Gemma Jones

Major Sir John Farjeon, an old friend of Louisa's, begs her to cook a special dinner on the last night of Royal Ascot. She agrees, but what should have been a gourmet's delight becomes the melting pot for an unpleasant scandal.

The Bentinck's hall porter and his dog Fred have become valued members of Louisa's staff and the fact that is little known about Starr's past doesn't seem to trouble anyone. Then one day he receives a visitor.

One evening a young lady arrives and asks for Lord Haslemere. There is some mystery and Louisa tries to unravel it and discovers why she wants to stay at the Bentinck.

Louisa decides to buy a seaside cottage where she and her friends can relax. Unfortunately, her new neighbors, an exclusive Sailing Club, have objections. There is no plain sailing for anyone.

By the spring of 1902, Louisa's hotel has become the toast of London and she herself is the vital spark, which fires the heart of society. Her food is exquisite, her wine superb, and her personality can be matched by none. But can this state of affairs last forever?

Every year at the Bentinck, Louisa gives a Servants' Ball where the guests wait upon the staff and usually the evening is a great success. However, on this occasion, a seemingly personable young man decides to cause trouble.

Louisa is furious to learn that her landlords would like to terminate the lease and are looking for a breach of it on her part. So far, there is none, but life at the Bentinck is never dull and seldom free of trouble.

Will, a man struggling with a tragic secret meets the beautiful, free-spirited, Eve, helping her with a drunk customer. They spend the next 24 hours journeying through the city, not knowing what it holds for them & if he can reveal his secret to Eve

Johnny Saxby works long hours in brutal isolation on his family's remote farm in the north of England. He numbs the daily frustration of his lonely existence with nightly binge-drinking at the local pub and casual sex. When a handsome Romanian migrant worker arrives to take up temporary work on the family farm, Johnny suddenly finds himself having to deal with emotions he has never felt before. An intense relationship forms between the two which could...