As we are nearing the midway point of this story (there will be 42 chapters in total), I think I should share some facts with you:

- There will be a happy ending

- Sidney is going to be very difficult

- Charlotte will have to be very brave

- As you may have noticed, I'm sticking to the original storyline as closely as possible

- Nevertheless, there will be a happy ending

The Mystery of her Misery

Charlotte spent an odd day with phone calls to Sanditon, with explanations and exclamations, with a quick visit to the local Boots to get some supplies for the evening and many hours sitting by Gigi's bedside. When Mrs Griffiths arrived in the afternoon to take over that care, Gigi was still neither talking nor eating. Charlotte felt deeply for her friend, and yet, she was relieved to hand the responsibility over to Mrs Griffiths. Now she could spend the rest of the afternoon with the more agreeable question of what to wear to a premiere party where half of the British film industry was expected.

What she finally found in the Parker family's attic was a tight-fitting metallic gold sequin-embellished long dress with spaghetti straps and a round neck. The slick material made her feel oddly conscious of her body which suddenly seemed to possess curves she had never noticed before. It was a strange yet powerful and delicious feeling. She rolled her hair up and tied it at the back of her head to a mock bob, a reference to the Twenties theme of the evening, and topped it all with a black hairband and a white ostrich feather from the family's wardrobe collection.

"Charlotte, my dear," she heard Mr Parker call as she applied some lipstick. "We are waiting downstairs."

"Just a minute," she replied, wondering who that seductive creature was that regarded her from the mirror. She did not look like herself. For a second, she considered wiping the lipstick off and changing back into Mary's blouse and skirt. Then she remembered why she was dressing up like this: to promote the cause of the Sanditon Grand Hotel to the who is who of the British film industry.

She called good night to Gigi, closed the apartment door behind her and turned to the stairs. Tom and Sidney were waiting down in the twilight of the entrance hall, both looking slick and dapper in their black ties. Sidney raised his head as Charlotte appeared on the stairs, causing her heart to beat a little faster. "Does it not suit me?" she asked in a moment of doubt. "Will it not do?"

He gave her a small smile. "It will do very well," he quietly said, the smile remaining in his eyes as he accompanied her outside, helped her into the waiting cab and took the seat facing her.

Charlotte found it difficult to meet Sidney's gaze during the taxi ride and therefore stared out of the window at the London streets and landmarks. Only very occasionally did she turn her head, noticing that he was still looking at her, that tiny little smile remaining in his eyes, while his brother happily prattled away about all the apartments and golf club memberships he was expecting to sell within the next few hours.

The Regency Excelsior Hotel, a stunning Art Déco building on the bank of the Thames with a good view of the London Eye, was buzzing with exquisitely dressed people apparently knowing exactly what to do at a premiere party. Charlotte, who had absolutely no idea at all, was very grateful for the fact that Sidney Parker, after helping her out of the cab, simply took her hand and placed it firmly on his arm, as if that was exactly where it belonged.

Tom followed them in, greeting to the left and to the right, pretending to know everyone and everything, and smiling into the cameras around him on the red carpet. "Upon my word, Sidney: we are surrounded by the most influential people of the British film industry."

"I don't know anyone," Charlotte whispered.

"Neither do I," Sidney whispered back. "The secret is clearly to make everyone else believe that you are influential."

"I don't know how I'm supposed to do that. I feel terribly out of place."

"But you are not." He patted her hand on his arm and gave her an encouraging smile.

"The brothers Parker!" Out of the crowd, Crowe appeared, followed by Babington. "Sidney! You sly creature – who is this beautiful bird?"

"That's Charlotte Heywood, you idiot," Babington said. "You keep liking her Instagram posts for the hotel."

"Little Charlotte," Crowe said, not taken back at all. "I would not have known you. That feather makes you look taller. Let's take a picture, shall we?" He fumbled his phone out, and Sidney released Charlotte for the photo op.

Tom, who had been busy talking to people who did not talk back, finally joined them. "Gentlemen, we must all remember why we are here. Spread the word of the open-day, sell memberships of the golf club and apartments on Regency Row. I expect every man to do their duty."

"And every woman." Crowe raised his champagne glass. "Admiral Heywood." He drained his glass in one go, handed it over to the next waiter and vanished into the crowd, followed by Tom Parker and Babington, leaving Charlotte and Sidney alone with each other.

"Why does he call me Admiral Heywood?" Charlotte asked. Sidney shrugged his shoulders.

"Must have heard it at the cricket," he mumbled.

