Dreaming of Mr. Darcy (10 page)

‘He just doesn't know how talented he is,' Nana Craig said.

‘Nana!'

‘He's always shying away from praise, aren't you? I bet you haven't even told Kay about
The
Princess
and
the
Pirate
, have you?'

‘What's that?' Kay asked with a smile.

Nana Craig's eyes lit up. ‘It's the very first play Adam wrote, and I'm proud to own the only known copy in existence. I can get it for you, if you want.'

‘No, Nana!' Adam protested. ‘She doesn't want to hear about all that.'

‘But I do!' Kay said, becoming more intrigued by the moment. ‘What's it about?'

Nana Craig looked dreamy. ‘It's a marvellous swashbuckling romance set on the high seas. Well, Lyme Bay.'

Kay giggled, and Adam actually blushed.

‘But Adam refuses to produce it.'

‘Nana, I've explained, it's not very good.'

‘It
is
good!'

‘It's the first thing I ever wrote. Trust me, it's not very good.'

Nana Craig shook her head in despair.

‘Listen, we'd better be getting back,' Adam said.

‘But you've not even had a second cup of tea,' Nana Craig said.

‘Kay's got to sort things out at the bed and breakfast, and I've got a hundred calls to make.'

‘Always so busy, you young ones,' Nana Craig said, getting up.

‘It's been lovely to meet you,' Kay said. ‘Thank you for the tea.'

‘Any time,' she said. ‘You know where I am now, don't you?'

They leaned forward and gave each other an affectionate hug.

‘I like this one, Adam,' Nana Craig said. ‘Get a ring on her finger before she's snapped up by someone else.'

Adam rolled his eyes. ‘Good-bye, Nana.'

‘She's a love,' Kay said once they were back in the car.

‘I can't imagine life without her,' Adam told her. ‘She was there for me when nobody else was. Both my parents were workaholics and didn't have much time for me when I was growing up, but Nana Craig was always there. She was the one who came to parents' evenings, and she was the one who got me through all those awful spelling tests. She even helped me pick out my first suit for a job interview.'

‘She clearly adores you.'

‘And you too. I think you're her new favourite person.'

‘Just as well I'm not an actress,' Kay said.

‘Yes, she does have a problem with actresses.'

‘Why is that?'

‘Maybe it's because she was once married to an actor.'

‘Really?'

Adam nodded. ‘Before she met my grandfather, she was married to a man we know only as Bas.'

‘What happened?'

‘He ran off to London with some girl who promised to get him a part in a movie. He was never heard of again.'

‘Poor Nana Craig!'

‘Oh, she soon got over him,' Adam said as they reached the main road back towards Lyme Regis.

‘But not all actors are awful. What about Gemma? Nana Craig couldn't possibly have a problem with her, could she?'

‘I don't suppose we'll ever know,' he said.

‘But she's bound to meet her sooner or later,' Kay said.

Adam frowned. ‘What makes you say that?'

Kay groaned. He was being tremendously dim.

‘Oh, you mean if I take Nana out to see some filming?' he said. ‘That's a good idea, although she's not shown any interest in seeing it so far. It might well stir up some bad memories for her.'

‘I'm sure she'd like Gemma.'

‘Yes,' Adam said.

‘You couldn't not like Gemma, could you?' She looked directly at Adam.

‘No,' he said.

Kay sighed. She supposed it was a start—the start of something she was going to nudge along in the right direction.

Adam dropped Kay off in Lyme Regis and felt disappointed that she hadn't invited him back for coffee. She did have a lot to do, he supposed, watching as she walked down Marine Parade towards the bed and breakfast. She then did something unexpected—she turned around and walked right back towards him.

‘Would you like to come to dinner tonight?'

‘With the cast?' Adam asked.

Kay shook her head. ‘I just got a text from Teresa,' she said, holding up her phone. ‘They're going to be filming for goodness knows how long. She told me not to worry about feeding everyone. They'd get something at the pub later.'

‘Okay,' Adam said, a huge smile crossing his face. ‘What time?'

‘Eight o'clock?'

‘Fine,' he said. ‘I look forward to it.'

He watched as she walked away, her long hair swinging about her shoulders. Nana Craig would certainly be pleased with the speed of his progress, and he was rather delighted with it himself.

***

Later that evening, Kay was buzzing around like a mad thing. Everything was fine in the oven. She really didn't need to keep checking things. The clock, however, was another matter. Teresa said they would be back by eight ‘at the latest,' but there was still no sign of them. Adam would be turning up at any moment, and he would be expecting dinner—with her—but that wasn't really what she had planned. Oh, no.

She checked the oven one more time. The shepherd's pie was fine. The assorted vegetables were fine. Everything was ready except the guests.

There was a knock on the door, and Kay hoped against hope that it was Gemma, but Gemma would have her own key, wouldn't she?

Kay rushed to the door and opened it. It wasn't Gemma at all. It was Adam.

‘Hello!' he said.

