[Excerpt] There's just something I need to...do...

We passed ONE THOUSAND PATRONS at the weekend. WHAT. HOW. WHO. YOU. IT.

I am so grateful for all of you right now I cannot even.

So here is something I wrote, set between S4E11 and S4E12, that made me squeal like an excitable schoolgirl. I hope it does the same for you.

*****

‘And so I haven’t written their Important Conversation just yet, but I know that while Rosamund and her hot ene- husband will have a lot of challenges down the road, most of them won’t be with each other. It’s just going to be a bit...uncomfortable.’

Her editor gave her a lopsided smile. ‘You really need to stop calling him her hot enemy, you know.’

‘Because he’s not her enemy?’

‘And he never was. I don’t know if you intended to write an enemies to lovers romance, Caroline, but...you definitely didn’t.’ He shrugged. ‘This is more of a...perhaps an ‘antagonistic colleagues to lovers’ romance is a better description?’ 

Caroline squinted at the screen. Wait, was he blushing? 

‘By which I mean,’ he hurried on, ‘they’re initially suspicious and mistrustful of each other, for a variety of reasons, but they grow to trust each other over time as they work together.’ He coughed awkwardly, looking away. ‘Anyway, I think you’re on the right track. We’re almost out of time, but do you have a date in mind for another meeting?’

What would Rosamund do?

Nothing that would actually work in this situation, Caroline. What are you going to do?

‘I think today fortnight at the usual time would be fine, if that works for you?’ He nodded. Caroline took a deep breath. ‘Actually, Henry,’ he blinked at the use of his name, ‘I was going to ask you something else.’

‘Mm?’ Here it went.

‘I’m going to be at a theatre near to you on Saturday afternoon: a friend of mine is in a performance there. Would you like to...meet for coffee beforehand? It would be lovely to see you in person for once.’

He hadn’t moved, and it took her a moment to realise that he was staring at her rather than frozen. She smiled determinedly into the camera, trying not to think about how much of a hassle it would be to replace him if this went horribly sideways. Stupid, stupid, why hadn’t she waited until the book was finished?

Because you’d have lost your nerve, Rosamund said in her head.

Shut up, Caroline thought determinedly, and nearly missed his answer.

‘I’d love to.’ There was a pause. ‘Should I...should I bring your notes?’ Caroline’s smile widened. Apparently he could take a hint. Fabulous. ‘Oh, I’m sure we can find something else to talk about.’ She shrugged, deliberately casual. ‘Theatre, perhaps.’

He smiled at her, and it was like the sun coming out from behind the clouds. ‘If your friend’s performing at the Phoenix, I can recommend a couple of places nearby?’

‘Your choice,’ Caroline said, giddy with relief, ‘just text me the address. Eleven o’clock?’

‘Perfect.’ He looked at his watch, and grimaced. ‘I’m sorry, but I really have to go.’ But then the smile broke through again. ‘See you Saturday.’

‘Bye!’ Caroline chirped, and cut the connection. And very carefully shut down her laptop.

Only then did she let herself start squealing.