Their eyes met. It was as though a cloud between them was dissipating, and they were seeing each other clearly for the first time. Emma blinked first, tipping her head towards the house sign.
‘Are you going to keep the name?’ she joked, in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere and break through the tension that was suddenly fizzing in the air.
‘I just might,’ he teased back.
Poppy had finished with learning her lines and had set about searching for company, nipping down to the kitchen for a coffee with Emma. They had hit it off the other night over supper – it made a refreshing change to be treated as a regular person and the three of them had chatted and laughed easily. Polly had been surprised to learn that Emma had only recently been made housekeeper.
‘Really? I thought you’d been here for ages,’ she’d commented.
‘No, I’m still finding my way around.’ Emma gave a wry grin.
‘Well, you certainly look at home to me,’ replied Polly, meaning it as a compliment. Emma did look at home, in a well-balanced way. She made the place welcoming with her helpful ways and warmth. Not at all like Felix’s PA who she’d met a couple of times in London. She’d reminded Polly of her old headmistress.
Felix had thrown his head back in laughter when she’d told him.
‘Jennifer keeps me in check,’ he’d admitted. He had also admitted to himself he was glad Jennifer was back in London and that he was coming home to a very different lady in Lancashire.
Polly was enjoying her stay in Felix’s house but she was ready to join the rest of the cast now. She had found her time here invaluable, rehearsing her lines in the rooms to be filmed and getting a feel for her surroundings. Her favourite was the drawing room, with the huge bow window giving panoramic views of the bay. She well understood Felix’s purchase of the place.
As Emma wasn’t in the kitchen, Polly went in pursuit up the stairs again and, hearing voices from the library, poked her head inside.
‘There you are,’ she said when she spotted Felix and Emma together by his desk.
‘Hi, Polly, I was just showing Emma the sign of your holiday home,’ grinned Felix.
‘Ah, yes, Charades,’ laughed Polly, who, like Emma, found the name rather twee.
Once again Emma was struck by how Polly made the perfect Lady Scarlett. She had short, black bobbed hair and emerald green eyes, making her look the ideal part already, very retro chic. She could just imagine her in costume, wafting about as lady of this Art Deco house. Then, remembering her place, Emma offered them both tea.
‘That’d be lovely, thanks, Emma,’ replied Felix, putting away the house sign.
Polly looked from one to the other, sensing she’d interrupted something. Not for the first time had she intuited that the relationship between Felix and his housekeeper possibly ran deeper than just employment. Not in an obvious way, it was far more subtle than that; but there was definitelysomethingbetween the two.
As Emma made her way back down to the kitchen she was having similar thoughts. Feeling a touch flustered, she set up the tea tray with slightly shaky hands. That moment in the library when she and Felix had stared into each other’s eyes… Time had stood still for her. She hadn’t been looking at the famous actor Felix Paschal, nor her employer either, but a man she was growing more and more drawn to. Not just because of his distinct good looks and strong physique, but the way he treated her, almost like she was a friend rather than the hired help. Never once had she been made to feel like a skivvy, there to only cook, clean and wait on him or his guests. He was kind and considerate. Emma also saw a playful side to him. She remembered hearing him chuckle behind the library door while she was being interviewed and had announced that she’d ‘provide the entertainment!’. She also recalled how he’d smiled to himself when he caught her playing his piano. Another employer may have reprimanded her for taking liberties.
Then, daydreaming into space, Emma called to mind the first time she’d met him. The ‘Mystery Man’ in the dark shades, requesting her play and sing at the house open day. Felix clearly had a genial side to him. Then a feeling of foreboding started to seep into her. Was this a good thing, to be attracted to your employer? But she couldn’t help the feelings which had decided to sprout and grow, could she? Common sense told her to just get a grip and keep everything in perspective. Treat her attraction for exactly what it was – a natural reaction to a tall, dark, handsome man, who was a rich and famous actor… who also happened to be her boss. Easy. Wasn’t it?
The day had arrived. The TV cast and crew were about to descend on Samphire Bay, albeit only Felix and Emma were the only inhabitants who knew. It was now common knowledge that Felix Paschal had bought the big house on the peninsula (thanks to Trish’s valiant efforts), but no news had been forthcoming about when the filming was to start; mainly because Felix had kept Emma in the dark and only prepared her a couple of days beforehand.
Together, they stood in the hall awaiting the mayhem. Emma had prepared a hostess trolley with cups of tea, coffee and biscuits to welcome everyone and Felix intended to say a few words. As it was the opening day of the drama, all involved would be there, the whole production team and full cast.
One of the first jobs would be for the production manager to hand out the shooting schedule. This would become the Bible that ruled everyone’s life for the next eight to ten months. It was important to try to film scenes at the right time of year whenever possible, but the availability of individual actors could affect the schedule, making it a complicated business of logistics. Only Polly Andrews would be working throughout the whole filming, the others would come and go according to the scenes they were in. Luckily, for location, it was convenient not having to work round a listed house owned by bodies like the National Trust, so the team didn’t have to fit in with their requirements.
Felix was feeling confident. At the last meeting he’d had in London, the production design executive had congratulated Felix on his home and its location. She’d not only been impressed with the house, but the fact it was on a peninsula.
‘We’ll be able to make decent sound recordings easily, no noisy traffic about. Plus, there’s plenty of room in the house for the film crew and it’ll be easy to light for the cameras.’ Felix had also been encouraged by the comments she’d made about the décor of his home. ‘Design-wise, it’s very accurate to the Art Deco style. Clearly it’s been built and decorated by an enthusiast to the Arts and Crafts movement.’
Felix had nodded in agreement. He’d since learnt that it had been Bunty’s mother who had loved that era.
The production manager had shared the same views as Felix regarding filming. As much as possible was to be done on location. It was agreed to use the landscape of the bay as a player in the drama. They anticipated striking sunsets and thunderous storms having the desired dramatic effect.
So, all in all, Felix was well prepared and raring to go, as was Emma. She’d been up early, tending to the refreshments and making sure the place was ready to receive its many visitors.
They both heard the crunch of gravel telling them the vehicles had arrived. Facing each other, they grinned in mutual support.
‘Here we go,’ said Felix, heart pounding.
‘It’s going to be fine,’ Emma reassured him and strode confidently to the front entrance. With a fixed smile, she opened the doors.
