Page 44 of Slow Burn Summer

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly.” She forced a laugh. “I mean, they’re not great. One only has three legs and another one is half-purple because I ran out of wool. They’re pretty wonky and unlovable to anyone but me. I enjoy doing it, though, so that’s the main thing.”

“Well, one thing youdodo exceptionally well is write, Kate, the book is an absolute triumph,” Ruby said, picking up her copy ofThe Power of Loveto hold for the camera, wrapping things up at last.

“Available in all the usual places now, folks, this one has ‘bestseller’ written all over it,” Niall said, bringing the interview to a close. “It’s been a genuine pleasure, Kate, lots of luck.”

—

“Well, I’m glad that’s over,”Kate said as they emerged into the glare of the summer morning. “Even if I did just embarrass myself on national telly.”

“It went well,” Charlie said, neutral as he slid his aviators on. “I’m sure the team will be pleased.”

There was a new coolness between them, an overhang from the night before, as he hailed them a cab.

“I’m sorry if I offended you last night,” she said, once they were in the quietness of the car.

He shook his head. “You didn’t.”

“It’s really none of my business what happened in L.A.,” she said. “I didn’t mean to come off judgy.”

He drew in a slow breath. “I overstepped last night, I won’t let it happen again. Let’s just keep the focus where it needs to be: on the book and you. It’s all good PR.”

“You told me to walk in Kate Darrowby’s shoes,” she said. “I’m doing my best.”

“I did, and you are. You’re doing exactly what’s been asked of you, Kate, and it’s working. Prue sent across half-week sales figures just now, they’re even better than they’d hoped,” he said. “Rachel wants to look for available spots at book festivals and signing events, if you’re comfortable with the idea?” He looked her way, his eyes hidden behind his sunglasses.

“Kate Darrowby would be,” she said, unsure, because it was turning out to be much more hands-on than the team had initially led her to expect.

“And Kate Elliott?” he said.

“Thinks it’s snowballed more than she anticipated.”

“More than anyone anticipated,” he acknowledged. “Which is as much down to you as the book. The ‘Darrowby effect,’ as Prue calls it.”

Kate leaned back in her seat, drained after the stress of the morning. “H said he thinks of me as the book’s guardian angel,” she said.

Charlie frowned. “H?”

“The author,” she said. “He signs his emails as ‘H,’ a random letter because it’s better than not having anything to call him.”

“Him?”

Kate backtracked. “I’m just guessing based on our conversations. I could be totally wrong.”

The cab pulled into the pavement outside the green door of Francisco & Fox.

“It’s booked to drop you at the station,” he said, opening the door. “Good luck tonight.”

She stared at him, unsure what he meant. “Tonight?”

“Dinner with your husky-eyed first love,” he said.

“Oh, that,” she sighed, hating the whole invented thing. “It’s just a glass of wine.”

He nodded, touching his fingers to his brow in salute as he slammed the door.

23

Hey Mum,

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