‘Hi. Come in,' she said, turning her back on him and marching back down the hallway. ‘You've not seen Teresa and the gang, have you?'

‘They're not back yet?'

‘No sign of them at all,' Kay said, puffing out her cheeks.

‘Oh, well, at least it will be quiet here,' Adam said, suddenly flourishing a red rose from behind his back.

‘Oh!' Kay said. ‘I'll fetch a vase.' She took the rose, went back through to the kitchen, reached for a slim vase from the back of a cupboard, and filled it with water. A single red rose, she thought. He'd bought her a single red rose. She shook her head. It wasn't for her, and very soon, Adam would see it too.

‘You need a hand?'

Kay spun around, vase in hand, to see Adam standing in the doorway. ‘No, thank you. You're the guest, and guest rhymes with rest.' She shooed Adam out of the kitchen. ‘Come and sit in the dining room,' she said, following as he made his way to the room at the front of the house.

‘Oh,' Adam said. ‘It's a bit dark in here, isn't it?'

‘But the candles are so pretty,' Kay insisted, placing the rose in the centre of the table. ‘Your eyes will adjust.'

‘Is this because you're not a very good cook and don't want me to actually see the food?'

Kay's mouth dropped open.

‘Only joking,' Adam quickly said.

‘I'll just check on the dinner,' she said, bustling out of the room. She must calm down. He'd only been teasing her. She didn't want him to get suspicious or jumpy. She had to relax.

She leaned against the sink and took a few deep breaths. At least Adam had turned up. That was half the plan in place.

But where on earth was Gemma?

***

The day had been long and tiring. The actors and crew managed to shoot most of the indoor scenes but would have to come back the next day to finish off. They even managed to film a quick scene in the garden when the clouds parted and a sudden blast of sunshine turned everything golden.

Gemma was relieved that the day was over at last. Once she was back in the comfort of her own clothes and brought the knitting out of her bag, she began to relax and felt the vestiges of Anne Elliot slipping away and Gemma Reilly returning. She was sitting in the minibus, waiting for the others to get out of makeup. Beth was the first to board the bus.

‘God, I'm starving!' she said.

Gemma looked up briefly from her knitting. Her own tummy was rumbling like a volcano about to erupt, but she just wanted to retire to her room. Maybe she'd grab a bag of chips on her way back to the B&B.

‘You knitting again?' Beth asked.

Gemma didn't bother answering. It would only provoke a disdainful response. Actually,
not
answering would provoke a disdainful response too.

‘I don't get it,' Beth said. ‘Isn't knitting for old women?'

‘Not at all; all sorts of people are knitting these days: Madonna, Julia Roberts, Angelina Jolie—'

‘You're kidding me.'

Gemma cleared her throat. She had tagged Angelina Jolie on at the end, but it might not be strictly true. Still, it sounded good.

‘How do you think she clothes all those children of hers?' Gemma said, falling into acting mode. It was always a useful skill to have.

Beth looked dumbstruck.

Sophie, Teresa, and Oli boarded the bus.

‘Come and sit here, Oli.' Beth patted the seat next to her. ‘I wouldn't go anywhere near Gemma. You're likely to be stabbed by a knitting needle.'

Gemma could feel her face heating up as Oli cast a glance her way.

‘What are you making?' he asked.

Gemma held up the little pink jacket for his inspection.

‘Cute!' he said. ‘Hey, Teresa—look what Gemma's making.'

Teresa glanced over, her tired eyes widening when she saw the baby's jacket. ‘That's gorgeous!' she said. ‘Let me see.' She took the seat next to Gemma, and her fingers reached out to stroke the soft wool. ‘I love it! Do you make them bigger? I've got a five-year-old girl.'

‘That's just what I was thinking,' Oli said.

Teresa nodded.

‘I can make whatever size you want,' Gemma said, surprised at the positive attention her little knitting project was getting.

‘Annabel sure would look sweet in something like that,' Oli said.

Beth glared at him. ‘I would have thought wool would snag on a child.'

Nobody seemed to be listening to her. They were all watching Gemma as her needles clacked happily together.

‘You really are talented,' Sophie said. ‘I think you could have your own business if you wanted it.'

Gemma looked up and grinned. ‘It's just a hobby. Just something I do when I'm—' she was going to say ‘stressed,' but that wasn't the kind of thing she wanted Teresa or any of the others to hear. ‘When I'm not doing anything else,' she said.

‘I know several people who'd be willing to pay money—really good money—for that sort of handmade item,' Teresa said.

Beth huffed. ‘Are we going to eat, or what?'

***

‘You okay in there?' Adam called through to the kitchen.

Kay had been leaning up against the cooker, anxiously watching the clock. Poor Adam. He'd been sitting in the dining room on his own for about twenty minutes. She was being a terrible host.

‘Everything's fine,' she said as she walked through to the dining room.

‘My eyes seem to have adjusted now,' he said with a grin.

‘Would you like some more wine?' Kay asked.

