CHAPTER SIX
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EMMA
Susan, my boss, had granted me two days leave to move. After achieving this the day before, I was left on my own another day. But this time I didn’t feel sorry for myself; I didn’t wallow in my own misery. Instead, I looked for ways to entertain myself.
I checked Amanda’s house for something to keep me occupied, even hoping for an excuse to clean. I found nothing. Her house was immaculate. The books on her shelf were colour-coded and there wasn’t a trace of dust on any of the counters or stands. Nothing. The woman was a cleaning machine.
My only relief was the cupboards being bare. The fridge was also empty and, with a new mission, I made my way to the biggest supermarket from where I lived. What better way to show my gratitude to Amanda than to make some of my famous scones?
Going through the supermarket’s aisles, I thought of possible options for dinner. I brushed the idea away and concentrated on the things I needed to buy. I might even splash the cash and add a bottle of wine to the mix.
As I headed to the checkouts, I glimpsed the aisle of magazines. The display was covered wall to wall with different types. I couldn’t help but wander over and look at the glossy covers. Should I treat myself to one? A particular cover caught my eye. It could’ve been that I’d seen him the night before on the film, or it could have been how his eyes twinkled with mischief as he smiled for the camera. I wasn’t sure what possessed me to pick up the magazine and place it on the trolley with my shopping, but I felt a warm glow through me as I looked at his face. I smiled as my childhood friend smiled back at me.
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Back at the house, I kept myself busy.
“What on earth happened here?”
I didn’t hear Amanda come in, and her voice surprised me. It made me drop the bowl of flour I was holding in my hand.
“I bake when I’m stressed,” I replied.
The kitchen was in slight disarray. Truthfully, it looked like a flour bomb had exploded, and every available space was covered with dirty plates and cutlery.
Amanda’s shock was written all over her face.
“Don’t worry, I’ll clean up once the scones are finished,” I said, regretting making such a mess.
If Amanda changed her mind on letting me live here, I’d never forgive myself.
Amanda filled the sink with hot, soapy water and ran a cloth through it before squeezing out excess liquid and smiling. “Don’t worry, this is my favourite hobby.”
With that, she wiped the counters clean while I emptied the oven. The apple and cinnamon scones were ready to be buttered. Their delicious smell made my stomach rumble.
“What do you want to do tonight?” I asked.
“There’s a live interview with James McNair that I wouldn’t mind watching,” she answered, now clutching a sweeping brush tightly.
“Sounds good,” I replied.
I packed the flour and put it back in the cupboard. It didn’t take me long to notice that Amanda had neatly stacked the tins I had bought one on top of the other. Their labels faced forward.
She emptied the bin and went through to the living room.
I followed, thinking about the extent of Amanda’s tidiness.
“Well, it’s about to start and my throat is parched,” Amanda stated. She took a bite from one of the scones. “Jesus, these are hot! But so good!” She groaned and closed her eyes.
Should I tell her that I got the recipe from the James McNair’s mum?
I decided she wasn’t going to believe me, so instead, I smiled.
Amanda waved the remote control in the air and pointed it in my direction. If I didn’t know better, I would think she would try to shoot me with it. I handed the bottle of wine to her.
“Good choice,” she admitted while filling the glasses to the top.
“Thank you, I aim to please,” I said, placing a bowl of crisps on top of the table.
Amanda ignored me. Her eyes were glued to the TV, watching Gary Smart, the TV presenter, introduce the guest he was about to interview. James came onto the screen.
I hung my apron and sat on the couch while Amanda squealed like a teenager, bouncing in her seat like a groupie, which I suppose in a way she was. I had to admit, he looked good, extremely good. His caramel-coloured hair was swept back, making him look like he had just stepped from the shower. He wore a dark blue suit with a baby-blue fitted shirt. Even through the screen you could see the firmness of his arms and torso. His smile showed perfect pearly white teeth and dimples in each cheek. It was the smile of Hollywood. I couldn’t help but stare at him. He had the same smile and the same twinkle in his blue eyes that he had years ago, but he looked different somehow. Maybe he had just grown up.
“Well, gentlemen and all the ladies out there, I’d like to introduce you to James McNair, whom I’m sure you already know.”