She wondered what else he might have shared with his friends. Certain encounters were better slipped under the red carpet.

Someone tugged her by the elbow. " 'scuse me? You're that actress, aren't you? I'm a great fan. Can we take a selfie?"

It was one of the waiters carrying trays of champagne glasses around. Apparently, the Regency Excelsior Hotel had an even bigger problem with temps than the Sanditon Grand Hotel, for his behaviour was extremely unprofessional. And apart from that: "I'm not an actress," Charlotte said. "I'm sorry."

"But I'm sure I saw you in GoT. You are the girl that died, aren't you?"

"I'm very much alive," Charlotte assured him. "I would certainly remember the experience."

"Right," the waiter said, turning to Sidney. "But you're famous. I've seen your face before."

"Sorry. Only famous for parking in the no-parking zone." There was a bit of mischief in Sidney's smile, and as always, Charlotte could not help but be amazed at how young and boyish he sometimes looked. Handsome he was always, and even when he was angry, but the smile on his lips and the sparkle in his eyes made her long to explore a distant country… - oh no. Not again. Not amidst a crowd of famous people.

The waiter had not given up yet on Sidney. "You were in Downton Abbey, weren't you? I could swear I saw your face there."

Sidney shook his head. "I've never come close to that place. Sorry, mate." The waiter still was not ready to yield.

"The thing is, I feel I have it in me to become an actor myself, and I was hoping for a bit of advice on how to start a career."

"Then I suggest you spend less time watching series and more time learning how to act," Charlotte said. The waiter beamed at her.

"Great. Thanks. I'll mention you in my Oscar speech. What was your name again?"

"Charlotte," Sidney said. "Her name is Charlotte." – and hearing him say her name for the first time confounded her much, much more than being mistaken for a famous actress.

"Best of luck with your next project then, Charlotte," the waiter said and vanished into the crowd. Sidney turned to her, still amused. "Aren't you glad you came, after all?"

She shook her head, making the ostrich feather bob up and down. "I cannot say that I am. I feel dreadful for leaving Gigi, and I'm absolutely certain now that I don't belong in this company."

"Gigi is in good hands, and you have every right to go out and have some fun for once. But apart from that, I'm not sure I belong here either."

"But this is your natural habitat, is it not?" Where if not here, in a throng of wealthy people, several of which were probably in need of a competent financial adviser? But for some reason, Sidney's mood had changed. He no longer smiled, and he no longer looked boyish. Instead, he appeared rather pensive, apparently searching for some answers on the ground of his champagne glass.

"Perhaps I don't truly belong anywhere. As you said, perhaps I'm an outlier." Did he take notes, so that he could remember everything she said? When he saw her puzzled look, he quickly added: "Let's find out whether we can advance some more acting careers, shall we?" and offered her his arm.

They pushed through a cluster of people greeting each other by kissing the air above their cheeks, cheering and toasting and taking group selfies. Somewhere in the crowd, Charlotte saw Tom Parker, evidently describing the charms of the Sanditon Grand Hotel to a group of people that was ignoring him. It pained her to see him so desperate, and herself so unable to do anything about it, for if these people were not listening to him, how would they listen to her?

"I cannot see how any conversation is possible when the room is so loud, and everyone is on the move," she said to Sidney.

"No one is here to make conversation. They are here to be seen. They take a selfie, ideally with someone more famous than themselves, post it on Instagram, and let everyone know how popular and important they are. Then they collect their gift bag and move on to the next party." Charlotte, who thought she was popular enough with her friends and important enough to her family, even without a gift bag and a selfie with a Hollywood star, shook her head.

"I don't know anyone here, I don't wish to take selfies with people I don't know, and I think I would like to leave now if that's alright for you."

"Since when do you require my approval, Miss Heywood?" So it was still Miss Heywood, not Charlotte. The man was a conundrum come to life. And his eyes were searching her face so intently that she hardly knew where to look.

"I know I'm too headstrong… too opinionated…," she started.

"No." He shook his head. "You're not too anything. Don't doubt yourself." He looked around, at the people passing them. "You're more than equal to any woman here." Charlotte opened her mouth, unable to think of a reply, but sure that there had to be one. Fortunately, Babington was walking past right now and slumped into a free chair next to them. "I hate to admit defeat, but the word Sanditon seems to be falling on deaf ears."

"Thank you for your efforts anyway, Babington," Sidney said, taking his eyes off Charlotte.

Somewhere in the crowd, Tom's sleek redhead appeared. "Sidney! Sidney, come over here, you must listen to this!"

