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Sometimes, she felt like the smaller birds.

“I don’t know why you complain. I spent a fortune on that machine, just for you, and all of those whatever-they-are that coffee is in these days, not to mention that I have to keep them all so I can recycle them.”

Francine chuckled. “You treat me good with those pods, that I cannot deny, which is why I always go the extra mile. Cecil has given in. He’s happy with Mike and hotel rooms, no fucking bus in sight, the cheapskate. I told him, Cecil, quit whining and just get it done. You know what he said?”

She leaned forward and poked the table with a perfectly manicured hand.

“Not a clue, but I think you’re going to tell me.”

Francine grinned. “Damn right I’m gonna tell you. He said, and I quote, ‘Okay Franny, you got it, whatever Sasha wants, Sasha gets,’ and I said, ‘thataboy Cecil, see how easy it is when you just do what Franny asks ya?’” She sat back and lifted her cup, twisting her head to look out at sea. “Yeah, he didn’t like that, but fuck him, right? Am I right?”

“Absolutely, 100% right,” Alex agreed with the tiniest smirk on her lips. Francine took no prisoners, and Alex paid her handsomely for it, though she wasn’t sure Eton-educated Cecil had said it quite so dramatically. She couldn’t imagine having to deal with everyone the way Francine did for her. Without herP.A. life would be a series of people-pleasing events that Alex did not want to endure, or more likely, she would end up a hermit, never going anywhere.

She wasn’t sure which was worse.

“So, we’re starting in Winchester on the second, then we make our way west to Salisbury, then it’s Exeter.”

Alex placed her mug down. “So, how’s this going to work?”

The tour had been planned for a year now; these were all finalising matters. Dates for shows that were sold out had been set in stone, and all Alex needed to know was how they navigated it all. Twenty-four nights away with twelve shows throughout October, which would lead nicely into the one-off Christmas TV show they would be recording in November for a Christmas Eve slot.

“It’s a two-night stay at each venue. Arrive in Winchester late morning. You’ll have press, sound checks, rehearsal, and the evening to relax before the following day’s evening performance, and the following day, we’ll be off to Salisbury. Rinse and repeat for all twelve destinations. Travel times are between two and four hours, press will be mainly local journos wanting a soundbite for a local gazette, nothing difficult. Nancy and Gert are available the entire tour. Jessie is running the crew again,” Francine explained, before adding, “Twelve performances, and a cool one and a half million banked.”

Alex sighed. She hated talking about money and the obscene amounts she could earn, but she didn’t complain either, knowing that in the end, it was what paid for this lavish lifestyle, the houses, the car, Francine.

It was a means to an end, a way to pay the bills and never have to worry financially, and all it would take was twenty-four days and nights of her life.

“It all sounds very tiring,” Alex commented.

“Of course, you’re gonna need a vacation after.” Francine laughed. “As glorious as this is,” her hand swept from left to right across the view of the beach, “you need to actually get away somewhere. Take a break.”

“I know, I just—” What did she just? Didn’t want to go on holiday on her own? She turned away from the boat she was watching, her attention was back on Francine.

Mindreading, Francine said, “You don’t like doing things on your own, I get it, but some of these resorts are great places to meet people. You’d never feel alone.”

“Maybe. I’ll think about it. Right now, I just want to relax and get ready for this tour.” She sagged back in her seat.

“Great, that’s my girl.” Francine stood up. “Hey, you think we should get that doctor to come on the tour with us?”

Alex turned her head and stared up at her. The mere mention of Morgan Kelly had sent a jolt of something through her. Something very sexual.

“Why?” she said quickly, too quickly.

Francine shrugged. “I dunno, just seems like a good idea, you know, in case you have another panic attack or something, or someone else is injured?”

“You think that’s likely?” An image of those eyes smiling at her sent her heart racing, but it was definitely not in panic.

“Probably not, but it’s always best to be prepared, and you know how much I like to cross those T’s and dot those I’s.”

“Yes, you do, and that’s one of the reasons I keep you around.” She smirked at her friend.

Francine grinned back at her. “True, so you got her number, right? Still got it?”

“She did, yes.” Francine stared at her as though it were obvious. Alex exhaled, because it was such a hardship, wasn’t it, calling up a beautiful woman? “I’ll call her then. But I doubt she can just take off from her job.”

“Make it worth her while, and I bet she can.” Francine winked.

Oh, she could make it worth her while alright, but somehow, she didn’t think that was what Francine had in mind, was it?