Page 52 of Love Me Till Wednesday

‘And they’re pressing us to get back out in the studio. Nick’ll talk to you afterwards, but he says he had no idea you were his son. I think it will be alright.’

Jim just nodded.

‘Let’s rock’n’roll then,’ Ed said, leading them out into the corridor.

Andy was listening to someone on his earpiece. ‘They’re all happy upstairs. That’s a wrap,’ he grinned.

Nick let out a sigh of relief. He looked at Lisa next to him. She’d done a sterling job at behaving as if nothing had happened earlier. ‘You should take up acting,’ he whispered.

‘Know anyone who can give me some tips?’

‘Possibly.’ He squeezed her hand instinctively. She glanced down. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking, but she didn’t pull her hand away.

The assistant floor manager was back, with a photographer this time. ‘Just a couple of photos for social media, then we’re done.’

Nick looked over at Jim, who gave him a fixed smile. ‘Talk later?’ Nick said.

Jim still looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights. ’That would be good,’ he said and turned away.

The photographer was trying to attract their attention. ‘Hey everyone. Can you squeeze up so I can get you all in the shot, please?’ she asked.

Nick let go of Lisa’s hand and put it behind her on the sofa. She moved into the gap he had created. He resisted the urge to hug her. That might be pushing it too far.

Andy finished thanking the audience and walked behind the sofa. He leaned over between Nick and Lisa. ‘You two ok?’

‘I think so,’ Lisa said. ‘Thank you for not saying anything about Jim and Nick.’

He chuckled. ‘Pete threatened to cut off my bollocks if I did.’

The photographer waved. ‘Everyone look this way please.’ They all smiled for the camera, and then she was gone, and it was time to leave.

Suki walked up to Nick, looking flustered. ‘We really do have to go now if you’re going to be ready for the Australian interview,’ she said.

Talking about his book again was the last thing Nick wanted to do, but he hated breaking promises. He’d have to delay talking to Jim, who was now standing next to him expectantly. ‘Jim, this is Suki. We’ll need her services a lot over the next few days.’

Suki looked confused.

‘I’ll explain everything in the car,’ he said. ‘Look, I need some time to talk to Lisa and Jim. When am I free tomorrow?’

She consulted her phone. ‘You’re doing press interviews at the hotel from 10 until 12.30. Then you’re being driven to Birmingham to see your mother for an hour. Your flight leaves from Heathrow at 7 pm. We might be able to fit you in for 10 minutes at 11?’

Lisa raised an eyebrow.

‘No,’ Nick said. ‘This is much too important for ten minutes. Can you push the start time back to 11 and shorten the interview slots? Then perhaps we can have breakfast together if that works for you two.’

Suki looked disappointed. ‘The journalists are not going to like that.’

‘Come on. It won’t matter if I play the arsey Hollywood A-lister for once.’

‘It will if you want decent reviews.’

Jim looked pissed off. ‘Don’t bother. I’ve waited this long. Fit me in when you get five minutes next year.’ He started to walk away.

Oh shit. This wasn’t going well. Nick dashed after him and caught him by the arm. ‘I’m so sorry how everything worked out. You’re important to me. I want to make time for you.’

‘You do now. Now you think there’s a chance you can back into Mum’s knickers.’

‘What?’ Had he been that obvious?

---