Chapter 14
Frankie didn’t know if it was the security of having the extra bolt on the front door or her chat with Ed, but she was out like a light the moment her head touched the pillow and she wasn’t aware of anything until her alarm went off the following morning.
Getting out of bed wasn’t a problem but as she pulled on her running kit it was almost like she was dressing someone else, her body and brain not quite connected.
It was as if part of her was still asleep, and the feeling lingered until she let herself out of the back door of the cottage.
The first slap of the cold wind against her bare cheek jolted her more fully into herself and, rather than hunker down against it, Frankie tugged off her woolly hat and unzipped the neck of her thermal running top to let the freezing air work its magic.
The beach behind the cottage was deserted, the only sound the roaring of the waves as the wind drove them high onto the sand.
She broke into a slow trot, the sluggish feeling fading with every step.
Her heart rate increased with her pace and as she turned into the wind for her return route back to the cottage, the wind stung tears from her eyes.
Her hair whipped around her face and she could feel the sweat forming at the base of her spine.
It was stimulating, exhilarating and when she finally reached the back garden and bent over as she tried to fill her aching lungs with enough breath, she knew she wasn’t ready to give it up.
The zinging energy from her run lasted through her shower, the rest of her morning preparations and all the way to the front door of The Cosy Coffee Pot. ‘Good morning!’ she sang out to Issy as she approached the counter.
‘Well, hello! You’re very chipper this morning.’
‘I had such a good sleep and a lovely run on the beach this morning. The air here is so invigorating, don’t you think? So different from the heavy, fuggy air in London at this time of year.’
‘If invigorating is code for bloody freezing, then yes, I suppose so,’ Issy said with a laugh. ‘Usual order?’
‘Yes, please. I’m going to take it away though, if you don’t mind. I want to get to set early as I’ve got a few admin things to sort out before we start filming and I think it’s going to be another long day.’
Issy shot her a sympathetic smile. ‘How’s it going?’
‘We’re getting there.’ Frankie crossed her fingers just in case she jinxed anything.
‘Everyone must be desperate to get finished so they can go home.’ Issy sighed. ‘I don’t blame them, but I’ll be sorry when you’ve finished. It’s so quiet here in the winter months and it’s been lovely to have a buzz about the place.’
It was on the tip of Frankie’s tongue to mention she might not be rushing off with the rest of the crew, but she decided to wait and see if she could take over the rest of the lease on the cottage first – something else she didn’t want to jinx, she thought, crossing her fingers once more.
‘If this is what you consider a buzz then I’m not sure you’d get on well in London. ’
Issy grinned. ‘Oh, I don’t mind a bit of city excitement now and then. Liam and I spent last Christmas in New York and the sights and sounds were incredible.’
Frankie had been to the US a few times but never made it to New York. Even if she wasn’t a big fan of Christmas, she’d seen enough of the iconic images of the city to picture it in her mind’s eye. ‘I bet it was spectacular!’
‘It really was and we made so many special memories there.’ Issy held up her left hand and showed off the sparkling diamond ring on her finger. ‘We got engaged there.’
‘Oh my God! Now that is definitely a story you’re going to have to share with me.’ Frankie flicked a glance at the clock on the wall. ‘But can we save it for later?’
Issy laughed. ‘Of course. Right, let me sort out those drinks for you.’ She turned her back and began brewing coffee on the enormous silver machine that dominated the back counter.
‘Hey,’ she said, glancing over her shoulder.
‘I hope you don’t mind me asking, but when are you planning to head home? ’
Frankie recalled Ed’s invitation to spend Christmas with his family and her stomach gave an excited flutter at the thought.
She still didn’t know if staying on was an option, not until she’d spoken to the production team, so she decided to hedge her bets.
‘I’m not sure yet, it depends on when we finish… Why do you ask?’
Issy finished making the first drink and moved on to the next one. ‘The boys are getting together on Thursday night for a beer to welcome Ed home, so Kat, Chloe and Anya are coming over for a girls’ night. I just thought if you were still around that you might like to join us?’
Frankie’s heart soared. She’d never been included in a girls’ night before. Never been part of a friendship group that did that kind of thing. ‘Are you sure I wouldn’t be intruding?’