Gary’s flamboyant voice boomed in the room, and the screams of the women in the audience followed.
“James, I’m sure you can also hear a few of those lovely ladies fainting in the background,” he continued.
Smiling for the camera’s benefit, Gary winked.
James’s smile was plastered on his face. He was seated comfortably on a small couch and his legs were spread out in front of him. I could tell he was tall. He blew kisses to the audience, which made the shouting louder.
“I’m sure everyone wants to hear about the new film you’re working on,” Gary said, closing his legs, making his purple velvet suit shine under the camera lights.
“Gary, ladies,” James started, looking straight at the camera, flirting with it.
It was such a close shot of his face that I held my breath and Amanda squirmed in her seat. He knew what he was doing.
“As you know, this is not my usual kind of film. I try to be in more man films, with guns and fast cars. However, this one is a love story,” he continued, passing a hand through his impeccable hair and messing it up.
“Oh my God, he’s so hot,” Amanda mumbled, her mouth full of crisps, crumbs spilling out.
I didn’t say anything, but I agreed.
“I’m going to be honest. At first it was a bit hard. I’m not used to having to show much feeling without a gun in my hands.” He chuckled, and so did everyone else in the studio. “But Jane made it so easy, so natural. It was a challenge and a great experience overall.”
“Jane Saunders is a great actress and gorgeous too. I’m sure it wasn’t very hard work,” Gary suggested.
James nodded and smiled. “She’s very talented.”
“Can you tell us a bit more about the plot of the film?” Gary asked.
Gary wasn’t looking at the camera, but directly at James. It was as if he were actually interested in the answer.
“Sure, Poles Apart is a love story. My character, Craig, is a policeman, and he falls in love with a single mother—Jane’s character—whose ex is a criminal. That’s all I can tell you, and it will be released in the US on the fourteenth of February.”
“A Valentine’s Day film, very appropriate. Now let’s get to the nitty-gritty, shall we? I’m sure there would be a few women out there interested in you. There’re a few fans who have sent questions for you to answer. Are you ready?” Gary asked.
“As ready as I’ll ever be. Go ahead,” replied James, his eyes cast low.
He was still smiling but looked shy. Was he nervous?
“Okay, the first question is from Anya in Blackpool. Have you ever been embarrassed while filming a sex scene?”
Now Gary’s attention was on the camera.
James looked relieved as he answered without hesitation. “Yes, of course! There’s nothing worse than being half-naked and trying to act sexy when there’re about a hundred people staring at you.”
“The next question is from Susan in Belfast. Have you ever been engaged?”
“Nope, I have never been engaged. I haven’t found a special girl to commit my heart to yet.”
“The last one is from Nancy in Wales. Can you tell us about your first kiss?”
With this question, Gary looked at James.
“Okay, I can do that.” James looked at the camera, took a big breath, and said, “Her name was Emma Mitchell. She was my best friend all through primary school and the first few years of secondary school. We kissed for the first time in her bedroom when I was ten, while we were playing bride and groom. I had a massive crush on her while in secondary school, but she started going out with one of the popular kids and my family moved. I never saw her again.”
I stared at the television screen. He had mentioned me on national TV. When I felt Amanda’s elbow in my ribs, I realised I had been holding my breath.
Amanda was standing now, jumping with excitement and shouting to anyone who would hear it, “My flatmate snogged James McNair!”
I was still in a trance, staring at the screen, even though Gary was now interviewing someone else, when Amanda came over with her mobile phone and sat beside me. Her eyes were eager and full of mischief.
“What are you doing?” I asked her.
She shrugged and smiled. “I’m going to tell Claire,” she said, as if that were the most normal thing to do.
“Amanda, please don’t. The last thing I need is for Claire to spread the gossip,” I begged.
Claire Jenkins worked with us and had the biggest gob in Scotland.
Amanda fell quiet for a moment, her smile faltering. “Does that mean I need to keep it a secret?”
I nodded. “After this, it won’t be secret for long, but I would prefer if it wasn’t you who started it.”
I sighed. I knew he was asked the question, but why after all these years did he have to mention my name?