‘That’s true. I live in a flat so mine are on either side and above and below me. Not the same at all.’
28
CALLUM
The place didn’t feel the same after Tasha and Riley had moved from the cottage, although she had emailed to let him know he had been given the part in the series. By the end of his stay at the manor Callum was glad to return to his own flat. He suspected the rest of his family were ready to get back to some sense of normalcy too. He stood in his spotless living room thinking the place was so pristine it was difficult to believe his mother and stepfather had been here at all, let alone stayed for almost a week.
Callum was missing seeing as much of Tasha but spotting a fresh cabbage loaf on the worktop, cheered slightly. He always loved the delicious soft, white bread with its extra crispy crust and wondered what else his mother had brought for his return. Intrigued, he opened the fridge door and seeing the shelves packed with fresh French cheeses, neatly packaged sliced ham, several cooked meals neatly piled on top of each other ready for him to heat up, he smiled.
How typical of his mother to want to ensure he had all he needed. Callum was glad for once that she still didn’t seem to think he was grown up enough to care adequately for himself, despite living away from home for the past ten years. He wondered why he expected anything less.
He was eager to prepare for next week’s radio shows and sat down at his laptop to start work. He wasn’t sure how long he had been busy when his front door opened and Erin raced in.
‘Why aren’t you answering your phone?’
‘I hadn’t realised I’d received any calls.’ Remembering turning the sound off a few hours earlier, he picked up his phone and checked he hadn’t missed any calls from his grandfather or Tasha. Seeing only three missed calls and each of them from his sister, he saved his work and sat back in his chair.
‘Go on then, I can tell you’ve got some news.’ He hoped it wasn’t anything to do with the Riley drama. Trying to gauge her mood, Callum doubted it could be. Erin seemed far too cheerful for it to be anything to do with that situation. ‘Well?’
‘I’m going on location.’
Unsure what she meant, he shrugged and shook his head. ‘Sorry, what?’
‘Someone from the hair department just called me and told me their usual hairdresser had been taken ill. I gather you recommended me.’
Callum thought back to him asking Lettie. ‘That’s amazing, sis.’
‘It is and all thanks to you. They looked up my website and photos and reviews from my fabulous clients and I’ve been called on set because they urgently need someone to step in.’ She beamed at him. She flung out her arms and did a twirl, almost knocking one of the glasses on a nearby shelf.
‘Hey, careful of those. Mum won’t be impressed if you break them. They were a flat-warming gift from her and Barry.’
She looked at the shelf. ‘They’re fine. I didn’t touch them. Anyway, what do you think? Exciting, isn’t it?’ Her face fell. ‘What if I’m not good enough?’
‘We both know you are,’ he said, relieved he had thought to ask Lettie to keep her in mind and that an opportunity had arisen. ‘This is brilliant for you, Erin. Congratulations. They’ll be lucky to have you there.’ A troubling thought occurred to him.
Her eyes narrowed. ‘I sense a but coming.’
He forced himself to continue. ‘What if you’re seen on location with, or near, Riley? Don’t you think that’ll be playing into the paparazzi’s hands?’
‘But this is different. I’d be there on a professional level. Surely no one will question that?’
He wasn’t sure whether she didn’t see the problem, or just didn’t want to. ‘And who will look after the salon while you’re away?’
‘My manager will, Callum.’ Erin glowered at him when he didn’t answer. ‘Don’t ruin this moment for me. You can see how happy I am and we both know how brilliant this could be for my business.’
‘If you’re happy to take that chance, then go for it.’ He smiled. ‘You know I’ll support you whatever you decide to do.’
Her expression softened. ‘I know you will. You’re always there for me.’ She pulled a face. ‘Even when I’m being impossible.’
He laughed. ‘Especially then.’
Erin picked up Callum’s work notepad and began reading his messy writing.
Not ready to share the identity of the following week’s interviewees, he snatched the pad from her hand and put it down on the table. ‘I don’t know why I’m worried,’ he said, recalling his own invitation to watch the filming. ‘I’ll be there a lot of the time too.’
She stared at him. ‘You will?’ Then after a moment’s thought, gave Callum a knowing smile. ‘This wouldn’t have anything to do with Tasha, I suppose.’
‘It might do.’ Seeing his sister’s eyebrows rise in a questioning look, he sighed. ‘She suggested I watch the filming to help me prepare for my small role in the show.’
