Chapter 14 #2
‘Well, yes, of course that would be fine. Stay as long as you want! It would certainly make my life easier. That girl from your production office has been doing my head in, going on at me about handing the place back early, as if a massive streaming company needs the money more than me!’ He laughed as though he’d said something hilarious and Frankie found herself shuddering a little at the sound of it.
She had neither the time nor the patience to try and explain to him about how independent productions worked.
Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea…
Charlie Hicks finally seemed to realise she wasn’t laughing along with him and the annoying sound cut off.
‘Not that any of that is your problem, of course. The cottage is yours for as long as you want it, and if we come to a private arrangement as you suggested then I’d be happy to give you a small discount on the rate.
How long did you want to extend the lease for? ’
His question took her by surprise. She’d been thinking only about the immediate couple of weeks…
Frankie stared out over the beautiful parkland surrounding the castle and to the sea beyond.
She had that new filming project starting in January so it didn’t make much sense to keep the cottage beyond the new year…
and yet, the thought of having it as a bolthole she could escape to was so very tempting.
She was earning good money off Ton! so why not treat herself for once?
Before she knew what she was doing, she blurted out, ‘I was wondering if six months would be feasible?’
‘Six months?’ Charlie Hicks sounded like he couldn’t believe his luck. ‘Of course! I’ll get a contract drawn up today and I can pop it around this evening if you’d like.’
No, Frankie didn’t like. That twinge of doubt about what she was doing was back.
She’d made a mistake when she’d referred to a private arrangement and didn’t want this man getting the wrong idea.
‘I have plans this evening, I’m afraid, and it will all have to go through my agent’s office anyway.
I’ll give you their details and you can send everything to them.
Once they’ve checked the contract and are happy with it, they’ll arrange payment. I trust that will be satisfactory?’
‘Oh, yes, of course, of course. Whatever is most convenient for you. I’ve got a pen so give me the email address and I’ll get it all arranged. And if you need anything at all, please don’t hesitate to call me again and I’ll jump right on it for you.’
Frankie gave him the details then rang off as quickly as she could.
She stared at her phone and cursed. She shouldn’t have called him herself because now he would have her number.
She’d just been so excited at the idea of staying for Christmas that she hadn’t been thinking straight.
Well, her agent could deal with him from now on and hopefully she wouldn’t have to think about him again.
She fired off a quick email to them about the contract and asking them to let her know if there were any issues with it, then hurried back to the caravan to get ready for the day ahead.
Whether they were all still high on the success of the day before or because everyone was just desperate to get finished, they had another really successful day of filming.
Brian gathered them all together and delivered a pep talk.
‘Brilliant day, gang. Simply brilliant. I know everyone is tired, but I just need a couple more days of high energy and we’ll be done by Wednesday lunchtime.
’ A small cheer went up from the group. Brian held his hand up.
‘I know you’re all keen to get home so let’s keep our loved ones in mind as our inspiration to hit that target. ’
Brian’s expression grew serious. ‘And now for the not such great news. We’ve negotiated a flexible deal with the hotel, so we’d like to be able to hand back as many of the rooms as possible on Thursday morning.
If you’re not required as part of the breakdown team and you wish to stay longer, you’ll need to discuss that directly with the hotel management. ’
‘Don’t let the door hit you on the way out,’ Dave muttered with a scowl as he folded his arms over his barrel of a chest.
Brian’s lips tugged into a thin smile. ‘As if you haven’t been champing at the bit to get out of here, Dave.’
Dave had the decency to hold up his hands and laugh in agreement. ‘You got me there.’
Brian sighed and planted his hands on his hips.
‘I’m not going to bullshit you, because you’ve all been battling with the overrunning schedule as much as I have.
I’m afraid the budget is down to the wire and we’re running on fumes at this point.
The decision has been made, therefore, to cancel the end-of-shoot party… ’
‘Is this some kind of joke?’ an angry voice demanded.
Brian looked like he was on the verge of tears and there was a slight tremble in his voice when he replied, ‘I’m afraid not.
I want you to know that I did my best to fight for it, but it’s out of my hands.
The caterers have already been spoken to and Rosamund is aware that the room she’d kindly made available is no longer required. ’
A round of protests and grumbles came from all directions.
Brian held up his hands in a pleading gesture.
‘I’m sorry, I know you’re all disappointed.
I’ve arranged to put some money behind the bar at the Smuggler’s Den tonight as a personal thank you, but there won’t be any formal farewell. I’m very sorry.’