felt sure that her entire store of blood rushed to her face, because she felt as if her cheeks were on fire.
âKay,â she managed to say. âWelcome to Wentworth House.â
âVery apt,â Oli said. âSeeing as Iâm Wentworth.â He looked around at the group that had gathered on the landing, and everyone laughed. It was as if he were a king holding court.
âRight,â he said, breaking the spell as he retrieved his hand. âWhoâs for a drink?â
âI am,â Beth declared.
Teresa stepped in, holding up her hand. âOne drink,â she said. âWeâve got an early start in the morning, in case youâd forgotten.â
Oli clapped his hands together. âThe Habour Inn it is, then. For one drink,â he added.
Kay watched in bemusement as everyone bundled downstairs, and she couldnât resist following. The front door was flung open.
Oli exclaimed as he almost smashed into a young woman standing on the step, âGemma! What took you so long?â
âI was carrying all these,â she said, gesturing to the two suitcases and a bundle of carrier bags.
âOh, my hats!â Beth said, nodding to the bags. âI found this divine hat shop here in Lyme. Take them upstairs, will you, Gemma? Iâm in the double at the front.â
âI bet you are,â Kay heard Gemma say under her breath as she squeezed into the hallway.
âIâll give you a hand,â Kay said, stepping forward and smiling at the pale-faced actress.
âOh, youâre not coming with us?â Sophie said. âAnd Gemâyouâre coming, arenât you?â
âIâm a bit tired,â Gemma said.
âSheâs always tired,â Beth said. âCome on, Oli.â
Kay watched as they all left. âHi,â she said, turning to Gemma. âIâm Kay.â
âGemma.â
âGemma Reilly?â Kay asked, thinking that life couldnât get much more exciting. âI saw that film of yours last year.â
Gemma pulled a face. âSorry about that.â
âBut I liked it!â
âDid you?â Gemma said, sounding genuinely surprised.
The two of them made slow progress up the stairs with the suitcases.
âI did. You were great.â
âWell, youâre the only person in the country who thinks so.â
âBut it was one of those roles, wasnât it?â Kay said. âI mean, it probably didnât really stretch youâacting wiseâthe character was just a spoilt little rich girl, wasnât she? But you were so convincing.â
âWas I?â
Kay nodded as they reached the landing. âAnd by the end, I really warmed to her, you know? I began to understand her.â
âThanks,â Gemma said. âThat means a lot to me.â
Kay smiled. âIâm afraid youâll have to share.â
Gemmaâs face fell. âNot with Beth?â
âNo.â Kay laughed. âBeth grabbed a double. With Sophie. Is that okay?â
Gemma sighed with relief. âThatâs fine,â she said, and the two of them entered the room. âSophieâs one of those people you feel like youâve known foreverâin a good way, I mean.â
âBut not Beth?â
âBethâs an acquired taste,â Gemma said with the tiniest of smiles.
âCan I get you anything? A cup of tea?â Kay asked. âI was just going to make a quick bite to eat. Not much, just some soup or something. Youâre welcome to join meâif youâre not going to the pub, that is.â
âI wonât be going to the pub,â Gemma said, sitting down on the edge of the bed. âI think Iâll just have an early night with a book.â
âOkay,â Kay said. âIâll be downstairs if you need anything.â
Gemma nodded, and Kay left the room, closing the door and returning to the living room downstairs. She saw the