The Witch's Tale: A romantasy paranormal romance (The Bewitched trilogy Book 2) by Kelly Alleyn

Author:Kelly Alleyn [Alleyn, Kelly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blackbird Digital Books
Published: 2023-08-06T16:00:00+00:00

30

Making my own fun

Decima

It’s been weeks now and keeping up the benevolent Be kind to Alice fakery is killing me. I need to make my own fun.

Today, the Dubai sponsors have booked four women from Illinois. Temperance, Patience, Prudence and Silence want to be recognized legally as a unit. Their campaign for plural lesbian marriage is trending. Knowing Alice will be dead soon, my generosity knows no bounds. I’m teaching her everything I know.

‘This is a tricky one. The interview must be conducted within the rules of streaming daytime TV.’

‘I get it, Decima. No sex can be mentioned.’

‘Keep the rules at the front of your mind at the same time as putting the guests at their ease. The more relaxed they are, the more they’ll reveal. When you get more advanced, you can move on to the false ease when, 80% in, you hit them with the one killer question they don’t want you to ask. There’s always some dirt to dig up somewhere but you leave that to me. Got that?’

She nods.

‘So, Alice, what’s the number one rule?’

‘Relax.’

‘Relax and everything else takes care of itself. A hint of panic and you’re lost. One fluffed line, it’s over. How do you fluff a line?’

‘Panic.’

‘Do you ever fluff a line when you’re speaking normally?’

‘No.’

‘Exactly. And what’s the other golden rule?’

‘Keep it fresh.’

‘You got it, Alice. Over-prepare at your peril. That’s why,’ I pause at the studio doors, and turn to her with a big, generous smile. ‘I’ve left it until now to tell you the good news. You’ll be leading today’s interview.’ I don’t leave a breath for her response. For a split second, her eyes widen, but she gathers herself quickly.

‘You should have given me more notice,’ she says calmly, adjusting her collar and giving her shoulders a good shake. ‘Anybody would think you’re trying to jeopardize your own show.’

‘It’s exciting, Alice. Grab the opportunity. Don’t overthink it. You’ll start off the discussion, I’ll join in at the end with the killer question. You will close the interview on time but not before they respond.’

I heave open the double-thick soundproof door with my shoulder, grab her arm and shove her into the studio.

She keeps her balance, annoyingly, and marches off with her head up and shoulders pulled back. She throws herself into her flashy new cream vegan leather presenter’s chair. It exhales a whoof of air in protest.

I give Digby a stroke and a pat before gently and elegantly settling down next to her.

‘The first rule of presenting, Alice, is relaxed alertness.’ I say loudly. I want the crew to notice my generous mentoring.

‘You’ve said that already.’

What a little madam she is. I look around with exaggerated impatience. The crew have lost their regular poker faces and are side-eyeing. Sean is jittering about hopping from one foot to the other.

‘Five minutes. Five minutes now.’ Josh’s voice comes through my headphones.

‘Five minutes everyone, heaven help us,’ Sean calls to the floor.

Alice sits erect, poised and confident. There are strange glints of red in her eyes, she’s literally on fire for this.

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