Chloe's Rescue Mission by Dean Rosie

Author:Dean, Rosie [Dean, Rosie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-03-04T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Nina arrived moments ahead of Duncan. She’d stepped up her appearance since the first time I’d met her, and was giving off a heavy whiff of perfume. She smiled brightly, like an Avon rep. ‘How wonderful to be able to interview you together, and here! Here at your grandfather’s theatre. You must be excited to see so much interest.’

‘I am very encouraged by the way things are progressing, yes.’

‘Jolly good. Jolly good.’ She began juggling her bag, camera, phone and car keys. ‘Can I put these down, somewhere?’

I led her into the foyer, just as Duncan’s Mercedes pulled into the car-park. Nina tipped her baggage onto one of the seats and peered at her phone. ‘No messages, good. Airline mode, on. Good. Right. I’m ready. Just need the man of the moment, don’t we?’

Duncan appeared less formidable today, in cream chinos and navy polo shirt. As he jogged up the steps, his sombre face softened when he realised we two women were looking out at him.

‘Afternoon, ladies. Nina, I presume?’ he said, offering her his hand.

‘Hello, Duncan. Thank you very much for agreeing to the interview. We’re so keen to help the theatre back on its feet.’

Yes, I thought, especially with him on board.

‘Chloe,’ Duncan nodded a smile in my direction.

I could see Nina studying us for clues to an ardent and clandestine relationship. We weren’t giving her any. When he didn’t sweep me into his arms and throw me back into a clinch, she found her voice. ‘Do you mind if we take the photographs, first, while there’s still good light?’

We headed outside, where she posed us, side by side and shaking hands on the top step. Crouching on the bottom step she took a few shots up at us, to include the theatre’s name.

‘I noticed a picture of your grandfather, in the foyer, could we try you together there?’

We obliged.

Finally, when Duncan asked if there was a chance of coffee while we chatted, she took the hint and progressed to the interview.

Unlike most reporters, Nina and the County Magazine weren’t smut-gatherers. They aimed to show their subjects in a good light, giving a glowing vision of the county. It was all very jolly and embracing, with only contentious issues aired in the Local Politics section – which was allowed one page.

Duncan was amiable and polite. Nina was positively beaming with gratitude. ‘This will make a double-page spread in the June magazine. Just make sure and send me a high-res photo of Jennifer and Beth, please, and Duncan, if you could send me approved images of a couple of your hotels, that will add further glamour to the article.’

‘My pleasure,’ he said, shaking her hand once more. ‘Lovely meeting you, Nina.’

As she trotted off down the steps to her car, I noticed Duncan’s face had relaxed back into solemnity.

We still had something to discuss.

‘Did Marlean pass on my message?’

‘About the documentary?’

‘Yes, well I have a point I’d like to raise...’

‘Ross Arlington is off the project.’

If there had been any wind in my proverbial sails it suddenly dropped.

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