Fern Britton Summer Collection: New Beginnings, Hidden Treasures, The Holiday Home, The Stolen Weekend. Fern Britton

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СКАЧАТЬ chicken salad with my new potatoes. Will he like that?’

       As they pulled up at Maureen’s, Christie couldn’t help comparing this humble house to Nick’s parental pile. Nick squeezed her hand. ‘I’m a bit nervous. Do you think she’ll like me?’

       ‘Couldn’t give a toss if she doesn’t.’ And she didn’t. Nick was everything she had ever wanted in a man, and whatever her mother said wouldn’t change her mind. As they clicked open the gate, the front door opened to reveal Maureen dressed in her best. She looked at Nick and almost fainted. As she was to tell her circle of church-flowers ladies later, ‘He’s like that Mr Darcy but with better manners. Christine’s no Elizabeth Bennet but she’s done very well for herself. I did think the ring was a little vulgar, though.’

       Nick laid on all the charm he had for Maureen, and after lunch and the obligatory tour of her manicured back garden, he asked her if he could marry her daughter. Maureen couldn’t get the sherry out fast enough. At last, a son-in-law. And a son-in-law who would inherit a highland castle at that.

10

      ‘So what I’m saying is …’ Julia seemed not to have drawn breath since they’d begun lunch. They were in Le Caprice, just around the corner from the Ritz, at her ‘usual table’. Prominently positioned in the corner to the right of the bar, she could see everyone entering the restaurant and, more importantly they could see her and her guest. From the moment Christie had sat down, Julia had taken control of the conversation. This was the first time since their working arrangement had been established that her agent had invited Christie to anything remotely social. Not that this was remotely social, as it turned out. They had discussed the minutiae of Christie’s presenting style and one or two other media opportunities that Julia might pursue on her behalf.

      Christie surreptitiously nudged at the sleeve of her cardigan so that she could see her watch. As she suspected, the time had whizzed by. If she didn’t leave soon, she would never get to Libby’s school in time for the meeting with Mrs Snell, the head teacher. Although she was listening to Julia, her mind was already on its way there. She had no idea why she had been asked to come in. It was still early in the new term and Libby hadn’t mentioned any difficulties at school. Mrs Snell had been irritatingly circumspect, insisting that it was better they talked face to face. ‘And perhaps it would be wise not to mention to Libby that you’re coming to see me,’ she’d added, as an afterthought, yet still wouldn’t be drawn on the reason. Why not? Questions had been racing through Christie’s mind since the call two days ago, but she had failed to come up with any answers.

      ‘… you’ve got great on-screen chemistry with Sam,’ Julia carried on. ‘And you really do connect with the viewer. You’re one of those presenters who can see right down the bottle of that camera lens to reach your audience. Your confidence is building and you’re getting into your stride.’ She leaned across the table. ‘Your interview technique is interesting too. You make it all appear warm and friendly but, when need be, you’re not afraid to ask the tough question. And …’ she paused ‘… since the dress fiasco, you haven’t looked too bad either.’

      Christie was annoyed that her agent still insisted on referring to her first appearance in those terms. Julia had phoned her after each show during the subsequent two weeks, pronouncing herself satisfied or not with what she had seen. Meanwhile, Frank and Mel both took every comment personally until Christie stopped reporting back.

      Having Julia’s watchful eye had both reassured Christie and put her more on edge. She had breathed a huge sigh of relief when Julia had eventually pronounced herself satisfied. Her confidence had also grown because, since Gilly had introduced her to the nation, they hadn’t crossed paths. Christie worked from Wednesday to Friday, happy in the knowledge that the other woman wouldn’t be there to undermine her.

      ‘There is one thing that I wanted to ask you about, Julia.’ She twisted her wedding ring around her finger.

      ‘Ask away.’ Her agent gestured with a manicured hand that the floor was hers.

      ‘I’ve just checked my bank account and I’m a bit concerned that I haven’t been paid as much as we agreed. It’s probably a mistake but I wanted to check.’ Her shopping had made a nasty, guilt-inducing hole that hadn’t been filled as promptly as she’d anticipated.

      ‘Of course, darling. I quite understand. However, I think you’ll find that Lenny, our accountant, doesn’t make mistakes. We receive the payments from TV7, on the first of the month as usual, then deduct our fifteen per cent commission before forwarding the rest …’

      ‘Fifteen per cent! But I thought you said you took ten, like most other agents.’

      ‘But I’m not most other agents, darling.’ Julia’s smile definitely had something of the piranha about it. She ran her fingers over her hair, tucking the right side behind her ear. ‘You’ve passed the probationary period, you see.’

      ‘What probationary period?’ Christie was mystified.

      ‘Don’t you remember, darling? We discussed it at our first meeting.’ Julia looked straight across the table, almost challenging Christie to contradict her. ‘You’re paying for the best and that’s what you’re getting.’

      Christie was almost certain they hadn’t discussed any such thing, but Julia seemed so sure. Perhaps she hadn’t registered this detail in her excitement at being taken on. What was said at that meeting had become a bit of a blur as soon as she’d left the room, however hard she tried to piece it together. She snapped to. ‘I don’t doubt that and, of course, that’s why I came to you, but I hadn’t realised. You never did send me the letter detailing your terms.’

      ‘I’m quite sure I did. I wouldn’t forget something like that. I’ll have a word with Lily. She must have missed it or it’s got lost in the post.’ She pulled out a wafer-thin leather-backed notepad and scribbled herself a reminder. ‘Are you saying you want to go to someone else? You’re quite free to. But, of course, they won’t have my contacts and they won’t work so hard on your behalf.’ Julia remained quite cool, unperturbed by Christie’s reaction, and sailed on. ‘I was going to save this till I had definite news, but since we’re talking frankly … This morning I had a breakfast meeting with the marketing team from Drink-a-Vit.’

      Christie looked blank.

      ‘The vitamin drink for women,’ Julia explained. ‘Gilly’s the new face of the brand but, for obvious reasons, she couldn’t complete their nationwide advertising campaign. She did all the filmed ads before she got too big but now we don’t think she can do the press campaign. She must look after herself and rest as much as possible. So I suggested they use you instead. You’re ideal. To be honest, you’re not a big enough name to stand a chance of getting such a high-profile gig on your own. So this would be a huge break for you. They’re paying the earth too.’ Julia studied the nails of her left hand, running the pad of her right thumb along the top of them. ‘Now that’s what you’re paying me for. The “jam” – remember? If it’s not what you want, then by all means go elsewhere.’ She looked up at Christie, her gaze completely steady. ‘My ex-husband, Max Keen, might even take you on. In the past he’s done a reasonable job with one or two people I’ve let go. At the percentage you want.’

      Christie was appalled by the unintended turn the conversation had taken and hurried to get it back on track. ‘You know that’s not what I want. You’re marvellous, Julia. I just hadn’t fully understood your commission rates.’ She knew that leaving Julia СКАЧАТЬ