‘Unusually, you already know the results from today’s challenge and are aware that nobody is leaving, so tonight we won’t be putting you through that anxiety during a live broadcast. We have a surprise for you, instead,’ said Roxanne.
Oscar looked up from feeding Biggie Smalls some sausage. ‘I love surprises. What is it?’
‘It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you,’ Roxanne quipped.
‘Where’s Laura this evening?’ asked Jim, sat on the settee near Bryony. ‘She’s usually here to talk us through the live event.’
‘She’s still on set with the technical crew. They’ve had some difficulties and are working late. That’s why you’ve got me. I’m going to make sure you’re all settled and enjoy the evening.’
‘Biggie’s already enjoyed his. What was that you got for him?’
‘Saucisson Sec. It’s from the butcher in town.’
‘I’ll have to buy him some more to take home with me. What do you reckon, Biggie?’ The pug licked his lips in appreciation. ‘Ah, at last.’ His comment was directed at Lewis who entered the library.
‘Dozed off,’ said Lewis. ‘Bryony woke me up before she came downstairs.’
‘You moved into Nicola’s old room now?’ Roxanne asked.
‘Yes. Thanks. It’s very nice,’ Bryony replied.
‘Sorry about the mix up and you having to share with Lewis. I don’t know how that happened. You were really good not to make a fuss about it.’
‘It’s okay. We got along fine,’ said Bryony. She didn’t want to let on just how well they’d got along, although she feared the smile on her face might give it away. She hadn’t been keen to move out of their double room but it would have looked odd if she hadn’t agreed, even if it was for only one night. Lewis had insisted she took up the offer to move rooms. Once again, he’d voiced his concern that should anyone discover they were having a relationship, it could well put the message about Hannah that Bryony was trying so hard to get out, in the shade. She’d agreed albeit reluctantly.
No sooner had they returned from the filming than Bertrand had pounced on her, full of apologies at the misunderstanding that had led to her and Lewis sharing a room. He’d not only insisted on carrying her packed bags to the freshly cleaned room, now vacated by Nicola, but had filled the place with fresh flowers from the garden as an apology.
Packing up to move rooms and dealing with the overwrought Bertrand who’d invited her to join him for a drink to make amends, had meant she hadn’t spent any time with Lewis that afternoon. She was hoping to rectify that after the live event.
The screen erected on the wall was switched on. Day five of What Happens in… had already been broadcast in the UK so the audience at home had seen the one hundred question quiz, and it was time for the live chat element of the show. Professor Potts appeared to be broadcasting from where they’d been filming earlier in the gallery at Château du Torquet. He’d changed his outfit and now wore jeans, combined with a very pale blue shirt and a turquoise sweater draped over his shoulders. His suntanned face was as handsome as ever; his penetrating blue eyes twinkling in the lights. Bryony wondered how many women would be watching him and yearning to be on the show if only to be near him. Melinda would be positively green with envy. To be fair to him, he had let her talk about Hannah and had even made an appeal on her behalf. That could only be a good thing. Maybe between them, they’d triggered a thought, memory or response in somebody who was even now writing to her. Oscar hissed at Biggie Smalls who was scratching noisily and Bryony turned her attention again to the set. Potts opened his arms in a welcome gesture and spoke.
‘So it’s the fifth day of What Happens in… and we’re down to the final two teams. Because no one will be sent home tonight, our live event is going to be a little different. I see our four contestants are all gathered in the library at Hotel Petit Château. Good evening everyone, or should I say bonsoir?’
‘Bonsoir, Professor,’ they duly replied.
‘The viewers at home have watched today’s electrifying one hundred question quiz. It really was a nail-biter, wasn’t it? It went right down to the wire. This is the part of the show where ordinarily we’d give you the results and send one of the teams back home but not tonight. No, tonight we have a surprise for each of you. You’ve all been locked away without internet, television or phones since you arrived five days ago. You haven’t been able to talk to your loved ones, friends or find out what the public think of your performances so far. Well, tonight we’re going to change that. Oscar, look at the screen. Recognize anyone?’
Oscar’s eyes widened. The screen had changed. Potts had gone and, in his place, sat a beautiful girl with dark eyes and hair scraped back from a porcelain complexion ‘Lucinda!’ he gasped.
‘Oscar, we’re all so proud of you, honey. We’ve been watching all the shows on YouTube, here in New York. You’ve been totally awesome so far and you did so well in all your challenges, especially that inflatable one. It looked so difficult! Hope you’re enjoying France and Biggie is behaving. All his fans are rooting for you too. The show was trending on Twitter yesterday and I think they all kept tweeting about it. You can win this. Love you.’ She blew a kiss. He raised an open hand and caught it and returned one of his own.
‘Love you too, Lucinda.’
Lucinda disappeared to be replaced by a frail lady in a large faded armchair. On either side, sitting on the arms of the chair, were two adorable girls who Bryony identified immediately as the two girls in the photograph Jim had passed about at the dining table. He released a soft sigh and spoke his wife’s name. ‘Cathy.’ The little girl, Poppy, sitting on the right arm of the chair, twisted at a curl of dark hair and spoke assuredly.
‘Hello, Granpops. We’ve been watching you on telly and you’re the best. We love the bumble bee car too. Can you bring it home from France with you? We love it too and the bouncy things at the park. Can you take us there one time?’
Cathy whispered something to her. The little girl continued. ‘Granny says you will win and we think so too. We love you and good luck tomorrow.’ She finished her sentence in a rush and grinned. The other little girl waved wildly and Cathy gave a warm smile that made her eyes sparkle.
