‘Emma? Isn’t that your housekeeper?’ Mel snorted with laughter.
Felix turned and gave him a deadly glare.
‘No, Emma’s my girlfriend,’ he stated, all the time observing the effect the information had on him. Mel did indeed look astonished by the news. Was this more juicy gossip to report back? He’d hated the way Mel had belittled Emma and had jumped in rather defensively. He faced Laurence again. ‘Emma is an extremely talented singer and I’d love to introduce you to her.’
‘I’d be delighted.’ Laurence smiled politely. Ever the gentleman, he too hadn’t cared for Mel’s attitude.
‘Okay, we’ll leave that with you both and you can give us an update next meeting,’ said the producer.
And so the meeting continued, lasting another hour. As it drew to a conclusion Felix felt a real sense of achievement. He couldn’t wait to tell Emma the news. As they all filed out of the room, he once more eyed Mel, who, he noticed, refused any eye contact with him. Could this be the mole?
Jennifer sat back in her armchair and considered what Felix had just relayed. He’d called at her home in Richmond and they were in the living room drinking tea. It had been strange to see her pouring from a teapot in front of the fire, instead of tapping a keyboard behind a desk. After digesting Felix’s words, she slowly nodded her head.
‘Yes, I think it could be Mel, judging from what you say,’ she concluded.
‘But why?’ asked Felix. ‘Why would he let Anika know by business?’
‘Maybe he was doing it inadvertently? Being pumped for information without realising it?’ Then she leant forward. ‘Do you remember at the first casting meeting, he’d suggested Selina McKenna for the role of Lady Scarlett?’
‘Yes, he did, Selina McKenna, Anika’s close friend,’ replied Felix with a sense of realisation.
‘So why did he suggest her?’ asked Jennifer.
‘Coincidence? She is a good actress.’
Jennifer gave a harsh laugh.
‘Or maybe he was being schmoozed by her, being buttered up to gain a part.’
Felix had been in show business long enough to know this did happen with casting directors. Some actors would stop at nothing to land leading roles.
‘But she didn’t get the role,’ said Felix.
‘No, but Mel did put her name forward, which makes me think they’d had some form of dialogue. She’ll have flattered him, bought him dinner, supplied him with wine and praised him to death,’ stated Jennifer with vigour, latching onto her theory.
‘And in return, he’d have her as a contender for Lady Scarlett’s role… and chirped like a canary.’
‘Exactly!’ agreed Jennifer. ‘The silly old ham was being reeled in. Selina may have got a plum role as well as gaining information for her friend.’
‘But all this is speculation,’ said Felix.
‘Well, confront him then,’ retorted Jennifer with an arched eyebrow.
Emma was in her element wandering round Felix’s penthouse suite. She’d never known such luxury.
‘If you need anything, just ring the concierge,’ said Felix before leaving for his meeting that morning.
How the other half live, thought Emma from the rooftop terrace, gazing down at Hyde Park. She observed the joggers, the dog-walkers, the young mums pushing prams and the tourists strolling along the pathways. It amazed her how lush the grounds looked, considering it was late autumn and in the heart of London. Then she turned to the swimming pool on the terrace, covered now for the cold months, but imagined how inviting it would be come summer.
Inside was just as impressive, with thick cream carpet throughout, a large black leather sofa and recliner, inset electric fireplace and a large, state of the art kitchen. Huge picture windows ran along the south-facing side, flooding the apartment with natural light, offering panoramic city sky-line views.
Emma had also been impressed with the welcome they had received. Although clearly a new face, she’d been treated with the same utmost courtesy as Felix from the staff on reception. They’d arrived the night before and Emma had gaped in awe at the city sparkling below them in the darkness. She’d felt safe, high up on the top of the apartment block, well out of the way. She understood why Felix had chosen to live here. It was private, but in a different way to his property on the peninsula in Samphire Bay. Emma knew which home she preferred and was already missing the beloved Art Deco house.
In her excitement, she decided to ring her dad. Perry picked up straight away.
‘You wanna see this place, dad,’ gushed Emma.
Perry chuckled. He knew she and Felix were in London and was glad for the call.
