He laughed. ‘Just tell me what it is.’
She cringed. ‘I’m not sure.’
‘Go on. What have you got to lose?’ He grinned at her. ‘I really am happy to help you in any way I can.’
She placed her phone down onto the table in front of them and pointed to the email, explaining as she read. ‘You probably know how tight timing is for this extra filming. Well, there’s now an issue with one of the supporting actors. It’s only a small part and I know there will be people on the island with experience to step in, but the problem is time.’
‘I’m sorry, I have no idea what you’re asking of me.’
‘This is an email from the producer’s secretary. She’s tipping me off that the actor due to film opposite Riley soon has had some sort of meltdown and can’t face finishing the last scene. He’s only done one so far, so they can quickly reshoot that but still need someone to agree to do it.’
‘Right,’ he said, clearly confused.
She stared at him thoughtfully. ‘I’d like to put your name forward to the director to play the part. It’s opposite Riley,’ she said, wanting to be transparent and not set Callum up for any nasty surprises. ‘He tends to have a way of making less experienced actors feel anxious, as you can probably imagine.’
She could see Callum wasn’t convinced. ‘And you think he won’t have that effect on me?’
Tasha raised her eyebrows. ‘I’ve seen you with him, remember. You’re always polite but you’re no pushover. You also have experience of shoots with your modelling.’
‘Exactly – shoots, maybe the odd advert but not having a part in a television series.’
She gave him a pleading look. ‘Please at least consider the suggestion for me. It’s a tiny part in two scenes and I know you’ll be fine with it.’
‘I’m glad you do.’
Not wishing to make him panic, she added, ‘Look, I still have to put your name forward. I can show the director photos I’ve found online.’
His mouth slowly drew back in a smile. ‘You’ve been searching for me online?’
Why had she said that? ‘For this.’ It was a fib and she hoped he didn’t realise the email from the producer’s secretary was the first time she had known about the part being vacant. ‘Oh, go on, Callum. Say you’ll do it.’
When he didn’t answer, she tried a different tactic. ‘Fine, then at least confirm you don’t mind me putting your name forward.’
‘OK, I’ll agree to that.’
She picked up her phone to respond to the email before Callum had a chance to change his mind.
21
CALLUM
He dried the last handful of cutlery, wondering how Tasha had managed to persuade him to let her put his name forward. He had no interest in acting. The few adverts he’d filmed had been bad enough. Slow and boring was what he mostly recalled about doing them. He frowned. Maybe it wouldn’t be too bad, he mused. He would be able to see Tasha when they were recording. She was always somewhere nearby Riley when she was working. He might even be surprised and enjoy himself. Feeling calmer about the whole thing, his mind wandered to Erin. He hoped his sister was doing all right and getting on with Riley, seeing as she seemed to like him an awful lot. She would be fine, too, he decided. He put each piece of cutlery neatly away in the kitchen drawer, feeling much better than he had shortly before. His phone buzzed and, seeing it was a message from Lettie, Callum put down the cutlery and read it.
Why don’t you bring Tasha and pop round for a bit. It would be lovely to see you both and you can tell us how the party went. L
Happy to have a reason to visit the farm again, Callum hung up the tea towel before he turned to his father. ‘I thought I’d pop by and visit a couple of friends while Grandad is out with his friends for lunch. I have something I need to ask them but shouldn’t be too long.’
‘Take your time. Your grandfather has several people wanting to meet up with him. I’ll see you later.’
He got into his car and was about to drive off when he thought of Lettie’s message and decided that if Riley was out somewhere, Tasha would be alone at the cottage and might want to join him for his visit to the farm. He turned left and drove the short way down to the cottage, pressing the hooter twice in quick succession.
Tasha appeared from the garden, a questioning look on her face. ‘You’ve not changed your mind, I hope?’
He shook his head. ‘Not at all. I just wondered whether you might like to come with me for an hour or so. If you’re not too busy, that is?’
She stared at him thoughtfully for a couple of seconds, then raised a finger in the air. ‘Wait there. I’ll be two minutes.’
Unable to help himself, Callum smiled. Maybe today was going to be brighter than he had expected. She came running out of the house carrying her phone and sunglasses and got into the car.
