Chapter 9 #2
Within moments of her entering the grand sitting room where they would be filming that day, Frankie’s hopes of an early escape dissolved like the clouds of her breath outside.
The planned scene was a double-header between her and Dalton, full of tension as their characters tried – and failed – to maintain the facade of their fake romance.
Dalton was there, looking ridiculously handsome in severe black evening wear.
The only thing spoiling the effect was the way he tugged and fiddled at the high collar as he talked to Brian.
Their poor, harassed director looked ready to tear out what was left of his hair.
Beside him, Melinda, the script supervisor, was talking in a low, earnest voice as she tried to explain something to Dalton.
Various members of the crew were standing around the room, their expressions a mixture of boredom and annoyance.
Frankie perched on a spare chair out of the way and held her skirts up so Becca could swap Frankie’s cosy boots for the pair of bronze silk slippers that had been dyed to match the material of her dress.
‘Thanks, B,’ Frankie said with a grateful smile as Becca offered her a hand while she stood, then helped her out of her jacket.
A tall, dark-haired man walked over and greeted Frankie with a tentative smile. ‘Is it possible to have a quick word?’ Frankie recognised him as Chloe’s brother, Matt. He and his father were part of the crew. They’d said hello in passing but this was the first time he’d approached her directly.
‘Sure.’ Frankie exchanged a quick look with Becca, who moved away to give them some space.
Matt smiled again. ‘I just wanted to check how you are after last night. Ed turning up in the middle of the night must’ve been scary.’
‘He did give me a bit of a fright, but I’m okay now. I appreciate you checking up on me.’ She laughed. ‘You and all the rest of your family.’
Matt grinned a little sheepishly. ‘I think everyone is feeling a bit responsible. I’m glad you’re okay.
I know the security could be better there.
Fitting new locks was on the to-do list, but I never quite got around to it.
I had a look in the van this morning and we’ve got a spare security bolt and chain if you wanted me to pop over and fit one for you. ’
The out of the blue offer took Frankie by surprise.
‘You don’t have to do that.’ She frowned, wondering how he knew what the cottage’s security was like.
Something tickled at the back of her mind, something Ed had said, but she couldn’t quite remember.
‘I didn’t realise you were so familiar with the place. ’
Matt’s eyes widened as though he’d said something he shouldn’t, adding to her suspicions that she was missing something.
‘Oh, um, I used to do maintenance jobs for the previous occupant.’ He shrugged a shoulder like it was no big deal.
‘It’s a quick fix and I just thought you might sleep better with an added layer of security. ’
She supposed that made sense. And he was right about it making her feel better, so she decided to accept his kind offer.
‘It would certainly be easier than hauling the armchair in front of the door,’ she agreed with a smile, which faltered when she thought of something.
‘I should probably speak to the landlord about it first – he might not like me making changes to the place.’
Matt’s generous smile vanished behind a scowl. ‘I doubt he’d notice one way or the other.’
His reaction certainly suggested he had first-hand experience of both the cottage and her absentee landlord.
‘He’s not the most responsive,’ she admitted.
‘I spoke to the production manager last week about the kitchen tap dripping and she said she’d get onto him about it, but I’ve not heard anything back. ’
The furrow in Matt’s brow deepened. ‘It probably just needs a new washer. Look, I’ve got to make a run over to our merchant suppliers for a few things and I practically have to drive past the front door.
If you wanted to give me your keys I can fit the bolt and sort out the tap for you.
’ He hesitated as if something occurred to him.
‘Or I can do it straight after work if you’d rather not have me there without you present. ’
Frankie had to admit she was a little hesitant about it, but this was Chloe’s brother and, apart from the mix-up with Ed, all of her interactions with the Penrose family had been nothing but positive.
If she insisted he do it later it would eat into both of their evenings.
‘No, I don’t need to be there, but my keys are in the caravan, so I’ll have to get someone to fetch them.
’ She bit her lip. ‘Can we keep the bolt thing between us? I don’t really want people asking questions. ’
Matt nodded. ‘Kat was clear in the family chat about you not wanting what happened last night getting out. That’s why I asked for a quiet word.’
‘Thanks.’ She turned and waved to Becca.
