‘At least she has clothes to wear, and all the new people will draw attention away from her,’ I say to Tyrone.
Cam interrupts, ‘Sorry folks, I need to go back to the production village, pronto, before Porscha gets suspicious.’
‘I’ll help you pack this lot up,’ I offer.
Tyrone says he is going to bed to sleep off the jetlag. ‘We’ll get a plan together when I wake up.’
‘I’ll show you your room before I head off,’ says Cam to me. ‘You’re booked in under a false name. Ty says their luggage didn’t arrive either, so I’ll chase it up when I get a moment. I’ll bring some stuff over later because I’m afraid your back-up case is in the villa.’
We leave Tyrone and head out into the hotel corridor. ‘I really appreciate everything that you’re doing for us,’ I say once we arrive at my room, a few doors down from Tyrone and Lois’s room.
‘It also means that you have to stay in your room tonight I’m afraid. The show is aired every night, and the locals know that we are somewhere in this area, so you’ll be spotted immediately if you go out. Especially as you are so like your sister to look at.’ Cam shakes his head. ‘It’s so.... bizarre.’
‘Shame. My one night of freedom and I’m stuck here.’
Cam’s cheeks redden. ‘I could always keep you company. I’m dropping some stuff off anyway… I mean, if you want to. It’s fine if you’re too tired.’
‘I’d love to. It’ll be nice to show you my normal side,’ I say pulling a funny face. ‘Let me know what time you’ll be coming by so that I have time to hide the cauldron and the love potions.’
‘Planning to put me under your spell?’ He’s matching my crazy and I like it. ‘No need. I’m all yours. See you later.’
I close the door behind him and sag to the floor. I’m out. I’m out of the villa and I have a date with Cam tonight. Tonight. Myemotions are swirling around inside me. I love him. I absolutely love and adore him.
I run a hot, soapy bath. The hotel has provided a large selection of toiletries and smellies that I am going to take full advantage of. Even in this heat, I think it will be the only thing to calm me down. My heart feels like butterfly wings buzzing in my chest. The last week has been insane. It isn’t until I relax into the luxurious bubbles that I realise how intense being on camera 24/7 has been. But that is nothing compared to falling head over heels in love.
Three hours later, I answer the door to Cam. ‘Tyrone is still sleeping. I texted to ask if he’d like to join us for a bite to eat later,’ he blurts.
‘Great. Thank you. Come in,’ I say, trying not to sound stiff and awkward. I smell amazing, and the fluffy white robe looks good against my tan, my hair is hanging in shiny loose curls, and because I’m devoid of any make-up, I am using extreme shyness as blusher.
‘You look… clean,’ he says coyly. ‘I brought you these.’ He thrusts a bunch of wildflowers at me. They are gorgeous. I inhale the scent.
‘Thank you so much. Erm, drink?’
‘What do you have?’ He sounds as nervous as me.
Good point. ‘I could rustle up some water from the bathroom tap.’
He starts laughing. ‘I also brought this.’ He produces a bottle of chilled white wine. ‘I thought we might order room service. Are you hungry?’
My eyes light up. He really is my dream man. I get a wave of scented woody spice as he passes me to pick up the menu fromthe side table in the hotel room. We go outside onto the balcony and take in the expanse of wild jungle before us. It stretches for miles in all directions. Miles and miles of uninterrupted thick green wilderness set against a setting sun. There are two chairs and a small round table facing out over the jungle.
The heat hits me instantly.
‘If it’s too hot we can always go back inside,’ he says, looking back into the room where there is a massive king-size bed and very little else. He clears his throat. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…’
‘It’s fine. I didn’t think you did,’ I say hastily. ‘Besides, I wouldn’t … not on a first… or even a second… never. No. Not never. But eventually, maybe.’
I’m not sure where I’m going with this. Am I telling him he’ll be waiting a very long time to get into my knickers? Possibly decades? My cheeks flame. ‘Sorry. I know we agreed to take things slowly. I’m just so nervous.’
We lock eyes and I see relief spread across his face. ‘Thank Christ. Me too. I’ve been a wreck all afternoon.’
‘Really?’
‘I got changed at least four times.’ He shakes his head. ‘I never was any good at dating.’
‘What a relief. I’m positively awful. I might spill wine over you on purpose, just to get it out of the way.’
Cam chuckles. ‘Okay, but only if you let me trip over and break something expensive.’
