Chapter 7
CALLUM
Callum felt his mobile vibrate in his jeans pocket and after taking it out looked at the caller ID.
He didn’t recognise the number and never liked answering calls from strangers, so ended it and pushed the phone back in his pocket.
Seconds later it vibrated again. Not wishing to miss a call from one of his family, Callum sighed and withdrew his phone. This time there was a text.
Sorry to message you like this, but this is Tasha, Riley Sharp’s assistant, and I need to ask you something if that’s OK. I’d be grateful if you would call this number as the matter is urgent.
He thought of the patient woman who had accompanied Riley Sharp to the studio.
She didn’t say much, but Callum hadn’t missed how she seemed to take in everything around her and it was clear to him that she kept everything in Riley’s diary in perfect order.
The auburn-haired, green-eyed woman had a quiet strength about her and if she was asking him, a relative stranger, for help then how could he not immediately do as she asked?
Intrigued, Callum returned her call.
‘Callum?’ she asked before he had barely registered the phone ringing.
‘Yes. Hi, Tasha,’ he said, his stomach flipping over when he heard her voice. ‘I’m just returning your call,’ he said, trying not to sound as delighted as he felt to have an excuse to speak to her.
‘Hi, Callum, thanks so much for getting back to me so quickly.’
He listened as she explained about Callum’s lost phone. ‘And if he did leave it at the studio, I was hoping I could arrange to pick it up from you as soon as possible, if that’s all right?’
He tried to recall whether he remembered seeing the phone in the studio after the pair of them had left. ‘Let me call my assistant and see what I can do. Then I can bring it to you, if that’s easier.’
‘Are you sure that won’t be putting you out too much?’
If it meant seeing her again then he was only too happy to do it, not that he had any intention of letting Tasha know that. ‘I really don’t mind. I know how much I hate it when I mislay my phone.’
‘That’s so kind of you. Let me send you the address where we’re staying.’
‘There’s no need. You’re at Beauvoir Cottage, aren’t you?’
There was a few seconds’ silence. ‘Er, how did you know that?’
It dawned on him how important privacy was to most celebrities and that he probably shouldn’t have let her know he already knew their address, so he decided to be open with her. ‘Lettie mentioned it to me.’
‘She did?’
Tasha didn’t sound pleased.
‘Only because she knows I’ll be staying at the manor house next door.’
‘Really?’
He wasn’t sure if that was a happy response, but at least she didn’t sound as angry now. ‘That’s right. I’ll be there with most of my family to celebrate my grandfather’s eightieth. It’s a surprise party.’
‘That sounds lovely.’
‘I hope it works out well. As far as he’s concerned he’s being taken somewhere for a birthday meal. He has no idea where, so is ready for some sort of surprise, but not all his family and friends being together on the island to celebrate his big day.’
‘What an incredible way to celebrate his birthday.’
‘My father is packing a bag for him and of course he’ll be able to return home for anything else he needs, but we thought a week together in a beautiful manor house would be something special and memorable.’
‘I think it sounds idyllic.’
‘I hope it turns out that way. I must admit I’m looking forward to it, but we have quite a bit of preparation still to do and we have to hope that the weather stays good.’
‘I suppose you will want to make the most of the gardens. I’ve only driven past the ones in front of the manor house but everything looks like something from Chelsea Flower Show.’
‘That’s good to know. I haven’t been there yet, only seen the photos the agent showed me when I went to sign the contract for our stay.
No, the weather is important because we have quite a few of Grandad’s friends flying over and we can get those days when fog settles on the island and all flights are delayed or cancelled.
I’m hoping everyone can get here to celebrate with him. ’
‘I’ll cross everything that happens then.’
‘Thank you,’ he said, thinking how kind she seemed. ‘I’ll have a look for the phone and if I find it I’ll bring it to the cottage if that suits you?’
‘That would be perfect. Thanks, Callum.’
‘It’s no problem at all,’ he said honestly.
She ended the call and Callum hoped he did find the lost phone.
The following evening, Callum placed Riley’s phone on the coffee table in front of him, meaning to email Tasha and ask whether he could pop it round in an hour or so, but before doing that he decided to quickly reply to another email so he could tick off one more item on his list of jobs to do in preparation for the party.
He had just pasted in all the information when there was a bellow from his front door.