Jim sniffed back tears but a sob caught in his throat and his eyes reddened. He lifted a hand and nodded at the screen, unable to speak. Before anyone could say a word, a face that Bryony knew so well, appeared on the screen and beamed.
‘Hi, Bryony! Everyone here is totally behind you and Lewis. What an incredible team you make! The internet is awash with clips of the pair of you and appeals for Hannah. I know that’s why you went on the show and wanted to let you know you’re doing great. I’ve been monitoring the blog, Searching for Hannah and it’s getting hundreds of hits an hour. You’re a winner, Bryony. Good luck for tomorrow. Massive love from us all.’
Bryony’s stomach flipped. Melinda had used her interview time to tell Bryony what she needed to hear. People were supportive and were behind her on her quest to find Hannah. Her lips were tugged into a smile that froze the instant she saw the woman on the screen. Lewis, sat beside Bryony, tensed instantly. She looked briefly at his face which showed no emotion, only the clenched fists gave it away. The woman fluttered long eyelashes and smiled seductively.
‘Lewis, you are… incredible. Truly fantastic. I couldn’t be prouder of you. You’ve performed amazingly in every single challenge and come out top in most of them. I knew you could do this. You’ve always lacked confidence in yourself but I hope this will help you to believe in yourself, like I do. I’m so glad I convinced you to apply for this show. I’ve got everything crossed for you for tomorrow’s final. You can win this.’
The stunning dark-haired woman, with a perfect pout, who ran her elegant long fingers through luscious hair in a sultry manner as she spoke, could be none other than Maxwell.
Bryony couldn’t move. Why was Maxwell on the screen? Why had she been chosen to talk to Lewis? Why not another friend or even a relative? This woman was talking as if she and Lewis were still an item, not like they’d had an acrimonious split. Up until now, Bryony had been under the impression Maxwell had treated Lewis like dirt, yet the gorgeous creature on the screen who gave a flirtatious wink as a goodbye gesture, still seemed to carry a torch for him. Had Lewis kept something from her?
Potts was back now, his white teeth on full display. ‘What a treat for our remaining contestants who have made it through to the final. I think the viewers can all see how deeply they’ve been affected by seeing and hearing from their loved ones. Oscar, Jim, Bryony and Lewis, you have a huge amount of support and plenty of cheerleaders waiting for you back home, who’ll all be glued to the set tomorrow evening. Good luck for tomorrow when I’ll see you all again for the finale of What Happens in…’
The screen went blank.
‘Cut!’
The crew stopped filming the contestants’ reactions and began the regular practice of packing away the equipment. Roxanne crossed the room and put a hand on Jim’s arm. ‘That was so lovely.’
Jim wiped at the tears that had streaked his face. ‘I’m such a lucky man. I didn’t think I’d miss them as much as I do, and I’ll be glad to get home. It seems longer than six days since I left them.’
Oscar was in high spirits. ‘Didn’t Lucinda look fab? What a babe. Talking of babes, who was that, Lewis?’
‘A friend.’
Oscar pulled in his chin and wrinkled his nose. ‘Really?’ He stretched out the word.
‘An ex-friend,’ said Lewis. ‘Bryony, we need to talk.’
Bryony blinked. ‘We do?’
‘Yes. Now.’ He ignored Oscar’s furrowed expression and stalked out of the room.
‘Back in a min,’ said Bryony to Oscar who nodded thoughtfully.
‘Take your time.’
It was cool outside in the car park. Bryony wrapped her cardigan more tightly around her and shivered. The two remaining Citroëns were parked side by side. Her legs so heavy she could barely trudge to where Lewis was standing, next to the Furby 2CV.
‘Before you ask, I’ve literally no idea what she was doing on that screen. I don’t know who contacted her or why she even agreed to be interviewed and send me a message unless it’s part of Potts’ crackpot plan to piss me off. At the moment, he’s succeeding. I’ve put up with all sorts of crap from that bloke ever since I got here and seeing Maxwell has been the sodding icing on the cake.’
She hadn’t seen him so agitated. He flexed his fists and marched up and down the gravel alongside the car. ‘Bryony…’
‘You don’t need to say anything.’
‘I do. I want you to understand I had no idea Maxwell would pop up today. As for all that “I’m so proud of you” shit! What must you think? I can’t fathom out why she agreed to do that piece to camera.’
‘I believe you.’
‘You do?’
‘Of course. Look at you. You’re totally wound up. You wouldn’t be like that if you’d expected to see her. You were as shocked as me when she flashed up on the screen. At first, I couldn’t work out why she was there either, but then I thought it over and wondered who else knows you’re on the show apart from her? Well, Sean and Melinda, obviously, but who else knows?’
He shook his head.
‘That’s what I figured. So, who could they have invited to speak to you? You said yourself, she put your name forward for this show. She probably even knows half of the production team. It’s only logical they’d invite her on.’
He stopped his pacing and held her gaze.
‘Thank you. I couldn’t make sense of it and was blowing it out of proportion but you’ve put it in perspective again. You’re not angry with me?’
‘Why would I be? You didn’t invite her to cheer you on.’
He lifted both hands up in a submissive gesture. ‘I don’t know why…’
She stepped forward and, placing her hands either side of his face, pulled him into a long kiss. After they drew apart she said, ‘Now, forget it and come and have dinner with the others before they suspect we’re more than teammates.’