Chapter 26
‘This… this is more than I expected,’ Bex said.
She was trying to keep her voice steady as she spoke to Amanda, but it was hard.
Yes, there was a photographer, but there was also the photographer’s assistant, and the lighting guy, who was currently bringing a series of lamps out of the lorry.
There was the journalist from the magazine who’d come to do the interview, and the same person who wanted to record snippets for their podcast that went out the same day as the publication and as such had brought a sound guy and an excessive amount of gear, from headphones and microphones to a mixing desk.
There were also three teenagers who, Amanda explained, were there to throw petals, leaves and create atmosphere… Whatever that meant.
Clearly concerned that Bex’s clothes selection wasn’t acceptable – despite saying they were via messenger – Amanda had also brought a small wardrobe that came complete with a seamstress to make any alterations, and a hair and make-up station.
Not to mention various props – like an armchair suspiciously similar to one she was sure they had in their castle, a flower archway, and bags of various items from feathers to fake snow. Presumably to ‘create atmosphere’.
‘People are very excited,’ Amanda said. ‘It’s a proper rags-to-riches story for both of you. You know that doesn’t happen very often. One common person joining the aristocracy is something, but two? It’s almost baffling.’
‘Right,’ Bex said, trying not to focus on the insults she was certain were layered in Amanda’s words. ‘Yes, of course I can… I can see that.’
‘Yes, well, the magazine has decided they want to put you on the cover too, and obviously that steps it up.’
‘The cover?’ Bex asked.
‘Yes. Did you not read it in my email?’
Bex’s back teeth ground together. At some point, Amanda surely had to stop asking that question.
‘Well, we’ll need to have several looks to go with whatever headline they pick. “Rags to Royal. Groundsman to Gentry. Common to”—’
‘Yes, I get it,’ Bex said, although given all the headlines were regurgitations of one another, she struggled to see why different outfits would be needed.
‘Now, I assume you’ve set up one of the rooms downstairs as a dressing room? And where are teas and coffees going to be?’
Teas and coffees? Downstairs wardrobe?
No doubt it had all been in those emails she’d refused to read.
So much for thinking her stress levels were better.
They were currently higher than they’d ever been.
The calm that had come with seeing her friends was evaporating.
Instead, Bex felt a definite nervousness as her hands grew slick with sweat.
As she wondered what the heck she was supposed to do, her eyes scanned down the driveway to where Carrie was driving back into the village.
Bex knew she’d come back if she asked her to. Just like the girls would, if Bex said she needed help. But that didn’t seem right. Coming to spend time with her hadn’t meant coming to be at the beck and call of Amanda and the photoshoot.
Besides, they’d said that if there was a chance, they’d like to come and watch the shoot. Watch Bex and Duncan actually having their photographs taken. They could hardly do that if they were stuck indoors making drinks.
‘Could one of them not do the teas and coffees?’ Bex nodded towards the teenagers, all three of whom currently had their noses buried in their phones.
Amanda’s eyebrows pinched. ‘I think that’s a little below what they were expecting to do today,’ she said.
‘Oh, right,’ Bex said. In her opinion, teas and coffees definitely improved an atmosphere more than throwing polystyrene balls, but she didn’t feel like she could say that.
As her pulse ticked higher and higher, another car – this time a 4x4 – rolled up the drive towards the house.
Amanda’s eyes bulged. ‘Is that Duncan? I thought he was in the house? Is he not dressed?’
‘It won’t take him long,’ Bex said, hurrying away before she could get another earful. Quick as she could, Bex crossed the driveway and was standing right next to Duncan as he opened the door.
‘This is a lot,’ he said.
‘I know.’ Bex let out a low sigh. ‘And there’s more. Apparently, I’ve got to move a load of clothes downstairs for the wardrobe area, and they want someone to run teas and coffee from… I don’t even know where. And she’s got no one who can do that.’
‘I can do it,’ Roddy said from the passenger seat.
Bex couldn’t decide if there was something in the way he spoke – an almost resolved sadness – but in a moment, it had gone.
‘Just tell me where you need me,’ he said.
‘Thank you, Roddy. If you can come and give me a hand bringing the clothes down first, that would be great.’
‘No problem. I assume you’re all right with me doing that, boss?’ he added to Duncan.
Once again she wasn’t sure if there was a tone in his voice. She certainly didn’t think she’d heard Roddy call Duncan boss before, but Duncan only nodded lightly.
‘Whatever the lady needs,’ he said, flashing Bex a smile that went a tiny way towards easing her nerves.
Upstairs, Bex led Roddy into the dressing room.
‘Sorry about the other day,’ he said quietly. ‘And about Fi. She just gets quite protective of me, you know.’
‘Of course,’ Bex replied. She really didn’t have it in her to have the conversation now, but clearly Roddy wanted to get it off his chest.
‘I’ll make her apologise,’ he continued, only for Bex to stiffen slightly.
‘You make that sound like she doesn’t think she should?’
His lips pouted ever so slightly. ‘Like I said, she’s protective. Now, what am I taking?’
Maybe it was Bex’s imagination, but it suddenly felt like there was an atmosphere in the room, and not the type that Amanda was hoping to achieve – this type caused her insides to knot and squirm.
Trying to ignore it, she handed Roddy several armfuls of clothes and boots before moving across to the jewellery.
‘Need me to take some o’ that too?’ he asked.
‘No, I’m just gonna sort it first, I think. If you see Amanda, tell her I’m… I don’t know… flossing.’
She opened up the jewellery boxes, her heart once again somersaulting at the sight within them.
The glittery array of precious stones. They had been appraised – a task that had taken a full day – but Bex had deliberately asked Duncan not to tell her the worth.
She didn’t want to know. Not until she had a safe to put them in.
She’d already arranged the necklaces and bracelets that went with each outfit, but the rings were still in their boxes. After all, there was nothing to stop her wearing several for each photo.
And so, gently and carefully, Bex gathered up the jewellery and headed downstairs. It was time to get this show on the road.