It dawned on him how important privacy was to most celebrities and that he probably shouldn’t have let her know he already knew their address, so he decided to be open with her. ‘Lettie mentioned it to me.’
‘She did?’
Tasha didn’t sound pleased.
‘Only because she knows I’ll be staying at the manor house next door.’
‘Really?’
He wasn’t sure if that was a happy response, but at least she didn’t sound as angry now. ‘That’s right. I’ll be there with most of my family to celebrate my grandfather’s eightieth. It’s a surprise party.’
‘That sounds lovely.’
‘I hope it works out well. As far as he’s concerned he’s being taken somewhere for a birthday meal. He has no idea where, so is ready for some sort of surprise, but not all his family and friends being together on the island to celebrate his big day.’
‘What an incredible way to celebrate his birthday.’
‘My father is packing a bag for him and of course he’ll be able to return home for anything else he needs, but we thought a week together in a beautiful manor house would be something special and memorable.’
‘I think it sounds idyllic.’
‘I hope it turns out that way. I must admit I’m looking forward to it, but we have quite a bit of preparation still to do and we have to hope that the weather stays good.’
‘I suppose you will want to make the most of the gardens. I’ve only driven past the ones in front of the manor house but everything looks like something from Chelsea Flower Show.’
‘That’s good to know. I haven’t been there yet, only seen the photos the agent showed me when I went to sign the contract for our stay. No, the weather is important because we have quite a few of Grandad’s friends flying over and we can get those days when fog settles on the island and all flights are delayed or cancelled. I’m hoping everyone can get here to celebrate with him.’
‘I’ll cross everything that happens then.’
‘Thank you,’ he said, thinking how kind she seemed. ‘I’ll have a look for the phone and if I find it I’ll bring it to the cottage if that suits you?’
‘That would be perfect. Thanks, Callum.’
‘It’s no problem at all,’ he said honestly.
She ended the call and Callum hoped he did find the lost phone.
The following evening, Callum placed Riley’s phone on the coffee table in front of him, meaning to email Tasha and ask whether he could pop it round in an hour or so, but before doing that he decided to quickly reply to another email so he could tick off one more item on his list of jobs to do in preparation for the party. He had just pasted in all the information when there was a bellow from his front door.
‘You in?’ Erin called as she let herself in.
‘Kitchen.’ He frowned, trying to remember what he had been about to add to the email to the taxi firm he had booked to collect several of the guests from the airport upon their arrival.
‘What you doing?’ She stopped on the other side of the small table by the window briefly before picking up a clean glass from the draining board and pouring herself some water. ‘It’s hot and sticky outside. I can’t stand this weather, drives me nuts and makes my hair go all kinky.’
Typing the same word twice, Callum looked over at her. ‘Did you want something or are you just here to bother me?’
She leant against the worktop and took a sip of the water. ‘Someone’s grumpy today.’
He glared at her. ‘I’ll be even grumpier if you don’t leave me in peace to deal with this.’
‘Grandad’s party?’
He sighed. ‘Yes.’
‘Everything not sorted yet then?’
He gave her a look of disdain. ‘What do you think?’
