Dreaming of Mr. Darcy (24 page)

Kay immediately felt rotten about the way she had treated Adam. He hadn't deserved it, and she ran back down the stairs and tried to call him back, but he didn't hear her.

‘Men!' she cried. ‘Bloody, bloody men!' She returned to the B&B and slammed the blue door behind her, stomping up the stairs to the privacy of her bedroom. The dishes could wait. The bedrooms could wait. Sitting down on her window seat, she looked out across the sea towards the Cobb. Oli would be down there, charming everybody as usual, everyone except Teresa.

‘And then he'll be gone,' she said, pulling out the sketch she had made of him.

Kay's head was still spinning at the thought. Was Oli really going to leave Lyme Regis? Would he ever come back or ask her to go with him? He had said nothing to her. He had made love to her, but he hadn't talked about the future; he hadn't talked about
them
.

Kay stood up suddenly, knowing that she had to take action. She couldn't wait a moment longer. If she did, Oli would be gone, and she would be nothing more than a distant memory. She had to find out if he had any feelings for her at all, and if so, did they have a future together?

***

When Gemma rejoined the film set, Rob had disappeared. She looked everywhere for him but couldn't see him, and then it was time to do her piece to camera.

Someone had positioned a stripy deck chair in front of the Cobb, and Gemma was asked a series of questions about her experience playing a Jane Austen heroine. It was all fairly straightforward, and she didn't have time to get nervous, because she kept thinking about Rob and the look on his face when he saw her with Adam. What must he be thinking?

Finally, her piece was finished and she was free to go. She should have been walking on air at having made her decision to leave acting and at finding the courage to stand up to her mother at long last, but she wasn't thinking about those things. All that mattered was that she found Rob.

She walked along the seafront by the kiosks that were filling the air with the scent of hot vinegary chips, and her tummy gave a rumble. She realised how long ago breakfast had been. As an actress, she had been wary of what she'd eaten over the years, but she smiled at the thought of being able to eat anything she wanted to now. She didn't have to worry constantly about her waistline and could enjoy a bag of chips when she felt like it, but not just yet. She still had the last few scenes to film in Bath, and she couldn't have Anne Elliot piling on the pounds, could she?

Leaving the tempting smells behind her, she walked on, and then she saw him sitting on the low wall overlooking the sandy beach. He was holding a polystyrene cup and sipping from it slowly.

‘Rob?' she said quietly before sitting on the wall beside him.

Rob looked up from his coffee. ‘Hello,' he said.

‘You ran away from me,' Gemma said. ‘And I couldn't find you.'

‘I didn't run away,' he said.

‘Didn't you?'

‘I just didn't want to interrupt you and Adam.'

‘But you wouldn't have been interrupting anything,' Gemma assured him. ‘We were just talking.'

‘Were you?'

‘Yes!'

‘Because you looked very much like a couple to me.'

Gemma shook her head. ‘Why does everybody keep thinking that?'

‘Maybe everybody's right.'

‘But they're not right. Not at all! Can I tell you something? Adam's wonderful, and we made friends immediately. I guess we're quite similar characters. He's as shy as I am, and we find life on a film set hard at times. But we're not a couple, even though Kay at the bed and breakfast has been trying to push us together.' Gemma gave a little laugh, but Rob didn't join in. She sighed. ‘You want to know the truth? It's strange but I feel as if I want to tell you everything.'

Rob looked at her and didn't try to stop her from continuing.

‘When I found out I was doing this film, I was really nervous, because I knew I would be acting opposite Oli. It's not very original of me—I'm not the first and I certainly won't be the last actress to have a crush on her leading man, but my crush on Oli began at drama school, and this whole experience of filming with him has been strange.'

‘You're in love with Oli?' Rob said.

‘Listen to me,' Gemma said. ‘I thought I was for a while. I mean, most men would look good dressed as Captain Wentworth, and Oli quite took my breath away, but I soon realised that although he's a wonderful hero, he's not the right man for me.'

‘No?'

‘No,' she said. ‘Not at all. I was just dazzled by him, that's all. But then I got to know him and—don't get me wrong—he's a great guy, but I was beginning to realise that I was falling for somebody quite different.'

Rob frowned, his forehead puckering like an adorable puppy's. ‘Adam?'

‘No!' Gemma cried in frustration. ‘You!'

For a moment, Rob looked at her as if he hadn't heard her properly.

‘Say something,' Gemma said. ‘I don't want to be the only one sitting on this wall baring my soul.'

Rob's eyes widened and he laughed. ‘You know how I feel about you. I fell head over heels the first time I saw you shaking with nerves in rehearsals.'

‘Oh, don't!'

