“You mean you knew?”
“Sure. It came up at the full-cast meeting. And Nigel wouldn’t have said he was leaving in front of those studio execs at the Christmas party unless he meant it.”
“I thought it was a ploy for more money.”
“I can see why you might have.” Lindsay shook her head. “Wow. Four leads bowing out. It’s hard to imagine how the show could continue without them.”
Julia studied her. “I thought you’d be more upset.I’mupset. Why am I the only one upset?”
“Julia, what do you—” Lindsay fell silent for a moment as the server returned with her cappuccino. “Of course this is sad,” she continued when he had walked away. “I’ll be sorry to say goodbye to everyone too, but isn’t that the nature of this business? We come together, we create something wonderful, and then we move on to something new, each of us better for the time spent in good company.”
“You’re remarkably philosophical for someone so young,” said Julia wryly. “As for me, I don’t want the series to end. I’ve put my heart and soul into it, and trust me when I say the camaraderie we’ve enjoyed on this set is a rare and precious thing.”
“That’s a fair point.” Lindsay sipped her cappuccino pensively. “What’s the good news?”
“What do you mean?”
“You said, ‘First, the bad news.’ What’s the good news?”
“There is no good news, only more bad news. Elm Creek Quilts is in trouble.”
Lindsay set down her cup. “Oh, no. Really? What sort of trouble?”
“Financial. From the sound of it, operating expenses are up sharply, revenues are flat, and some major remodeling projects might just push them over the edge.”
“Over the edge into bankruptcy?”
“No one used that word, but—”
“But that would be terrible,” Lindsay exclaimed. “My mom absolutely loves quilt camp. She’d be heartbroken if they closed—” She drew in a breath sharply. “They aren’t going to close, are they?”
“Not if we can help it. I think it’s possible to solve both of these problems with the same solution.”
Lindsay shook her head, uncomprehending. “I don’t see the connection.”
The server arrived with their meal, forcing another pause in their conversation. Julia smiled and thanked him, watching from the corner of her eye as Lindsay tried to puzzle it out.
When they were alone again, Julia said, “We take the cast and crew on a road trip to Elm Creek Quilt Camp to refresh our quilting skills, or to learn for the first time, as the case may be. We’ll have such a wonderful time together that everyone will want to givePatchworkanother few seasons. Our fees will give Elm Creek Quilts a much-needed cash infusion, enough for them to fix their roof and set something aside for the next disaster. It’ll work. Trust me.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you,” Lindsay said carefully, picking up her fork. “It’s just—”
“What?”
“Well, as far as schemes go, this is lessOcean’s Elevenand more...A Simple Plan. Not to imply that you’re an aspiring criminal mastermind or anything.”
“Maybe it isn’t a foolproof plan, but I have to try,” said Julia, impassioned. “Let’s say for the sake of argument that we convince the cast and crew to join us at quilt camp—or rather, to spend a marvelous week at a luxurious nineteenth-century mansion amid the autumnal splendor of rural central Pennsylvania, for a restful yet productive working vacation they’ll never forget.”
Lindsay laughed. “Wow, Julia. Way to spin it. You should write advertising copy.”
“I’ll keep my day job, thanks.” With Lindsay’s help, she just might. “Look, if nothing else, we’ll enjoy a wonderful time together and return to the set with improved quilting skills and a greater understanding of quilting heritage, all of which will help us make season six our best yet. If things go as I hope, those who are planning to leave might have second thoughts, which would help the rest of us remain employed a little while longer.”
“Employment is good,” Lindsay admitted.
“Plus, we’ll help Elm Creek Quilts stay in business.”
“Also a very good thing.” Lindsay toyed with her fork, thinking. “All right. I suppose it wouldn’t do any harm, and I can’t think of a better plan. If nothing else, we’ll be supporting Elm Creek Quilts, and I’ll gladly do that, for my mom’s sake.” She hesitated. “What exactly do you need me to do?”
“You can be the first to sign up for our quilting retreat—well, second, after me—and you can encourage others to join us.”
