‘Evie? Earth to Evie. Are you there?’
I don’t respond because there’s nothing else to say.
*
After much soul-searching, I turn down Val’s offer of a PA job. It’s not the position for me; no matter how great an opportunity it is, I feel as though I need to find a book scout role, even if it does take longer than anticipated. I mention to Val that I know of a person with industry experience who’d be perfect for the job and ask if I can pass on his details. Within seconds I get a reply.
Please do. I need an experienced PA urgently as we’re about to go on location to the Tetons, Wyoming. Good luck with the job hunt.
Thanks,
Val
Since time is of the essence, I punch in Penelope’s number.
‘Evie! How’s life treating you?’ There’s a stiffness to Penelope’s voice that I haven’t heard before.
‘Good, good. I’m phoning because I might have found the perfect job. For you.’
There’s an audible gasp. ‘For me?’
I tell her all about Val and his company and what will be expected of her in this new position, including all the travel perks.
‘Oh God, Evie, thank you! It almost sounds too good to be true! Shall I phone him now? Between us, I handed in my notice, so this is great timing.’
My heart hurts for Hollywood Films. Losing Penelope will be a great loss. She has been the cornerstone, holding the place up for so long. ‘Yes, call him now. They’re off on location soon to the Tetons and ideally he’d like you there ASAP.’
‘You don’t know what this means to me, Evie, really. I appreciate you.’
I smile. ‘You’re the best in the biz, Pen. You deserve a good boss.’
There’s a little snuffle as if she’s crying. ‘What about you? Any luck on the job front?’
‘Not yet, but it’ll happen.’
‘Love that attitude.’
‘Keep me posted.’
‘You too and thanks again, Evie.’
Chapter 30
I avoid catching up with Georgios for a couple of days so I can assess my feelings and the risk-to-reward ratio. We still chat by text and I’m always grateful it doesn’t merge into sexting territory, because that’s high on my list of NO for the first year or three at least. If ever. OK, I’ve never done any sexting and I never will because it just seems uncouth. And don’t get me started on data breaches and hackers. I totally support others who choose to spice up their love lives however they see fit, but it’s not for me. Once you’ve gone viral on TikTok for all the wrong reasons, you tend to be a little more wary of online content and how quickly it can be shared.
For our relationship to work, the only way forward is to tell him the truth about the fake-dating farce and hope he understands. I’m one of those people who can’t build a life together based on an untruth, and even though I had good reasons for doing it, it still doesn’t sit well with me.
I’m polishing martini glasses in Epeolatry, getting the place ready for another evening of shenanigans, which thankfully I don’t need to be part of. Gran’s going to assume her role as librarian and Zorba is going to assist the mixologist behind the bar. Since the launch, the evenings are more sedate – manageable for Gran but still fun for members who enjoy perusing the books and chatting with other bookworms while the jazz band plays.
Tonight we’ve managed to wangle sci-fi author Joe to do a talk about his writing process and his upcoming novel. Georgios secured worldwide rights and it’ll be published by Eros books later this year. I figure the exposure will help them both and give our members another author to admire; even better that Joe is a local and lots of islanders want to help celebrate his book deal.
Once I’ve finished polishing the glasses, I do a last-minute check to make sure that everything is ready for tonight’s event. Fruit is chopped for the cocktail garnishes and is chilling in the fridge. I’ve stocked up the ice and replenished the bar. Athena is catering so I check the kitchen is tidy, giving the stainless steel benches a wipe-down and tidy the inside of the fridge so there’s room for their supplies. That done, I check each room, righting fallen cushions and turning on table lamps, which give the spaces a warm glow and add to the moody ambience.
I get a real pang at the thought of leaving all of this behind. Leaving the island, Gran and Roxy, Georgios. All of it. If I’m honest, I don’t want to leave. I’d love to stay forever but I want to chase my dreams and somehow, I don’t think Hollywood will come to me.
If I want change then I have to make change. I take my phone and consider my options. One call won’t hurt? It rings for an age before he finally answers.
‘Evie! How’s things in LA?’