‘Before that, even. I think I was in love with you in that film
Into
the
Night
, although you didn't notice me at all.'

‘I can't think how I overlooked you.'

‘Neither can I,' Rob said, his eyes sparkling. ‘I mean, I'm witty and charming, handsome and—'

Gemma gave him a playful punch, and they both laughed.

‘So what were you and Adam talking about?' Rob asked.

‘We were talking about Hollywood,' Gemma said, suddenly serious. ‘Adam wanted me to audition for a film, but I said no.'

Rob's eyes narrowed. ‘You said no?'

‘Yes, and I told him that I wouldn't be acting anymore. I told my mother, too. I told her a lot of things, actually.'

‘Really?'

Gemma nodded.

‘I would have loved to have seen that,' he said with a tiny smile.

‘I wish you had. I still can't quite believe I did it.'

‘Wow,' Rob said. ‘So there's no going back now?'

‘I don't think so,' Gemma said. ‘At least, I hope not.'

‘What are you going to do?'

‘I don't know,' Gemma said. ‘I might open a knitting shop somewhere in Dorset. I might get married and have hundreds of children.'

Rob's eyebrows rose at her declaration.

Gemma laughed at the expression on his face. ‘I don't know what I'm going to do. I think I might work it out as I go along.'

Rob nodded and picked up her hand. ‘That sounds great,' he said. ‘And may I keep you company whilst you're working things out?'

Gemma smiled a big, broad smile. ‘I'm counting on it,' she said.

***

Kay didn't see Anne Elliot on a wall overlooking the beach and kissing a member of the crew. Kay's eyes focussed straight ahead to where she could see filming taking place along the Cobb. She was going to miss the little village that the cast and crew had created in Lyme Regis. Life was bound to feel a little dull once they departed, and she'd never be able to walk along the seafront without expecting to see them all filming around the harbour. Wentworth House would seem empty without them. How could any other guests possibly fill the gap that the actors would leave?

As she reached the Lower Cobb, she caught the eye of Sophie, who looked stunning in her Henrietta Musgrove costume. She ushered Kay through the security rope and gave her shoulder a squeeze.

‘Gosh, it's chaos here,' Sophie said. ‘Nobody seems to know what they're doing.'

‘What are they meant to be doing?'

‘We're meant to be doing all these DVD extras and publicity photos, but everything's going wrong. Some mad tourist just ran on to the set and attacked Oli.'

‘Oh, God! Is he all right?'

‘Oh, yes! He loved it,' Sophie said. ‘Although the pair of them almost toppled into the sea. She was quite determined to kiss him. Teresa went mad, of course, and now Gemma's disappeared. Seems she's got something going on with one of the guys from the lighting department.'

‘Really?'

‘I can't think what's going on there,' Sophie said shaking her head. ‘And rumour has it that she's giving up acting.'

‘What?'

‘Kim Reilly turned up ranting and raving and said that Gemma had gone mad and that she was having nothing more to do with her.'

‘Gosh,' Kay said.

‘Exactly,' Sophie agreed. ‘Then that nanny turned up with Teresa's daughter.'

‘Annabel?'

Sophie nodded. ‘And Oli disappeared with the child and came back with ice cream all down Captain Wentworth's jacket. Teresa was furious—
again!
Oli had to have a costume change, which held everything up, and now they can't decide what they're doing. He's been marching up and down the Cobb for ages.'

Kay looked up at him from the Lower Cobb, willing him to look in her direction, but he didn't seem to be aware of anything around him.

‘What's the matter with Oli?' Beth said, pushing in between Kay and Sophie and gazing up at Oli, who continued to prowl along the Cobb.

‘He's got on the wrong side of Teresa again,' Sophie said.

‘Has he ever been on the right side?' Beth asked. ‘Teresa's got no respect for him. She treats him appallingly.'

‘No she doesn't,' Sophie said. ‘He's the kind of guy you've got to keep in check.'

Beth tutted. ‘Everyone's so mean to Oli.'

‘Oh, dear,' Sophie said, looking up at Oli on the Cobb. ‘Something's brewing.'

The three of them watched as Teresa stalked towards Oli. Her face was full of thunder, and her eyes looked small and stony.

‘What's he done now?' Sophie asked.

‘Poor Oli,' Beth said.

‘Shush!' Sophie said, ‘I want to hear this.'

Kay did too, except she was a little afraid. There was something in Oli's face that she couldn't quite read. He looked anxious and furious, but there was something else too, something that looked as if it were about to leap out and make itself known to the world.

‘Why do you do it?' Teresa shouted. ‘Why do you always do that to me?'

‘What are you talking about?'

‘You
know
what I'm talking about. It's always the same when we're on location. You always go and—'

‘Don't be so melodramatic.'

