[Churchminster #3] Wild Things by Jo Carnegie Page A

about it.’
    The quiche was still warm in the brown paper bag as Camilla left the shop and made her way round the green to No. 5. It was a rather blustery day and Camilla saw an empty crisp packet flutter across the road. She went to pick it up.
    A blacked-out Mercedes pulled up beside her. Camilla’s heart stopped. The passenger window slid down and Camilla leaned eagerly in the window. To her disappointment the glorious vision of Rafe Wolfe was not sitting there, but a rather bloated, raddled man with an outsized diamond stud in his left ear. He reminded Camilla of a downmarket Simon Le Bon.
    ‘Howdy. I’m Wes Prince.’ He had a strong transatlantic twang. ‘Director on
A Regency Playboy
.’
    ‘Oh, hello!’ exclaimed Camilla. Wait until she told Calypso about this!
    Wes flashed Colgate-white teeth. Even in the gloom of the car, Camilla could see he had rather orange-coloured skin. ‘Yeah, just got back from LA, and thought I’d come and do a recce. Nice little place you’ve got here. Can you recommend any good sushi joints or wheatgerm bars for lunch?’
    Camilla pointed out the pub. ‘The Jolly Boot does delicious food. I’m sure they can find you a table.’
    Wes flashed the teeth again. ‘We’ll give it a whirl. Ciao.’ The window slid up again and the car glided off down the road.
    As Camilla let herself in through the front door of No. 5, she was surprised to see her sister’s handbag lying in the hall, its contents spilling everywhere. She called out. ‘Calypso, are you here?’
    A voice sounded from the kitchen. ‘In here, Bills.’ ‘Bills’ was a nickname for Camilla her family and close friends used. The kitchen Camilla had left sparkling now had milk and sugar all over the surfaces, while breadcrumbs were scattered all over the table. Calypso looked up from her chair. ‘Came home for some tea and toast.’
    Camilla’s maternal instinct kicked in. ‘You can’t just have that for lunch. I’ve got some home-made quiche here, would you like a piece?’
    Calypso’s eyes lit up. ‘Wicked!’ Even though she was as slim as a rake, her appetite was legendary.
    ‘I’ll dig out some baked potatoes as well, and pop them in the microwave.’ Camilla put the quiche down on the side. ‘You’ll never guess who I’ve just seen!’
    Calypso took a slurp of tea. ‘Bin Laden.’
    ‘Only the director of
A Regency Playboy
! Wes Prince. He’s here doing a recce,’ Camilla added knowledgeably.
    Calypso didn’t look as impressed as Camilla’d hoped, but then it took a lot to impress her. ‘Well, I’ve got a bit of news for you as well,’ Calypso said. ‘Someone from Seraphina Inc. called me this morning, they’ve asked me to put on a welcome party at the Jolly Boot.’
    ‘Wow,’ gasped Camilla. ‘That’s amazing!’
    ‘It is pretty cool,’ Calypso grinned. ‘Apparently I was recommended to them, which shows people are already talking about Scene Events. Seraphina want to put on a party to “integrate the crew and locals”. Show we’re all one big happy family.’ She giggled. ‘I reckon Granny Clem’s really got to them.’
    ‘Ooh, do you think Rafe Wolfe will turn up?’ Camilla asked excitedly.
    Calypso pulled a face. ‘Hardly. It’s for the crew mainly, I can’t see a big star like him hobnobbing with the hoi polloi.’
    Camilla sighed. ‘Shame. He’s utterly gorgeous.’
    ‘If you like that clean-cut look. He’s a bit “frat-boy” for me. I prefer someone with an edge.’ Sexually curious, Calypso’s last serious relationship had been with a rather gruff girl called Sam. Apart from the odd fling, she hadn’t been with anyone, male or female, since.
    ‘I was reading about his latest dalliance in OK! Some LA heiress called Daphne. He always has gorgeous girlfriends.’ Camilla sighed. ‘I loved his last film, I cried my eyes out at the end.’
    Calypso rolled her eyes. ‘I can’t believe you buy into all that crap. Are you going to put those potatoes on – or