‘Well, aren’t I the dumb arse,’ he said, standing.

‘The thing is, Chance. I’m going to America, a house swap,’ said Jemima standing too.

‘You don’t have to explain to me,’ he said turning for the exit.

‘I know,’ said Jemima, gently pulling him back. ‘I want to. All my life I’ve been running away. It’s time to put down roots.’

‘In LA?’

‘Yes.’

‘What about your roots here, your family, your friends?’ he asked.

‘You saw how royally I’ve screwed that up. I need a fresh start,’ said Jemima.

‘Well, I hope Beverly makes it,’ Chance said, his tone softening. ‘I liked her.’

A despondent smile briefly crossed his face then he turned to leave. The moment he was out of sight, Jemima’s knees buckled and she slumped back onto the park bench, too in despair to even cry. LA could not come soon enough. Now she was almost at rock bottom it was time to call Shaheena. Delaying the descent any longer was more agonising than simply thudding to the floor. She dialled, awaiting the inevitable.

‘Bloody hell, Jemima, where the hell have you been? I’ve been calling you for three days!’ barked Shaheena. ‘Anyway, more importantly, guess who got caught in the gender-neutral toilets at the Hudson Hicks party getting a blowie off of—’

‘Aren’t agents supposed to be discreet?’ Jemima interjected.

Shaheena gasped. ‘When have I ever been indiscreet?’

Jemima bristled, ‘You told Miles about filth fest.’

Shaheena went quiet.

‘He tricked me! Said he was interested in selling the TV rights for you!’

‘Shaheena, just tell me what Meagan’s lawyer said.’ Jemima no longer possessed the energy to even reprimand her.

‘Meagan’s lawyer? Whatchu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?’

‘You sent a text about lawyers,’ said Jemima losing the will to live.

‘Yes, I blinkin’ did. Okay, are you sitting down?’

‘Yes,’ said Jemima bending forward to give the executioner a clear view of her neck.

‘Right. First of all, Hudson Hicks want you to come in and discuss ideas for more Beverly books. If you have any stories up your sleeve, I would pull them out tout de suite because my waters tell me there could be a two, possibly three book deal in the offing,’ Shaheena giggled.

Jemima blinked, trying to take in her words. A moment ago, her entire career was heading for the bottom of the ocean but somehow it had been thrown a lifeline.

‘Shaheena, that’s amazing. I—’

‘That’s not even the best part. You know IPC who do all those book adaptations? They’re doing Clash of the Crown next and rumour has it, The Cave as a limited series. Well, they’re interested in buying the rights to the Beverly Blake franchise,’ she squealed.

Jemima sat up. ‘What do you mean?’

‘They want to turn Beverly Blake into a series. We need a contracts lawyer coz this is money moves, girlfriend!’

Shaheena whooped down the phone but before Jemima could join in the celebrations, reality sunk in. If the girls were going to veto the book, a TV adaptation would be out of the question.