Chapter 27
TASHA
Tasha listened to Brooke continuing her rant as she paced the living room, intermittently staring out of the window like a modern-day Cathy yearning for Heathcliff in a badly acted play, then glaring at Tasha, hands on her hips as she yelled at her.
‘He’s a complete and utter bastard,’ Brooke screamed. ‘And what I want to know is what you intend doing about it?’
Tasha needed Brooke to go before Callum arrived. The poor man had enough to contend with in his own life without having to bear the brunt of Brooke’s dramatics. She also didn’t want him to witness this hysteria and worry that it might be aimed at Erin.
‘As much as I’d love to sort everything out for you, Brooke,’ she said in her calmest voice, ‘even if it was my job to boss him around, which it isn’t, we both know Riley doesn’t listen to anyone.
’ She gave Brooke a sympathetic look. ‘I mean, if he doesn’t listen to you, why should he take any notice of what I’ve got to say? ’
Tasha wasn’t sure how Brooke would react to this comment, but felt hopeful when the woman closed her eyes and dropped her hands to her sides as if all the fight had gone out of her. Tasha didn’t much like the woman, but no one deserved to be treated disrespectfully.
‘You’re right, Tasha,’ she said wearily. ‘It’s my own fault for taking him back after the last time he did something like this to me. Why I ever expected our relationship to be any different now after all our rows, I don’t know. It was silly of me.’
Tasha shook her head, feeling sorry for the woman who, despite being a diva herself, clearly had feelings for Riley. ‘I’m sorry it’s turned out this way, Brooke, I really am.’
‘Hellooo?’
She heard Callum’s voice coming from the front door and noticed Brooke immediately perk up.
‘Who’s that?’
Wishing she hadn’t responded so quickly to Callum’s message and given herself more time to persuade Brooke to leave, Tasha walked over to the doorway. ‘That’s a friend of mine. I’m afraid we have business to discuss, so—’
Brooke shrugged. ‘It’s fine,’ she said, waving a hand in front of Tasha’s face to cut her off mid-sentence before crossing the room to the door. ‘I’ve got things I should be doing too.’
Tasha glowered at Brooke when she turned and raised an eyebrow in her direction as Callum walked in. ‘And why haven’t we met before now?’ Brooke said, her voice gentle and suggestive at the same time.
‘I’m not, um, sure.’
Tasha heard the confusion in his voice and went to join the pair of them. ‘You’re here for our meeting, I see.’ A moment’s confusion flashed across his face, vanishing almost instantly.
‘Have I, er, come too early?’ he asked, looking at his watch as if to check the time.
Tasha shook her head. ‘No, not at all. Brooke and I were chatting and forgot the time. Didn’t we, Brooke?’ she added when Brooke didn’t answer.
‘No need to worry,’ he said, cocking his head in the direction of the front door. ‘I can wait outside if you need more time?’
‘Well…’ Brooke began, but not wishing to give her any excuse to stay a moment longer and be here when Riley came back from wherever he had marched off to during their row, Tasha stepped forward.
‘There’s no need for that – Brooke was just leaving.’ Thinking she should not be quite so rude, Tasha turned to Brooke. ‘Unless you have more you wish to discuss?’
As Brooke considered her question, Tasha willed the woman to think better of staying and agree to leave.
Brooke eventually smiled. ‘Not at all. Nothing that can’t wait, for the time being anyhow.’ She walked up to Callum and reached out her hand. ‘I’m Brooke Farrow, by the way. Riley’s soon-to-be ex-girlfriend.’
Callum smiled politely and shook her perfectly manicured hand. ‘Nice to meet you, Brooke. I’m Callum Preston, a friend of Tasha’s.’
Tasha was grateful to him for adding that and wondered what Brooke’s reply might be.
Brooke smiled at him, then at Tasha briefly before responding. ‘Oh, by the way, when Riley does finally build up the courage to return, tell him from me to expect to hear from my lawyer.’
Tasha gasped. ‘Why?’ she asked, horrified.
‘Because I’ll be suing him, obviously.’
‘For what?’
Brooke flounced out of the door without answering, slamming it loudly behind her and leaving Tasha stunned into a silent shock.