"I'm off then," Sidney said with a curt nod to Charlotte and his friend. She watched him go, unable to tell if she was relieved to be freed of his confounding presence, or whether she regretted to see him leave her.

"Charlotte?" Babington saying her name brought her back to reality. "I'm sorry, you seemed miles away in your thoughts."

"No, I'm… I was just… I was just thinking of how Esther has changed her attitude towards you. She has given you her phone number, hasn't she?"

"Yes. However, she has yet to answer my first message."

"I'm sure she'll do in time." She sat down by his side, smiling encouragingly.

"A text message? How long does it take to answer that?"

"I would say that depends on the text," Charlotte suggested.

Wi$**,'''''.

More than a week, perhaps?

"It basically said Good morning Esther, have a beautiful day today."

"Then she probably only read it in the afternoon and thought it was too late to answer then."

"Probably. – You see her every day, Charlotte. Do you think her feelings can change entirely during the space of one night?"

"I believe she's…" Charlotte stopped. On the other side of the room, Tom and Sidney were released from a group of people. Sidney quickly glanced over to her. Changed feelings? During the space of one night?

"… she's…"

Within just a few moments, he would be by her side again.

"… she's…" she said once more, faltered and gave up entirely. "I'm sorry, but… this room is really too hot. I can hardly breathe."

Babington said something, but she did not listen: she had already fled the stage, a strange hum in her ears, and her cheeks burning.

Why, oh why had she agreed to come here? This was quickly turning into the most miserable night of her life, which was quite alarming, considering that the other most miserable night of her life had just occurred the night before.

It was Sidney Parker's fault, of course. She knew him what… a little more than a month now? And he was responsible for a most miserable night after the Spring Ball, and another most miserable night after the… the… encounter at the cove, and, of course, one more most miserable night after the shout down on the station square. In short, he was responsible for most of the misery in Charlotte's life right now. Then why – why –

She found a bright, alcove like room off the main guest area with a full-length window that stood open, ventilating the air with a fresh breeze. Standing in front of the window, she breathed in deeply, then breathed out, trying to let all her sorrows and doubts go.

"My sentiments exactly," a warm voice behind her said. Charlotte flew around. Sitting in a corner behind her was a beautiful dark-haired woman in her mid-thirties, regarding her with a mix of interest and amusement. Judging by her makeup and her dress, she was a guest at the premiere party as well. However, she appeared to be much more interested in the magazine on her lap than in collecting gift bags and taking selfies.

"I'm sorry," Charlotte said. "I thought I was alone."

"That's quite all right. I cannot blame you for seeking a safe harbour. It was an unspeakably tedious film, and now it's an unspeakably tedious party." Again, there was a glint of amusement in her dark eyes. "And next you're going to tell me that the film is your acting debut or that the director is your father and that I have just committed a terrible solecism." Her droll way of speaking made Charlotte laugh.

"No. I haven't seen the film, and I don't know the director… or anyone in London at all, apart from an intrusive waiter and two enemy hotel owners. And from what I've seen of the place, I don't care for further acquaintances."

The woman, who might very well have counted as a further acquaintance, ignored the slight and with another smile asked: "If you dislike London so much, why are you here?"

Charlotte came a little closer. "My friend Gigi… she's underage, and she ran away to London with her girlfriend. It was all my fault. So I decided to follow her."

"Gracious! And did you find her?"

"Yes. Eventually: yes, but…- " Charlotte thought of the previous night, of the fright she had felt when seeing the police cars and the ambulances (two ambulances!) in front of Sam Siddaway's hotel, and of Gigi's tears and desperation. "My friend's father is a millionaire, and it turned out that her lover was a criminal, an impostor from Interpol's wanted list, with charges against her here and in the States."

"How simply shocking!" the woman said – though judging by the expression on her face, she was more thrilled than shocked.

"It was," Charlotte agreed. "But the police found Gigi in time, and now she is safe. However, Mr Parker insisted we come here tonight and spread the word of the golf course and Regency Row for the open-day, but as you can see… I'm singularly failing at that task."

"Regency Row?"

"That's the new extension of his hotel. The Sanditon Grand Hotel. It's been in Mr Parker's family for one hundred fifty years, and it's the most magical place on earth, but he's struggling to attract guests because of the English weather and the low-cost-flights to the Mediterranean. – I'm sorry," she said, realising that she was not talking coherently. "I know I'm inclined to talk too much, Mrs…?"

"Susan," her new companion said with a smile and invited her to sit on the sofa by her side. "And who might you be?"

