Page 31 of Rescuing Rosie
‘Sure.’
Madison started to read again, then said, ‘So you just broke up with someone? After how long?’
They seemed to be dipping their toes in heart-to-heart waters. Perhaps if Rosie told Madison about her recent double disaster, it might make the star feel happier about sharing her own stories.
‘Nearly two years. I thought he was the one … at least, IthoughtI thought he was, if you get me, until I had this post-break-up moment of revelation. Hard to explain.’ She remembered the canal bridge, her boots, the padlock. Lysander. ‘Something opened my eyes, prompted a moment of truth.’
‘Where are all the nice blokes, Rosie?’
Good question. Rosie was about to mention Dale, then thought better of it.Niceprobably wasn’t the best adjective, anyway.
‘And in the same week I was dumped,’ she said instead, ‘the publisher of my novel, which was coming out later this year, decided the genre was dying and cancelled my book deal.’
‘Oof. That sucks.’
‘Yup. Womp womp over here, too.’ She smiled at Madison. ‘But at least I like my day job, especially when I get to do interesting assignments like this.’
‘I might be writing a book too,’ said Madison.
Oh my god.Rosie bit her tongue. Her opinions on celebrity book deals wouldn’t be helpful right now.
‘Oh! What about?’
‘They want sex, scandal, gossip; to know about all the famous people I’ve shagged – especially the married ones.’
‘I’d read that.’
Madison laughed.
‘Well … I love your authenticity–’ Rosie began.
Madison’s expression darkened. ‘You taking the piss?’ Good grief, this woman could be touchy.
‘No! I don’t mean your … your body. I mean like how inTempt Meeveryone else was banging on about how they failed to connect emotionally, or weren’t being respected, while you just said the blokes were dumb, or mingers, or terrible kissers.’ She grinned. ‘What was it you said about that guy Mikey? That it was like snogging an octopus?’
Madison wrinkled her nose. ‘Ew. Mikey. Sucky lips and hot damp hands all over me.’
‘It would certainly all make for an entertaining read, especially if it ended with a symbolic reverse BBL.’
Madison pulled a face. ‘I haven’t a clue about writing, but they said they’d get me professional help. And access to a lawyer.Haha. And they’re offering a lot of money so …’ Abruptly she stood up, gave an enormous yawn, and pulled her cardigan round her. ‘Gonna head to bed. We can talk some more tomorrow, on the walk.’
‘That’d be great,’ said Rosie, disappointed with the abrupt termination of the interview. ‘And … how would you feel about a live feed onHolistic Health’s Instagram? We’ve nearly half a million followers.’
‘Sure,’ she said. ‘Are you doing the early morning hot yoga? With Caleb?’
‘I wasgoingto,’ said Rosie, ‘but if it’s a toss-up between that and a full English in bed, I might give it a miss. I couldn’t stomach the trout tonight; I’ll need something substantial to give me the energy to climb.’
‘Okay – see you in the morning then.’
Rosie watched her thoughtfully as she made her way out of the lounge. The star was wary of saying too much, still holding Rosie at arm’s length, but she did seem to have forgiven her the whole seat-switching episode.
Rosie thought about her slightly mysterious, quiet companion, Lucas. The way they were so relaxed together.You’ve got to have someone you trust. Lucas is the only one. What was going on there? He had to be at least ten years younger than Madison.
She switched off her voice recorder and headed up the stairs. As she turned left towards Tennyson, the door to Byron opened and Ashley emerged. ‘Oh, Rosie!’ he blustered.
‘Goodnight, Ashley,’ she said, trying not to laugh.
‘Jono was showing me his amazing bird photography.’
