15. Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Fifteen
‘ T he water’s amazing,’ James said, running over and catching Evie around the waist, ‘but the company is making this morning even better.’ He kissed her on her neck and she decided to ignore the misgivings she’d had on seeing the calls from Chloe. Leaning into him she let him gently kiss up and down her neck, causing goose bumps of anticipation all over her body.
‘You’re cold,’ he said, taking his towel that she was still clutching and wrapping it around her gently. ‘Luckily I have something to warm you up,’ he moved over to the blanket, vaguely noticing his phone and tossing it into his bag. He hadn’t seen the calls from Chloe and Evie decided not to draw his attention to them. Instead he withdrew a flask with a satisfied smile on his face. ‘I thought I should come prepared, coffee madam?’ he said with a flourish, producing two mugs he’d pilfered from the cottage.
James mistook her moment of hesitation for concern and took her hand motioning for Evie to sit down. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll return it all when we get back. I’m pretty certain they expect it all to be borrowed anyway,’ he poured a cup of delicious smelling coffee into a mug and handed it to her with a grin that fell when seeing she didn’t return it. ‘Is everything okay?’
Evie swallowed. She could bring up Chloe. Could share her misgivings about why another woman was repeatedly calling him. She could. But where would that get her? She was back with the man she’d been in love with for a decade, she wasn’t going to rock the boat. Settling down and sitting next to him she leant into his shoulder, looking out as the waves crashed against the shore. ‘Everything’s perfect,’ she said, grinning at how the week had turned out. ‘Just a bit hungry,’ she admitted.
Laughing with relief, James turned back to the rucksack. ‘I was starting to worry then, but never fear – I can fix the hunger. Does madam want a slightly squashed croissant, or a very squashed pain au chocolat?’ Pretending to consider what she knew to be an easy answer, Evie said, ‘I think I’ll risk the chocolate one…for your sake.’
James grinned, ‘You’re very good to me.’ Sitting in silence the two ate their pastries and Evie found her whole body was humming with happiness.
Just as she was considering closing her eyes and napping in the warmth, James’ phone began to ring. Quickly James scrabbled in his bag to retrieve it and Evie fought to keep her emotions in check that it could be Chloe calling. Again. When he saw who it was, James immediately pressed accept, which Evie thought a little strange given as he was sat right next to her.
‘Yes?’ he gave an immediate look of concern at Evie and her blood ran cold as she shook her head at him in confusion.
‘Right. No…no that’s not a problem. Half an hour,’ James said, hanging up the call and beginning to shove beach towels and mugs into his bag in a haphazard fashion. ‘Come on, up,’ he said to Evie, pulling her off the blanket and throwing her dress at her.
‘What’s going on?’ she said, pulling the dress over her still damp bikini. ‘What’s the hurry?’
James paused as he was going to put his t-shirt on. ‘Cyan has turned up.’
It felt like something leaden had landed in Evie’s stomach. ‘Cyan’s here? But we weren’t expecting her for two more weeks,’ she said, gathering her bag up and beginning to march across the beach with James close behind.
‘I know. She has eighteen hours between performances and apparently she thought it would be nice to pop in and see us,’ he explained as he reached Evie and they walked instep, approaching the incline of the slope. ‘Except neither of us were there so apparently she’s walking around yelling at the team.’
Evie looked at James. She knew it was going to look unprofessional the two of them turning up together, Cyan wouldn’t be understanding that her project manager and lead interior designer were nowhere to be seen on the most important job of the year.
‘We should probably arrive separately,’ she said and whilst she knew he’d agree, a small part of her was disappointed when he nodded his agreement as they puffed their way back up the slope.
‘You’re right. I don’t think the rest of the team should know yet either. It might give the wrong impression,’ he headed up, with Evie watching his quickly disappearing back.
‘Of course,’ she said as she wondered – wrong impression to who?
Forty five minutes, one quick shower to remove the sand and a change of clothes later and Evie was at the house, a mere five minutes after James who was already in deep discussions with Cyan. The singer was surrounded by members of her team and Evie spent a moment watching the performer, finding it odd to relate this ponytail wearing fresh faced woman with the gregarious and outlandish performer she’d seen across social media. When they’d video called Cyan had kept her otherworldly presence because they were talking to her on a screen, she remained unreal.
Now though Evie could see the woman was shorter than her, so had to be no more than 5ft5". Her presence on stage gave her added height. That and the heels she’d wear to perform in, Evie grinned. At that exact time Cyan saw her through the bevy of entourage and beckoned Evie over. ‘Nice of you to make it,’ the popstar said with an eyebrow raised, causing Evie’s entire body to flush red.
‘Sorry, came as soon as I could, but I’m sure you’ve been in good hands with James,’ she replied, hardly daring to catch his eye.
Cyan looked at Evie thoughtfully. ‘Whatever, I was just saying how I’m thrilled with how all this is going,’ she gestured with hands expansively, ‘though I’m surprised how little work has started outside.’
‘Right,’ Evie said, wondering how much Cyan thought could get done in the time they’d been given. They were currently ahead of schedule and had made major inroads into all the interiors.
James coughed and took the attention onto him, ‘as I was saying, the garden team are due onsite on Monday. You’ve really nothing to worry about, we have it all in hand,’ he said reassuringly whilst Cyan continued to look at Evie, seemingly trying to make some sort of decision about her.
‘Of course you do,’ Cyan’s manager stepped forward, a slight man with a not to be messed with attitude. ‘We need to go over security again. I know you’re not organising the wedding, but we need to make sure everyone involved in this is fully vetted. We can’t have photos being sold, so I need access to everyone you’ve got working on site.’
‘Of course,’ James began to walk off to one of the rooms they’d designated as the temporary office, which would eventually be turned into the boot room and Evie turned on her heel to follow.
‘Actually, could you wait here for a moment,’ Cyan spoke softly but commanded attention and Evie stopped. ‘Is there anything I need to worry about?’ she said, looking in James’ direction and Evie tried to hide her surprise.
‘No, nothing. Why?’
Cyan put her head to one side, assessing. ‘I’ve got four more shows across Europe and I barely know what time it is or when I last ate. I need to know this house will be finished when I get home, and I want to get married in my own garden. That’s not too much to ask, is it?’ she asked, but Evie knew she didn’t want a reply. ‘Good. And with all that in mind, the touring has been unbearable for Lou Lou, I can’t keep on putting her through it. As we’re at her new home, I thought it best to leave her here until I’m back again,’ the singer said smiling, showing off a beautifully white toothed grin. The girl was immaculate Evie realised, even up close.
‘Lou Lou?’ Evie asked, unsure who the star was referring to.
‘What?’ Cyan looked up from where she’d been putting in her AirPods, ready to move on from the conversation. ‘Yeah, Lou Lou. My dog. She’s around here somewhere,’ she added, though Evie couldn’t see a dog anywhere. That was until she saw a handbag moving on the floor and pointed at it. Cyan clapped. ‘Excellent. See I knew you’d be the right person to be in charge of her. All her toys are in the LV tote and I think someone round here has her food. Anyway. She’s a peach, you’ll love her. Just don’t pet her too hard or look her straight in the eye. And she hates her harness. And walks. But she needs one for the other so I find gardening gloves are best.’
‘Gardening gloves?’ Evie repeated, dazed.
‘In case she bites.’