And the other annoying thing – my heart keeps racing so fast, it’s making me feel sick. Realistically, I admit there’s an underlying problem; I do find Ross physically attractive to the point of finding it hard to keep my hands off him. I always have. But it’s nothing new, I’ve coped with that for three months, and resisted. I’m hardly going to succumb to rampant animal desire this close to the end.
And just because he let me slobber all over his second-best T-shirt when I was a bit teary after the baby sprinkle, there’s still a lot outstanding that I haven’t got past yet. Sure, now we’ve shared a flat for two months it’s easier to be around him. But if we’ve gone all these weeks and still haven’t found any proper resolution, I seriously doubt it’s going to happen before I leave.
I’m blinking up at Sophie, trying to drive the taste of Ross’s mouth right out of my mind, as my phone rings.
I roll my eyes as I look at my screen. ‘It’s the people who keep sending me free clothes when they shouldn’t.’
Sophie stares at the band of skirt fabric sticking below the beaten-up waxed jacket I’ve borrowed from Ross to do the animals. ‘They’re lovely. Is that one you’re wearing now?’
It’s a tribute to how versatile they are. On Friday the red flowery one got so many compliments at Kittiwake Court, and today the calves were equally impressed by the blue one with yellow pineapples. ‘They’re so easy to wear and wash, I barely take them off. This won’t take long to sort out.’ I press accept on the FaceTime call. ‘Hi, how can I help?’
‘I’m Catey, Maudie Maudie’s new marketing assistant. We’re following up on the dresses?’ It’s only as she smiles out at me from the screen, her eyebrows and lips as perfect as her sleek blonde bob, that I remember the state I’m in.
If only she’d called earlier, before I’d opened the packs and worn the dresses to destruction. I’m slightly bluffing here. ‘I completely understand there’s been an error, would you like me to send the clothes back?’ If I drop them by Iron Maidens, the cleaners, and pay enough, I’m sure they’ll make them look like new again.
Catey’s voice rises in surprise. ‘Why ever would we want you to do that? We’re excited that you’re enjoying them.’
‘Excuse me?’ I can’t quite believe what I’m hearing.
Her smile widens. ‘We quite understand that you wanted to dip out of view for a while, but now you’ve bounced back into the public eye we’re more than happy to pick up where we left off.’
She can’t possibly mean that. ‘Have you seen how I look?’ The hair escaping from the scarf I tied into a bow has been whipped to a mass of beachy waves by the wind.
Her eyebrows arch. ‘Your new Cornish style is great for our customer base. Relaxed seaside vibe and sand-blasted hair are a perfect fit.’
I think she might mean salt-sprayed, but whatever. It’s their choice.
Not that she’s being pushy, but it feels like she’s trying to close a deal here. ‘Tag us in your posts. I assume your bank details are the same? If you’re happy to start again, we’ll get our new collection over to you asap.’
My mouth’s hanging open in shock, but it’s such a bad look, I snap it shut and say, ‘Fab.’
Her face creases into a smile. ‘We particularly like the spotty gumboots and the animals.’
I give Sophie a nudge because she’s listening in, and they areherwellies.
Catey’s still going. ‘The dress you were wearing in the kissing clip that’s gone mad has sold out already.’
That’s so much good news. ‘The red one with daisies is so pretty. Lucky I was in shot cheering Walter on.’ If anyone was going to go viral, it was always going to be him.
Catey’s querying. ‘I had the name of the guy on the tip of my tongue. I didn’t think it was Walter.’
I can definitely put her right on that. ‘There’s only one ninety-odd-year-old stand-out star from Friday night.’
Catey’s frowning. ‘The guy I mean was a hottie.’ As her smile comes back it’s wider. ‘But you probably know that anyway.’
Walter’s going to be stoked when I tell him about this. ‘Walter definitely looks great for his age.’
She gives me a bemused look, then firms up again. ‘Anyway, whatever… We’re getting more made up of that style, so tell your followers to order away!’
I know from the past they like to know what’s coming up. ‘We’re launching a community recipe book here soon, if there’s anything you’d like to showcase for that.’
Her eyes light up. ‘That sounds great, I’ll get straight onto it.’
And then she’s gone, and I’m left staring at Sophie and an empty screen. ‘I can’t believe that just happened.’
Sophie suddenly looks serious. ‘It’s down to sheer hard work, Cressy. Don’t question it, just enjoy.’
I’m not boasting, but I know Sophie will enjoy the news. ‘I’ve had other approaches too. There’s a national holiday-let company wanting to talk, and my original make-up sponsors got back in touch too.’ Not that it’s a problem but I’m only using a fraction of the amounts I used to. No doubt that’ll change again when I’m back in London where everyone’s standards are more exacting.
