She shrugged. ‘Then how can they complain about a party they were invited to attend, if it’s their choice not to bother going?’
Callum was pretty sure that Riley would complain if he felt like it whether he had been invited or not but wasn’t in the mood to argue with his sister.
‘Fine, then I might pop down there later and invite the pair of them.’
He saw the mischievous twinkle in his sister’s eyes.
‘What now?’
‘Nothing,’ she said, grinning, clearly amused.
‘What, Erin?’
‘I suspect you were hoping for a reason to go down there all along.’ When he didn’t respond, she added, ‘You know? To visit Tasha?’
‘Erin?’
‘Yes?’
‘Go and find something useful to do and stop bugging me, will you?’
He watched his sister laugh and saunter away, aware that he was only irritated because she had been right. He was only too happy to chat to Tasha again.
12
TASHA
‘Who the hell was that lot?’ Riley grumbled as Bill drove the car smoothly down the long driveway.
‘That will be Callum and his family and friends. Remember? The family party I told you about yesterday.’
‘Well, I hope they know better than to come and bother me asking for autographs.’
Arrogant fool, Tasha thought. Most people would be wondering how to get along with their temporary neighbours, but not Riley.
The driver slowed to a stop in front of the cottage and Tasha waited to see if Riley had anything else he felt he needed to whinge about before they went inside. Unsurprised when he didn’t, she followed him out of the car after the driver had opened the door.
‘The property manager messaged a little while ago to say they’ve restocked the fridge and pantry for us while we were out,’ Tasha said, reading the email she must have missed earlier. ‘She hopes we find everything to our liking.’
‘Did you tell her that I can only drink that one particular brand of bottled water?’
Tasha wasn’t sure why he was asking this, especially as he had been drinking the water since their arrival weeks before. ‘She knows all your requirements.’
Seemingly satisfied, Riley walked into the building and she followed, struggling not to show her irritation with him.
He ambled into the living room and slumped heavily on the pale blue and gold brocade sofa, a bored look on his face.
Not wishing to spend any more time with him than necessary, Tasha went back to the car to help Bill fetch their bags. ‘It’s fine, I can take these,’ she said. ‘You get on to your next job and we’ll see you at 7a.m. tomorrow.’
‘Fine. I’ll bring his croissants from the bakery. Are you sure you don’t want me to bring you something in the morning?’
She shook her head. ‘No, thanks. I’ll eat before we go.’
‘I’ll be off then.’ Bill gave her a wave. ‘You’re filming at Green Island tomorrow, I believe.’
She picked up her handbag and two larger bags containing Riley’s clothes and other bits he liked to have with him for filming, like the copy of his script, snacks, his special shampoo and conditioner he insisted the hairdresser on set used and his own make-up sponges and sable brushes.
‘Thanks, Tasha.’ He raised an eyebrow. ‘Himself seems in one of his less friendly moods today. You’d think he’d be happy to spend time in a place like this, wouldn’t you?’
