Chapter 20
‘There’ll be over a hundred people coming!’ gasped Emma. She was counting up the invites sent out, knowing only a few were unable to make the launch party and had given their apologies. Felix gave a lazy smile.
‘Don’t worry, it’ll be fine,’ he assured her. ‘At least there’s plenty of room.’
‘Hmm, that’s true,’ she replied, looking around the spacious hall with its high cherry-yellow ceiling and marbled floor. A door with an art deco sunburst mantel led from it to the drawing room, which also held plenty of space. Emma could picture the scene now; glamorous people of the show rubbing shoulders with family and friends; a jazz band playing, cocktails flowing and then… the moment of anticipation, when the big screen Felix had hired was lit up with the opening credits ofLady Scarlett Investigates.A gush of excitement flooded Emma, not only because of the first ever episode’s viewing, but also because of the theme tune she had sung the lyrics to.
Emma still had to pinch herself when thinking about it. For years she had sung in a band which her friends had formed. Together they had earned a good reputation locally and were often busy, usually in the summer months gigging in pubs, outside venues or festivals. Felix had suggested Emma sing theLady Scarlett Investigatestheme song at a meeting with the music director, who had wanted jaunty lyrics to accompany the upbeat tune. Emma had been a real hit in the studios and had proved more than capable. Now, here she was, after years of wanting to make it in the music world, her voice was about to sing to the nation. Or, as Felix kept pointing out, the world, if the copyrights to the show were sold worldwide. It was a happy yetdaunting prospect, and Emma couldn’t help but feel gratitude to Felix for creating the opportunity.
He in return was just plain relieved his girlfriend was content to stay with him, helping to look after this huge house he’d bought, rather than go off touring with her band.
Felix had fallen in love instantly with both the art deco house and Emma, who had passed his PA’s interview with flying colours. She had applied for the housekeeping position, curiosity getting the better of her. Not only had Emma always admired the big house on the peninsula in Samphire Bay, but she’d been equally intrigued (as all had in Samphire Bay) as to who had bought the place. On being offered the position, Felix had introduced himself – much to her shock and amazement.
Fortunately, Emma’s level-headed and grounded disposition had meant a good working relationship had easily developed, which soon merged into a personal one. It hadn’t taken long for all to see the attraction between the two. Polly Andrews, the actress playing Lady Scarlett, had particularly teased the two of them, with her knowing looks and cheeky remarks. She had labelled Emma ‘the real lady of the house’ on one occasion, making Emma blush furiously.
Now though, after the first series had been filmed, Felix and Emma’s relationship was public knowledge. The cast and film crew all knew and liked Emma, having known her from the start. It had been Emma who had looked after them from day one, serving their refreshments and guiding them around the house. Nobody knew every nook and cranny like she did. But most of all, Emma was popular for her down-to-earth manner and easy way about her. There were no airs or graces, just a natural charm, which was precisely why Felix fell for her in the first place, along with her beautiful warm amber eyes and flowing chestnut curls. And, in turn, Emma had been smitten with her tall, dark, handsome boss, with his olive complexionand friendly approach. Felix had never treated her as staff, but almost as a member of family, especially as his French mother, Madeleine, had taken a shine to her.
‘You have chosen well,mon chéri,’ she’d commented. Felix knew damn well it wasn’t just the house she’d been referring to. For all the couple’s pretence of a purely professional relationship, it had been blatantly clear to all those around them that itsowasn’t. The magnetism between them was palpable.
Nobody had been more pleased to learn that Felix and Emma were officially a couple than Madeleine. And nobody more devastated than Felix’s supermodel ex-girlfriend, Anika Genness, who was thankfully now behind bars. Anika had taken stalking to new limits, until finally attempting to physically harm Emma. It had been a traumatic time for them to say the least, which was why Felix had been determined to throw the mother of all launch parties. It was the first drama he had directed and they deserved to celebrate in style, after all they’d been through.
He looked at Emma, her eyes darting around the hall, assessing what needed doing. In many ways she was still the housekeeper, point blankly refusing to hire anyone else in her place. And why should she? Emma knew this house like the back of her hand and was happy to remain in charge of it. He grinned to himself, knowing she’d have everything under control.
‘I’m thinking…’ she said with narrowed eyes.
‘Yes?’
‘Of drinks and canapes on the lawn to start with, then all being seated here, in the hall, with the big screen over there.’ She pointed to the sweeping staircase.
‘Good idea,’ he agreed. ‘The acoustics will be fantastic in here.’
‘Absolutely,’ gushed Emma, knowing how well the grand piano sounded reverberating around the marbled hall, which then reminded her. ‘We’ll have to move the piano, make maximum room.’
‘No problem. We’ll transfer it to the library. Nobody will be going in there.’
Emma nodded in reply.
‘Although, I was hoping you might play it at some point?’ Felix suggested with a raised eyebrow.
‘No,’ she replied firmly. ‘You’ll all hear my voice singing the theme tune, that’s enough.’
He came and wrapped his arms around her and placed his lips over hers.
‘Never enough,’ he whispered in her ear, making her giggle in delight.
‘Which room shall I put Dad and Bunty in?’ Emma, ever practical, had moved back onto the arrangements, totally ruining the moment for Felix.
‘What?’
‘Dad and Bunty, they’ll be stopping over, so they can both relax and have a drink. We discussed this, remember?’ She searched his face with those stunning amber eyes.
‘Did we?’ He scratched his head, not recalling this conversation at all. He remembered her saying his mother would be in the Rose Room…
‘Yes,’ insisted Emma.
‘Oh, well, whichever room you think best,’ he said, wondering how his mum and Emma’s dad would get along. Probably fine, he thought, although they did both speak their minds. Even so, they were bound to meet at some point, better sooner than later, he concluded.
‘It’ll be fine, you know.’ It was Emma’s turn to reassure him now. He frowned slightly. ‘Having our parents here, it’ll be fun.’
He gave a slight snigger. ‘I hope so.’
‘’Course it will!’ she cheered. ‘Your mum’s great company and my dad’s—’
‘Overprotective?’ butted in Felix with a smirk.
‘Just being a dad, that’s all. Bunty will keep him in check,’ she smiled. True, her dad was protective of her, but he’d been a single parent since she was thirteen, so it was probably inevitable. ‘He still likes you.’ She nudged him playfully.
‘Good to know,’ he said with a wink. ‘Because I’m not going anywhere.’ He wrapped her in his arms tightly once more.
