‘It’s amazing.’ She looked up, almost dazed.
This, coming from Jennifer, was high praise indeed.
So, here she was, having overseen the installation of broadband and the security cameras meant another two ticks could be marked off her list. Now to tackle the rest, she sighed to herself before answering the ringing phone.
‘Jennifer, what are you doing this weekend?’ asked Felix.
Taken off guard at the question, she stalled before replying. ‘Nothing too important, why?’
‘I need you to come to the new house. We’re holding a pre-production meeting.’
‘And you need me?’ Jennifer frowned.
‘If you could, I’d be eternally grateful. We’ll be casting and I’d prefer a note-taker, plus help with looking after everyone.’
‘Everyone?’ she questioned.
‘Yeah, me, the location manager, the casting director and the associate producer, we’ll be stopping over for the night.’
Jennifer’s mind was quickly ticking over. If he and his team were staying over it would require clean bedding, toiletries, catering—
‘And, Jennifer,’ Felix interrupted her thoughts, ‘there’s a tidal road to the peninsula which is cut off twice a day by the sea.’
‘What?’ she blurted, eyes widening.
‘I’ll leave it with you, OK? Gotta go.’
Then off he rang, leaving Jennifer staring into the distance. At what stage had she actually agreed to give up her weekend to go to Lancashire? The cheek of the boy!
Felix was on a roll. Since exchanging contracts on the house, he’d gone into overdrive. He was keen for Andy, the location manager, to explore the house. Obviously he’d seen plenty of photos and footage that Felix had sent, but he was desperate for Andy to explore for himself.
He was also anxious to get on with the casting. Felix had his own ideas on who he wanted, but it had to be a group decision. The casting director, Mel Nichols, was very experienced and this was Felix’s first role as a director. He didn’t want to ruffle any feathers, but equally his opinions had to be taken onboard. Hopefully the fact he’d bought the house would be taken as a sign of how committed he was to the project. Budget-wise, he’d saved a lot of money not having to pay any house owners for however long it took to film, plus he’d pulled back precious time they’d lost on the previous house they’d located.
As the director, Felix was determined all the filming would be done entirely on location, rather than some scenes in a studio. The result of studio-based filming to Felix always looked slightly forced and, as he owned the house where the majority of the drama was to be set, it meant they wouldn’t be restricted or dictated to by deadlines. It gave him freedom, which for his first hack as a director was invaluable.
Not only that, he was truly proud of his house. It was an amazing place. Once all the filming and drama was over, he’d still have his own oasis to retreat to. Just the thought of a haven to relax in and have the peace and quiet he so badly needed filled his soul. Then, as if on cue, his phone bleeped. He took it out of his pocket and opened the text message:
You’ll never be free from me. No matter where you hide.
His stomach contracted. All the harmony he was beginning to feel fled in an instant. Would sheeverleave him alone?