‘I'm not being dramatic. I'm being honest, which is more than you're being.'

Oli ran a hand through his hair. ‘You don't get it, do you?'

‘What's there to get, Oli? You are who you are, and you'll never change, and there's nothing I can say that will make a difference, is there?'

‘Oh, you think I can't change, do you? Is that what you think? Well, you're wrong. I can't tell you how wrong you are!'

Teresa turned and half-walked, half-ran along the Cobb.

Oli watched her go, a look of anguish on his pale face. ‘Tibs!' he suddenly cried.

‘Tibs?' Sophie repeated incredulously.

‘Tibs,' Kay said. She'd heard that name before, hadn't she? When Oli had woken up in the living room, he'd said that name. He'd been dreaming about someone called Tibs or else had expected or wished that Tibs were there when he woke up. And now Tibs was here in Lyme Regis, because Tibs was Teresa.

Teresa stopped, and everyone watched as Oli ran the length of the Cobb to where she was standing.

‘What's going on?' Beth asked.

‘I think we're about to find out,' Sophie said, and Kay had a horrible feeling that she was right.

For a moment, it felt as if the whole of Lyme Regis was holding its breath as Oli grasped Teresa's face in his hands and bent his head to kiss her. There was a collective gasp from all who stood watching as the kiss deepened.

‘Oli and Teresa?' Beth said in horror. ‘You've got to be kidding me!'

‘Doesn't look like they're kidding, does it?' Sophie said.

‘Oh, my God! Look at the way they're kissing! I've never seen anyone kiss like that before,' Beth said.

‘It's totally wasted too,' Sophie said. ‘I mean, it's not even going to make the film. It'd make a pretty good DVD extra, though, wouldn't it?'

Kay could watch and listen to no more. She closed her eyes, trying to put a stop to the image, but it was burned into her brain. She ran as fast as she could along the seafront, knowing she had to get far away from Oli.

Kay had to get through the rest of the day without having a nervous breakdown in front of her guests, but as she closed the door of Wentworth House behind her, she couldn't stop the tears from falling.

Her head was filled with so many questions that it throbbed and it took her a moment to realise that she wasn't alone in the house. The sound of laughter was coming from the living room. Kay quickly found a tissue in her pocket and dried her eyes. What a state she must look, she thought, quickly checking her reflection in the hallway mirror. Sure enough, her normally creamy complexion was red and blotchy. She couldn't face anybody. Whoever was in her front room—even if it was a couple of burglars—could be dealt with later.

She was sneaking up the stairs when a voice stopped her.

‘Kay!'

She turned around to see Gemma standing at the foot of the stairs, a handsome man beside her.

‘Are you all right?'

Kay nodded hopelessly.

‘What a silly question—you're not all right at all, are you?'

The handsome man touched Gemma on the shoulder. ‘I'll be getting back. I'll see you later, okay?'

Gemma nodded and leaned forward to kiss him.

Kay blinked in surprise. Could the day possibly get any stranger? What had been going on in her front room? she wondered. Wasn't Gemma supposed to be seeing Adam?

Both women watched as the handsome man left the bed and breakfast.

‘I didn't mean to interrupt you,' Kay said.

‘You weren't interrupting anything,' Gemma assured her. ‘Now tell me what's wrong. Has something happened?'

Kay didn't know where to look or how to begin, so after moving through to the living room and sitting on the sofa with Gemma, Kay began at the beginning and told Gemma the whole story right up until what had just happened on the Cobb.

‘Teresa and Oli!' Gemma said. ‘I can't believe it. I thought they hated each other.'

‘That's what everyone else is saying.'

‘And he didn't tell you anything.'

Kay shook her head.

‘God! He's such a rat!' Gemma said. ‘Oh, my goodness!'

‘What?'

‘I was just talking to him yesterday. He said he was thinking of giving up acting. There's a lot of that going around at the moment. Anyway, I got the impression he was thinking of settling down, and I just assumed…'

‘What?'

‘I assumed he was talking about you or someone he'd managed to keep well hidden from the press until now. Gosh, I'm so sorry, Kay.'

Kay simply shook her head.

‘I'm going to kill him when I next see him,' Gemma continued.

‘No, don't!' Kay said in alarm. ‘Please don't say anything.'

‘But he hurt you, Kay.'

Kay took a deep breath. ‘It was my fault. I let myself fall for him. I let myself think that he was someone he wasn't. He never led me on.'

‘But he slept with you!'

‘I know. But he never made me any promises,' Kay said.

They sat in silence for a moment.

‘I hate men,' Gemma said at last. ‘Apart from Rob.'

Kay frowned. ‘Is he the man who was here?'

Gemma smiled.

