by Jill Mansell
But if he did, it was unlikely to go down well. Instead he forced another pleasant smile and said, “Well, glad the food was good. D’you remember that lunch we had at Gidleigh Park?” Turning to Antoine, he explained, “I took Dot there on her birthday last year. Now that was a meal to remember.”
“You didn’t take me there on my birthday,” said Dot. “It was the following weekend.”
“But that’s what we were celebrating,” Lawrence reminded her. “And it was worth it, wasn’t it? Spectacular place,” he told Antoine. “The chef has two Michelin stars.”
“Ah.” Antoine nodded. “Michael Caines. I’ve heard great things about him and his restaurant. If you recommend it so highly,” he said to Lawrence, “maybe I should take Dot there too.”
Bastard, bastard. “Absolutely. I warn you, though, it’s pretty pricey.”
“That won’t be a problem, I assure you,” Antoine said with a brief smile.
“And what Lawrence isn’t mentioning is the reason it ended up being so pricey,” Dot chimed in. “Basically, because he was too vain to wear his reading glasses.”
Oh shit. “Don’t—”
“He looked at the wine list and decided he liked the sound of the Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque 2004.” Dot wasn’t to be stopped. “Didn’t realize thirty-five pounds was for a glass of the stuff, not a bottle.”
Thanks, darling.
“For Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque 2004.” Antoine was now visibly struggling to keep a straight face.
Lawrence said defensively, “I’m not that wild about champagne. I don’t read up on it.”
“Clearly not. Anyway, thank you for the drink.” Antoine paused, then raised his cognac glass. “Your health.”
Which was either a simple salutation or a Mafia-style warning to make the most of his health while he still had it.
“Santé,” Lawrence murmured, before taking a drink. “So, are you here for long?” Please say no.
“Haven’t decided yet. Just seeing how things go. I’m working on a movie score at the moment, but that’s the joy of computers. These days you can create music anywhere you like. And when I’m not doing that,” Antoine said pleasantly, “I can enjoy my free time in Cornwall, take a look around, see how the place has changed.” Briefly resting his fingertips on Dot’s waist, he added, “And I have an expert offering to accompany me, which makes it even better.”
This evening wasn’t turning out at all as Lawrence had planned.
“It’s still warm out on the terrace.” Dot was smiling up at Antoine. “Shall we go and sit outside?” She glanced across at Lawrence. “You’re welcome to join us if you like.”
Said in such a way that it was blindingly obvious she was only being polite.
“Thank you,” said Lawrence. “So kind, but I’ll leave you to it.” A part of him wanted to acknowledge the past, to apologize to Antoine for what he’d done, but he’d tried before, without success. It had, in fact, only made an intolerable situation worse. Which meant that this evening, here in this hotel, it was immeasurably easier to avoid the subject.
Sometimes the right words simply refused to present themselves.
Sometimes an apology wasn’t—could never be—enough.
Antoine Beauvais hopefully understood that.
“I owe you a drink,” he said now. “Let me get—”
“No, no, not necessary.” Lawrence was firm as he put down his half-finished glass of wine. “I have to go. You enjoy the rest of your evening.”
Dot, sashaying out onto the terrace with Antoine in tow, said gaily, “Don’t worry, we will!”
***
The car pulled up outside the flat just before eleven the next morning. Sophie looked out of the window and felt her heart do a Pavlovian skip of pleasure.
Okay, this was something she was going to have to keep an eye on. Enjoying someone’s company was one thing, but it mustn’t be allowed to get out of hand.
Then again, anyone with half a brain would agree that spending the day with Josh was preferable to being stuck with some stranger who chewed gum with their mouth open and was bored to tears with doing a job they hadn’t volunteered for.
Just stay in control and everything’ll be fine…
“Morning. How are you feeling?” Josh followed her into the flat.
“Better than last night.” Possibly because she’d taken more painkillers. “Thanks for doing this.”
“No problem. Tell me everything you need to take with you and I’ll start loading up the car.”
For the next few minutes Sophie pointed out the bags and cases of equipment and waited in the hallway while he carried them outside. It had taken ten minutes to ease herself out of bed this morning; a long day at work was the last thing she needed, but she’d do it if it killed her.
Although hopefully it wouldn’t.
The sun was out; it was a warm and breezy day with cotton-wool clouds scudding across the sky. “It’s the opening of a new restaurant in St. Austell,” she told Josh as they sped across country toward the south coast. “I’m taking photos of the place itself, then the food being prepared in the kitchen, plus pictures of the staff; that’s for the brochures and the website. Then there’s the party in the evening, with local dignitaries and as many glamorous guests as they can rustle up, and those photos are going to be published alongside a piece about the restaurant in one of those lifestyle magazines.”
“Which is why you couldn’t let them down,” said Josh.
“It’s a big deal for me,” Sophie said candidly. “I didn’t want to miss out on a chance like this. Those kinds of magazines usually use their own photographers. If I do a good job, they might hire me again.”
“Let’s hope you do a good job, then.”
“I will. I always do.”
“Modest.”
“Focused and professional,” said Sophie.
