A Suite Holiday Romance

Woman: In the glitter of tinsel and time,

author Hazel Holley gave us Cordelia,

a little girl who wandered the halls

of the Grand Fairbanks Hotel,

where the chandeliers whispered stories

over marble polished floors.

The magnificent hotel was more than just a setting, though.

It was a character.

Through Hazel's beloved Cordelia books,

read by millions of children over the decades,

Cordelia became their companion.

Graceful, curious,

and quietly brave,

she reminded us all that sometimes not quite belonging

is its own kind of magic.

Awesome. Here you go. Have a great day.

Thank you. Oh, nice of you to join us.

It was just announced on Insta that the Braxton jewels

are coming to New York.

- The Braxton what now? - Don't you read the news?

I don't consider Insta news,

and your algorithm only shows you

gossip about the royal family.

The Braxton collection has never been on public display before.

- This is a big deal! - Yeah, big deal.

- We have to go! - Okay.

- I'm going to be a little busy. - Huh?

- The book I'm writing? - Oh.

I'm moving into the Grand Fairbanks Hotel until Christmas?

Anna: Right. Ugh. The apartment

is going to feel so lonely without you.

- Who's going to do the dishes? - Okay. It's just for 10 days.

Uh, no. It is for the 10 most festive days

- of the year, Sabrina. - Yeah. You know,

ghostwriting a memoir in a five-star hotel

or listening to Barry do

his annual disco version of "O Holy Night,"

not really a tossup.

I am so curious whose memoir you're writing.

You would tell me if it was someone royal, right?

You know I signed a nondisclosure.

Ugh. Well, they must be rich if they are putting you up

at the Grand Fairbanks.

I know. It makes sense that we're under the same roof.

The deadline's so tight to Christmas.

- How did they find you? - I wrote that piece

for the 50th anniversary of the Cordelia books.

Oh. This is a huge deal, Sabrina.

Your first published book.

I know. I'm just... I'm just starting to feel

a little nervous writing somebody's life story.

Ooh, idea. Why don't we grab a drink at the hotel

once you're all settled? You know, maybe we will meet

a famous actor or a handsome royal.

I bet that's where the Braxtons are staying,

and Lord Braxton is incredibly private.

He would definitely hire a ghostwriter.

- Nice try. NDA. - Ugh! A-OK.

At least promise me to enjoy the hotel while you're there?

You've been all work and zero sparkle lately.

- Okay. I promise I will try. - Hmm.

The floor is yours.

On to the next chapter.

Hi. Sabrina Parker, checking in.

Man: Miss Parker, merry Christmas,

and welcome to the Grand Fairbanks.

I'm Leo. I'll be your concierge.

Oh. So nice to meet you.

We have you staying in the Cordelia Suite.

The... Cordelia Suite?

Mr. Westcott is expecting you in the penthouse suite

for high tea at 4:00 PM.

The holidays are a magical time at the Grand Fairbanks.

One never knows what might happen.

Ooh!

Man: I understand. The piece was appraised at $2.4 million.

Excellent. Alright.

I'll ship it out today.

Happy holidays, Mr. Clooney.

Sabrina, it is so nice to finally meet you in person.

- You're lovely. - Oh, you, too. Thank you,

and thank you so much for the suite, Mr. Westcott.

- Well... - It's really special.

Cordelia brought us together,

and I thought it was just most appropriate.

- Yeah. - And you managed to capture

the essence of Hazel Holley in your article,

and that is not an easy thing to do.

I think that she is the greatest children's author of all time,

and the Cordelia books are why I became a writer.

Why don't you have a seat?

Yes. Of course.

So, where do we start?

First painting I ever sold?

The time I traded a sculpture for a penthouse?

I... I don't know what would be interesting nowadays.

This... this is all just my life.

You have brokered some of the biggest art deals

in history.

Why tell your story now?

I'm not getting any younger,

and I'm hoping that what we do will inspire people to dream

like I did.

I love that. Okay. Let's get started, since we only have

- until Christmas Eve. - Okay. Alright.

You said you're going out of the country?

Yes. I just moved to Rome. I'm opening a new gallery there.

Oh, wow. Uh, do you mind if I record our conversations?

No. Please. So, Sabrina,

this project is... is very, very important to me.

Oh, me, too.

"Hazel Holley's prose reminds us that life,

much like the hotel at Christmastime,

glows with doors waiting to be opened,

and perhaps that's Cordelia's lasting legacy,

the quiet understanding that even the briefest places

"we pass through leave their light with us forever."

My article.

Yes, and it's beautiful.

If what you write for me is half as eloquent as that,

I will be a very happy man.

- Okay. - Let's get started.

Twenty...

I'm starving.

Um...

Okay.

Hi! Yes. Can I order

your cranberry Claus turkey sandwich?

No. No. You're closed.

Is... is your bar kitchen still open?

Three more minutes. Okay. Can you put an order in

and I will be right there to pick it up?

Okay. Thank you so much. You are a lifesaver!

Ian: Everything seems to be going well so far.

Thank you. Yes. I'll... I'll do my best.

Um, I'm going to have to call you back.

Sabrina: Mmm.

Thank you.

- Excuse me. - Hmm?

Why are you eating my sandwich?

Oh, no. This is not your sandwich.

- This is my sandwich. - I think you might be mistaken.

No. I think you might be mistaken.

That's a great robe.

You headed off to a slumber party?

Sorry. You can have mine.

That's very sweet of you. I appreciate it.

- Okay. Well, goodnight. - Listen. Wait. Wait.

I'm... I'm teasing you.

Please, stay. Eat.

Why stop now?

Sure. Um, so, are you...

You're visiting from... England?

London. Yeah.

Holiday? Work?

- Um, a bit of both. - Mm.

I work for a charity,

and we have a... we have an event in the city.

And you? Are... are you visiting from...

- Oh, I live here. - Okay.

I mean, I'm... I live in Brooklyn. I'm not...

I'm in the hotel for a writing assignment.

Something tantalizing, I hope.

I can't really talk about it.

Oh, stop. Well, now, you've got me intrigued.

Let me... let me guess. Um...

- Politicians. - Mm.

No. Too droll.

Um, saucy celebrities.

Too crass. Okay.

Um, God. It's not royals behaving badly, is it?

Okay. So, which one of those are you?

None. Sad thing. My... my drama potential is virtually nil.

Okay. Well, I should be getting back to my slumber party.

Wait. Wait. Um...

You know, the night's still young.

Maybe I can buy you a drink?

Aw. You said you weren't saucy.

Technically, it's morning,

and the bar is closing.

Well, look. Um, if you ever fancy another stolen sandwich

and painfully awkward small talk,

I'm here until Christmas.

- Enjoy. - You too.

- Yours. - Mine.

And I'll...

- Merry Christmas. - Merry Christmas.

Sabrina: So, how did you get into the art world?

My father was a painter.

Did he do anything I would have seen?

Not unless you went to Plattsburgh, New York.

He was a house painter.

He would work hard all day,

but at night, he would come home,

and he would paint these beautiful, vivid landscapes.

I remember sitting and watching him paint for hours

when I was a child.

Where are those paintings now?

They're in my private collection.

- Mm. - And they are appraised at