‘But I thought you and Adam were together.'

Gemma looked uneasy for a moment. ‘I'm afraid there never was a me and Adam.'

Kay looked confused. ‘I don't understand.'

Gemma took a deep breath. ‘I like Adam, but we're nothing more than good friends.'

‘But I thought Adam was really in love with you.'

Gemma shook her head. ‘No.'

‘That's so strange,' Kay said. ‘I was so sure—on the beach, he said—' Kay paused.

‘What?'

‘He was going to tell me something, but I didn't give him the chance,' she said, realising that she'd never had a full confession from Adam at all when it came to Gemma. ‘What on earth was he going to say?' she asked. ‘Oh, goodness! This is all so confusing. And I thought I was a natural matchmaker.'

‘Like Emma Woodhouse?' Gemma asked.

Kay nodded. ‘And I've ended up making as big a mess as Emma, haven't I?'

‘But your intentions were the very best,' Gemma said, squeezing her hand. ‘Look, I've got to get back to the set before I'm missed. Will you be okay?'

‘I've been thinking of chucking myself off the top of Golden Cap, but I'll try to let the feeling pass.'

Kay accompanied Gemma to the front door, where they gave each other a hug.

‘You know,' Gemma said, ‘I can't help thinking that you were right about Adam.'

‘What do you mean? That he really is in love with you?'

‘Oh, no,' Gemma said quickly, ‘not me, but maybe there's somebody else he's got his eye on.' She gave a little smile, and Kay watched as she left. What on earth had Gemma meant?

She closed the front door, and the image of Adam was instantly banished from her mind, because all she could think about was Oli. And that kiss. How long had he and Teresa been in love? Kay was guessing that it predated her brief affair with him by a good, long time. What did that make Kay, a mere distraction? Was she just some sort of stopgap whilst Oli sorted himself out? That's what it felt like.

‘I mustn't think about it,' she whispered to herself. ‘I must keep busy. I must keep sane.'

She walked to the kitchen where a sink of dishes awaited her, but all she could see was Oli's beautiful golden face staring up at her from out of the greasy plates. She turned to face the door and saw him standing there, his lopsided grin tormenting her, and then a thought crossed her mind. She had to tidy his room before he got back. She'd done it before, of course, but not since they spent the night together. Not since he kissed Teresa.

Without a moment's pause, Kay bolted up the stairs and into his bedroom. She saw the unmade bed in the middle of the room and felt a stab in her heart, because she knew he slept in it for only half the night. She felt anxious. She had every right to be there, of course, but it felt strange nevertheless. She felt like an intruder.

Curiosity soon got the better of her, and she began to hunt around the room, opening the drawers in the bedside table, peering into the wardrobe, and patting the pockets of the jackets hanging in there. There must be something here—
something
that would tell her that he was in love with Teresa—something linking them together.

When she saw his large suitcase in the corner of the room, she bit her lip. It was shut, but not locked, and when she knelt down next to it, her hand shook. This was wrong, she told herself, but she knew she couldn't leave the room until she did it, and so she unzipped it and opened it up.

Why was she surprised to see just a regular suitcase? There were a couple of neatly folded T-shirts, an ancient pair of jeans, and a couple of rugby shirts. She closed her eyes for a moment. What had she expected? What did she think she could find that was going to make the slightest bit of difference to her relationship with Oli? Closing the suitcase up again, she sank to the carpet and sighed.

She noticed a notebook she'd previously overlooked. It was on the window seat and was half hidden by the curtain, but from her sitting position on the floor, Kay had a perfect view of it.

‘It won't be anything,' she said, getting up off the floor and dusting herself down. Still, it would be silly not to take a peep now that she was here. It was a small notebook—just a cheap spiral-bound one that a person could pick up in any stationery shop, and it was scuffed at the edges as though it has been endlessly put in and taken out of pockets and suitcases. Kay flipped it open and saw Oli's scrawling handwriting. The first page was a to-do list, and Kay smiled as she read through it.
Laundry. Order takeaway. Pack script!!! Ring Mum. Tell neighbour not to overfeed the fish. Ring
Teresa
.

Ring Teresa. It could've been a professional call he had to make, but Kay got the feeling that it wasn't. She flipped over to the next page and read the name Captain Wentworth. What had gone through his mind when he'd written that? she wondered. Was he thinking about the character he was going to portray? She flipped to another page, and as she did so, something fluttered to the floor. Kay bent down to retrieve it and saw that it was a photograph of a little girl on a swing. She looked no more than four years old and she had bright blond pigtails. There was only one girl it could be.

‘Annabel,' Kay said, sinking down onto the window seat.

And there was only one reason he'd keep a photograph of Annabel in his possession, and that was because she was his daughter.