‘You didn’t expect her to say that, did you?’ Callum asked, walking over to her.
She shook her head. ‘No. And it’s all we need, if I’m honest with you.’
‘Shall we go to the kitchen?’ Callum asked, causing her to look at him. ‘I think you could do with a drink of something.’
She realised he was right. ‘Yes, I think that’s a great idea.’
She led the way into the kitchen, realising she was thirsty after all the talking she had been doing over the past hour, trying to first pacify Riley and then reason with Brooke.
The pair of them were well suited, Tasha decided.
Both spoilt and impossible most of the time.
Although, she had to admit, both could also be lovely people when the mood took them to act that way.
But suing him? That was a bit much even for Brooke.
‘What would you like to drink?’ she asked Callum as she clicked on the kettle. ‘We have cool drinks. In fact, I think we’ve got everything here.’
‘I’m fine, thanks. I’m still recovering from my grandfather’s birthday celebrations.
’ He went to fetch the milk from the fridge while Tasha took out a cup and saucer for herself and set them down onto the granite worktop.
‘I wouldn’t want to be the property manager having to set this place up for someone like Riley.
I bet his expectations are higher than most people’s. ’
She spooned tea leaves into the fine porcelain teapot and poured boiling water onto them. ‘They certainly are. Shame he doesn’t behave as well as he supposes other people should.’
Her tea made, Tasha led them onto the terrace and sat next to Callum. ‘I’m glad you’ve come.’
‘I’m happy to be here. Hey, you don’t think Brooke could still be out there somewhere?’
Tasha shook her head. ‘She had a car waiting. If you didn’t see it, maybe it was parked a little further down the driveway.’
‘Good.’ He looked at her for a moment. ‘Do you think she really will sue Riley?’
Tasha shrugged. ‘I’ve no idea. Those two are always suing someone, so it’s possible, I suppose.’
‘But what would she sue him for?’
Tasha gave a tired laugh. ‘Who knows. And to be honest, I’m past caring.
Riley has the backup and the funds to defend himself in a court of law, so he’ll be fine whatever it is.
’ She decided to change the subject. Then thinking of a way to see Callum again, recalled receiving an email from the director’s secretary just before Brooke’s arrival.
‘It seems they liked the recording I sent in of you delivering those lines. You’re on a shortlist of two actors to take over that small part I put your name forward for. ’
‘Really?’
She smiled. ‘Don’t look so unhappy about it. Who knows, it might be fun.’ She wasn’t sure that was possible trying to act for the first time opposite Riley but didn’t say so.
‘Anyway, why don’t you come and watch the filming?’
He frowned. ‘I didn’t know that was an option.’
‘Would you like to?’ she asked, thinking it would be a good idea if he wanted to be chosen.
‘I suppose I would, yes. I mean, I haven’t ever seen a TV series filmed before, so it’ll be a new experience.’
Tasha didn’t bother hiding her delight that he had agreed. ‘Great. I’ll have your name added to the list of guests. I’ll give you more information about times when I have them.’
‘Thank you, that’s very kind of you.’
After the evening she’d had with Brooke it cheered her up to know she would have another opportunity to spend time with him. ‘It’s no problem at all. Anyway it makes sense you being there as you clearly know the place well.’
Tasha’s phone pinged. ‘Sorry, I should see what this is about.’ She took her phone from her pocket and looked at the screen. It was a message from Riley’s manager, Dale.
Heard about B coming to the cottage. Have arranged another rental, which should take you through to end of filming. Will send through address soon. Moving lunchtime tomorrow. Dale
Her mood dropped.
‘Bad news?’ Callum frowned, looking concerned.
She turned her phone for him to read the message.
‘Ah, so you’ll be off in the morning then.’
She felt a little better to see Callum’s obvious disappointment. ‘Seems like it.’
He stared at her for a moment. ‘I was enjoying you staying so close to the house.’
‘Me too.’ She smiled. ‘But it can’t be helped, I guess.’
He shrugged. ‘We only have a couple more days at the manor, so us being neighbours was due to come to an end soon anyway.’
Tasha sighed. ‘I’ve never lived so far away from neighbours in my life as I have at this place.’
‘That’s true. I live in a flat so mine are on either side and above and below me. Not the same at all.’