Page 86 of Hidden Gem
Tanya studied her with confusion. “You don’t know how to post a video?”
“I do, but how do you make it go viral? How do you make sure journalists will see it, and those who like sharing gossip and other shit like that?”
Tanya’s eyes flashed with shock on the word ‘shit’. “Mum, are you okay? Your eyes look weird.”
Tom smiled. “She’s just in love.”
Marnie broke into a grin. “You know what? I am! That was Jason. He’s quit his job and asked me to wait until this has all blown over. But I don’t want to wait. I don’t want to be scared anymore. And I remembered that I have this video... How can I make it go public?”
She found the lighthouse video on her phone, the one she’d sworn not to show anyone. And here she was, passing it to her teenager.
Tanya took the phone from her, smiling as she watched. “Wow, mum. This is... wow. If you’re sure, I can help you put it on Twitter or something. If you use the right hashtags, it’ll go everywhere. Everyone knows Jason Hallett. People will share.”
“That’s a great idea!” Marnie thought of the advice Jason had given her, asking her daughter to teach her something. “Actually, I might have to add something to it. Like a message? Can you hold the camera and film me?”
Tanya’s fingers danced on the phone screen. “Do you mind if I cut off these end frames? You have a bit of a double chin.”
“Yes, please!” Marnie ran to the mirror to check her hair. “Do I need makeup?”
“Yes! And do something to your hair,” Tanya advised.
After fifteen minutes of styling, Tanya announced Marnie was ready.
Marnie stood in front of the camera, shivering. “I’m so scared I think I might catch on fire.”
“I can leave the room, if that helps?” Tom gathered his laptop off the couch and headed upstairs, flashing them a silly grin on the way. “Good luck!”
Tanya waved him off, focused on the screen. “Don’t worry. You look great in this light. Imagine there’s one person watching and not like millions, okay? So you’ll talk normally, like you’d talk to one person.” She looked up from the screen, blushing a little. “I guess you can imagine him?”
Marnie filled her lungs, trying to slow down her pounding heart. “Just push the button, okay?”
Chapter 41
Jason leaned againsthis headboard, listening to wood pigeons in his garden. He was home. He hadn’t even gone back to his apartment. Luna must have got wind of his resignation through her own channels since she’d messaged him, calling him an idiot and a sinking ship.
So be it. He was happy to sink into his own mattress, in his own home. Jason picked up his laptop to check how the cryptos were doing. Ethereum had rallied last night, and he’d contemplated cashing out. Maybe it was time to get out of the game, for good. If only he had something else to fill his days.
