She sighs. I hear a keyboard clacking. “You’ve had a couple of brands cancel contracts. I’ll send you the updated list.”I make a wounded noise. “It’s to be expected. Things will pick back up.”
I don’t even want to ask. “What about the Icons Only collab?”
“No news from them.”
I sag with relief. Thank God. That’s the only brand deal that really matters to me. If I lose that, I might just give up.
“What else? Oh, ADHD Voices thank you for your generous monthly donation. They’re asking again if you want to become a public rep for them.”
I squirm. “No. Thank them for their offer though. It just…”
“Sure. I get it, babe.”
ADHD Voices is a charity that funds private treatment for adults with ADHD. They helped me years ago after I dropped out of uni, asked my doctor to see an ADHD specialist, and was put on a snappy three-year waiting list. I’ve been donating to them ever since I started making influencer money. They do great work, but I don’t want to be a rep for them. That would be a little too raw. A little toome.
“Are you sure you want to stay up there? Alone?”Lulu asks. “I’m worried about you on your own in the middle of nowhere. If you come back to London, at least I’ll be with you.”
“I’ll be fine. I just need to hide away for a bit, I think.” There are crunching footsteps in the grass, and I look up to see Cameron and Fraser both stepping out into the garden. “Actually, my Airbnb host is here now. I should check with him. Call you back?”
“Ooh. He’s a he? Is he hot?”
I remember Cameron’s arms around me last night. “Er. Yes. One might say that.”
“Well,nowI get why you want to stay on a gross-ass farm. I fully support you staying in Scotland and getting a knobbing. Okay, call you later, babe.”She hangs up.
I wave at the men. “Cameron!” I call over the garden. Both men pause. Cameron reluctantly trudges towards me.
“What,” he says. He’s put on a brown jacket that hugs his shoulders, and I try to ignore how good it looks on him.
“Can I extend my stay a bit? Like, maybe until the end of the week?”
His face is steely. “Why.”
“There’s, um, some stuff going on in London I’d like a break from.”
“We don’t let guests stay that long. The cabin is meant to be an overnight rest stop.”
Crap. “Can you make an exception?” I ask hopefully. “I can pay you extra.”
“We don’t let guests stay that long,” he repeats flatly. “I don’t care about your money.”
“Oh. Okay.” I wilt.
There’s a pause. “What kind of stuff is going on in London?” he asks.
“Er. Unpleasant stuff?” I say honestly, and his face flickers. “Please? It would be a massive help.” I do my best smile at him.
His jaw tightens. A few seconds pass. Wind gushes through the garden. “Fine,” he says eventually.
Relief floods me. “Oh my God, thank you so much! Thank you!”
“Stop saying that. I’ll update it in the app.” He turns and heads off again.
My shoulders slump. ThankGod.It’s all going to be okay. I’ll keep posting here for a few days, and this whole thing will blow over, and then my life will go back to normal again. Phew.
“Couldn’t get enough of us?” Fraser calls, tramping over to join me.
“Nope,” I say, running my eyes over him. He’s put on agorgeoustartan scarf that I am immediately deadly jealous of. I need to make sure I go shopping before my trip is up. The thought cheers me up even more. Everything will be fine. This will be fun. Like a mini holiday. I ignore the anxiety still thrumming through me.
