Chapter Twenty-Three

 

Just how much equipment did a film crew need? Evie couldn’t believe how many huge metal crates, stands, metal rods, large white screens – which were called blue – props, wires and one hundred or more other things Zachary and his team got out of the vans and cars in the car park. Thankfully, they didn’t need to take it all to the inn. Her dad would have spent all day going back and forth with Starlight and the pull-along luggage cart, but it would have served him right because he was the one who had offered; they hadn’t asked. It was easier, she had to admit, to load the gear into the cart, rather than the team carry it through deep snow. And the snow was deep. She hadn’t realised quite how deep until she and Juniper had showered, dressed and stepped outside.

‘Damn snow,’ Juniper said, her boots sinking down at about twelve inches.

‘You love snow,’ Evie said, giving Juniper a friendly nudge.

‘Yeah. But it could’ve waited until tomorrow to be this deep. There’s a very good chance Miranda’s flight will be cancelled and the last thing I need today is to have her back in the office.’

‘I don’t think Gatwick got it so bad. It said on the radio that flights were delayed. It didn’t say any were cancelled. We’ll keep our fingers crossed. But even if she is, you’ve only got today and tomorrow and then you’re off for a whole fortnight. Yay!’

‘I can’t wait.’ Juniper trailed a gloved hand along one of the branches of the outdoor Christmas trees, sending a mini avalanche of snow tumbling to the blanket of white beneath. ‘This looks gorgeous, but it’s a shame it’s covering the lights. You can only just see the colours shining through. Ooh. Talking of gorgeous. Here comes Zachary.’

‘Good morning, Juniper.’ Zachary gave her a smile and looked Evie up and down. ‘The PJs have gone, I see. Pity.’ He winked and stepped aside to let them pass.

Evie scooped a handful of snow from the tree, rolled it between her hands and threw it at him. It hit his chest with a soft thud before falling to pieces.

What had come over her? She hadn’t intended to do that. Too late now though.

He gave a gasp of surprise before a smile curved his lips. ‘You may regret that.’

‘Really? I don’t think so. That was for taking my photo.’

He grinned and shook his head. ‘A fair exchange. But wait until later. I haven’t had a snowball fight in years. I think it’s time to put that right.’

‘Is that a challenge?’

‘Absolutely.’

Evie grinned. ‘You’re on. Juniper, Raven, Roland, Robin and Logan are on my team.’

He raised his brows. ‘We’re having teams?’

‘Of course. But you can only have six in a team. And Felicia must be in yours.’

He burst out laughing. ‘She will be pleased.’

‘It’ll have to be after work,’ Juniper said.

‘Six o’clock?’ Zachary suggested.

‘Oh.’ Evie threw him a sarcastic look. ‘I didn’t realise you only work part-time. Some of us work all day and don’t finish until after dinner.’

A grin curved his lips. ‘Some of us start work before breakfast.’

‘Some of us are far too clever for our own good. Or think they are.’

‘Some us of could do with looking up the definition of ‘customer care’.’

‘And some of us,’ Juniper said, joining in with the banter, ‘have to get home, get changed, get their car out of a car park and get to work.’

‘Give my regards to Miranda,’ Zachary said, still grinning.

‘I’m hoping she’s on her way to Spain. And if she isn’t, there is no way I’m telling her about you. She’d be out here like a shot and we’d never get rid of her.’

Evie linked her arm through Juniper’s. ‘I’ll walk with you to the car park.’

‘Have a good day,’ Zachary said, as they turned to walk away.

Evie glanced back at him over her shoulder. ‘Shouldn’t that be my line?’

He nodded. ‘It should. But you seem to have forgotten to read your customer service manual.’

‘Lost that long ago.’

‘I’ll buy you a copy for Christmas.’

‘Ah,’ she said, turning away. ‘And here was I hoping for jewellery.’

His laughter echoed in her ears as Juniper said, ‘What’s going on with you two?’

‘What?’ Evie glanced at her. ‘Nothing. We’re just having some friendly banter.’

‘Hmm. It seems like more than that to me. What was that about him taking your photo?’

‘Yeah. That was weird. I looked awful. And I do mean awful. He took a photo with his phone. I was a bit concerned he might use it on the show. You know, the sort of thing where he says something about the inn they’re staying at and then adds: ‘The staff uniform is rather odd but the staff are efficient, eager and full of enthusiasm’, and then shows the photo of me in my dressing gown and PJs, hair all over the place, yawning my head off.’

Juniper sniggered. ‘That would be amusing. He’s not going to though, is he? Use it on the show, I mean?’

Evie shook her head. ‘He said it was “for his wallet”. Whatever that meant.’

‘His wallet? Bloody hell, Evie. Either the man was winding you up, or he’s fallen for you, big time.’

Evie darted a look back to where Zachary had been standing, but he had disappeared into the inn.

‘Yes. Zachary Thorn loves Evie Starr. I don’t think so, Juniper. You’ve seen the man. He’s rich, famous, gorgeous. Has the body of a god.’

‘A sex-god.’

‘Yes. A sex-god. He’s got a fabulous career. No doubt a spectacular home. Can have anything he wants at the snap of his fingers. And any woman, I suspect. But yes. He’s obviously fallen for me, big time. I think not.’

‘You’re a numpty. All that stuff is irrelevant where love is concerned.’

‘The guy took a photo of me when I looked like the monster from the deep. I don’t call that love. I call that … potential humiliation on social media. Oh God. He wouldn’t, would he? No. Forget that. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t.’

‘I’m absolutely certain he wouldn’t. Don’t forget, Zachary Thorn has a bit of a shady past. Maybe shady is a bit too strong. But there was that incident before he left the SAS, wasn’t there? People with something to hide don’t usually make themselves a target for revenge by humiliating other people.’

‘Oh yes. I almost forgot he had a secret. I’d rather like to know what it is, wouldn’t you? And I’d still like to know why he took my photo.’

‘He told you why. For his wallet.’ Juniper nudged Evie. ‘At least he didn’t say something corny like: ‘I could tell you, but I’d have to kill you.’’

Evie grinned. ‘That’s weird when you think about it. Zachary being in the SAS, I mean. He doesn’t look like that sort of person, does he?’

‘What sort of person? A soldier?’

‘The sort who could do all that undercover, secret missions sort of stuff.’

‘No, he doesn’t. Ooh! I wonder if I could get him to follow Darren. Send him on a surveillance mission to find out whether my boyfriend is getting up to something he shouldn’t. Take photos. That kind of thing. Although as he couldn’t take a photo of you without you spotting him, perhaps that’s not such a good idea.’

‘Perhaps he wasn’t very good. Perhaps that’s why he left.’

‘Maybe. But anyway, he’s not in Snowflake Cove on a covert operation. He’s here to film a Christmas Special. I’m so excited I could scream. We’re going to be on TV, Evie. We’re all going to be on TV!’