‘So,’ Lettie said. ‘What do you think he’ll say?’
Zac shrugged. ‘Well, yes, of course. He’s already said he’d happily give you, or us, a spot on there and he will have meant it.’
‘Brilliant,’ Lettie said. ‘Then don’t either of you forget to ask him. We need all the publicity for this event that we can get.’
That evening as Zac accompanied Melody up to the pub’s front door, he greeted a few people he knew then stopped by the door to hold it open for her when he realised she was a short distance away. Melody seemed nervous about something and he watched silently as she looked around her. It was almost as if she was expecting to see someone there.
She noticed him and hurried over, thanking him as she passed him and walked into the pub.
‘Everything OK?’ he asked quietly, not wishing to draw attention to any concerns she might have.
She gave him a look that made him think he had imagined what he had seen. ‘Yes, of course. Why?’
Confused, Zac shook his head. ‘Nothing. Take no notice of me.’ He thought he saw a shadow of shame cross her face and knew she was hiding something from him. But what? Who could she have expected to appear outside? It couldn’t be Callum because he had said he would meet them inside the bar. Callum had just spotted them and was waving them over. And anyway, Zac reasoned as he walked with her to the other end of the bar, she had no reason to be bothered by Callum.
Strange, he thought, deciding to keep alert in case he spotted her doing it again. If he did, he would definitely have to press herto tell him what was wrong. He hated to think that Melody might not feel completely safe here in their village.
‘Good to see you, Melody,’ Callum said before frowning. ‘And you, Zac,’ he said, putting his arm around Zac’s shoulder and laughing to show he was only teasing.
‘I’ll only stay for one drink,’ Zac said. Even though he was sure Callum didn’t mind him being there too much, he didn’t want to interrupt their date. Well, he did, but had more pride than to do so. ‘Melody and I have something we’d like to ask you, so I thought I’d make the most of enjoying a cool pint of lager before I leave you both to your evening.’
‘I’m intrigued,’ Callum said, motioning for them to quickly grab the table next to them as a couple stood to leave. ‘I’ll get us some drinks.’
‘No, I’ll get them,’ Zac insisted. ‘I’ve come to ask a favour of you and you can consider it your payment.’
As soon as they were seated with their drinks, Zac brought up their being featured on Callum’s radio show. ‘I’m a bit nervous but we need all the publicity we can get and you did say we only had to ask.’
Callum smiled at him and then at Melody. ‘And I meant it.’ He narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment. ‘We really need to get on and do this soon. How about in two days’ time? I can give you twenty minutes at, say, three fifteen. Would that suit you? If you’re busy…’
Zac was relieved and by the look on Melody’s face, she was delighted. ‘We’ll be there.’
‘You won’t need me to talk too, I shouldn’t think,’ Melody said, before taking a sip of her lemonade.
‘Er, you’re the one who knows all about this wellness stuff,’ Zac argued. His idea of any entertainment involved him being very much behind the scenes. ‘You’re going to need to explain what it’s all about.’
Melody pulled a face. ‘I suppose you’re right. But I’m not doing it by myself. You’ll have to be in the studio with me.’
‘Fine then,’ he agreed.
Callum laughed. ‘Honestly, you two are like an old married couple the way you bicker.’ He smiled when Zac glared at him. ‘And you, Zac. I know you well enough that once you get going there’ll be no shutting you up. You’ll be fine. Chatting on the radio isn’t scary at all.’
‘Hah,’ Zac scoffed. ‘Says the radio DJ. Of course it isn’t for you. For us it is though.’
‘Yes, it is,’ Melody agreed.
Zac felt her elbow in his side as she nudged him, and he looked questioningly at her. ‘What is it?’
‘We’re going to have to sit down before we go on and make some notes. I don’t want us to mess this opportunity up by not mentioning something important about the event.’
Happy to have a reason to spend more one-to-one time with her, he agreed. ‘Absolutely. We still haven’t gone out for that coffee yet, have we?’
‘No, we haven’t.’ Melody smiled thoughtfully. ‘And I presume you’re suggesting that would be the perfect time to discuss our promotional strategies?’
‘That’s exactly what I had in mind.’
‘Sounds good to me.’
16
