Page 65 of The Mad Marchams

“Listening to me. Sometimes I feel invisible.”

“You’re welcome, and I promise to keep your secrets.” Mabel held her gaze. “I think you should tell Colin what you do. He’ll be thrilled for you.”

“Maybe.” Felicity’s smile was hesitant. “But I think I’ll wait until he’s sorted out this horrendous family business before I drop that on him.”

“You don’t think he’s going to leave, do you?”

“No, I think he’s committed to saving the house.” Felicity frowned. “Why are you asking?”

“Because certain members of your family think he doesn’t have the staying power.”

“Grandmother, for one.” Felicity sighed as they started walking. “I keep trying to persuade her otherwise, but she refuses to listen to me.”

“Maybe she’ll only get it when Colin’s been around for a couple of years,” Mabel commented.

“One can only hope.”

Mabel’s cell buzzed and she took it out of her pocket to see a text from Dale.

You around?

Sure!

Mabel texted back before glancing over at Felicity.

“I have to take this call, but I can talk and still walk if that’s okay with you?”

“Absolutely,” Felicity said. “I promise not to eavesdrop.”

Mabel’s phone rang and she raised it to her ear. “Hey!”

“Hey! I’m in London doing some scouting for a new series next week. Any chance I can come and see you and this amazing unspoiled village street?”

“That would be great!” Mabel said. “I’ll text you the address. You can stay at the pub, they have rooms, so you’ll be right in the middle of everything.”

“Sounds cool! How are you, by the way?”

“I’m good.” Mabel kept it brief. “You?”

“Loving my life and my job right now,” Dale said. “Can’t wait to see you to catch up.” There was the beep of a cab and the sound of voices. “Gotta go and check out some Regency house with my team. I’ll be in touch!”

Mabel ended the call with a smile on her face and put her phone away.

“That was my friend, Dale. She works as a location scout for a production company in L.A. and she’s always looking for unspoiled historical settings over here.”

Felicity glanced back. “Our village is quite untouched and there are certain areas of the home park that look as if they haven’t been disturbed for centuries.”

“Exactly. And her company pays well,” Mabel added. “I’ll be interested to see what she thinks and then see if Colin would be up for it.”

“Up for what?” Felicity’s nose wrinkled.

“Earning some money,” Mabel said patiently. “For allowing a film crew to shoot at the home park, as you call it.”

“Ah, I see. Sometimes your language choices can be quite confusing,” Felicity confessed. “I feel like grandmother asking me what the internet is for.”

“You’ll catch up.” Mabel elbowed her in the side. “I’m surprised no one has asked to make your books into movies.”

“Well, actually, that’s something I’ve been talking to my agent about,” Felicity said. “But I’m not sure if I want to give up that amount of control to a movie company.”