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"The thing I miss most about London," Quentin said, "is the fact you can get food and drink 24/7." He shook his head. "That's a bit of a sad thing to admit about oneself, but I am afraid in my case it's true." He ruffed up his beard with his fingers.
"We missed out on breakfast ourselves," Amy said. "This is greatly appreciated. Thank you for inviting us to join you."
"Our pleasure, my dear. Now, do tell us what we've been missing in the city."
"Did you come away on holiday?" Amy asked, tentatively, as she took a sip of the wine Quentin had poured for her.
"Yes, yes. We decided to get away for some quality time together. It was proving difficult in the city, with work and one thing and another." He looked across at Natasha who smiled and took his hand across the tablecloth. Amy was in no doubt these two were very much in love. She'd sensed it immediately when she saw them together and they were making no effort to hide it now.
"No wonder it came as a surprise to you, to find out there were some concerns about you." Amy was wondering where to begin. She was also well aware she needed to broach the subject of an actual interview for her feature, preferably an exclusive, before things went too far in the discussion. "Apparently, security at the studios reported you were missing, because you usually pop in and out during the summer closure."
"That's true," Quentin replied, frowning, "but this was a planned break, albeit last minute."
The couple seemed shocked by this news, and they'd obviously been looking for privacy. Amy wanted to mention her angle and soon, but it had to be done in an appropriate and appealing way. Her mind hunted through various ways in which she might bring it up. It had to be touted in the right terms or she and Sebastian might find themselves out on their ear without the hint of an exclusive.
"You've got a strong fan base and people have been worried about you," Amy offered. "It would be good for all those people to know that you're safe and well."
Quentin gave a sheepish smile. Natasha beamed proudly.
"Would you be interested in doing a little bit of an interview with me? Something to put the f
ans minds at rest?" She held her breath.
"Well," Quentin said. "What do you think, love?"
Natasha shrugged, looking thoughtful. "Why not? It would be welcome publicity with the start of the new season close at hand."
Amy breathed out. This was looking good.
"Yes, I agree. Our producer will approve. Can't turn down a gift horse of free publicity, can we. I'm not clever about such things, you know. Natasha is a make up artist and she's been in the industry much longer than me. She knows much more about that side of it all. I started out in history documentaries, did the Ghost Hunter thing when funds were low. Never thought it would take off the way it has." He chuckled. "But I wouldn't be without it now, long may it run. It's become my livelihood and we have a lot of fun with the show."
"That's wonderful, and hopefully we can have some fun with the feature too. Would you mind if I made a few notes as we went along?"
"Not at all, scribble away."
Amy grabbed her bag from under the table and pulled out her small notepad, setting it to one side of the plate to make it as unobtrusive as possible. She made a mental note that she had her small digital camera with her too, and if all went well she could get a few shots of the couple in front of their ivy covered retreat.
"I'm pleased to oblige, especially if you can help us unravel this business. Missing indeed. Are you with The City News too?" Quentin directed his question at Sebastian.
"Temporarily," he replied. Amy noticed him frown as he said it. "I'm helping Amy out for a little while."
She caught his eye and he had a troubled look about him that made her heart leap, but he turned away and picked up a sandwich as soon as their eyes met. Amy felt something like hope kindle inside her. He didn't want it to be over yet either. Her secret fears about him not wanting a serious involvement after his last relationship had begun to subside. Would they be able to build something after the affair, after all? She tried to keep her mind on the job, but a kernel of hope had bedded inside her. "Sebastian's been a real star, he knows the locality and he was instrumental in locating you."
"Local man, are you?" Quentin asked, as he helped himself to another hunk of cheese to augment his wine.
Sebastian nodded. "I work in London, but most of my family still live over on the east coast."
"Oh, we had a beautiful day over that way, last week," Natasha chipped in. "Drove right along the coast and had a fish supper on the harbor at Whitby. You'll have to take Amy and show her, if she's not been."
Sebastian watched her closely as he awaited her reply.
"That would be lovely." She returned his gaze. The smile he gave her was tentative, unsure, but the kernel of hope inside her had begun to unfurl.
"Right…first of all let's try to answer this question about the missing man who isn't missing shall we. Why do you think the TV studios think you are missing, if this was a planned vacation?"
Quentin shook his head.
Natasha looked thoughtful, then she sat forward in her seat. "Darling, who did you tell?" She stared at Quentin, eyes wide.
