Chapter 23
His lips were soft and warm on hers. Emma closed her eyes as desire washed over her, then with a determined effort, pulled back to face him.
‘Felix, I think it’s time we talked,’ she stated.
‘It is,’ he nodded in agreement. He took her hand and led her back into the drawing room.
It was a perfect setting, with its dim lights giving a cosy glow and the open fire gently crackling. Felix sat them both down on the chesterfield sofa.
‘Emma, you must know how I feel about you,’ he started, staring into her eyes, watching as the firelight reflected in them.
‘That’s just it, Felix, I don’t,’ she replied, a note of desperation entering her voice.
He gave a frown, clearly confused by her reaction.
She continued, explaining herself. ‘I’m here as your housekeeper—’
‘Have I ever made you feel inferior?’ he interrupted.
‘No, but that’s why I need some clarity. You’ve never made me feel like I’m the hired help.’
‘Well then,’ he said, as though she shouldn’t have any difficulty with the situation.
‘But I am the hired help, Felix.’ She looked squarely at him. ‘I’m here as your housekeeper.’
He stilled. Thoughts of her running away, jacking in her job to fulfil her ambition with the band flashed through his mind again. He took a deep breath and decided to face it head on.
‘Do you still want to be here?’ he asked.
‘Yes, of course,’ she replied with a touch of impatience, ‘but under what terms? As the hired help, or as—’
‘My partner,’ he cut in firmly.
She stalled, not quite knowing what to say. Felix took advantage and swiftly continued.
‘I want you here, with me, in a relationship.’ There, could he be any clearer? He watched her eyes widen momentarily. ‘Say something, Emma.’
‘But…’ she stammered, a million thoughts dashing through her head.
‘But what?’ he asked, bewildered.
‘You’re a famous actor and I…’ All her previous reservations came flooding back.
‘You’re a beautiful, talented woman.’ He kissed her lips once more, then leant back to survey her. ‘As I’ve told you before.’
‘What… will everyone think?’ Emma asked hesitantly.
‘That I’m a lucky bastard?’ he half laughed.
Emma couldn’t help but grin. He really was the most charming, handsome… Oh God, was this really happening? He moved forward again and this time she flung her arms round his neck and met him head on. After a long and passionate kiss, they eyed each other and burst into happy giggles.
‘I’ve been waiting to do that for days,’ Felix said, pulling her onto his chest and wrapping his arms tightly round her.
‘Me too,’ sighed Emma dreamily. But Emma, being Emma, still needed to know exactly how it was all going to pan out. ‘Fe-lix,’ she said quietly.
‘Hmm?’
She tilted her head to look up at him.
‘You still want me to be your housekeeper, don’t you?’ Emma simply couldn’t bear the thought of someone taking her place.
‘No,’ came the reply, and her face fell. He was secretly pleased she didn’t have any notion of leaving him for the band. ‘But you could always be my girlfriend, looking after the house we live in, if you like?’ he added with a grin.
‘I do like,’ she beamed back.
Then, because he felt compelled to, broached the subject of her music.
‘Will that be enough for you? What about the band?’
Emma shrugged. ‘I could still do gigs with them.’
‘And is that enough?’ The idea he’d had driving home from the airport reoccurred.
‘Well… yeah, why?’ she asked. She appreciated his concern – after all, how many twenty-five-year-olds would be happy to act as housekeeper on a remote peninsula? – but she had honestly fallen in love with looking after this house and helping out with the film crew. And if she found she ever needed more, she would reassess then.
‘Just checking, that’s all,’ he replied, whilst his mind was working overtime. He’d keep his plan to himself for now, no point in building her hopes up.
That night, as they walked up the stairs hand-in-hand, Emma didn’t turn right to her bedroom. Instead, she allowed herself to join Felix in his.
The next morning Felix woke first with an overwhelming feeling of contentment. He looked down at Emma still softly sleeping and admired her curls spread across the pillow. Then she slowly opened her eyes and gave a tender smile.
‘Hello, you. Sleep well?’ he asked with a sexy smirk.
