Chapter 47
Tabitha
“Oh, Tim would love this sports shop,” I said as the Wainwright brothers showed me a very cool store, so well-stocked it sold clothing and equipment for sports I’d never heard of.
It was Friday afternoon, the end of my week with the brothers, and they were leading me on a final walk-through of the mall, cameras trailing.
Next, I was headed to the newspaper to finish the spread, so it could be published on Sunday.
The camera operators had lowered their cameras, conferring on a shot, so I felt easy about mentioning Tim’s name.
I knew I’d brought him up too much this week, but I was feeling soppy and pining for him.
“You two seem so perfectly matched,” William said. He was sweet, friendly, easy to talk to, and a romantic.
“Actually, we started out fighting like cats and dogs, in complete denial that we were in love.”
The two cameras hoisted into the air, red lights on. I couldn’t mention Tim’s name now that we were being filmed, but the topic of love in general wasn’t off-limits.
Darcy scoffed. “In love.”
“Take no notice of the hard-bitten cynic,” William said, giving Darcy the eye.
“I’m not a cynic. I’m a realist.” Darcy seemed amused rather than rattled. “I just think romantic love is a ridiculous commercial invention created by jewelers and romance novelists.”
“Well, you might surprise yourself,” I said. “I’d given up on finding someone, and now I’m in this relationship with a brilliant guy who loves me and supports me absolutely,” I said, my voice bursting with passion and conviction. “Love is real, Darcy.”
“Okay, if you insist. I’ll amend my statement,” Darcy said. “Love is real, but annoying, and nothing I intend to do.”
Both William and I laughed, but I was intrigued now. “You don’t believe in trying to find the love of your life and having a family together?”
He shrugged. “Maybe I’ll meet someone suitable and have children—but who knows? Really, I’d rather have dogs. But I’m practical. Whatever you say, I’m not fooling myself believing there’s a perfect soul mate out there for me. I don’t believe in this mythical strike of lightning.”
William turned to me and rolled his eyes, as though we’d become coconspirators, which we sort of were.
At the beginning of the week, I’d found Darcy scarily intimidating, but as I’d gotten to know him, I’d appreciated his loyalty and hard work and his helpfulness toward me.
Then I’d witnessed his dry humor, and I’d even joined William in teasing him slightly.
Now I couldn’t resist nudging Darcy with a challenge.
“Maybe we could change your mind?” I asked lightly. “Would you two like to try out one of Mum and Dad’s weekends? See if you meet your pet-loving match? Or, you know, just have fun?”
“I like fun.” William grinned. “You can count me in.”
Darcy made a horrified face. “No offense, but it sounds like bloody torture—”
“Darcy,” William warned him. He spun toward me. “I’ll work on him, don’t worry.” Turning his back to Darcy, he gave me and the cameras a wink.
Hmm. What was William up to?
Darcy sighed. “And now, let’s go and see the final planting on the inner courtyard.” He led us away from the sports store, and the camera operators turned off their cameras.
Just as I was about to ask William about his plans, the director, Sundeep, a very nice chap, pulled me back. “Hey, Tabitha, I just wanted to say I’ve very much appreciated working with you this week. You’re a very calming person to be around, very capable. And the camera loves you.”
I grinned, delighted. “Oh. Thank you.”
“A director friend is doing a quiet, soothing series on country homes. It’s going to be slow and thoughtful—very much not a reality show—and, quite honestly, not expected to get enormous viewing numbers.
It won’t be just about stately homes, but every kind of countrified dwelling, including glorified potting sheds, caravans and tents, and state-of-the-art modern houses in the forest. He’s still looking for a writer and presenter, and I think you have the right vibe. ”
A slow smile curled up my mouth. Compared to Simon, working with Sundeep had been such a pleasure.
He hadn’t been pushy, and his respect for the brothers and me had been genuine and encouraging.
To promote me for a role like that? I felt incredibly honored.
And as much as I’d resented the aggressively extreme positioning of our reality show, and the online comments, I’d enjoyed the design planning and organizing against tight deadlines, and I loved writing.
“You know what?” I said. “I like the sound of that.”
He gave a pleased nod and said he’d hand on my details to his director friend.
As we stepped into the courtyard to view the finished lush and leafy garden, I was bursting with happiness.
This new show the director had described sounded made for me, my interview with the brothers was going well, I was excited to get back to Tim, and my hometown, and I even kind of missed my parents.
I felt like I was on top of the world.