He shrugged. “Maybe I’ll meet someone suitable and have children—but who knows? Really, I’d rather have dogs. But I’m practical. Whatever you say, I’m not fooling myself believing there’s a perfect soul mate out there for me. I don’t believe in this mythical strike of lightning.”
William turned to me and rolled his eyes, as though we’d become coconspirators, which we sort of were. At the beginning of the week, I’d found Darcy scarily intimidating, but as I’d gotten to know him, I’d appreciated his loyalty and hard work and his helpfulness toward me. Then I’d witnessed his dryhumor, and I’d even joined William in teasing him slightly. Now I couldn’t resist nudging Darcy with a challenge.
“Maybe we could change your mind?” I asked lightly. “Would you two like to try out one of Mum and Dad’s weekends? See if you meet your pet-loving match? Or, you know, just have fun?”
“I like fun.” William grinned. “You can count me in.”
Darcy made a horrified face. “No offense, but it sounds like bloody torture—”
“Darcy,” William warned him. He spun toward me. “I’ll work on him, don’t worry.” Turning his back to Darcy, he gave me and the cameras a wink.
Hmm. What was William up to?
Darcy sighed. “And now, let’s go and see the final planting on the inner courtyard.” He led us away from the sports store, and the camera operators turned off their cameras.
Just as I was about to ask William about his plans, the director, Sundeep, a very nice chap, pulled me back. “Hey, Tabitha, I just wanted to say I’ve very much appreciated working with you this week. You’re a very calming person to be around, very capable. And the camera loves you.”
I grinned, delighted. “Oh. Thank you.”
“A director friend is doing a quiet, soothing series on country homes. It’s going to be slow and thoughtful—very muchnota reality show—and, quite honestly, not expected to get enormous viewing numbers. It won’t be just about stately homes, but every kind of countrified dwelling, including glorified potting sheds, caravans and tents, and state-of-the-art modern houses in the forest. He’s still looking for a writer and presenter, and I think you have the right vibe.”
A slow smile curled up my mouth. Compared to Simon, working with Sundeep had been such a pleasure. He hadn’t been pushy, and his respect for the brothers and me hadbeen genuine and encouraging.To promote me for a role like that?I felt incredibly honored. And as much as I’d resented the aggressively extreme positioning of our reality show, and the online comments, I’d enjoyed the design planning and organizing against tight deadlines, and I loved writing.
“You know what?” I said. “I like the sound of that.”
He gave a pleased nod and said he’d hand on my details to his director friend.
As we stepped into the courtyard to view the finished lush and leafy garden, I was bursting with happiness. This new show the director had described sounded made for me, my interview with the brothers was going well, I was excited to get back to Tim, and my hometown, and I even kind of missed my parents.
I felt like I was on top of the world.
48
Tim
After an earlyrun, I showered and threw on some old jeans and a hoodie, collapsed on my boyhood boat bed and texted Tabitha.Can’t wait to see you in two hours. Leaving now.
It was Saturday, the end of Tabitha’s week with the Wainwright brothers, and I was about to head to London to bring her back for the preview party at her parents’ house. After a whole week without her, I couldn’t wait to see her, touch her, hear all her stories from the last seven days.
She called back immediately. “Hey, you.”
“You missed me so much, you had to call even though I’m seeing you soon?”
She laughed. “Yes, but also you have a reprieve. Turns out I have a ride, but early evening. The brothers are coming to our preview viewing, would you believe? Normally, I don’tdo personal stuff with people I’m interviewing, but they’re interested in the house on a business level. Anyway, it’ll save you four hours of driving here and back.”
Fuck.I didn’t want a reprieve. I was looking forward to having her to myself in the truck for those two hours on the return journey. And more of those fucking turbo-charged guys? Ugh.
“Well done, you,” I said, forcing the annoyance from my voice. “You are awesome. You are on fire. Look, why don’t I get in all the drinks and food for tonight?”
“Would you? Oh Tim, that would be so helpful. There are only twelve of us, but I can’t trust Mum and Dad to do it. Shoot. Sorry, got to go. I want to reread the pages for the spread before I leave. I love you.”
“Miss you, love you.”
That evening, I arrived at the inn and spent ages setting out the drinks and food. I was just finishing when an electric Bentley pulled up. Tabs waved from the front passenger seat.
My breath caught at the sight of her. Fuck, she was gorgeous.
I rushed to open her car door and pulled her into a hug and devouring kiss. She started giggling and wiggling out of the crush of my arms, blushing and nodding at the guys in the car.
