Page 21 of Persuading Penny
I snorted and shook my head. “Not quite. He is now a very successful and award-winning cinematographer, and he just so happens to have been hired to work on Keely’s movie.”
“Oh, my. What are the chances?”she said with a touch of disdain. Then her eyes widened with shock. “Did he worm his way to this job just to get close to you?”
“He didn’t worm his way to this job. Keely very much wanted him as her cinematographer. Like I said, he’s an award-winner. Everyone wants to work with him. Keely got lucky because her husband, Hugh, works with Cliff’s brother, Richard. They made some sort of arrangement.”
“Oh,” she said, unconvinced. “Still...honey. Surely, he is harassing you. Is he trying to get you back?”
Hardly.
“No, Aunt Sally. He’s not harassing me at all. He’s quite professional.” If professional can mean cold and uncommunicative.
“Well, then why are you so upset?”
Stunned by her inability to comprehend my emotions, I looked at her. Was she truly that ignorant of my intense feelings for Cliff?
SIX
Production got underwayand Keely was like a busy bee, tending to everything that needed to be done. She had a way of barking orders that made clear what she wanted all while remaining unoffensive.
Her actors clearly knew the material and were well prepared for their roles. Bridget, in particular, surprised everyone with her ability to accurately play the quiet side of Anne Elliot. No one would have ever suspected she’d played saucy roles before this.
“And...cut!”Keely called out as they finished a brief outdoor scene shot along the edge of a pine forest. “That’s a wrap for today. Everyone go home...or wherever.”
The two male actors who’d been in a serious dialogue for the scene, now goofed off as they waved at Keely and walked on.
Keely turned and came to me. “Oh, Penny. I’m glad you stopped by.”
“Is there anything wrong?”
She had told me time and time again to stop doubting myself so. “It’s not because I want to speak with you that something is wrong,” she’d said only two days prior. “Have more faith in your ability, Penny. You’re doing a great job,”
“No, no,” she now said. “I just wanted to remind you that we’re going to be going to Southhampton in a little while. We had originally booked a particular hotel for the dozen or so who’ll be going, but that fell through. Unfortunately, the alternative is going to cost us about eighty pounds more per room per day.”
“Eek,” I let out. “That’s quite a jump.”
“You’re telling me.”