"Charlotte Heywood."

"Forgive me being so open, Charlotte, but you do seem somewhat… befuddled."

Befuddled? Charlotte thought. Yes, this lady called Susan was right: That was just the word to describe her state of mind. "I do believe I am. It has been a miserable night after a miserable day and another miserable night, and…"

Susan leaned forward. "And what?"

Charlotte closed her eyes for a second. The woman was a complete stranger, after all. But given the matter at hand: Was there any better judge than a neutral stranger? She opened her eyes again.

"There is a certain… a certain man. Mr Parker's younger brother. Sidney. Sidney Parker." How nice it was to say his name out loud. Susan nodded as if she already knew what would be coming next. Charlotte continued, as bravely as she could. "He inspires an anger in me I did not know I possessed. And yet… I find that his good opinion on me matters more than anybody else's. How can that be?"

Susan gave her an indulgent smile. "It sounds to me as if you are in love with him," she quietly said.

"What?" Charlotte jumped up from the sofa. "No. I assure you, nothing could be further from the truth." Which was precisely why she was having this odd conversation with a complete stranger: because it could not be true. "I've been in love before, and never with a man like him."

"My dear girl." Susan's smile was even more indulgent now. "You cannot determine who you fall in love with. It's an affliction, like the measles."

Charlotte opened her mouth to say that the measles could not afflict her because she had been vaccinated. Neither could Sidney Parker because she was a sensible young woman, and he nothing but a self-centred, prejudiced, unreliable idiot with more feelings for his car than for any human being.

A gorgeous car, though. And a gorgeous man. Who made her doubt herself time and again, only to encourage her in the moments she least expected it. He vexed her and he fascinated her, all in the same degree. He troubled her when he was around, but he troubled her even more when he was not around. He was a strange and distant country, indeed.

Charlotte closed her mouth again. There was no use in keeping up the pretence, for it was true: She was in love with Sidney Parker.

x

"She vanished all of a sudden," Babington told Sidney. "Said she could not breathe."

"I'll look for her," Sidney said. "Just to make sure she is alright."

"Good luck." Babington stood up and moved towards the bar, ready to drain his sorrows about Esther in a drink.

Sidney looked around. If Charlotte could not breathe, she would certainly move towards somewhere airier… the exit? But no, she would not leave without letting him know. Or would she?

He smiled to himself as he scanned the people around him for a girl in a gold dress with an ostrich feather in her hair. There were enough beautiful women to fill several pages of a glossy magazine, but not one of them was Charlotte Heywood. Charlotte Heywood, who in her innocence had no idea how stunning she looked in that shimmering dress that hugged every single curve of her lovely body, and who also had no idea how much that innocence added to her beauty.

Nerd, prim, babysitter.

If she was thinking of him as an unreliable, superficial idiot with a poor sense of judgement, she was entirely right.

A cold gush of air woke Sidney from his reverie. The windows. She must have moved somewhere towards the windows. He left the main guest area and found a brightly lit, alcove like room with full-length windows. And there she was: Charlotte Heywood, a shimmering golden siren, in conversation with another dark-haired, somewhat familiar woman.

"I'm glad I found you," he said, unable to hide his relief. "I was beginning to fear you had made your escape." Charlotte jumped when she heard his voice. Her new friend glanced at him, looking very pleased.

"I presume you are Sidney Parker? We were just discussing you." Were they? He saw Charlotte inspecting the tips of her shoes as her cheeks turned to a crimson colour. He felt himself blush as well. Who was this woman, and what had Charlotte been discussing with her? Hopefully not the nerd, prim, babysitter part of their acquaintance?

"Well," he said, returning to his natural poise and speaking to Charlotte. "I was wondering whether you might like to dance. You never had the chance at the Spring Ball, so… unless I'm interrupting, that is."

"Not in the least," the woman smoothly said, opening the magazine on her lap. "I think we have just come to the conclusion of our conversation, haven't we, Charlotte?"

"Yes," Charlotte mumbled, not meeting his gaze but waving a shy good-bye to her acquaintance.

What exactly had they been discussing? He took Charlotte's hand and gently enfolded her fingers in his grip, determined to release them only if absolutely necessary.

"I had no idea you have friends in London," he said, leading her back to the event area.

"We only just met at the party. We were discussing… illnesses."

"I see," Sidney said, though he did not. Illnesses? What did that have to do with him? "Does she have a name? There was something familiar about her, don't you think?"

