Page 17 of Meet Me at Sunset

‘I got through the rest of the day, but the next day I didn’t get out of my hotel dressing gown.

I told my agent I was wrong for the role, and they should find someone else, someone with more experience.

To cut a long story short they said, “Don’t be silly, you’re wonderful, darling!

” They gave me a bit of time to get my head together, and they have shifted some of the filming around, but I should have been back on set last week.

’ Stephanie sighed, feeling thoroughly defeated.

‘My agent and the producers keep trying to get hold of me … but I’m avoiding them. ’

‘Why?’

Stephanie fixed her eyes on her glass, and turned the liquid around in it, deep in thought for a moment.

‘If this is how hard I find it to be a successful actress, if this is how unhappy it makes me, then maybe the big career isn’t for me?

I could do panto, or Holby City .’ She gave a small, unconvincing laugh.

Isobel reached out and placed a reassuring hand on Stephanie’s.

‘Look, you’re still young. It can be hard to find your voice before you’ve had much life experience, and it’s easy to be taken advantage of.

’ Isobel’s face clouded for a moment and Stephanie wondered if the woman had her own story.

‘You just have to fake it until you make it! That’s what they do in America, and we Brits could learn a lesson or two from them. ’

‘That doesn’t sound that easy to me.’

‘Give it a try! The industry have seen something in your talent that is real, Stephanie. They believe in you, and you just need to learn to believe in yourself too.’

‘Perhaps …’ Stephanie said, unconvinced. ‘What about you?’

‘Ah, well I have a plan … anyway, you must go back, I meant what I said – I’d love to design a gown for you, but you need a film before you can attend the premiere in Camille’s gown.

’ They both laughed, breaking the tension, though Stephanie still detected an edge in Isobel’s comment about Camille.

Fields of Barley might end up without her in it, which was looking like a real possibility right now.

‘Let’s drink to that,’ Isobel beamed, as they clinked glasses. She took a sip of her rosé and asked casually, ‘Do you know Camille well?’

‘No, not at all. The other night at the restaurant was only the second time I’d met her, though she came to the house again yesterday to see Catherine. I liked her instantly. She’s had a tough time – her husband died in a car accident.’

‘I know,’ Isobel replied. At Stephanie’s quizzical look, she explained, ‘I remember reading about it in the papers.’

‘I must have been about eighteen when it happened. I wasn’t paying a lot of attention to the news back then,’ Stephanie smiled. Then she became serious again as she added, ‘Her son, Lucas, was badly injured. They didn’t know if he’d make it.’

Isobel nodded. ‘My husband was consulted on his reconstruction. He was part of the team that performed the surgery.’

‘Wow, that’s amazing. I mean, it must be hard having him away so much, but it sounds like he’s doing incredible work.’

‘Mmm,’ Isobel responded, her tone noncommittal. ‘Speaking of Lucas, it looked as though the two of you were getting on pretty well at Il Paradiso …’

Stephanie blushed, unable to hide her attraction to him. ‘He’s got a girlfriend though, so I don’t think anything’s going to happen.’

‘I met her the other day. She was very demanding and … annoying. Stunning, of course, but a real pain in the arse. You’re so much nicer,’ Isobel whispered, as the two women giggled conspiratorially.

‘This is fun,’ Stephanie sighed happily. ‘We should meet up again, whilst your husband’s away.’

‘I’d love that,’ Isobel replied, then noticed that their glasses were empty. ‘Shall we get another bottle?’

‘Why not?’ Stephanie shrugged, pushing Anthony Minghella and film sets out of her mind. ‘We can get a taxi home, and I can’t think of a better way to spend the afternoon.’

‘And is there anything I need to be concerned about?’ Camille asked, looking imperiously at René. She was leafing through the papers on the desk in her suite, wearing a pair of oversized spectacles with thick, black frames, which only served to make her look more chic.

‘Everything is on track for the show,’ René assured her. ‘Gwyneth Paltrow is flying in tomorrow and Kristin Scott Thomas arrived this afternoon. I believe Nicolas is also on the island,’ René continued, his tone neutral, ‘if you’d like me to schedule a meeting with him.’

‘It’s fine, thank you.’ Camille swallowed.

