Page 2 of The Christmas Holiday
I shook my head.
‘You’ll like it. Food’s good. And yes, thefour of you – obviously there’s a photographer joining you.’
‘Oh! Of course.’ I wondered which of the photographers we used would be coming and crossed my fingers it wasn’t Roaming Hands Richard.
Jeremy seemed to read my mind. ‘Don’t worry, it’s not Dick.’
I tried to stifle the smile but my boss saw and his mouth twitched. We all knew it drove Richard up the wall being called “Dick”which was exactly why Jeremy did it. That, and because he knew his reputation. He only ever used him when he was desperate and when the journalist he’d be working with was male. I didn’t think Jeremy would have any inclination to let Dick within several miles of his daughter, let alone on a trip like this, but still.
‘I didn’t actually have anything to do with choosing the photographer – whichis probably just as well as I don’t think even I would have been able to get this guy. He’s one of the best. Always in demand. I’m surprised he agreed to do it, to be honest. Bit of a change fromNational Geographicand war reporting.’
I smiled. ‘Sounds amazing. So how come he agreed then?’
My boss shook his head. ‘Doing it as a favour apparently. Used to go out with Liv’s friend a whileback. Totally broke her heart. She knew Liv loved his work and that his shots would be head and shoulders above what most would make of this assignment. Asked him to do it to make up for all the heartache, or some such bollocks. He agreed. Not sure if that makes him a nice guy or a mug but I’d like to think it’s because he’s got a decent side, even if he is a heart breaker.’ He gave a shrug. ‘Ichecked him out. I knew his work, obviously, but didn’t know much about the man, apart from what Liv had told me. Good guy. Professional, likeable. Everyone he’s worked with, and for, wouldn’t hesitate to use him again.’ Jeremy paused, ‘Are you all right? Do you want a glass of water? You look a bit of a funny colour.’
I heard him moving about his office and took the glass he shoved in frontof my face. ‘Try not to throw up in here, though, eh? They’ve just cleaned the carpets.’
I nodded gingerly and tried to stop the clanging in my head that had started the moment my boss had told me the photographer I’d be working with had dated his daughter’s friend.
I’d seen the headlines in the social pages:Russian Socialite Dating Adventurer Photographer. I wasn’t particularly intocelebrity gossip but that time my hand had stilled on the page as I had looked at the beautiful woman gazing up adoringly at the man whose arm was around her waist. My ex. Hunter Scott.
‘Better?’ My boss looked concerned. I wasn’t entirely sure if that concern was for me or the carpet.
I nodded.
‘You’re not ill, are you?’
I closed my eyes momentarily. ‘Nope.’
‘Good. I thinkthis is going to be a great opportunity for you, Mia. Once you’ve seen Liv and Sandy tonight, come and see me tomorrow and we can go over the extra bits I want from you.’
‘Extra bits?’
‘You want to write travel, don’t you?’
‘Yes! Yes, I do. Definitely!’
‘Well, this is going to give me a chance to see what you can do when you’re not in the deepest, darkest depths of Norfolk.’
‘Really?’ I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.
He nodded. ‘Really. Scott will get great shots and he’s up for me using some in articles.’
My smile faded. For just a moment I’d forgotten… There was no way Hunter was going to agree to work with me on this. My stomach churned as the realisation dawned that my big chance was quite possibly over before I’d even had a taste ofit.
‘Have you seen any of his work?’
I nodded. ‘Umm… yes. Yes, I think I have.’ I’d actually had firsthand experience of some of his very best work and could categorically say he was extremely talented – but I didn’t think my boss needed to know that.
‘Great. Like I say, I couldn’t believe he agreed to this. Seems a bit tame for his portfolio.’
‘Perhaps he just fancied a change.’
‘Yep, maybe.’ My boss checked his watch.
‘I’d better get back to work,’ I said, taking the hint.
‘No, hold up. Ah, here he is now. I thought you might want to meet each other before tonight.’ I caught a glimpse of broad shoulders and dark, cropped hair moving through the office as I sank back down slowly on my chair. Hunter walked in, his face breaking into a smile at my boss as theyshook hands.