Becca came and joined them, accompanied by Dave, one of the lighting crew, who was also Becca’s other half. ‘Everything okay?’ she asked, shooting Matt a curious look.
Frankie nodded. ‘Matt is going to sort out that dripping tap that’s been driving me mad over at the cottage, so could you be an angel and radio Jessie and ask her to bring my keys over? They’re in the front pocket of my bag.’
Becca’s expression brightened. ‘Sure thing.’ She unhooked the radio attached to her belt.
‘I’m heading outside so I can collect them from her,’ Matt offered. While Becca conveyed the request, Matt turned back to Frankie and smiled. ‘I won’t be long. Shall I drop your keys back with Jessie when I’m done?’
‘Yes, please. Thanks, Matt.’
‘It’s no problem.’
Someone called his name and they all turned to watch Rosamund Boscowen approach.
Even dressed in a pair of nondescript black trousers and a baggy green cardigan, Lady Rosamund – as no one was allowed to call her – exuded the kind of class and polish that came via centuries of good breeding, and the best finishing school money could buy.
Her family owned the castle and Rosamund was acting as the production liaison to ensure everything ran as smoothly as possible.
Unlike Daffy, Ros had gone out of her way to be kind to Frankie and had never treated her as anything less than her equal.
‘I’m so sorry to interrupt,’ she said, in her warm, mellifluous voice, ‘but could I steal Matt away for a couple of moments?’ Rosamund smiled up at Matt.
‘The door to the library has been sticking again. I know it’s cheeky of me to ask… ’
Matt’s face lit up in a huge smile. ‘I hope no one’s trapped in there this time?’
Rosamund laughed at what was clearly a private joke between them. ‘No. I’m sadly lacking in hide-and-seek playmates these days.’
‘I’ll come and look at it now.’ Matt glanced back at Becca. ‘Can you let Jessie know I’ll pick up those keys in a few minutes?’
The pair walked away, Ros all perfect poise while Matt had to check his stride so as not to overtake her.
Frankie straightened her shoulders, trying to match the other woman’s posture.
She’d never said anything to her, but Ros was something of a physical inspiration for her when she was trying to get into character.
Becca turned back to Frankie. ‘Right, let’s finish getting you ready so no one can blame us for any hold-ups.’ She cast a wry look over to where Dalton was still huddled with the director and the script supervisor.
Frankie stood still, arms outstretched, while Becca fluffed and flounced with her dress until it fell to the dresser’s exacting standards. ‘How long has that been going on?’ Frankie asked Dave, nodding over to the huddle in the centre of the room.
‘Since about ten minutes before you arrived,’ Dave muttered. ‘The plank isn’t sure what his motivation is for the scene.’
Becca paused in the act of straightening the lace on Frankie’s sleeve to roll her eyes. ‘His motivation is to get it bloody filmed so we don’t end up stuck here half the night.’
‘Give the lad a break, Becs,’ Dave admonished with a grin. ‘He’s trying his best. It’s just a shame he’s completely useless.’
Frankie bit her lip to hide a laugh. Even if Daffy hadn’t rocked his confidence, Dalton was never going to win any awards for his acting.
‘Don’t bite your lip, you’ll spoil your make-up,’ Becca scolded in a soft tone. ‘And stand still while I finish.’
‘Sorry,’ Frankie muttered, exchanging a knowing look with Dave. ‘And if you and the rest of the guys could be a little bit nicer to Dalton it would make my life a lot easier.’
‘Message received and understood.’ Dave raised two fingers to his temple in a little salute.
‘Now, remember what I told you before, and don’t let my wife bully you,’ Dave said with a grin that turned into a laugh as Becca made a swipe for him and he danced back out of her way.
The sound was enough to draw the attention of Brian and the others and Frankie didn’t miss the way his eyes lit up in relief at the sight of her.
‘Frankie, darling, there you are! Could you join us for a moment, please, as Dalton has a couple of little questions about the scene?’
‘Kill me now,’ Frankie said through the smile she forced to her lips, earning a grin from Becca and a solidarity fist bump from Dave. Gathering her skirts, Frankie channelled her muse and swept across the room. Lady Rosamund Boscowen would not put up with anyone messing her around, not even a duke.