away.

The Bridlington.

A series set in an English hotel.

Written and performed by Stephanie Poppins.

Episode 19 Thomas Smythe arranged his cafetiere and French coffee cups around the ornate cake stand so that everyone could reach.

He was keen to keep the mood relaxed,

Even if he was secretly drinking.

He was also secretly sussing out the man that had significant designs on his niece.

You should have seen him,

Uncle Tom.

It was so funny.

Emily was giggling uncontrollably,

But Jeytin sat squirming.

He might well have his back on some of England's finest leather,

But that was little compensation.

He wasn't used to being made fun of.

Being the eldest in a large Turkish family gained you automatic respect,

But this was another world.

This was Golden Sands in East Riding,

The most exclusive property in the Sands Resort.

Sensing his lack of enthusiasm,

Emily changed tack.

Hey,

I'm only joking.

I didn't know you hated dogs.

Hate dogs?

Her uncle stopped mid-pour,

But Emily was keen to set things straight.

Not any more,

She insisted,

Not after Bella saved the day.

Jeytin sat rigid.

Would this be a deal-breaker?

He so desperately wanted to impress this man Emily thought so highly of.

Taking a cautionary sip,

He took in the scene around him and tried to relax.

Opulence,

Emily called it.

Relaxed opulence.

And she wasn't wrong.

Her uncle Tom was rich,

Ridiculously so.

But that wasn't the point.

He had taste.

Impeccable taste.

This office was like a room from the British Library.

The furnishings were bespoke,

No two pieces matched,

And the Baccarat glassware really caught his eye.

Jeytin had a good eye for pretty things,

Which was just as well,

He thought,

For he was sitting next to one of them.

However,

This was not the time to get distracted.

He was on a mission to impress.

Thomas Smythe was the closest thing Emily had to a father figure,

And he needed to be sure to say all the right things.

You have a beautiful home,

Sir.

Bella is the perfect accompaniment.

Thank you,

Young man.

Call me Thomas,

Please.

You're from Istanbul,

Emily says.

Besiktas.

A lovely area.

It has its merits.

You've been?

I know the city well.

I do a lot of business there.

Your family is successful then.

Thomas Smythe spoke in ignorance,

But of course he knew only too well all about Jeytin's family.

They've been dealers in gold for three generations.

But you tread a different path.

We're a very close family,

But my father and I have a difference of opinion.

I understand.

Do you miss it there?

Very much so,

But I consider East Riding to be my home now.

Thomas Smythe seemed pleased at this.

Then I must show you the Ottoman rugs I sourced from the Grand Bazaar.

17th century,

The oldest one is.

That's unusual.

Jeytin couldn't help but feel immediate respect for this gentleman who appeared to be doing his utmost to ingratiate himself to him.

Yes,

I'm a great fan of the Ottoman style,

Jeytin.

The geometrics,

The colours,

They inspire me.

I've long been in discussions with the board about the introduction of an Ottoman-themed lounge.

We're looking to modernise certain areas of the hotel and I'd welcome your input if you'd be interested.

It is a work in progress,

But we could do with an expert eye.

Emily squeezed Jeytin's hot hand.

She knew just how nervous he was.

And how this must be music to his ears.

Thank you,

Sir.

I would be honoured.

Thomas,

Please.

Ah,

Look who's here.

Through the French windows,

In rush Bella,

With a bound and a leap.

Uncle Tom watched Jeytin closely.

But he needn't have worried.

He could see his favourite dog was in safe hands.

Jeytin reached out a hand and she ran straight to his side.

We needed you,

Girl,

Didn't we?

He said.

You really came up trumps.

We couldn't have broken in without you.

So what happened?

Thomas demanded.

Start from the beginning.

He lifted his cup and with it,

A chocolate digestive.

They're his favourites,

Emily whispered.

Can't give them up,

Thomas agreed.

Harking back to simpler times,

I guess.

We weren't always rich,

Were we,

Uncle Tom?

No,

And it's good to remember your roots.

It keeps you grounded.

I agree,

Said Jeytin.

He was starting to really like this man.

Now,

Back to that night.

Well,

Emily continued.

It was dark,

Of course,

And the streetlights were on.

We pulled up a way away and parked down this lane.

It was secluded,

But it had a few little cottages set back.

It wasn't far away.

It must have been about 12 midnight.

