Chapter 4 #3
Well, that’s both my protests out the window.
If I was less tired, I could come up with more reasons why a PA’s the worst idea in the world, but my brain’s empty.
Thinking only makes my headache twenty times worse.
I huff and cross my arms over my chest. I took on this job because Cai was my best mate, and I want to keep him safe.
But I rarely get a break. It takes a lot of persuading to get Richie to cover for me.
I have to promise all sorts of favours. Could have gotten a bouncer job at a pub for a better work/life balance.
But no, I’m here traipsing around the world with Cai, and now the one fun part’s being ripped from us.
‘I’ll be holding interviews tomorrow. The successful candidate will have a probation period, which will give us time to identify whether they fit in well with the team.
Better than Margaret did, anyhow. Hiring her was a bad decision.
I own that. This time, the agency assures me there’s someone a lot more suitable on their list who can join us immediately. And you will make them feel welcome.’
Cai picks at the polish on the table. I elbow him in the side, and he looks up. He shrugs when he catches my gaze. He’s already settled on the idea.
A glance around the table tells me I have no allies. The suckers, all the other heads of departments, avoid eye contact. They know what this decision means for us. But none of them come out with us or go to the parties Cai hosts here. They’re here for work and nothing more.
‘Fine.’ I push the tablet away. Bunch of bloody snitches the press are. I need to get out of here, fill my belly with something greasy and get a vat of coffee down my throat. Either that or a vodka redbull. Enjoy my last sips of booze before the bloody boring PA starts.
Also, I need to bitch about this with Cai. He’s the only one who gets it. He hated Margaret too.
Gethin places his tablet next to his tea. At least he’s using the RSS feed we set him up with. Good luck to any sort of modern assistant. Most of them in this industry are. Getting him to reply to a text instead of ringing me was like drawing blood from a stone.
‘Thank you,’ he says. ‘Now, to other tour matters. If I could get a run-down of where you all are with your plans, please.’
I keep one ear tuned into the conversation, ready to butt in when they move on to security, and let my brain drift off.
I was excited about heading out this spring.
Sure, it’s only a UK tour and we’ve been to all the cities on the list a million times.
But last time, we set ourselves a goal to visit all the biggest and cheesiest tourist attractions we could.
I’ve got a checklist on my office wall. Time’s limited, and with someone else controlling Cai’s diary, we’re never gonna manage it.
The new PA will ruin the tour. They’ll make us sit quietly on the bus, make us turn down all the best invites, and morph Cai into a manufactured starlet. They’ll fill his diary with interviews and visits, stopping us from doing all of the fun touristy shit.
If any of that happens, I’ll be looking for a new job. I can’t work with someone like that.
The meeting circulates to me, but I’ve got no updates. My plans have been in place since forever. Only two heads are after me, and it doesn’t take much longer until Gethin dismisses us. I lug myself out of my seat and follow Cai out of the room.
‘A fucking PA, man,’ I whine once we’re out of Gethin’s earshot. ‘We don’t need a suit following us around, keeping an eye on us. Bet you a tenner they spy on us, tell Gethin everything we do.’
‘I know, mate. But maybe it’s a good thing. I really want to go on tour. Beth’s been talking about joining us, and—’
‘You’re a bloody traitor, Cai. Sacrificing fun for my sister? You’re supposed to be my best mate.’
‘What can I say? I’m a damn sucker for her.’
‘Gross. Stop it.’
‘Would brunch on me help you feel better?’
‘It’s always on you. You’re a millionaire.’
He smirks, pulling on his usual cap and coat. Pretty early on in this fame game, we learned the paparazzi can’t sell photographs if he’s always wearing the same thing. Bloody shame he didn’t remember that last night.
I eye the keys to my SUV, which I abandoned on the console table yesterday.
Not a good idea. I’m way over the limit, and I reckon getting a DUI will have me grounded by Papa Gethin.
Good job we have a contract with a private car company.
I nab Cai’s phone since mine’s still dead and order the nearest vehicle.
‘Find somewhere close,’ I tell him. ‘Pretty sure you’ve got rehearsals this afternoon. If you miss them, Gethin’ll hang you.’
At least, something was in the diary. Shit. I should know these things. It’s my job to get him where he needs to be, all safe. I could thumb through my phone if it had any charge. I’ll plug it in when we get picked up. It’ll need a bit of juice while we’re out.
Maybe a PA isn’t such a shit idea. My brain’s full of holes, and it’s always the important stuff falling out of it.
‘If Gethin says I should rehearse more, I will,’ Cai says.
‘You better. Or all this will be for nothing.’
A horn beeps outside, and I throw open the door.
Although the house is set away from the road, with a massive brick wall and solid electric gate shielding the place, I have to check for the paps.
Once a guy climbed a tree and dangled out of the overhanging branches to get his snaps. Fucking bonkers.
‘All right,’ I tell him once I’m sure the coast’s clear. ‘Let’s show Gethin we can be organised and professional and all the other shit he wants us to be.’
‘Yes! Come on. I’m fucking starving.’