She blew out a breath through pursed lips. Her heart was thudding and her knees jittery. But she hadn’t run—she’d stood her ground even if it had been torturous. Even if it was clear she’d burned all her bridges with James, wrecked what had hardly even begun.

And it was all her own stupid fault.

She hoisted her bags onto her shoulder and headed for Studio Four. Now she knew that weight in her belly was there to stay. And she deserved it, to carry that ache, because for James to have behaved like that, when he was normally such a gentleman, she must have really upset him.

She found her way into hair and makeup and was greeted by Brendon, who’d made it into the studio before her.

“Hey, sweetpea, you’re here.” He gave her a brisk hug. “And looking fabulous in that outfit, perfect for a summer’s day, don’t you think Lisa?”

The woman to his left nodded. “Yes. Classic yet casual. I like it, a lot.”

“Thanks.” Megan rested her bags of shoes and files in the corner.

“Lisa is at your disposal,” Brendon said. “And she’s one of the best hair and makeup girls here, so use her well.” He checked his watch. “You’ve got an hour and Nancy wants to run through the contract while you’re getting ready. I’ll let her know you’re here.”

“Thanks.” Megan sat in a soft leather chair that faced a mirror.

Brendon disappeared out of the door, rushing in his usual frenetic manner.

Sometime later, Megan stared into the same mirror. The slot had gone well. The pictures she’d requested to flash on screen at various points in her presentation had appeared in order. Jayne had cooed lovingly over a pair of sparkling, sixty-millimetre heels that Megan had just supplied to her retailers—so she hoped they’d sell out pretty quickly—and she’d handled Ralph with ease.

Now that the excitement was over she suddenly remembered the strange note, the silent calls and the feeling of being watched. She shuddered and looked up into the corners of the makeup room. Were there cameras up there? Tiny hidden ones that were used for secretly watching guests and presenters get dressed ready for camera.

“Megan, for goodness’ sake,” she muttered. She was being paranoid. What the hell was the matter with her? Events were obviously playing with her nerves.

She re-applied her red lipstick then dropped it in her purse. It was time to go to the office and stop acting like a crazed woman. She had work to do, emails to check, plus her new assistant was starting in an hour and she needed to show her the ropes.

She packed up the shoes and secured the bags over her shoulders. Brendon had already left to work on another job and Lisa was on her break.