But there weren't that many streetlights,

So we kept to the shadows and got to the building without being seen.

Well,

We thought we weren't seen,

Added Jeytin,

But now I'm not so sure.

So you were seen,

Uncle Tom looked confused.

We don't really know.

There was this car.

It was dark.

The lights were on,

But I thought I saw a shadow in it or heard the door close or something.

A shadow?

There was someone in there,

But it might have been a couple who didn't want to draw attention to themselves.

Hmm.

At this point,

Uncle Tom was not convinced.

Anything else that makes you think otherwise?

Only that as soon as Bella caught up,

We heard a noise and when we looked round,

The car had gone.

But then we saw the same car again on our way back to the Bridlington,

Added Emily.

It's a bit of a coincidence,

Isn't it?

OK,

Said Uncle Tom.

Well,

Let's just get back to what happened in the medical practice and we'll go from there.

Did you get Arthur's report?

Dad's medical stuff?

Yeah.

Getting him was easy enough with the key in the coat.

And I got this.

Emily reached into her bag and pulled out a large manila envelope.

These are the copies I took.

Obviously,

I couldn't take the real thing,

Could I?

Well done.

Good thinking.

And you switched everything off afterwards?

Yes.

She watched as Uncle Tom opened the envelope and perused the contents.

Hmm,

He said,

You're right.

Arthur had no signs of anything even remotely connected to dementia that could have contributed to his death.

Your mother's at her tricks yet again.

But we knew that anyway,

Didn't we?

So will that do as evidence?

It's not submittable in court because it's stolen.

But it'll help us hold strong if we want to call her bluff.

And knowing Jane as we do,

She'll push her luck as far as it'll go to get what she wants.

What does she want,

Do you think?

Jatin spoke cautiously now.

He was unsure how involved he should be at this point.

But both Emily and her uncle seemed happy to include him in the conversation.

She wants me to have no claim on the hotel at all.

Otherwise,

It puts her out of joint,

Doesn't it?

Uncle Tom agreed.

It's all about control with her,

Jatin.

Emily would have a larger percentage than her if she inherited.

And in her eyes,

That is unacceptable.

She's already smarting that we're close again.

I don't know how much you know of our history,

But Emily's mother succeeded in keeping us apart for a very long time.

Why does she hate us so much?

Why does she hate me so much?

Emily's eyes began to fill with tears.

She couldn't help herself.

She always got like this when discussing her mother.

She might not have been the daughter Lady Perkington-Smyth had dreamed of,

But she had tried to do the right thing.

She had always tried to be the right girl.

Jatin put his arm around her and held her close.

Your mother is who she is,

Em,

It seems to me.

I don't think it's personal.

Uncle Tom agreed.

It's narcissism,

Love,

Pure and simple.

She can't help it.

She's been like it so long and she's not going to change now.

There's nothing we can do but choose how much we let it affect us.

Now we need to be prepared for battle and focused on the positives here.

We've got her this time,

I'm sure of it.

I can't see what else she could bring out that could question the validity of your inheritance.

You'll get it,

Emily,

If it's the last thing I do.

There's no one better to head the Bridlington Empire.

You're your father's daughter and he's looking down on you very proud.

I'm sure of it.

This little speech moved both Emily and Jatin.

She'd done nothing but suffer at her mother's hand,

He thought,

And it was time it stopped.

And when this is all over,

Her uncle continued,

You two can move forwards and get on with your lives.

I'm glad you've got each other.

He walked over to where they sat and patted them on their shoulders.

Now chin up,

You two.

We've got work to do.

I'll contact Mr Johnson when you leave and then it's full steam ahead,

Okay?

But what about the car?

Even if your mother's having you followed,

Emily,

It sounds like Bella got the better of them that time,

Before they got the chance to get any hard evidence.

Just be mindful of how you behave together at the Bridlington.

Stay professional and do not drop your guard,

Okay?

Heaven knows there's enough distractions there at the moment.

This insurance claim for the robbery is no small thing.

Have you heard anything from the inspector?

What's he been doing about the investigation?

He seems a bit of an idiot,

Said Emily.

But J-Team wasn't so sure.

You never know,

Em.

You shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

He's right,

Said Uncle Tom.

You'll be surprised,

My dear.

We may just get some answers from him yet.

You

Reviews

That went pretty smooth, onward and upwards! Thanks❤️🙏🏼