“All work and no play…”
“Call me dull if you want. I don’t care. This is the career I’ve always dreamed of and making it work is my number one priority. I’m not going to do anything to risk messing it up.”
“I can see that.” Josh nodded. “And what did you do before setting up the business?”
“Worked in a call center.”
“Right.”
“Exactly. It wasn’t my dream job. But I saved every penny, started buying photographic equipment, and learned as much as I could. And I’ve gotten this far,” said Sophie. “I’m doing okay. Plenty of satisfied customers who recommend me to their friends. You can’t understand how much that means to me.”
They were driving across Bodmin Moor, miles of uninterrupted countryside empty of people and golden with gorse. Josh slowed the car as they encountered a flock of sheep wandering like indolent teenagers across the narrow, winding road ahead of them.
“What?” said Sophie, aware that he’d turned his head and was watching her.
Josh’s eyes were glinting with amusement. Finally he said, “You’re definitely not dull.”
***
The restaurant, Pierrot, was done in shades of bottle green and deep purple, with white-painted floors and sleek, modern tables. The lighting was an eclectic mix of futuristic spotlights and antique French candelabras. The owners, Maddy and Max, had thrown all their money into the venture and were in a frenzy of excitement that the launch date had finally arrived.
“This is Josh, my assistant,” Sophie told them. “He’s untrained but willing to learn. I had a bit of an accident yesterday, put my back out. That’s why he’s here.”
“Poor you,” Maddy exclaimed. “And look at your poor face!”
“I know,” Sophie said with a grin. “But try not to stare at him. He can’t help it.”
***
After the initial setting up, the next couple hours were spent on photographing various aspe
cts of the restaurant, the staff, and the food being prepared in the kitchens. At three o’clock they stopped for a break outside.
“I could get used to this,” said Sophie. “Sitting back and bossing you around, making you do all the hard work.”
“That’s what I used to do with the kids from Go Destry.” Josh shielded his eyes from the sun. “Drink coffee, watch them perform, tell them what they needed to do to be better. Easy money.”
Sophie smiled, because on their way over here, they’d talked about his time managing the band and it had been anything but easy.
“Good news!” Maddy emerged through the French windows clutching her phone and doing a little victory dance. “I didn’t want to jinx it so I didn’t say anything before, but we’ve just had the call to confirm it’s happening. Perry Elson’s coming along to the party!”
“Ooh.” Sophie was impressed. “The actor?”
“He’s a friend of a friend, over from the States for a few days and staying in the area. It’ll up the coverage no end.” Maddy’s eyes were shining. “People will be that much more interested in a place if they think celebs like him have been here. And we’ve got him for a whole hour.” She beamed excitedly. “You’ll have to take loads of photos of him.”
Sophie conjured up a mental image of the young actor, who had starred in a couple of unexpectedly successful films last year and fell into the category of fast-rising star still new enough to appreciate it. He was intelligent, quirkily attractive, as yet unspoiled by fame, and universally considered one of the good guys.
Since it would be fun to photograph someone properly famous, she said, “Don’t worry, I will.”
Chapter 21
For the next couple hours they carried on working, capturing the food being crafted in the kitchen, the cheery atmosphere among the staff, and the spectacular views from the windows of the restaurant. Josh uncomplainingly shifted tripods, fetched and carried boxes of equipment, and held up reflector boards as instructed. By the time Sophie finally had everything she needed, it was six o’clock and the first of the evening’s invited guests were starting to arrive.
“How are you doing?” Josh watched as she surreptitiously arched her back and pressed her knuckles into the area around the base of her spine.
“Okay. Holding out.” She’d been moving slowly, taking care not to put any more strain on the torn muscles, but they were really starting to burn again now.
“Want me to give you a massage?”
Sophie thought about it. A massage would help; it would be perfect, just what she needed right now. She imagined how it would feel, those warm, firm fingers kneading away the pain, the unhurried physical contact of skin on skin…
Oh wow.
She looked at Josh.
Who was looking at her.
Probably best not to.
“No thanks, I’m fine.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Except you aren’t.”
Sophie eyed him steadily. “I still don’t want a massage. You might make it worse.”
And now he was giving her the kind of look that signaled how ridiculously easy it was to read her mind. Finally he said, “Okay.”
Phew.
The guests had begun to arrive. Flutes of chilled Prosecco were served, trays of canapés were brought out from the kitchen, and the buzz of anticipation gave way to the sounds of a jolly party in progress. Thankfully the sun was still out and the wind had dropped, so people were milling around outside in the garden too. Sophie moved between them, taking her favorite informal shots. Everyone was having fun, the hosts were happy, and the noise level of chatter and laughter was steadily rising.
Then Maddy and Max’s friends turned up with the evening’s star guest in tow, and the excitement in the air accelerated to the next level. Everyone was casting barely noticeable glances in their direction while pretending not to be remotely starstruck. Which was the good thing about being a professional photographer: when you were the one with the camera, it kind of meant you had to look; you didn’t have a choice.
