Page 59 of The Cottage in the Highlands

She pulled her lips into an agonised attempt at a smile and waited until Orion and Cole had retrieved their lunches from the giant Smeg fridge and disappeared again. “Ah. Well, it’s not me I said would be interviewing her.” Kerry swallowed, “I said you were the reporter who would be conducting the interview with her.”

My eyebrows flexed. “Me? But I thought...”

Kerry’s mouth wobbled. Tears flickered in her deep green eyes. “I’m not cut out for all of this. Athena is deluding herself, as am I.”

“Rubbish! Where is all this coming from?”

Kerry blushed. “She asked me to do a write-up for her this morning about shopaholic therapy, and then proceeded to rip it to bits. She said she’s wondering if giving me this job has been one big mistake.”

“Don’t take any notice. Yes, you have a bit to learn, but you’re keen and I see potential in you. I really do.”

My mouth sprang open to protest further, but Kerry’s expression was crestfallen. “I’m not a project, Leonie.”

“I know you’re not. I don’t think that at all. Who said you were?” I reached out a concerned hand.

“Nobody as such, but it’s written all over their faces. It’s what they say.” She sighed. “It’s only a matter of time till they find out Athena is my aunt, so I might as well just tell them all now. They think I’m useless too.”

“Who does?”

“Cole, Orion, Tabitha… the whole lot of them. I’ve seen them giving me pitying looks at the editorial meetings. They don’t think I have what it takes either.”

“Then prove them wrong and please don’t tell anyone you are Athena’s niece. At least not yet,” I advised. “Why don’t you hold off a bit longer and let’s see what happens with this Lulu Stark story? It will give you chance to prove your mettle not only to your aunt but to the rest of them in here too. I guarantee you’ll do such an excellent job on this story that they’ll have to give you credit and you won’t just be labelled as the boss’s niece when they do find out. You will have earnt their admiration and respect in your own right.” I glanced around myself. “It’s still only Orion and me that know and we won’t tell anyone.”

Kerry digested this. She gave a faint nod and an appreciative smile. “Thank you. Ok. And I’m sorry for dropping you in it like this with the interview.”

“Don’t worry. I am a bit worried what Athena will say though, when she finds out you’re not taking on the Lulu Stark story by yourself.”

She jutted out her chin. “I’ll make it clear all this was my idea and not yours.” The prospect of having to confront her scary aunt fluttered across her features and lodged itself there.

Tatiana, one of the advertising team, waggled her fingers in greeting at us as she sauntered past.

I waited until the coast was clear again. An idea sprang into my mind. “Look Kerry, how about you come with me to interview Lulu Stark? We can do it together.”

Her expression, rivered with preoccupation, broke into a relieved smile. “Really?”

“Of course. When did you schedule the interview with her for?”

Kerry’s cheeks pinged. “I made it for a week on Friday at 2pm.”

I screwed up my eyes with concentration. “I think that’s ok. I don’t remember having anything on then…”

“I’ve already checked your electronic calendar,” she admitted. “You haven’t got anything else scheduled for that time.”

I cocked one brow at her and her cheeks scorched deeper. “If I could accompany you to the Lulu Stark interview, Leonie, that would be great. It will give me a chance to learn from you.”

I rolled my eyes and laughed. “I’m not Joan Bakewell.”

Kerry’s expression was blank.

“Oh, Yoda then.”

She recognised Yoda and laughed.

“You just need to build up your confidence. I think you have all the makings of a very good journalist.”

Now it was Kerry’s turn to roll her eyes.

“It’s all about telling yourself to just put yourself and your questions out there. What’s the worst that can happen?” I gave her a wide grin and a wink. “In the meantime, watch and learn from the master.”