The information was a surprise to her; she wasn’t sure if Nicolas would still attend the launch, and she could feel her pulse begin to race at the news – whether through excitement or anxiety, she couldn’t say.

‘I’ll contact him directly. And tomorrow’s trip? ’

‘Everything’s confirmed, and all the details are taken care of. Though I do need to double-check with Torres Charters that they’re able to provide the vintage Dom Pérignon you requested.’

A thoughtful look flashed across Camille’s face. As part of the pre-show buzz, Camille Andre was taking the invited VIP guests on a yacht cruise, and Paulo’s parents’ company were providing the vessel. ‘Don’t worry about that. I’ll call directly.’

A flicker of a frown crossed René’s brow, but he wasn’t going to ask Camille twice. If she gave an instruction, he knew better than to question it. Instead, he nodded. ‘Very good.’

‘Thank you, René. That’ll be all for now.’

Discreetly, René slipped away, leaving Camille alone in her suite.

He really was exceptional at his job, she thought admiringly.

He’d been with her for many years now, and was hardworking, efficient and – most importantly – loyal.

But Camille’s mind moved swiftly to other matters, and she sat down at her desk, picking up the phone and dialling a number.

‘Paulo? It’s Camille.’

‘Camille. Bonjour! ?a va? ’

‘I’m well, thank you, Paulo,’ Camille said tartly, replying to him in Spanish. ‘I wanted to confirm the dozen cases of vintage Dom Pérignon for tomorrow’s trip. Have you been able to source it?’

‘It’s better if you phone the office, speak to my parents—’

‘I’m sure you can pass the message on,’ Camille replied smoothly. ‘And if you could tell them that we have a few extra guests coming. I’ve invited Catherine and Michael, along with the young actress who’s staying with them – Stephanie Moon.’

‘Great,’ Paulo said, and she could hear the smile in his voice. ‘In fact, I’ll personally attend to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day.’

‘And two more names for the list,’ Camille continued, ignoring his comment.

‘Isobel MacFarlane and Elle Mettier,’ she finished, grimacing as she said the final name.

She hadn’t wanted to invite Lucas’s girlfriend – in Camille’s opinion, she was too much of a loose cannon to be around the high-profile guests.

But Lucas had requested that she attend, explaining that she’d felt hurt by the lack of an invitation.

And given that Camille had given her such short shrift over her repeated requests to model for Camille Andre, this could be a timely peace offering.

After all, Elle might one day be her daughter-in-law – perish the thought.

‘Doesn’t René take care of this sort of thing for you?’ Paulo wondered. ‘I thought you’d be too busy to sort out champagne and guest lists.’

Camille hesitated. She and Paulo had long had a tricky relationship.

She knew that he was Lucas’s ami from childhood.

Their friendship had been formed whilst Lucas stayed on the island with his grandmother, as Camille and Andre travelled the world.

But she knew Lucas considered him one of his best friends, so she had to be content with that.

‘For an event this important, I like to oversee the details myself.’

‘In which case, everything will be immaculate. I personally guarantee it.’

‘Good,’ Camille replied crisply. ‘Because I hear there are some areas of the restaurant that aren’t running so smoothly.’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ Paulo shot back, and Camille could hear the defensive tone in his voice. ‘We’ve had nothing but good reviews for Lucas’s cooking, and—’

‘I’m not talking about Lucas,’ Camille snapped, her patience wearing thin. ‘Although he’s the one who told me about the little hiccup with the supplier the other day – that Diego had to come chasing for his payment. That’s not a good look, Paulo. It’s highly unprofessional, and word gets round.’

‘That was nothing,’ Paulo replied dismissively. ‘Why is Lucas running to Maman over a misunderstanding?’

‘He’s keeping me informed, Paulo. I’m an investor.’

‘A silent investor.’

‘That doesn’t mean you can waste my money – or run my son’s reputation into the ground,’ Camille hissed. Then her voice changed, the tone sweet but an undeniable warning in her words. ‘But I’m sure it won’t happen again, will it?’

‘Like I said, it was a misunderstanding. Don’t worry, Camille,’ Paulo continued smoothly. ‘You can trust me.’