Jason sighed. ‘Not what I had planned for tonight, is it?’
‘No. But we’ve got all the time in the world.’
Chapter Two
JENNA AWOKE TO the sounds of hammering and creaking from downstairs. Above it all, the stentorian tones of Tabitha, directing the operation, were clearly audible.
She pushed her face into the pillow. They were dismantling the exhibition. She was happy to leave them to it, given the enormous raft of other problems that had crept into her sleep and infected her dreams.
Jason still slept sweetly, one arm hanging over the side of the bed, long eyelashes fluttering on his cheeks.
The thought of what the morning papers would bring, in terms of reportage of the event, caused a sinking sensation in the pit of Jenna’s stomach. She hoped beyond hope that some column space would be given to the subject of Jason himself, his great talent, his enormous potential.
If it was all about Deano, she would throw up.
She sat up in bed, suddenly needing to know the worst. She retrieved her tablet from the bedside and went to the local news site. It had a video online, of a press conference with Deano.
She watched it with the sound as low as she could get it without disappearing altogether.
‘Yeah,’ Deano was saying, blinking into the flashbulbs but not allowing them to wipe the wicked smile from his face. ‘An, if you will, rockumentary.’
There was laughter. It turned out that he was quoting Spinal Tap with very good reason. He explained that he had returned to Bledburn in order to make a documentary about his early years and inspirations.
‘Nothing to do with the fact that Jenna Diamond has moved back here?’ The question, from a front-row hack, was inevitable, but Jenna still sucked in an angry breath.
Of course it’s to do with that, you muppet, she replied in her head, only to hear the thought spoken aloud in Jason’s sleepy, sardonic tones.
‘Oh, Jason,’ she said, flustered, looking for the pause button.
‘Don’t turn it off,’ he said. ‘Know your enemy, eh? That line about the documentary is pure bullshit. He’s come here after you.’
Jenna nodded tensely, listening to the remainder of the conference.
‘It’ll be great to catch up with Jenna,’ was Deano’s reply. ‘But that’s not what I’m here for.’
Liar.
‘I’ve spent too long in a privileged bubble,’ he continued. ‘Of wealth and celebrity. I’ve forgotten where I came from, and I need the reminder.’ He grinned again. ‘A good kick in the ass. That’s what I’m here for.’
‘Did you hear that?’ said Jason excitedly. ‘Sounds like an invitation to me.’
‘Oh God, Jason, don’t.’ Jenna watched as the video ended and the ‘Play it again’ arrow filled the box.
‘Why not?’ he demanded. ‘It’d make a fucking boss birthday present.’
Jenna was confused. ‘It’s not Deano’s birthday.’
‘No, but it’s mine.’
‘What? When? Not today, surely?’
‘Yep. Today.’
Jenna slapped her palms down on the duvet.
‘Why didn’t you say anything, for God’s sake?’
Jason shrugged.