Perry Elson had short, tufty dark hair, a cute nose, warm hazel eyes, and a winning smile that by some miracle hadn’t yet been subjected to a Hollywood dental surgeon’s makeover. He was wearing a sea-green shirt and black jeans, and was currently busy being introduced to people. Keeping in the background, Sophie carried on unobtrusively snapping away as instructed. Then Maddy brought him over to her and said, “Perry, this is Sophie, who’s taking the photographs this evening.”
“I’d noticed.” His eyes glinted with amusement. “Always worth being extra nice to the photographer. Hi, good to meet you.”
He had a just-right handshake and a way of looking at you that made you instantly feel special. It was this quality that had undoubtedly contributed to his success.
“You too.” Sophie marveled at his ability to exude charisma; it was indefinable but just…there. “Maddy wants me to take lots of pictures of you, I’m afraid.”
“Be kind, please. No drunk shots.” He pulled a comedic face, his eyes half closed, his mouth hanging open. “Or double chins.”
“I promise.” He didn’t have a double chin.
Evidently keen to move on with the introductions, Maddy said, “And this is Sophie’s assistant.” She shook her head at Josh by way of apology. “I’m so sorry. I’ve forgotten your name…”
“Josh Strachan,” Perry supplied helpfully.
Maddy looked as stunned as if one of the canapés had sat up and spoken.
“It’s okay, we know each other.” Breaking into a grin, Perry said, “Josh, how you doing? Great to see you again. This is crazy. I knew you’d left LA, but had no idea you were here. And you’re a photographer’s assistant now?” He tilted his head in Sophie’s direction. “I mean, I can understand why, when the photographer looks like this, but…”
“I had a bit of an accident yesterday.” Sophie indicated the stitches on her forehead. “Hurt my back. He’s just here helping me out.”
“Okay, I get it.” Perry nodded. “That makes sense. And are you two a couple?”
“Definitely not,” said Sophie, at the same time as Josh said, “No.”
“Well, what a coincidence, you two knowing each other!” Maddy was enthralled and wildly curious.
“Josh used to manage the band Go Destry,” Perry explained. “I was cast in the movie they made, back when I was a nobody. We used to play pool in our spare time; that’s how we got to be friends. Man, it’s good to see you again!”
“Goodness, that’s amazing.” Eyeing Josh with new respect, Maddy said, “I’m so sorry I didn’t recognize you before. Maybe we can get some photos of you too?”
***
Josh, watching as Sophie leaned against the wall in order to take the next series of shots, saw the effort she was putting into concealing the amount of pain she was in. No one else knew, but he could see it in the way she held herself, the measured way she moved, and the occasional fleeting wince when a muscle spasm caught her by surprise.
Yet she’d spent all day playing down the symptoms, insisting she was fine. For Sophie, pride and professionalism were paramount. Which was what had made last night’s experience in the bathroom all the more endearing and enjoyable. Lifting her out of the bath and briefly experiencing her half-naked body pressed against his had been a defining moment, a highlight of their…well, whatever it was they’d shared so far. A friendship, yes, hopefully that. A relationship…not the kind of relationship he would have chosen, that was for sure. But for the first time yesterday, he’d sensed that the one-sidedness of the situation might not be entirely one-sided after all. Maybe he’d imagined it…or wanted to imagine it…but something had told him Sophie might not be as utterly unaffected by him as she’d been making out.
Which was both a good sign and utterly frustrating, because why would she persist in refusing to relax and enjoy a
relationship that had the potential to be fantastic?
From across the room, he watched as Perry chatted with a group of people clustered adoringly around him. Glancing up and catching Josh’s eye, Perry charmingly excused himself from the group and came over to join him.
“You’re doing great,” said Josh. “Good job.”
“Oh man, they’re nice people.” Sitting alongside him on the window seat, Perry discreetly massaged his jaw. “What no one ever realizes is how tiring it is, being nice the whole time. My face aches from smiling. My brain hurts from saying all the right things, making polite conversation instead of coming out with whatever I want to say.”
“I know.” Josh nodded; the members of Go Destry had told him the same thing on so many occasions. Being endlessly on show was both an occupational hazard and an exhausting process.
“Anyhow, not for much longer. I can leave soon.” Checking his watch, Perry said, “A couple days off, then it’s back up to London. So what’s the situation with the girl? I saw you just now, watching her.”
“If you ask her out, she says no,” said Josh.
Perry laughed. “You mean you asked her out and she said no.”
“Not just me; others have tried and failed. She’s just not interested. Allegedly.”
“But you think she might be?”
“I have no idea.” Josh shrugged. “And I just hate not knowing.”
“Why don’t I ask her?”
“I don’t think she’d tell you.”
“Okay then, why don’t I ask her out? See what happens?”
Josh hesitated. Now this was a scenario he wasn’t sure he was comfortable with. He’d asked Sophie out and been turned down, but the rest had been hearsay. Riley and Tula had both told him she wasn’t the dating kind, but what if she were to say yes to Perry Elson?
Because if she did, he’d look completely stupid. And wouldn’t feel too good about it either.
Then again, at least he’d have his definitive answer. Like it or not, he would know.
“Fine,” he said. “Try it. But be subtle.”