Page 32 of Too Busy for Love

‘The Dorchester,’ Dad interrupts. ‘No, the Savoy. Although, having said that, I could see you at Claridge’s. I watched the TV series about that; it’s right up your street.’

‘It’s not a hotel. It’s a film set, actually.’

‘Afilm set?’ Mum looks horrified. ‘What would a film set want with someone like you? You don’t know anything about films.’

‘I don’t know yet,’ I reply testily. ‘I’ve got a call with someone called Sandra from an agency that deals with this kind of thing, so I expect she’ll tell me more. Alice wouldn’t have put me forward if she didn’t think I was suitable, would she?’

‘I don’t trust these agents,’ Mum counters. ‘Only out for what they can get, that’s what they are. What does it matter to them if the job is suitable, as long as they pocket their commission. You should tell this woman you’re not interested. Stick to what you know.’

‘The problem is that nobody in the hotel industry will touch me at the moment. They all know about Hotel Dufour and don’t want to be tainted by association.’

‘That’s ridiculous,’ Mum scoffs.

‘Is it?’ I accuse. ‘You’re doing just the same thing, keeping me as far away from the guests as possible because you don’t want your precious reputation to be dented.’

‘We’re just looking out for you! You know how cruel people can be, and that woman you arrived with nearly recognised you.’

Thankfully, my phone rings again before this conversation can go any further.

‘Beatrice, this is Sandra from The Appleford Agency. Is now a good time?’

‘Absolutely,’ I tell her as I slip out of the kitchen once more.

‘So, I’ve received your CV and Alice has explained your, erm, predicament. As it happens, I do have a vacancy that might suit you, but I need to ask you a couple of questions before I put your name forward. The position I’m thinking about is a two-month contract. Is that likely to be an issue?’

‘I was hoping for something permanent,’ I tell her, trying to hide my disappointment.

‘Pretty much all the positions we deal with are fixed-term contracts,’ she explains. ‘Film work is very project based but, if you do well, there’s no reason why we wouldn’t be able to put you forward for other contracts when this one finishes. And each one will push Hotel Dufour further from the top of your CV, think of it that way.’

‘Can you tell me more about the position?’

‘Absolutely. The company is called Casterbridge Media, and they’re looking for someone to take care of the contestants in a new reality show they’re shooting in Mallorca. It says on your CV that you’re fluent in Spanish. I don’t mean to sound sceptical, but some people are prone to exaggeration on their CVs, and this is a key skill for the role.’

‘It’s not exaggerated. I am fluent.’

‘Good. The contestants and crew will all be English, but you’ll need to act as interpreter where needed.’

‘That won’t be a problem.’

‘Good. I’ll send them your CV and let you know.’

‘Thank you, Sandra.’

Having had time to come to terms with the concept, Mum and Dad are now almost more excited than me about the potential job. I’d like to hope that this is because they’re genuinely pleased for me, but I suspect it’s mainly because it means I’ll move out again. I did explain that it was only for two months, but I think they’ve chosen not to hear that bit. Nevertheless, it’s fair to say that we were all delighted when Sandra called back the next day to say that the production company wanted to set up an online interview at eleven o’clock on Monday morning.

By half past ten, I’m as ready as I can be. I’ve put my hair up, dressed in the suit Mum warily allowed me to go out and buy, and applied just enough make-up to give the impression (I hope) that I care about my appearance without being vain. I connect to the meeting using the link Sandra has sent and wait anxiously for my interviewer to join. When he does, five minutes after the meeting was supposed to have begun, I’m a little surprised to be confronted by a man who doesn’t look a day older than me.I don’t know why, but I expected someone closer to my parents’ age.

‘Hello, Beatrice,’ he says, smiling widely to reveal suspiciously even teeth. ‘I’m so sorry I’m late. My previous call overran. I’m Gus, by the way, and I’m one of the producers at Casterbridge Media.’

‘Nice to meet you, Gus,’ I reply.

‘Tell me what you know about the role.’

‘Not a huge amount, I’m afraid. I know it’s a reality TV show and that it’s set in Mallorca. That’s all they told me.’

‘Let me fill in the blanks for you then. The show is calledToo Busy for Love, and the premise is that we take a load of people whose lives are so jam-packed that they don’t have time for dating, put them in a sumptuous villa for six weeks and try to pair them up. Think of a cross betweenFirst Dates HotelandLove Island.’

‘Sounds interesting,’ I tell him. ‘What would you need from me?’

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