He nodded. ‘Dinner ready?'

‘It's taking longer than I thought,' she lied. It had been ready ages ago, and she had to turn off the oven and hope it wouldn't completely dry out before Gemma got back.

‘Won't you join me in the meantime?' Adam asked.

‘Oh, I'd better keep an eye on things.'

Adam looked at her, and she immediately felt guilty, although she was quite sure he couldn't read her mind. He couldn't possibly know what she was planning, could he?

There was a sudden scraping of a key in the front door. Kay hurried through to the hallway, and when the door opened, she breathed a sigh of relief. It was Gemma—thank goodness! Just as Kay had predicted, she was alone.

‘Hi!' Kay called. ‘I was just making dinner. Do come and join us in the dining room.'

Gemma looked surprised. ‘Oh, I don't want you going to any trouble on my behalf.'

‘It's no trouble at all,' Kay assured her. ‘In fact, it's almost ready, but I can keep it warm for you whilst you get changed. Maybe a dress would be nice.'

Gemma looked even more surprised. ‘A dress?'

Kay nodded. ‘Dinner's always a bit special, isn't it?'

‘Erm, I guess so,' Gemma said.

‘Great!' Kay clapped her hands. ‘I'll see you in the dining room in five, then?'

‘Right,' Gemma said, disappearing up the stairs.

Kay popped her head around the dining room door. ‘Won't be long now,' she said with a big smile.

Five minutes later, Gemma came down the stairs wearing a little black dress that had been scrunched into the corner of her suitcase just in case she needed to dress up. She hadn't imagined having to dress for dinner when they booked into the bed and breakfast, but she didn't mind too much. Kay was a sweet girl, and it would be fun to get to know her better over dinner.

Entering the dining room, Gemma realised she wasn't on her own.

‘Adam?'

‘Hello, Gemma,' he said. ‘You look lovely.'

‘Thank you.'

‘Come on in,' he said, getting up and pulling out a seat for her.

Gemma sat down and then frowned. ‘Why isn't Kay joining us?'

‘What do you mean?' Adam said. ‘She is.'

‘But there are only two places set at the table.'

Adam looked at the table for the first time, and it was his turn to frown. ‘I'm not sure I understand.'

Gemma smiled. ‘I think I do.'

‘What?'

‘Well,' Gemma said, nodding to the two place settings, ‘there's you and me and candles and a single red rose.'

‘I bought that for Kay,' Adam said. ‘I thought I was Kay's special guest this evening, but I think I'm beginning to understand now.'

Kay entered the room with two plates filled with the homey—if well done—shepherd's pie.

‘That looks wonderful,' Adam said politely.

‘I put all the vegetables on already, but don't feel you have to eat them all,' Kay said.

Gemma looked in horror at the loaded plate before her.

‘Let me know if you'd like anything else.'

‘Aren't you joining us?' Adam said.

‘Gracious, no! I've already eaten,' Kay said, hurriedly leaving the room.

As soon as Gemma was quite sure Kay was out of earshot, she leaned forward towards Adam. ‘You're going to have to help me out,' she told him. ‘I had no idea Kay had planned this, and I had a huge portion of fish and chips on the way home.'

Adam chuckled. ‘Okay, pass me your plate,' he said, forking a great chunk of the shepherd's pie onto his own, together with a couple of potatoes.

‘Thanks,' Gemma said. ‘I'll be bulging out of my muslin if I attempt to eat all
that
.'

‘What's she up to, do you think?' Adam asked.

‘I think she's trying to matchmake us.'

‘What?'

‘Shush!'

Adam rolled his eyes. ‘Oh, my God! You're right. She keeps talking about you all the time.'

‘She does?'

Adam nodded. ‘Keeps drawing my attention to you.'

‘Oh!' Gemma said. ‘Whatever gave her the impression that—that you and I—?'

‘I have
absolutely
no idea.'

‘I'm so sorry,' Gemma said.

‘It's okay. I mean, it's not as if it's your fault, is it? Anyway, I do like you.'

‘Just not like
that
?'

‘I didn't mean you're not attractive,' Adam hastily added.

‘It's okay! I'm just teasing,' she said with a grin.

‘So what are we going to do?'

Gemma sighed. ‘I don't know. I really don't know.'

***

It was all going well, Kay thought. She wasn't one to eavesdrop—well, not unless it was absolutely necessary. She hung around quietly between the dining room and the kitchen, and although she hadn't heard anything in particular, she could hear faint murmurings. Adam and Gemma's voices were low. They were whispering together. That was a good sign, wasn't it? Lovers whispered together. It was a sign of cosiness, intimacy, and contentedness.

Kay smiled. She'd been right all along about those two. They were perfect for each other.

As she returned to the kitchen, she imagined herself as a modern-day Emma Woodhouse, except she wouldn't bungle things quite as horribly as Emma had, and nobody would tell her things were ‘badly done.' No, Kay had a natural flair for this kind of thing. She could just feel it.