Page 67 of Beyond Her Manner
As she made her way towards them, she looked back at the two women to see them embracing Sydney and Beatrice like old friends.What a small world.
On her return, she found Viola outside.
“Everything okay?” Gillian asked as Viola hung up her phone.
“Caroline has bookedCountry LifeMagazine to come and do a photoshoot of me at Kingsford later this week.”
“That’s a bit short notice, isn’t it?”
“There was a cancellation. I was on the list, and Caroline agreed. She thought it would help keep me in the public eye while I’ve been taking a break from work.”
Gillian frowned, and noticing the scared puppy look on Viola’s face, a flicker of fury burned inside her. “I thought the idea was for rest and recuperation. Does Caroline not understand you aren’t ready?”
“She believes there is only so much rest one needs. She doesn’t want me to be out of the limelight for too long, and I get that. It’s sweet that you worry for me, but this and the Proms will ease me back into work. Can I ask a favour?”
“Of course.”
“Would you be there?” Viola asked softly.
“Me? Why?”
“For one, to support me… as my friend.”
Gillian smiled at the word.
“Two, for authenticity,” Viola continued.
“Authenticity?”
“I’m not you, Gillian. I don’t have wardrobes full of country outfits, and I don’t understand the demands of the countryside as you do. I worry I won’t look the part without someone who knows how to look the part being there. Sorry if it’s too much to ask. Don’t answer now. Let’s get home, and you can answer when you are ready. I assume you are coming with me and not taking a taxi?”
Gillian narrowed her eyes. “I’ll risk it.”
Viola grinned, looped her arm through Gillian’s, and led them to the helicopter.
Was it too much to ask? For a friend to support another friend? Is that what they were, friends? The question sat in her mind as they flew back to Kingsford, Gillian now feeling more at ease in the cockpit and more comfortable with a person than she’d been in a long time. She already knew her answer, yet it would do no harm to make Viola wait — at least until they landed.
CHAPTER 15
Viola pressed her hand to her stomach. Nausea had lingered since Caroline’s call aboutCountry Lifepublishing an article on her. She’d never felt nerves like it, not even when she was performing for thousands of people. There were always a few butterflies beforehand but nothing like the last few days of feeling sick.
She knew why: Her performances she was prepared for;Country Lifeshe wasn’t. How could she be? She wasn’t exactly a true model of what they were looking for. She was a wealthy woman who had bought a house in the South Downs and knew nothing of ‘country life’.
She’d already spoken with the features editor earlier that week. The call came unexpectedly, leaving her no time to ask Gillian for support, so she answered the editor’s questions honestly and concisely. Caroline had briefed the editor beforehand, suggesting that the article touch on Viola’s time away from the spotlight and her journey through grief. The editor promised she could look over the article before it was published, but it was the photographs that concerned her the most.
With the photographer due any minute, there was nothing more she could do to prepare. Mrs Johnson had deep-cleaned the previous day, so all she needed now was Gillian’s steady presence to hold her together, in the way only Gillian could.
The thought made her smile as she remembered Gillian toppling off her chair at the restaurant. Although she had managed to stifle her laughter behind the menu, Gillian’s glare suggested she didn’t fully appreciate it.
Viola was looking forward to seeing her again; it had been too long for her liking. Although her feelings for Gillian confused her, she was equally baffled by her behaviour. Was she overanalysing everything, thanks to Caroline’s influence?
Having questioned her agent about her hands-on behaviour at their dinner together, she admitted that she’d tested the waters to see how Gillian reacted. Viola hadn’t even noticed Gillian shifting uncomfortably, and yet Caroline had. When she disclosed that Gillian asked outright if they were a couple, Caroline of course gloated. The relief that crossed Gillian’s face when she learnt they weren’t couldn’t be mistaken, but why? It wasn’t possible that Gillian had any interest in her like that, surely. Maybe she didn’t like Caroline and was relieved they weren’t an item.
A knock at the door made her heart jump into her throat. When she looked at the time it was ten minutes before anyone was due. Gillian wouldn’t be early, would she? Opening the door confirmed Viola’s thought — no, she would not.
A short, balding man in his fifties or even sixties, with an unkempt beard, held his hand out. “Miss Berkley, a pleasure. I’m Colin, the photographer forCountry LifeMagazine. You are expecting us, I believe.”
“Yes, come on in,” Viola said, standing back for him to enter. Two young men followed him carrying equipment, then a youngwoman with what looked like a make-up bag. “Go through to the hall.”
