‘I’m not sure I made a huge amount. My royalties on paperback sales aren’t that brilliant. But then again my advances are fantastic now, so I’m not complaining.’
‘And Greg would’ve paid you for last night, so that’s extra.’
Jemma looked perplexed. ‘Greg didn’t pay me. I did it as a friend.’
Molly raised her brows. ‘A friend you’d known for less than three days. When did he ask you to take Laurence’s place? On Sunday at the pub? So not even one day, if that was the case. Or did he wait until Monday?’
‘I … He didn’t ask. I offered. You make it sound as if he had this planned. And he couldn’t have. Laurence had the accident on Saturday and I didn’t meet Greg until Sunday.’
‘I know. But how long did it take after you met and he discovered who you were, before he mentioned the festival and the Indie Bookshops Event?’
‘He didn’t. Charlie gave me a leaflet in the pub.’
‘That was handy. And you’re saying Greg didn’t tell you how awful it would be for him to have to cancel?’
‘No! Well … yes. But it wasn’t like that. We were chatting about the festival and the events and … and he actually said he wasn’t trying to get me to step in. And when I told him that I wanted to remain incognito while I’m here, he suggested we could say I was in Folkestone for the day. He also said that if I didn’t want to take part, I only had to say so.’
‘Well he would say that, wouldn’t he? He couldn’t force you to do it. But you weren’t going to back out once you’d agreed, were you? Especially not as the two of you were getting on so well. And right from the moment you met, I believe you told me.’
Jemma looked crestfallen and she fiddled with the foot of her wine glass. She looked at Molly from beneath her lashes and her voice was low and almost scratchy as if she were struggling to get the words out.
‘So … you’re saying you think Greg asking me to lunch … and even going for that walk on the beach. And everything else. They were all just to get me to step in for Laurence, the moment Greg realised who I was?’
Molly took a long swig of her wine and smiled sympathetically. ‘I’m not saying I know that’s what he did. But I am saying that he couldn’t have planned it any better if he tried. You were his miracle. His saviour. Everything worked out very well for him. Especially if he’s sold all those books and made all those new orders. And he’s even saved himself having to fork out for a replacement author because you did it for free. Nice work if you can get it, is all I’m saying. Ah. Here’s lunch. I’m starving.’
‘I think … I think I’ve lost my appetite.’ Jemma emptied her glass in one long gulp and refilled it to the brim. May we have another bottle, please?’
The waiter nodded and smiled. ‘Of course, madam. I’ll get that for you right away.’
‘You okay, Jemma?’ Molly asked. But she knew the answer to that question before she asked it.
Did she feel guilty for putting doubts in Jemma’s mind? Yes. A little.
Yet she was right. Everything had worked out well for Greg.
But maybe not so well for Jemma.
Although Jemma would receive some royalties from the sale of all those books, so maybe the woman didn’t have anything to complain about.
‘When are you seeing him again?’ Molly added.
‘I … I’m not sure. He’s busy tonight but he’s going to call me. Or he’s going to try to, at least. So possibly tomorrow.’
‘Well that’s okay then. You’ve got nothing to worry about, have you? You can get him to take you out to dinner somewhere really expensive and then you’ll be quits. You really should try this, Jemma. It’s yummy.’
