Page 48 of Rescuing Rosie
‘Of course!’
‘Last night, you asked me where all the nice men are, remember?’
‘I do.’
‘Ant’s a very very nice man.’
‘Granted – he’s properly nice. Get in there, then. So, as I was saying …’
‘Sorry, Madison. Go on.’
‘Okay – you’re a writer; I need someone to help me write this book. I want that to be you.’
‘What?’ Rosie sat up in surprise, and water sloshed over the side. ‘You want me to help you write your book?’
‘No – I want you to write it for me, but make it sound like me.’
‘But you don’t know if I’m any good!’
‘Wrong. I spoke to Guy; he went off and read some of your stuff. He’s in touch with your agent and your editor. If you want to be my ghost writer, the job’s yours. Pay’s good. Deadline’s a bit tight but we can push for more time if we have to.’
Rosie was astonished. She lay in the bubbles, trying to take this in. ‘Why me?’
‘Like I told you before, I need people I can trust. You have a trustworthy vibe. And more to the point, you seem to get me, and you’re not afraid to ask difficult questions or discuss touchy topics. And you’re fun.’ She put her head on one side. ‘Well?’
‘I can’t quite believe it,’ said Rosie. ‘One door shuts and another … I’d love to, Madison. I truly would. I’ll have to speakto my editor, see if I can organise to go part time for a while, maybe.’
Madison shrugged. ‘Guy can do that. He’s very persuasive.’
Rosie looked at her. ‘But does he have your best interests at heart? He seems quite ruthless.’
‘He’s a shit,’ said Madison. ‘But he’s my manager, not my husband, so that’s fine. What do you think we should call my book? I was thinking something like,Madison Reveals Allwith a practically nude photo on the cover.’
‘Hm,’ said Rosie. ‘The publisher will probably choose the title. You know that children’s picture book,I Need a New Bum?’
‘Fuck yes! Could we do that?’
‘Something to think about.’
Madison picked up her phone. ‘Every girl needs Ashley in her contacts … Ashley, babe – you said anything we needed? A bottle of champagne and two glasses, if you’d be so kind.’
The bath water was almost cold by the time they’d polished off the bubbles and finished chatting – about Reuben, Rosie’s job and family, Madison’s life story. How hard had this star worked to get to where she was now? Her ambition and drive made more sense in the light of what she told Rosie next.
Lucas, it turned out, was her stepbrother, the only positive outcome of her parents’ vicious divorce. ‘I was only six; it properly fucked me up,’ she said. ‘Never mind your custody battles –neitherof them wanted me. Guess I’ve spent all these years since trying to make people love me. I think Lucas is probably the only person who does.’
Madison helped Rosie out of the bath, wrapped her in a fluffy towel, and Rosie hobbled over to the bed, touching her left foot to the floor on the way. The ice pack, champagne and hot bath had done much to ease the pain, and she was feeling sleepy. Now, she just wanted to sink into bed.
Madison helped her with the compression bandage that Ashley had delivered along with the champagne, then said, ‘Time for bed, sweetie. I’m going to stay a few more days so we can sort out the book contract. Once it’s all agreed, I guess we can talk some more, with your voice recorder switched on this time.’
‘My voice … oh shit,’ said Rosie. ‘My phone. Ant still has my backpack.’ Forgetting to give it back didn’t strike Rosie as a very Ant thing to do, and she wondered – fantasised – had he been distracted?
‘Excellent – a reason for him to come over!’ said Madison.
Rosie held out a hand to her. ‘Thanks for this, and for your amazing offer. I’m so excited to work with you; I’m hoping so hard this happens.’
Madison squeezed it and said, ‘It will. Sweet dreams, babe.’ She peered out of the window as she pulled the curtains. ‘It’s still quite light. Do you think there’s time for me to go for a walk, fall over, and call mountain rescue?’
Chapter Twenty
