Page 16 of Could It Be Magic?
Actually, he didn’t, but that didn’t matter. Tally was fun, and gorgeous, and perhaps a bit of fun was what he needed right now. He’d been at a loose end in his personal life since his last relationship had ended, about a year ago. Tally had been his ‘get over your ex by getting under someone new’ moment, and she’d certainly managed that. If she was free, and so was he, then where was the harm? He hadn’t been keen, initially, when she’d hinted at it earlier in the week, but what was stopping him, really? Yes, work was busy and his folks weren’t at their best, but it wasn’t as though he didn’t have any spare time…
All of a sudden, and to Nick’s surprise, Thea’s face flashed into his mind. They’d definitely shared something in the doorway on Thursday, and he’d enjoyed his brief time with her when he’d popped into her place on Saturday to ask her about the festive night. It was daft, but he felt as though they’d got closer in the time they’d been working together than they’d been in years. He shook his head. He’d always liked Thea, a lot, but perhaps he was overthinking things. Just because they’d been spending time together at Saints’ Farm didn’t mean they were attracted to each other, although, he had to admit, he had always had more than a soft spot for her.
‘For now, I’ll show you some coffee,’ he teased gently back, trying to shake off the indecision that he felt.
‘Fair enough. I could do with the caffeine hit.’
They walked through the shop, and Nick found himself automatically checking the shelves for untidy stock. The place needed to look its best today. Over coffee, they discussed the running order, and, given the staff shortages, Tally agreed to shift Nick’s piece to camera to the top of the list, before the shop officially opened at 9 a.m. There was a beautiful, rolling mist still drifting over the fields behind the farm shop, which was just starting to burn off from the winter sun, and Tally said it would make a great backdrop, if her camera and sound technicians could get here in time to catch it. After she’d made a couple of calls, Nick found himself standing behind the shop, in front of the fields of fast dissipating fog, trying desperately to wax lyrical about why this time of year was so special for Saints’ Farm.
‘This is my home,’ he said softly, as he turned to look out across the wide expanse of field behind him. ‘And over the years, things have changed. We’re not the farmers we were, four generations ago, we’ve had to adapt with the times and innovate to stay at the top of our game.’ A slight breeze rolled the mist behind him and lifted his hair, and he swept the front of it out of his eyes before he continued. ‘But Saints’ Farm is, and always will be, home for me, and I wouldn’t ever be anywhere else. I love it here, and it’s in my blood. At Christmas, it’s even more special.’
There was a pause as Tally gestured for him to hold the last pose, before she briskly called, ‘Cut!’
Nick breathed out. He’d managed to get through it without stammering, and he felt a swell of pride.
‘That’s great,’ Tally said. ‘You can relax now, darling.’ Nick watched her as she had a quick look through at the playback and then double checked that the sound and camera operators knew what the rest of the running order was going to be. Then, she turned her attention back to Nick. Her eyes twinkled at him. ‘You really should consider a career in front of the camera – you’ve got presence, Nick.’
‘Yeah, right,’ Nick laughed, relieved that the cameras had stopped rolling. ‘You’ll say anything to flatter the talent!’
‘I’m serious!’ Tally punched him playfully on the arm. ‘Look, the production company’s got something in the pipeline that I think you’d be perfect for. Would you at least think about it?’
Nick shook his head. ‘This is fun for a few hours, but I don’t think I’ve got it in me to be a TV star.’ He gazed out over the ruddy red brown ploughed fields, fields he knew as well as the back of his hand, and then back at Tally. ‘I’ve got responsibilities to this place.’
‘I get that,’ Tally replied, ‘but you could be the next Matt Baker if you wanted to – all it takes is a little coaching.’ She looked into his eyes. ‘I’d be happy to advise you.’
‘I appreciate that, Tally, but the answer’s still no.’
‘Oh well.’ She gave a theatrical sigh. ‘Can’t say I didn’t try. And you know where I am if you ever change your mind.’
‘I’m sure my dad would be up for a role in a TV show, if you’ve got space for a grumpy old Somerset farmer!’ Nick said, to break the tension. ‘Shall I give him a call?’
Tally laughed then. ‘Sorry, darling, but Clarkson’s cornered the market on grumpy old farmers for now. I’m not sure there’s room on television for two of them.’
‘Dad’ll be chuffed to be compared to Jeremy Clarkson.’ Nick grinned. ‘He reckons he’s done more for the countryside than anyone else over the years, with that show.’
‘Farming is a very hot topic right now, Nick, and with a charismatic lead at the helm… the possibilities are endless.’
Nick knew that Tally still had a mind to convince him to think about the TV show, but he knew himself well enough to know it wouldn’t be his style. Saints Farm was his home, and he wanted to preserve its legacy. Gallivanting around in front of the camera was not on his list of life goals, despite the fun he’d had being a part of the farm shop show.
‘Well,’ he said, making a move back towards the shop, ‘I’d better get everything open. I’m on my own today, so it’s going to be busy.’
‘Can’t get the staff?’ Tally teased. ‘I did some shop work when I was at university to pay the bills – shout if you need a hand.’
‘Thanks, but I’m sure I’ll manage,’ Nick replied. He liked Tally, but he didn’t want to give her any more encouragement.
‘Thank goodness we did most of the heavy lifting last week!’ Tally said as she strode off to rejoin the crew. ‘Oh, but if you do change your mind, I could always pitch you to the production company.’
Nick shook his head, although for a split second he did allow himself the brief fantasy of what it would be like to host a TV show. Hello, and welcome to Countryside Today, your one stop shop for all things rural!
Nope. He wasn’t the next Matt Baker, no matter how much Tally tried to persuade him otherwise.
‘Well, I’d better get back to it,’ Nick said.
‘We’ll touch base with you later, once we’ve done some cover shots of the exterior,’ Tally said. ‘And then you can guide us in the direction of anything in particular you’d like us to focus on inside the shop.’
‘All right then,’ Nick said as he headed off in the direction of the farm shop. Tally didn’t press him about meeting up with her later, so he wondered if she’d gone off the idea. To his relief, he wasn’t that bothered.
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