‘Oh, not really,’ she replied nonchalantly. ‘Compared to some people’s – celebrities and stuff – it’s nothing.’
‘Nothing?’ Emilia repeated, glancing at Antonio. ‘I think it is something indeed.’ She looked at Kim keenly. ‘The photos are wonderful, but what I read was also very good.Wisdom far greater than is usually found in someone your age. You have some beautiful ideas on life and how it should be lived.’
Granted the photos were hers and she’d paired them with what she felt were the perfect anecdotes and captions, but really … Kim could never have come up with stuff like that on her own.
Still, it felt good to be praised. It was a very long time since Kim had been complimented about anything other than her looks.
‘Thank you,’ she said, taking a drink of water.
‘Why don’t you use this? Build on it?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘That wisdom. Why don’t you share it? You’ve already created an impressive following in such a short space of time. But people respond even better to people – to faces – and I’d be willing to bet that if you yourself appeared in some of these posts – along with your wise words – people would love it even more.’
A small laugh escaped Kim as she listened. ‘I don’t understand …’
‘My wife works in magazines, remember?’ Antonio reminded her. ‘She knows of what she speaks.’
‘The industry is on the crest of a new wave – a huge disruptor,’ Emilia continued. ‘Social media is the way forward, especially in the fashion industry. We see it all the time – people like those silly American girls now becoming more popular and influential than some of the world’s top models.’
Kim made a face. ‘The Kardashians, you mean?’
‘Yes. But I don’t mean you should be like those,showcasing make-up and plastic eyelashes. I am thinking something more … holistic.’
‘Ah, I understand,’ said Antonio, nodding sagely. ‘Wellness is a huge industry, growing at an incredible rate.’ He winked at Kim. ‘Listen to my wife – she is the greatest business visionary I have ever known.’
And as Kim sat in a restaurant in the Italian sunshine, high above the Tyrrhenian Sea, she chatted with two complete strangers about how she could, in fact, monetise the audience she had so far and perhaps turn The Sweet Life into something much, much more than a travel diary.
Chapter 37
Then
There was no point in denying it. Despite her best intentions, Annie had fallen, and fallen hard.
She’d tried her utmost to convince herself (and the others) that she was playing it cool, but there was no pretending that she really missed Harry whenever they were apart and couldn’t wait to be with him.
Had Annie O’Doherty finally allowed her world-weary heart to be melted?
‘Outagainwith lover boy tonight?’ Kim smirked as Annie got ready to meet him that evening. ‘Should we wait up or just catch you in the morning?’
‘I’ll be back later, smart-arse,’ she replied archly.
‘I wasn’t trying to be smart,’ Kim declared, all innocence. ‘I was just wondering if we should lock up or leave the back door unlocked for you.’
‘You can leave it open, I won’t be too late. Who knows, maybe I’ll bring him back with me,’ she added with a wink.
‘I wish you would. I’d so love to meet this hot stud who’s been keeping you so entertained. Between you and Colette, I’m starting to get lonely. Where is she, by the way?’
‘Out with Luca. He did indeed call to pick her up while you were out. Maybe I was wrong about him being a chancer. But now I do feel bad for leaving you all on your own, actually. Do you want to come out with me?’
‘Don’t be silly, I was only kidding. I’ve had a long day myself so am going to turn in early.’
A beeping horn outside the gates from the taxi she’d called sent Annie rushing for the door. ‘Honestly, I shouldn’t be back too late tonight, I promise. See you later if you’re still up. And Colette – that is if lovely Luca’s not ravishing her on his boat again.’ She grinned and fanned her face. ‘Lucky wagon.’
Kim laughed. ‘Have fun.’
Arriving at his hotel – their agreed meeting spot – Annie headed straight to reception to have them call up and let Harry know she was here, but to her surprise he was already waiting for her in the lobby.