‘You in?’ Erin called as she let herself in.
‘Kitchen.’ He frowned, trying to remember what he had been about to add to the email to the taxi firm he had booked to collect several of the guests from the airport upon their arrival.
‘What you doing?’ She stopped on the other side of the small table by the window briefly before picking up a clean glass from the draining board and pouring herself some water. ‘It’s hot and sticky outside. I can’t stand this weather, drives me nuts and makes my hair go all kinky.’
Typing the same word twice, Callum looked over at her. ‘Did you want something or are you just here to bother me?’
She leant against the worktop and took a sip of the water. ‘Someone’s grumpy today.’
He glared at her. ‘I’ll be even grumpier if you don’t leave me in peace to deal with this.’
‘Grandad’s party?’
He sighed. ‘Yes.’
‘Everything not sorted yet then?’
He gave her a look of disdain. ‘What do you think?’
‘Ah.’
He reread the email and, satisfied it gave all the information the person had requested, sent it off. ‘I’m trying to cover all bases. This was about the taxis I’ve booked for guests.’
She looked around the room. ‘I think you’re very brave offering your place to Mum and Barry.’
‘Why, don’t you think it looks OK?’
She shrugged one shoulder. ‘Not at all – it looks amazing compared to my messy flat.’
He wished Erin wouldn’t make him panic unnecessarily. ‘What then?’
‘Well, we both know Mum is bound to make changes to where you store things, or tidy wardrobes and stuff like that. She always has to declutter and move things to how she feels they look best.’
Erin was right, but he had too much on his mind to care much about that now. ‘Then I’ll just have to move it all back again to how I like it after she’s left, won’t I?’
‘I guess. And you don’t mind giving up your place for them?’
‘Not if it keeps everyone happy, no.’
Erin spotted the phone and picked it up, turning it over in her hand. ‘Who does this belong to? It’s not your usual one.’
‘It’s Riley Sharp’s,’ he replied without thinking.
‘What?’
‘He left it at the studio and I need to return it to him.’
Callum sighed, trying to decide whether to mention Tasha and Riley’s situation to his sister.
She gasped and stepped over to the table. ‘What is it? I can tell there’s something you’re keeping from me.’
Stifling a groan and knowing from experience that it was far easier to give in straight away and tell his sister something than to put up with her going on about it, he relented and explained about Riley and Tasha’s staying in the cottage and his concerns about disturbing them.
Her mouth dropped open for a couple of seconds, before drawing back into a wide delighted smile. ‘This is amazing news.’
‘I can see I shouldn’t have told you.’
Erin squealed in excitement. ‘Rubbish, you didn’t have much choice. We both know I would have got it out of you somehow.’ She laughed. ‘I’m only teasing you. This is exciting though.’ She took another sip of her water. ‘I can’t believe I’m going to meet Riley Sharp in the flesh.’
‘Hold on. No, you’re not.’ Callum glared at her. ‘He’s very protective of his privacy, Erin. You’re not to bother him. Promise me.’
Shaking her head, Erin laughed. ‘You really do worry about everything, don’t you?’
‘I do not,’ he lied. ‘Only the important things.’
His laptop pinged.
‘Maybe that’s him emailing you,’ she joked.
He looked down and saw Tasha had replied. ‘His PA actually.’
He smiled at his sister’s aghast expression. ‘Close your mouth, Erin, you look as if you’re doing an impression of a goldfish.’
He typed a quick response before he closed his laptop, picked up the phone and stood.
‘You’re going to take it to him? Now?’
‘Yes.’
‘Can I come with you? Pleeeeease.’
‘No.’
‘I promise I won’t gawp at him.’
He knew his sister well enough not to trust her to keep calm. ‘There’s not a chance I’m taking you with me, so if you don’t mind leaving now, I’ll be on my way.’
‘You can be incredibly selfish sometimes, Callum. Do you know that?’
He gently pushed her out of the flat and locked the door behind them.
‘We can’t always have what we want, Erin,’ he said, thinking about how much he wished Tasha wasn’t on the island for only another two weeks.
He would have loved the chance to spend time with her and get to know her better, but life often didn’t work that way, he thought, trying to resign himself to the fact that she would soon be leaving Jersey and he might never have the opportunity to see her again.