"Her name is Susan. I'm pretty sure I've never seen her before. But then on the other hand, with everyone dressed up like that – my own family would think me a stranger."

"I'm sure they would be very proud of you." In any case, Sidney felt oddly proud to have this sweet siren by his side.

"We are more of the rubber boots faction at home," the sweet siren said and cast a doubtful glance at the crowd accumulating on the dance floor. Tom was among them, and Crowe. "You did not have to ask me to dance, you know," she added.

"Why not? I think you deserve a bit of fun. Unless you'd rather not."

"No, it's…" She shook her head and made at least the ostrich feather dance. "There are so many other women here you could ask."

"I could." Sidney gazed around, seeing lots of beautiful women, but as not one of them was Charlotte Heywood, he returned his smile to her. "I just don't want to dance with them," he softly said.

She opened her mouth, then closed it again and quietly accepted her fate as he led her onto the dance floor.

x

The band had been playing music from the Twenties and Thirties but switched to more modern tunes now. The next piece they offered was an orchestrated version of The Verve's Bittersweet Symphony– a choice that made Charlotte look to Sidney for guidance.

He simply raised her right hand with his left, rested his other hand on her back and pulled her to his chest, making her gasp as she automatically put her left hand on his shoulder. Never had they been so close, never had she touched him like this, never felt his breath on her cheek and taken in his warm scent. It made her feel dizzy and alive at the same time – and in any case completely unable to concentrate on what her feet were supposed to be doing. When she looked up to him, she dived into the most startling dark and gentle gaze.

Fortunately, there was his hand on her back that kept her upright as he smoothly moved her across the dance floor. Suddenly, the tune changed to a violin solo. Sidney twisted Charlotte into a pirouette, turning her around again and again. She felt as if they were both spiralling out of the past, leaving everything behind that had happened between them, spinning towards a happier future together.

Sidney pulled her back to himself, smiling broadly now. She was oblivious to the room and the onlookers, even to the heat and the other couples on the dance floor. There was only one person left in her world, and that was Sidney Parker, moving with her, releasing her, then drawing her back to him, smiling as happily as she had never seen him smile before, smiling his most beautiful smile for her.

It took her a few moments to realise that the music had in fact ended and that they were standing in the middle of the dance floor now, not moving, holding hands and gazing into each other's eyes, reading the questions they found there, yet still unable to express their answers.

"There you are!" Tom Parker's shadow fell over them as his hand came crashing down on Sidney's shoulder, making him start and wake Charlotte from the most beautiful dream she had ever had. "Sidney! Have you seen who's here?"

The spell was broken. Sidney let go of Charlotte's hands and took a step back. He looked positively befuddled. "Sorry, Tom – you were saying?"

"You haven't seen her then?" Tom nodded at a group of onlookers. Charlotte saw Sidney follow his gaze, and she saw his face change. Clearly surprise, then disbelief, but also pain, and then again: disbelief. "Excuse me," he murmured. Drawn like a sleepwalker he moved across the dance floor towards a blonde woman wearing an elegant white robe and a lipstick the colour of blood. The woman was welcoming Sidney with a smile that suggested he was the human version of the lottery jackpot.

"Who is that?" Charlotte gasped.

"Just another proof of the fickleness of fate," Tom Parker said. "The girl I told you about this morning. Sidney's lost love. – Seems fate is gifting them with a second chance." He shook his head in amusement. "A society wedding at the hotel – and my own brother the groom! That would be a marketing prospect!"

"Yes," Charlotte breathed. Sidney was taking the women's hand now, but she obviously had her own ideas about an appropriate reunion and pulled him into a tight embrace.

Where had she seen that lipstick before? And those large blue eyes?

"A handsome couple, even after all these years." Tom Parker clapped his hands. "I say, this evening turns into quite a success. – What about you, Charlotte? You look a bit pale."

"Oh, it's… just the exertion of the dance."

The woman in white reluctantly released Sidney from her embrace. He took a step back and continued staring her in disbelief, and she, holding his hands in hers and fluttering her false eyelashes, stared back admiringly. Which was when Charlotte finally recognised her.

She had seen pictures of her before.

She was the influencer and reality TV personality who liked the hotel's Instagram posts and commented on Arthur's meringue swans. The one promoting ugly handbags, hair-extensions and home accessories to her five-hundred thousand followers.

mrscampion.

Sidney's Eliza.

Notes:

I had to include Bittersweet Symphony, just for the title of it (and for some bittersweet memories). This is the version I was listening to during writing: watch?v=z_UfPY8NXkM