‘Great idea, although I doubt the owners of this place, or the gardens, would welcome us pinching so much.’
She nudged him and laughed. ‘I was joking.’
‘I know you were.’ He reached out to see if she would take his hand, delighted when he felt Tasha’s cool, soft fingers taking hold of his. ‘This is just what I needed this morning.’
‘And me.’
They walked on a bit. Intrigued to know more about her, Callum said, ‘You’ve met most of my family but I realised this morning I don’t know anything much about you at all.’
He wasn’t sure but thought he felt her tense momentarily. ‘Like what?’
Unsure what to suggest, Callum thought for a moment. ‘I don’t know. Um, where you’re from? Are you an only child or one of a dozen children? Are your parents still together, or divorced like mine?’
20
TASHA
Tasha’s heart dropped. She didn’t want to talk about her family with him but sensed he would wonder why that might be if she didn’t respond in some way. ‘Near Chichester in Sussex. I’m an only child and my parents are still very much together.’
She hated that Callum had asked about her family. His seemed such a large and close family and she was embarrassed to show how disconnected she was with hers. She thought of all the effort his family had put into giving Keith the best birthday possible, while with her family she was considered disloyal if she didn’t do as her parents thought she should.
She knew she shouldn’t be so concerned about what someone else thought of her family, but this was someone she liked rather more than was probably good for her. If there was one thing she did know about Callum, it was that he was trustworthy and kind. Not the sort of man to throw information back in her face or use it against her, as her ex-boyfriend Toby had been prone to do.
‘Sorry, I’ve got so used to being very private that I now find it a bit difficult to open up to people.’
‘That’s fine,’ he said, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. ‘It’s none of my business anyway.’ He gave her a sweet smile. ‘And it’s not as if we’ve known each other very long.’
‘That’s true, I suppose.’ Feeling a little better, she added, ‘And I’ve only met your family because of the party and staying next door.’
‘There, you see? All perfectly understandable.’
They walked on a little further, then Callum stopped her by gently pulling her hand. ‘I do like you though, Tasha. I know you’re returning to England soon but I would like to stay in touch, if you’re up for it.’
She liked the idea. Very much. ‘Yes, that sounds good. Riley will hopefully be back to film the second series in a few months and if I still haven’t given in my notice I should be accompanying him.’
‘That’s true.’ He laughed. ‘What do you think the odds are that you’ll still be working for him by then?’
She had no idea and said so. ‘This situation isn’t helping either. Although, to be honest, he has been taken aback by it. Usually Riley is carefree and uncaring who he hurts, but this time I’ve seen another side of him and he really is concerned for Erin.’
‘You sound surprised.’
She shrugged. ‘That’s because I am.’ She thought of Brooke, and as much as she didn’t like the woman she couldn’t help feeling badly for her. ‘Although I’m not sure how bothered he is about Brooke’s feelings, so he clearly hasn’t changed all that much.’
Callum frowned. ‘That is a shame.’
Her phone buzzed. ‘Sorry, I have to see what this is about.’ Seeing that the email was from production, Tasha opened it and read.
‘Problem?’
‘I’m not sure.’ She stared at him, wondering if she dare ask Callum for his help. She thought of Riley’s behaviour and how it could all end badly for Callum’s sister. No, she decided, she couldn’t ask him. She realised Callum was giving her an amused, knowing smile. ‘What?’
‘Is there something you want to ask me.’ He laughed. ‘Or, going by the range of expressions that have passed across your face in the last minute or so, maybe you don’t want to ask me.’
She groaned. ‘Has anyone ever remarked on how perceptive you can be?’
‘Many times. I think it’s got something to do with interviewing personalities for my shows. I need to read them to know when to push my questions and when to change the subject.’
She raised her eyebrows. ‘Well, you’ve certainly got a knack of picking up when someone is arguing with themselves about whether or not to ask you something.’
