Chapter 66
Sixty-Six
Cassie stood just beyond the baseline, her gaze flicking between Delilah and the journalist. Delilah’s posture was rigid, braced.
‘You’re clearly busy. I’ll be quick,’ the journalist promised. ‘There’s been talk about a Tamsin Row biopic in development. I’ve been told that you were chosen to play her. Care to say anything?’
Delilah didn’t move. No flicker of acknowledgement, no whispered denial, just silence. She looked locked solid.
Cassie stepped forward, placing herself deliberately between Delilah and the journalist. She squared her shoulders and forced calm into her voice. ‘There’s no comment from Delilah. We’re focusing on training here. No interviews today.’
The journalist’s lips curved into a thin, knowing smile. ‘I only want a quick word.’
Cassie’s eyes narrowed. ‘It’s a no. You need to respect that.’
The journalist shrugged, but the smile never quite left her face. ‘Alright. Maybe I could talk to you? You’re Cassie Thorne, right? Former player? Are you training her, or is it more of a research thing?’
Cassie’s patience wore thin. ‘Look, this isn’t a press event. I’m asking you to leave. Now.’
The journalist hesitated, then reluctantly lowered her phone. ‘OK.’ Cassie stayed rooted, watching her leave.
As the journalist walked back off down the path, Cassie was suddenly burning with rage. She’d seriously had enough of Petra’s shit. She just needed confirmation that her anger was justified.
She turned to Delilah. ‘Wait here.’
Delilah managed to unlock enough to nod.
Cassie jogged after the journo, catching up with her at her car. ‘Wait. How did you find out we were here? Did you get a tip?’ she asked, expecting to hear Petra’s name.
But the answer was something else entirely.
The journalist shook her head, eyes glinting with a hint of amusement. ‘No tip. I’m chasing the lead from, ya know, the video.’
Cassie’s stomach lurched. ‘What video?’
The journalist paused, a smirk forming. ‘You don’t know?’