Chapter 10
Emma was in the kitchen loading the dishwasher when Felix entered.
‘Can we talk?’ he asked.
‘Yes, should I put the kettle on?’
He nodded. ‘Good idea,’ he said and sat down at the kitchen table. He’d wanted to see Emma alone so had decided to come down into the kitchen where he knew she would be working. Polly was in the drawing room reading her script in preparation for the filming starting in two days’ time.
Once both were at the table with a coffee, Felix began to explain what to expect when the production team arrived.
‘All the crew are being put up in a country hotel nearby in Yealand. Polly will be joining them,’ he told her. This immediately put Emma at ease. ‘If you could provide refreshments mid-day for the cast and team, that would be great.’
‘No problem,’ Emma replied, thankful that she wasn’t required to look after a house full of staying guests. To make lunch for them all wasn’t a big ask.
‘During filming I’d also ask you to stay clear of certain rooms, but you’ll be notified well in advance,’ Felix continued.
‘Yes, of course.’ Emma had already anticipated something like this, knowing interruptions wouldn’t be welcome with cameras rolling and, for continuity, they probably wouldn’t want her moving items around for dusting.
‘There could be one or two evening meetings, depending on how the production’s going,’ he warned.
‘Okay,’ replied Emma, taking it all in.
‘So,’ Felix grinned, sitting back, ‘are you ready for the mayhem to begin?’ He eyed her carefully. She had poise, he’d give her that. Considering her age, she had a level head on her shoulders. He thought back ten years to when he was twenty-five. At her age, he’d been in a travelling theatre, touring up and down the country, living it up with a crowd of actors most days, performing at night and then getting drunk after the show. A far cry from running a huge house on a deserted peninsula with a film crew about to land. Even Jennifer would have shown a degree of disgruntlement at the notion of having to contend with such a hectic schedule ahead of her. But Emma remained composed, still smiling, those incredible amber eyes of hers twinkling with delight. Her chestnut curls were tied up in a colourful silk scarf. He suddenly got the urge to pull it and loosen her hair free… She frowned at his continued stare.
He coughed and sat up straight. ‘Right, is there anything you want to ask?’
‘How long will it take to complete the drama?’
He laughed. ‘Good question. It all depends, but hopefully by the beginning of summer. There’ll be a break for Christmas and a few scenes need to be shot in warm weather. Ironically, it’s the opening scenes that will be filmed last,’ he explained.
This surprised Emma. ‘You mean it’s not going to be filmed in order?’
‘No,’ Felix smiled, this was a common preconception, that all scenes were shot in sequence. ‘The drama starts with Lady Scarlett taking a summer vacation at her holiday home, ‘Charades’.’
Emma burst into giggles.
‘This house, it’s going to be called Charades?’
‘Yes,’ Felix smiled. ‘In fact, we’ve a house sign made. I’ll show it you.’
‘Oh please!’ Emma squealed.
‘Come on then, it’s in the library.’
Once there, Felix opened the drawer to his desk and pulled out a large sign in matte black, with white lettering in a Mackintosh font. It would run the full length over the front doors.
‘Oh, it’s fab!’ admired Emma. ‘Charades feels very apt somehow.’ She imagined antiquated parlour games, gaiety and high spirits. ‘Did you think of that name?’
‘Mhmm, I did actually,’ he laughed.
Emma gazed at him musingly. His cheeks formed adorable dimples when he laughed and his pale blue eyes shone. He looked far more relaxed than he did a few days ago. At times he appeared a touch pale and drawn, but his complexion was a healthy tanned today. He mentioned his mother was French, perhaps that’s why he had that colouring? Now it was his turn to look puzzled at her assessing him. But Emma didn’t hide her inquisitiveness.
‘Is Paschal a family name?’ she asked unexpectedly.
‘Yes, it’s my mother’s maiden name,’ he answered.
‘Ah, I see,’ nodded Emma.
