‘Ah.’
He reread the email and, satisfied it gave all the information the person had requested, sent it off. ‘I’m trying to cover all bases. This was about the taxis I’ve booked for guests.’
She looked around the room. ‘I think you’re very brave offering your place to Mum and Barry.’
‘Why, don’t you think it looks OK?’
She shrugged one shoulder. ‘Not at all – it looks amazing compared to my messy flat.’
He wished Erin wouldn’t make him panic unnecessarily. ‘What then?’
‘Well, we both know Mum is bound to make changes to where you store things, or tidy wardrobes and stuff like that. She always has to declutter and move things to how she feels they look best.’
Erin was right, but he had too much on his mind to care much about that now. ‘Then I’ll just have to move it all back again to how I like it after she’s left, won’t I?’
‘I guess. And you don’t mind giving up your place for them?’
‘Not if it keeps everyone happy, no.’
Erin spotted the phone and picked it up, turning it over in her hand. ‘Who does this belong to? It’s not your usual one.’
‘It’s Riley Sharp’s,’ he replied without thinking.
‘What?’
‘He left it at the studio and I need to return it to him.’
Callum sighed, trying to decide whether to mention Tasha and Riley’s situation to his sister.
She gasped and stepped over to the table. ‘What is it? I can tell there’s something you’re keeping from me.’
Stifling a groan and knowing from experience that it was far easier to give in straight away and tell his sister something than to put up with her going on about it, he relented and explained about Riley and Tasha’s staying in the cottage and his concerns about disturbing them.
Her mouth dropped open for a couple of seconds, before drawing back into a wide delighted smile. ‘This is amazing news.’
‘I can see I shouldn’t have told you.’
Erin squealed in excitement. ‘Rubbish, you didn’t have much choice. We both know I would have got it out of you somehow.’ She laughed. ‘I’m only teasing you. This is exciting though.’ She took another sip of her water. ‘I can’t believe I’m going to meet Riley Sharp in the flesh.’
‘Hold on. No, you’re not.’ Callum glared at her. ‘He’s very protective of his privacy, Erin. You’re not to bother him. Promise me.’
Shaking her head, Erin laughed. ‘You really do worry about everything, don’t you?’
‘I do not,’ he lied. ‘Only the important things.’
His laptop pinged.
‘Maybe that’s him emailing you,’ she joked.
He looked down and saw Tasha had replied. ‘His PA actually.’
He smiled at his sister’s aghast expression. ‘Close your mouth, Erin, you look as if you’re doing an impression of a goldfish.’
He typed a quick response before he closed his laptop, picked up the phone and stood.
‘You’re going to take it to him? Now?’
‘Yes.’
