‘Yes,’ she answered shortly.
‘Are you seeing him again? He’s really lovely looking,’ Josie enthused.
Kate shook her head. ‘I won’t be seeing him again. I’m sure of it.’ And she didn’t know if she was pleased or sad about it. Sad, she thought, although things had become too strained between them. But it was over now, over! If it had ever really begun.
CHAPTER SEVEN
‘GOD, I’m tired!’ James slumped down into an armchair. ‘Sorry I’m so late, but Damien is working like a demon—and expects everyone else to do the same.’
The smile faded from Kate’s lips at the mention of Damien. She tried to think of him as little as possible, but just occasionally someone mentioned him casually and the old heartache started up again. But this time she wouldn’t let it. She had Alan now, and she wouldn’t let thoughts of Damien ruin that for her.
It was ten weeks since she had last seen him, and they were well into production with the film, hence James’ moans and groans. During that time she had met Alan Reed, a tall, well-built man of moderate good looks and a generous nature. Kate had liked him from the first and had gladly accepted his invitation to the theatre. The two of them had met at a party Josie had insisted on taking her to, and fortunately he had no connection with acting. She felt she needed a break from that type.
‘You aren’t late, James. Alan hasn’t arrived yet.’
‘It’s pretty decent of him to offer me a lift home.’
‘Well, he hasn’t exactly done that yet,’ she laughed. ‘But as we’re going to your party it seems only fair we should take you with us.’
‘Damned car, breaking down like that,’ he scowled. ‘I could have got a taxi, I suppose, but—’
‘It isn’t necessary,’ she interrupted. ‘Not when we’re going to your place anyway.’ She handed him a coffee.
‘Thanks.’ He drank some of it thirstily. ‘I’ve never worked as hard as I have this past few weeks. Damien’s insatiable when it comes to work.’
‘That’s how he got to be the best,’ she said stiffly, back to the subject she had hoped to avoid. ‘He’s a perfectionist.’
‘But this isn’t normal—everyone’s complaining.’
‘Never mind,’ she smiled. ‘You can all air your grievances together tonight and then go back to work tomorrow with fresh minds.’
‘Hardly.’ He visibly started to relax, the lines of tension starting to leave his mouth. ‘I don’t think Damien would appreciate the criticism, and he’s hell to work for already without that.’
Kate looked at him sharply, a feeling of dread starting to invade her body. ‘Damien is going to be there tonight?’
‘We could hardly not invite him, everyone else to do with the film is coming.’
‘Matt Strange too?’
‘Mm,’ James grimaced. ‘He’s turning out to be just as obnoxious as I always thought he was. And he’s always surrounded by girls,’ he added with disgust.
‘Jealous?’ she teased.
‘No. I’m past the stage where I have to have girls clinging to me all day to prove how clever and handsome I am. Besides,’ he grinned, ‘Sheri wouldn’t like it.’
That marriage agreed with her brother was obvious; he and Sheri were positively glowing with love for each other when they returned from their honeymoon.
‘You’re right,’ she agreed, ‘she wouldn’t.’
‘No Josie tonight?’
‘She has a dinner date with Paul.’
‘Getting serious, isn’t it?’ he frowned.
‘Yes, I think so.’ She knew that the couple had already started talking of marriage.
James sighed. ‘That’s all we need! Well, if Josie moves out you’re coming back home. I don’t like your living here.’
‘You aren’t going to like what I did today any better,’ she told him guiltily. ‘I enrolled into a secretarial course.’
‘You did what!’ His cup landed in the saucer with a clatter.
‘Now don’t get annoyed, James,’ she calmed him. ‘I’ve tried to find a job the last few weeks, with no success. The only way to get a job nowadays is to have some sort of training behind you, and I don’t have any.’
‘But a secretarial course!’
Kate laughed at his undisguised disgust. ‘There’s nothing wrong with being a secretary.’
‘There is if you don’t need to work. Your allowance from our father makes all this unnecessary.’
‘I’ve simply had enough of lounging about poolsides. I need to do something, find myself a career.’ Her face was earnest. ‘I’m not the type to spend the rest of my fife doing nothing. I’ve had that for two years now, it’s time I did something useful.’
‘You could always take Damien up on his offer.’
‘What?’ she asked sharply.
‘Have that screen test,’ he explained. ‘I think you could be a success at it too.’
Kate sighed her relief. She had wondered what offer he meant for a moment, almost giving herself away. ‘I’ve already told him I’m not interested in a screen test.’ Or anything else he had to offer!
‘You could change your mind.’
‘But I haven’t, I’m still not interested.’ She broke off as she heard the doorbell ring. ‘That will be Alan. Be nice to him, won’t you?’
‘Aren’t I always nice to your friends?’ He looked innocent.
Kate could remember a few occasions when he hadn’t been, but she didn’t remind him of them. ‘I like Alan, I don’t want you scaring him off.’
‘As long as he isn’t another Damien I won’t interfere,’ he promised.
‘He’s nothing like him,’ she declared fiercely. ‘Now behave!’
She rushed to open the door as the bell sounded again. ‘Alan!’ she smiled happily, reaching up to kiss him fleetingly on the lips, opening the door further for him to come inside.
Alan Reed was twenty-eight, a man who had worked himself up to being in charge of a large computer section in a flourishing firm. He carried himself with an authority Kate liked, remaining calm in any situation. He was tall and powerful, his body muscled, his light brown hair brushed casually back from his face and drawing attention to his deep blue eyes. He was good-looking without being conceited about it, always attentive, always courteous.
He turned now to pull her into his arms, demanding and receiving a lengthier
