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‘We would have access to the piano nobile,’ she explained, ‘except for il Conte’s private wing…’

‘I want the stairs to the upper floor,’ Damon told Sir Charles.

The photos were stunning, not quite enough interior shots, but the shots of the ballroom and the views from the helicopter had the producer sit up.

‘What about the grounds?’ This time Damon addressed Daisy.

Stella clicked up images of the gardens, the lemon orchards, the olive groves, but not the rusty gate Gabe had opened, nor the cliff side pathway that had led to the secret pool and waterfall.

‘The thermal springs that match the mood best are in Tuscany,’ Stella informed them, and showed them the springs she’d travelled to alone. ‘But I think you’ll agree that the chance to use the palazzo is worth the extra location.’

And goodness knows—actually, she now did—what it did to their budget, but it wasn’t just because she couldn’t bear the thought of them trampling over their private place. Stella truly wasn’t sure she could have got through the presentation had it come up on the screen, or if she could have done her job taking others there.

She had beautiful shots of the town and the road where the car chase scene would take place, but people were talking over her.

‘Thank you, Stella.’ Sir Charles smiled, and it was time for her to leave the grownups to speak.

It was a long day, with raised voices, and she glanced at Jinty, who actually flushed on Stella’s behalf when Damon’s angry voice wafted down the stairs, stating that he did not want some rookie intern for the palazzo shoot.

‘It’s my film!’ he shouted. ‘I work with the best…’

Then Sir Charles took the temperamental director for a walk in the lilac garden and worked his magic, because at six that evening, Stella was called in to speak with both Daisy and Sir Charles.

‘Damon’s a tricky fellow,’ Sir Charles said, ‘but brilliant.’

‘Yes.’

‘And I’ve told him I wouldn’t put my reputation on the line if I didn’t think you were the right person for the job.’

Am I though? she wanted to ask, her stomach churning.

‘Daisy shall be Principal Location Manager.’

Daisy’s face was shining with delight, as she was basically made responsible for everything.

‘Stella…’

She had a new title and would appear on the credits as Stella Harper, Location Consultant (Palazzo Rinaldi) and Permits.

‘Get ready for the busiest year of your life,’ Sir Charles told her. ‘Congratulations.’

‘I’m so nervous…’

‘It’s going to be brilliant,’ Daisy said assuredly.

Only Stella actually felt sick with nerves. And grief. She had said goodbye to Gabe this morning.

Now she had to start at the bottom again. And the work was daunting.

It was all too much, too soon. She’d only met Gabe just over two weeks ago!

It was only as she went to take that first sip of champagne that she paused, a flurry of panic in her chest as she slipped to the ladies’ and took out her phone to check and saw that her period was late.

She was starting to cry, and took a deep breath, and then another breath, only it wasn’t just a sick feeling in her stomach.

She was actually going to be…

Stella just made it into the cubicle, and then knelt hugging the bowl as she heard someone come in.