Issy tamped the jug of hot, frothy milk on the counter then began topping up the takeaway cups she’d lined up. ‘Not at all, we’d love to have you! Anya wants to put Freya to bed first so any time after half-seven, if that works for you.’
‘Sounds great. Like I said, I’m not sure of my plans yet and there might be an end-of-shoot party or something, so can we play it by ear?’
‘Of course.’ Issy placed the drinks in a cardboard tray and set them in front of Frankie. ‘I’ve got loads of Prosecco in the fridge and we’re going to order a couple of pizzas on the night so just come along if you’re free.’
Frankie took out her bank card and tapped it on the payment machine. ‘That’s really sweet of you. I’ll try and make it if I can.’
‘Great!’ Issy smiled. ‘It would be lovely if we can all get together and say goodbye before you leave.’
A warm glow spread through Frankie as she picked up the tray of drinks. ‘I’d like that too.’ Maybe it wouldn’t have to be a goodbye and she’d be able to surprise them with some good news about her staying on for Christmas.
Frankie’s good mood carried her along the walk through the village and she lost count of the number of smiles, nods and morning greetings she received as she made her way to work.
The wind was fierce on the steep walk up the hill to the castle’s imposing position on top of the headland, and she was puffing a little by the time she reached the security checkpoint at the castle gate.
‘Good morning, Miss Webber,’ the guard said, swinging the gate open before she had a chance to unzip her coat and show the pass hanging around her neck.
Though he recognised her on sight, Frankie always made a point of wearing and showing her pass.
Everyone had a job to do and she was determined to make it as easy as possible.
‘Hey, Terry. It’s a fresh one this morning,’ she added, noting his ruddy cheeks and the way he’d turned up his collar on his coat. She eyed the tray in front of her. ‘Do you drink cappuccino?’
‘I’ll drink anything that’s hot and wet on a morning like this!’ he replied with a grin as she balanced the tray on one hand and tugged free the cup Issy had marked with a large ‘C’. His eyes widened when she offered him the drink. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Of course. It’s going to be another long day so I’d better stick to herbal tea rather than fill myself full of caffeine.’
‘Well, that’s right sweet of you, Miss Webber, thank you.’
Knowing she’d made a tiny difference to Terry’s day only added to Frankie’s happy mood.
Having dropped off the other coffees with Jessie and Becca, and promising she’d be back in a few minutes, Frankie headed along the row of temporary cabins that filled the castle’s imposing driveway and knocked on the door of the production office.
The only person present was Emily, the young production assistant.
As she’d suspected, they were eager to hand back the cottage as soon as possible, but the landlord was insisting on the full month’s rent. Emily sighed. ‘I can’t blame him, but the powers that be are breathing down my neck about the budget overruns and they want me to claw back every penny I can.’
‘Let me have a chat with him and see if he’s happy for me to take over the lease instead,’ Frankie told her. ‘And if not, I’ll reimburse the production for the final two weeks of the lease, how about that?’
‘Oh God, if you could that would be amazing!’ Emily replied, fervently.
Frankie wandered off to find a quiet spot in the grounds.
She knew things were tight because of the extra weekends they were pulling to make up for the lost time Daffy’s antics had cost them, but she hadn’t realised it was that bad.
She checked the number on the piece of paper Emily had given her then typed it into her phone.
It rang for so long she was about to hang up when a man finally answered.
‘Whatever you’re selling, I’m not interested. ’
‘Mr Hicks? I’m not selling anything. My name is Frankie Webber and I wondered if I could have a quick word with you about the cottage the production company have been renting from you on my behalf?’
‘Frankie Webber, wow! Umm, sorry, that wasn’t very professional of me.
’ He sounded younger than Frankie had expected, closer to her own age.
He cleared his throat. ‘If this is about the kitchen tap then I’ve been trying to source a plumber for you but the rates they charge are frankly extortionate for a simple call-out, but I’ll get right on it today. ’
‘No, it’s not about the tap. I’ve sorted that out myself, thanks. I wanted to speak to you about perhaps staying on in the cottage for a little while longer. It would be a private arrangement, which is why I’m calling you directly.’