‘Eventually,’ she replied with a chuckle. Was it possible to feel any happier? Stretching, she gave a yawn and gazed up at him. How attractive he looked with dark stubble. She wasn’t used to seeing him up close first thing in the morning.
‘What should we do today?’ she asked.
‘Make the most of it,’ he replied, ever mindful of the hectic schedule ahead of him. Filming was due to start tomorrow.
‘Let’s go for a walk, along the bay,’ suggested Emma.
‘Let’s,’ he smiled and leant down to kiss her.
Within an hour they’d showered and breakfasted, then set off to face the elements. The sun was out and a sharp chill stung their cheeks. Their breath could be seen in the air as they spoke.
‘What time will filming start tomorrow?’ Emma asked.
‘First thing, business as usual,’ replied Felix, a little subdued.
‘What is it?’ she replied, instantly picking up on his mood. ‘Aren’t you pleased to be back directing?’
He gave a sigh. ‘Yes, it’s not the directing that bothers me,’ he answered.
‘Then what?’
‘I fear there’s a mole in the camp.’
Emma halted and looked anxiously at Felix. He hated seeing her like this, truly wishing he could put the whole stalking business behind them.
‘Somebody who knew my every move must have been informing Anika. It’s got to be someone close by, who I work with.’
‘But it’s no secret that you’re directing a drama, or live here,’ said Emma frowning.
‘Yes, but Anika knew immediately when I’d bought the house. She also knew exactly where it was, and what’s more, she knew I’d got the director’s job before it was common knowledge, and when the filming was due to start.’
‘But who?’
‘I don’t know,’ he shook his head.
‘Someone on the inside, obviously.’ She paused. ‘You don’t think it’s Polly, do you?’ She hoped not, having formed a real attachment to her.
‘No. She doesn’t know Anika.’
‘Jennifer?’ she suggested, not really thinking it would be his PA.
Felix laughed. ‘Definitely not. Jennifer hates Anika.’
‘Well, yes, that’s true,’ conceded Emma, then added, ‘but now that the stalking’s stopped, does it really matter?’
Felix looked out across the bay, its frozen water smooth and clear as glass.
‘Yes, it does matter, Emma. I don’t like working with people I can’t trust.’
Perry’s opinion of Felix had improved. Not that he’d particularly
thought badly of him, but since he’d assured him that his intentions
towards Emma were honourable, Perry could relax. He knew in his bones
that Emma was in safe hands over there on the peninsula. In fact, the
way Felix had behaved towards them all gave him confidence. He was a
decent bloke, and a rich one at that. Emma could end up being extremely
well looked after, thought Perry. Not that money mattered to him. He
knew first-hand how a father could ruin his daughter’s happiness,
especially by obstructing their love life. Felix could be a pauper for
all he cared, as long as it was Emma’s choice. They appeared very
suitably matched, as Bunty pointed out on their way home.
‘Emma looks very comfortable with Felix. There’s clearly chemistry between them. I think they make a good couple,’ she’d commented. She’d also burst out laughing when Perry had told her about Felix’s ‘honourable intentions’. ‘Sounds like a scene from one of his dramas,’ she’d retorted.
‘I think they make a good couple too,’ agreed Perry.
‘So you feel better about the situation?’ she asked.
‘I do,’ he smiled. ‘I just wish Emma had told me sooner about her ordeal, but at least the mad woman’s behind bars and she’s safe now. It’s reassuring to see how much Felix is protective of my daughter too. Now it’s time to concentrate on us , our wedding.’
‘Yes, I’ve given it some thought,’ replied Bunty.
‘Good. So what’s happening?’ he chuckled, knowing she’d have everything worked out. For him, he’d just have a simple registry office do, with minimum fuss, but doubted Bunty would settle for that. And, actually, why should she? He’d been married before, but Bunty hadn’t.
‘Something a bit different. Not a conventional one,’ warned Bunty, trying to gauge his reaction.
‘Go on.’ He gave a wry grin.
‘Well, I thought,’ she paused, ‘of a hog roast on the beach.’
Perry’s heart leaped, loving the idea. ‘When?’ he asked.
