Page 27 of The House of Hopes and Dreams
‘But that’s your particular forte. They come because you appreciate their skills and often they’re people you’ve hung out with and learned from in the past. Or, like me, they do it from friendship and for the fun of being part of an interesting project, not for the publicity.’
The format of the series was that over six episodes Carey worked on restoring, renovating and redecorating one dilapidated cottage, learning new skills along the way, or inviting specialists like me to help out. In the final programme he refurnished the cottage in an eclectic manner, ending up with a beautifully restored cottage that looked as if it had been occupied by the same family for generations, each adding a layer of their own to it. The owners always cried tears of joy and amazement. Add in the factor that Carey was enthusiastic, energetic, big, strong, handsome andverycharismatic – not to mention having that wonderfully sexy voice – and you can see whyThe Complete Country Cottagewas such a winner.
‘Most of my contacts told Daisy exactly that, when she got in touch with them for the new series,’ he agreed, grinning.
Daisy, his ex-girlfriend, was the Director’s assistant on the series.
‘When she moved out, she took my address book with all their contact details in,’ he said. ‘But they’re all in my laptop, too, of course,andon my phone.’
‘She didn’t get in touch with me. Maybe there wasn’t any stained glass involved in the new series.’
‘Or it was because she knew we were best friends and you’d just turnher down flat? They’ve finished shooting the new series and it should be out in early spring,’ he added.
‘I don’t think it’s going to be that popular without you,’ I said dubiously. ‘For a start, it was based on your ideas, after you’d restored that first cottage you bought as a wreck and wrote a book about it!’
‘Not according to the minute print in my contract, I discovered. I’m to get one mention in the credits saying the series is “from an original concept by Carey Revell”, and that’s it.’
‘That’s completely unfair!’
‘It’s certainly taught me to read the whole of any document before I ever sign anything again – and my agent’s still in the doghouse,’ he said. ‘Did I tell you that Daisy’s been shacked up with Seamus Banyan for months?’
‘No! She didn’t hang about, did she?’
‘The moment she saw me lying in a hospital bed after the accident, she decided to cut her losses,’ he said, his wonderful, almost violet eyes darkening slightly. ‘I’m tryingnotto hope the new series bombs and she regrets dumping me, especially when she discovers what I’ve got up my sleeve … if it’s a success, of course.’
‘I knew it! You’re really only here because you want me for a new project!’ I joked, though shaken by the slight note of self-doubt in his voice. He was usually so full of confidence and practically incandescent with energy and enthusiasm.
But then he grinned at me and I saw the old Carey was still there. His face might have been etched by recent pain, but it was all the more attractive and buccaneering for it.
‘I wanted to see you anyway, but something surprisinghascome up, and I’m going to need your help. And it seems my timing couldn’t be better, because it sounds like you needmejust as much as I needyou. Everything could work out really well for both of us.’
I looked at him blankly. ‘I’ve no idea what you’re talking about, Carey,’ I said patiently.
‘Oh, no – so you haven’t,’ he agreed. ‘Well, just before Christmas I unexpectedly inherited a house from my father’s older brother, who I didn’t even know existed until his solicitor tracked me down.’
‘Now who’s been keeping secrets?’ I demanded. ‘So, the lost heir of the Redclyffes rides again?’
‘Not quite, because there’s very little money and the house is in need of some serious TLC.’
‘Is it a spooky gothic mansion with a resident ghost and a ghastly secret?’
‘No, it’s not huge and the main part is relatively modern, though one wingisElizabethan and there’s an ancient tower and some cellars that are even older.’
‘That sounds pretty substantial to me.’
‘It’s rambling, but it’s no stately home, and it’s been very neglected for years.’
‘I’m beginning to see where you’re coming from,’ I said resignedly.
‘It was Nick’s idea. As soon as he heard about it, he persuaded me to let him shoot a pilot for a series he wants to callCarey Revell’s Mansion Makeover. And after all, it’s what I’ve been doing for years on a smaller scale, so it makes sense.’
‘Yes, I can see it would be an intriguing challenge, but should you be taking on so much work so soon?’ I suggested, even though I knew I was wasting my breath.
‘Nick already has footage of me hobbling out of rehab and on Friday he came up with the crew to film me pretending to see the place for the first time, even though I’d been shown over it by Mr Wilmslow when I arrived the previous day. He’s coming back on Wednesday, too.’
‘Who, Nick?’
‘No, Mr Wilmslow, the solicitor. Nick’s bringing the crew back later, when I’ve settled in a bit.’
