Page 58 of Sunny Skies and Summer Kisses

‘I’m fine.’ She flashed him a smile. ‘Honest, I am. I got a fresh dressing put on it this morning and it’s healing really well. It’ll be good as new in no time.’

‘Okay, if you’re sure,’ he said slowly, his eyes still locked on hers.

She felt a flutter in her stomach as her emotions took off.No way! Don’t go there!She took a moment to steady her thoughts. ‘Right, well, it’s been good to see you, Gabe, and you too, Bob.’ She smoothed the Labrador’s silky head and he nudged her hand, giving it a quick lick. ‘I’ll see you later.’ She smiled again before turning away.

‘See you, Rose.’ Gabe’s voice floated after her, accompanied by another whimper from Bob.

Why did walking away from him like this feel so wrong? she wondered. An image of herself sitting beside him on the rock, his arm flung around her, her head resting on his shoulder, filled her mind.Why are you fighting these feelings? a little voice asked her.

Wrong time, she replied. We’re just not meant to be. Simple as that.

37

Two weeks had passed since the incident with Damon. Gradually, the unsettling feeling that he could appear at any moment had trickled away and Anoushka had allowed herself to relax again. An officer from the police station over at York had paid Damon a visit the evening he’d driven at her and laid down the law in no uncertain terms. Damon had been mortified at the threat of yet another restraining order being taken out against him, apparently objecting vociferously, saying Anoushka had “imagined it all” and how she had asked him to call round and hadn’t been looking where she was going and had “stepped out in front of him as he drove away”. But the police officer was having none of it and Damon had eventually backed down.

Anoushka hoped it would mean he’d leave her alone.

It was the last Sunday in July and Anoushka was sitting on the swing seat in the garden, her nose in a book when her mobile started ringing. She picked it up to see Gabe’s number, a thrill shooting through her that set her heart galloping.

‘Gabe?’

‘Noushka, thank God you picked up! Are you busy?’ His voice sounded urgent.

‘No, I’m just sitting in the garden. Why? Is everything okay?’

‘Ughh! Jaysus, no, it’s bloody not! We’re shooting the video for my new single and we’ve run into one hell of a problem.’

‘Oh, no.’ Her brows drew together. Why was he calling her about it?

‘I honestly can’t believe this is feckin’ happening. The model, you know Lilith Dean? She’s sick. She’s picked up some bug and has been puking up all over the place; she’s too ill to work, poor woman. And I wouldn’t ask this unless… I mean, if we don’t get the filming done today we’re going to lose a shedload of money, never mind not know when we can reschedule it; it’s impossible… we’ve left it so late…’ He released an exasperated sigh. ‘So, I wondered, well, ’cos I know you did drama as well as dance at uni, I wondered if you’d maybe help out?’ Anticipation hung heavy in his voice.

‘Me?’ What could she do? she wondered.

‘Yeah, you; you’d be awesome.’

‘What? You mean you want me to—’ Her eyes widened as what he was asking dawned on her.

‘Yeah, yeah. Please, Noushka, we’re desperate. I mean… ughh! Sorry, I’m a clumsy eejit; I didn’t mean it to sound that way, but it’d be great if you’d stand in for Lilith. I just know you’d be brilliant,’ he said. ‘It’s very straightforward, I’ll explain all when you get here. In fact, why don’t I come and get you? If you’ll do it, that is? Please say you will; we’re completely knackered if you don’t.’

‘No pressure then,’ she said with a nervous laugh as she tried to process the implications of what he was asking of her.

‘Yeah, I know. I’m sorry.’

She scratched her head, feeling utterly torn. ‘Gabe, I really don’t know…’

‘I know you hate the thought of being in the limelight but I give you my word, your identity will remain a secret.’ He sighed heavily. ‘Please, Noushka, you’d be helping out a mate. We’ve already had to cancel it once before; we’re running out of time. The deadline’s tight.’

Before her brain knew what was happening the words, ‘Okay, I’ll do it,’ were out of her mouth and Gabe was whooping down the phone.Oh, jeez, what have I done?

‘Ah, my lovely Rose, thank you. Thank you! You’ll be absolutely, bloody fantastic! The director will love you! Everyone will!’

‘What about clothes? My hair?’ She fingered one of her plaits, eyeing it doubtfully. ‘My makeup?’

‘Don’t worry about that, we’ve got loads of stuff and people here who can organise all of that.’ His voice sounded giddy with happiness. ‘Thanks again, Noushka; I’ll be with you in a flash.’

‘Gabe, and what about—’ Her voiced tailed off as she realised he’d gone, doubts sending her insides into a frenzy of nerves. She clapped her hand to her forehead. ‘What have I just agreed to?’

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