“Don’t be sorry! It’s okay to ask questions during a chat,” I assure her. “Yeah, I do. It’s early days, but he’s great. He’s actually cooking for me tonight.”
“He’s a good chef?”
“He’s better than I am. You any good in the kitchen?”
“I like cooking,” Isabella says. “But I reallylovebaking.”
“Ah, so you’re an enthusiastic baker. A good one, too?”
“Excellent,” she tells me confidently. “I make the best cookies in the country.”
I nod to her bump. “That is one lucky baby—their mummy bakes the best cookies in the world.”
“Country,” she corrects, chuckling. “World might be a step too far.”
“Nah,” I say. “Your child will think they’re the best in the world. That’s the only opinion that matters.”
A warm smile spreads across Isabella’s face. She gazes down at her bump, rubbing it in circles with her right hand. Eventually, she looks up, taking a deep breath.
“Thanks, Harper, I think I’m ready for our interview now.”
“Yeah? Great. How long have we got according to your schedule, Rachael?”
Rachael checks her watch. “Your slot finished eight minutes ago.”
“Plenty of time, then,” I declare, before addressing Isabella in a serious voice. “I hope you’re ready for some groundbreaking questions.”
She grins at me. “I’m on the edge of my seat.”
“You should be. The first one is going to blow you away. Bet no one’s asked you this today.”
She chuckles, shifting in her seat to get comfortable and placing her clasped hands in her lap. I reach over to the digital voice recorder and press Record, clearing my throat.
“So, Isabella Blossom, why did you feel drawn to this role?”
“Harper, wait!” Rachael calls out after me, her voice echoing off the walls of Claridge’s reception.
I turn round to see her rushing over to me, which is quite the feat in heels.
“What did I forget?” I instinctively ask, double-checking I have my bag on my shoulder.
“No, nothing,” she says. “I just wanted to say thank you for that interview. You really put her at ease and, regarding that whole Elijah thing—”
“Rachael, you do not need to worry. I promise.”
“I know that, but I wanted to thank you anyway,” she insists. “And so does Isabella.”
“She already did. Tell her she gave a great interview. And don’t worry about the shortened time. I understand you still have people to get through.”
Rachael holds up her hands to stop me.
“She wants to give you the exclusive about the baby.”
I blink at her. “What?”
“Isabella Blossom wants to give you the exclusive when her baby comes along,” she emphasizes. “You can be the first to let the world know the sex, the name, print the first photos, everything. She’s going to give you exclusive rights. Nothing will go up on social media or be released until your piece has gone out.”
“You’re… you’re joking.”
