Chapter 9
CALLUM
Callum wasn’t sure why their easy chatter had tailed off. She seemed concerned about something and he decided to broach the subject in case it had been anything he had said to cause her change of mood.
‘Everything all right?’ He saw her turn to him from the corner of his eye.
‘Yes, thanks. Why?’
He shook his head, not wanting to make things even more awkward. ‘You seemed a little quiet, that’s all.’
She gave a short laugh and he could almost feel her annoyance.
‘Is something the matter?’
She shook her head and gave an apologetic smile. ‘No, Callum, you’ve been amazing putting yourself out like you have.’
Unsure whether to voice his thoughts, Callum decided that if this was Tasha letting him know she needed to vent then he really had no option but to do it.
‘Is it Riley? Is he difficult to work for?’
She seemed surprised at his question and didn’t react immediately.
He was beginning to wish he had kept his thoughts to himself when she said, ‘He can be a little bit difficult at times.’
He looked at her more closely, trying to work out whether Riley was in some way abusive to her. If she did have a problem with him, Callum wanted her to know he was there to support her.
‘I know we don’t know each other all that well, but you have my number now and I want you to know you can always call or message me if you ever need any help.’
He saw her frown. ‘Help?’
Damn, had he overstepped the boundaries of what she felt acceptable? He hoped not. ‘Er, or if you need assistance with something. Anything.’
He was rambling now and feeling more awkward by the moment.
He felt her hand rest on his forearm and looked down at it.
Tasha moved back. ‘Sorry, Callum, I know what you mean. And I am grateful for the offer. Thank you. I can deal with Riley though. He can be rude and impossible with his demands at times, but he doesn’t dare push things too far with me, if that’s what you’re worried about.’
‘That’s good,’ Callum said, relieved to hear it.
She sighed. ‘He acts like a spoilt brat quite a lot of the time, which is why we’re having to reshoot several of his scenes.
He’s gone through so many assistants since his career took off that I hope he’s slowly beginning to realise word is getting around in the film and TV business and soon there won’t be anyone willing to work for him.
’ She shrugged. ‘Plus, I threatened to leave only last week and even Riley worked out that I wasn’t joking. ’
The thought of Tasha going anywhere saddened him and Callum wondered if maybe he was getting to like this woman a little more than he should.
After all, he barely knew her and their time together was designed to solve a work issue for her, nothing personal.
Anyway, he reminded himself, she wasn’t from the island and was only working here for another couple of weeks so he needed to gather himself and stop being silly.
His phone rang. ‘Sorry,’ he said, taking it from his back pocket. ‘It’s my father.’ He smiled, ending the call. ‘I imagine it’ll be him worrying, yet again about preparations for the party. I’d better go and call him back.’
‘Thanks again for today, Callum.’
‘My pleasure.’
He gave her a wave before walking out to his car.
* * *
Two hours later Callum sat in his small living room rereading the same line in the thriller he was resting on his lap.
He placed his book on the chair cushion beside him and wondered about Tasha having to deal with Riley, especially as he was a difficult employer to work for.
Callum thought how hard it must be for Tasha to be staying under the same roof as the man and unable to get that respite he had always savoured by being able to go home after a day’s work.
Callum picked up his mug of cooling coffee, relieved to have finally sorted out the bulk of his to-do list for the party.
He wondered what it would be like seeing more of Tasha, then reminded himself that with the cottage being down a drive longer than the lane his home was situated on, and Tasha accompanying Riley to set each day, it was probably unlikely that he would see much, if anything, of her at all.
It was probably just as well, Callum decided, as he took the empty mug to the kitchen and washed it.
He checked his phone, wondering if it was early enough to visit his father and Betsy before they left to go and eat at wherever place they had chosen for their meal that night.
He decided to do it and take his swimming shorts and a towel with him, so that if they were out he could make the most of the hot weather and go for a swim in St Brelade’s Bay.