‘Spring, when the weather hopefully picks up.’
‘Hmm, a bit risky though. What if it’s pouring down?’
‘We’d have to have it undercover in the garden. A small marquee, but the beach would be so much better, wouldn’t it?’
She could picture it now – clear blue skies, a sunlit, sparkling bay, family and friends laughing on the golden sand, merry music filling the air, the delicious waft of hog roast, her in a white floaty number, Perry in a white linen suit, both barefoot on the beach…
‘It certainly would, sweetheart.’ He adored watching her face light up. Nobody deserved this more than Bunty and he’d do anything to make their wedding day as special as she wanted.
‘So, I think we ought to set the date, in April.’
‘Sooner the better.’ He blew her a kiss.
‘Oh, Perrywinkle,’ she teased with affection.
Robin was labouring hard with Jack. Ever since buying the warehouse
by Lancaster quay, they’d never stopped. The sheer size of the place
meant that both men would have to work tirelessly to complete the six
renovated apartments. Jack, who had been the driving force behind the
project, estimated they’d be completed within two years. Robin, ever
conscious of how his life was about to change that summer, felt
compelled to tell Jack about Jasmine’s pregnancy. It only seemed right
that his business partner and best friend was given notice, and Robin
needed to explain to Jack that he’d need to have some time off when the
baby was born. They might decide to bring in extra help, even on a
temporary basis, to cover paternity leave.
After discussing the matter with Jasmine she’d agreed to tell Jack, on the condition he wasn’t to tell a soul.
‘If it got out before our families knew, it’d be terrible,’ she cautioned.
‘Don’t worry. I’ll make him swear to secrecy,’ replied Robin, knowing his mate could be trusted.
‘Hmm, look how the news of Felix Paschal got out,’ countered Jasmine, not totally convinced.
‘No, that was different. This is personal to me, to us, and Jack wouldn’t betray that,’ he assured.
So, with that in mind, Robin was trying to find the right time to tell Jack. They were working on the roof, up on the scaffolding. One of the main, crucial jobs was to get the building watertight. It was late morning and they were due a tea break. Robin stopped to take in the city skyline. The vista was impressive up there high on the scaffold; the castle and its turrets, the priory spire, the dome roof of the Williamson Park monument, Georgian sandstone architecture and ancient cobbled roads – a true historic city.
‘Fancy a brew?’ he called to Jack.
‘Good idea.’
They downed tools and sat on the wooden planks, legs dangling. After pouring coffee from their flasks, Robin glanced sideways and Jack, sensing he had something to tell him, turned to Robin.
‘What’s up?’
‘Come summer, we may need to get someone new in.’
‘Why?’ asked Jack, startled.
‘Because… I’ll be a dad by then.’ Robin couldn’t keep from smiling; he just couldn’t help himself. The words made him tingle inside.
‘Oh, mate!’ Jack held out his hand.
‘Thanks,’ said Robin, shaking it, ‘but it’s hush-hush for now. We’ve not told anyone, not even our parents yet, early days, you know.’
‘I won’t breathe a word,’ Jack told him with certainty. ‘When is Jasmine due?’
‘Early July.’
‘Wow.’ Jack smiled and nudged Robin’s elbow. ‘Well done, mate.’
‘So, I’ll have to have some time off,’ said Robin, eager to warn Jack.
‘Of course you will.’
‘Not too long, but I want to be there for Jasmine and—’
‘Listen, it’s fine, honestly,’ cut in Jack, putting Robin totally at ease.
‘Thanks,’ he nodded.
Jack genuinely was pleased for Robin, of course he was, but still a small part of him also envied his friend, because that’s what he wanted too, deep down. He may come across as Jack-the-lad, having a reputation as a bit of a lady’s man, but… well, things change. After seeing how happy Robin was with Jasmine, he realised that he essentially wanted the same – a loving, stable relationship.
‘You all right?’ asked Robin, eyeing him carefully.
‘Yep, fine,’ replied Jack with a forced smile.
‘Sure you’re OK with me taking time off?’
‘Absolutely. It’ll be a precious time in your life, Rob,’ he almost choked.