Common Ground Read online

  I smile, assuming Mitch is the guy I spoke to the other day. “That’s always great to hear.”

  “You have no idea what a relief it is to get this sorted out. I’d be dead if I didn’t find an alternative.”

  “You’re welcome. I’m glad to help.” And so is my bank account.

  With a promise to send me all the information I need, George leaves and I brace myself for Pania’s reaction. We’ve done jobs at late notice before, but in a small town like Glenderry, it’s never been one this big.

  “You are going to kill me,” I sing as I walk through to the kitchen.

  “Who did you piss off this time?”

  I laugh. Pania knows me so well. We grew up together in Whakatane, and her whanau took me in when I had nowhere to go. She’s the McCartney to my Lennon, the Jay-Z to my Beyoncé, although in all fairness, she looks more like Beyoncé than I do with her flawless brown skin and long honey-blonde hair.

  “No one.”

  “That makes a change.” She pokes her tongue at me, and I roll my eyes.

  “We just got a big catering job for Friday.”

  Her eyes widen. “How big?”

  “Two hundred.”

  “Delaney, that’s the day after tomorrow. From this tiny kitchen?”

  I nod. “I know, but I think we can handle it. Burgers, hot dogs, and sausage rolls. The guy’s sending me the breakdown, so I’m guessing we’ll need vegetarian and vegan options too, and maybe gluten-free.”

  “Gluten-free.” She looks at me like I’ve got two heads.

  “It’s for the movie people.”

  She gasps. “Really? I thought that would have been sorted ages ago.”

  “Me too, but apparently they’re not ready. But we are, for the kind of money they’ve just thrown at me for it.”

  My phone dings as the email comes through from George. Sure enough, there are some specific requirements, but in terms of numbers, they’re small.

  “How much?”

  I load up the banking app and show her the deposits. She grins. “You are one smart wahine. Do you think he will be there?”

  “Who knows.”

  She nods. “It’ll be interesting if he does show up. I haven’t heard of any celebrities arriving, but he might have just sneaked into town.”

  “Well, if he has then he has. I can’t do much about it, but I can say yes to making good money on food we can start preparing tomorrow. George’s email says their on-site catering isn’t ready to do the food, but their equipment’s there, so we can grill the meat there, and boil the hot dogs, but have everything else ready to go.”

  Pania nudges my arm. “Sounds like you’ve got everything worked out.”

  “Getting there. We need to make a menu and list out what we need so I can raid the supermarket.”

  “This is insane, you know?” She laughs.

  “We’ve dealt with worse. If they hate it, then at least we made the money. If they love it, maybe we’ll get some more work out of them.”

  “I guess so. We’ll pick up more custom if there are that many people in town anyway.”

  “You are very wise.”

  “You’re pretty smart, too.”

  I snort and sit down at the table. In front of me is my laptop, which is the keeper of all the records, and I get to work.

  This is going to be one hellish twenty-four hours.

  After picking up Amelia, I drive to the supermarket.

  As I'm driving only one thought fills my head. What if Josh turns up tomorrow? There's been no news of him flying into town, but planes have been going back and forth at that private airfield just out of town.

  At some point I'll run into him; Murphy's Law is good like that. But how soon will it be?

  I need to try and put him out of my mind.

  By the time we’re finished, I’ve ordered so many bread rolls from the bakery, they have to start baking earlier than usual.

  I’ve also raided the lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, frankfurters, and all the cheese I can get my hands on. The catered food won’t taste quite the same as our usual diner meals. There are some ingredients I import from America, but the finished product will be as close as I can get to it.

  At short notice, it’ll have to do.

  I hope it’s enough.

  Four

  Delaney

  George greets me at the gate at eight a.m. on Friday morning.

  Pania stayed back at the diner to cook, with Trina serving customers. I’ve bought Jo with me to help prepare everything. It’ll be tight on both sides, but we’ll make it work. At least food here will be spread out buffet-style and we won’t have to do much once the final preparation is done.

  “Here are your passes. Hold onto them afterward in case we need help during the production.”

  I laugh. “I appreciate that.”

  He hands us both a lanyard with a plastic tag that says contractor on it.

  “If you park over there, the in-house caterers are setup nearby.” He points to the right of us. “They’re there to help if you need it too. I think they’re feeling a bit sheepish about not being ready for this.”

  I shrug. “It’s all good. We’re mostly ready, but you said there were grills and hotplates?”

  He nods. “Everything you said you needed is there.”

  “Thank you. Hope the rest of your day goes well.”

  He blows out a long breath. “I think it will.”

  Driving through, I park where he indicated and start the process of removing everything from the car.

  It’s all set up as promised, and the in-house caterers are really helpful.

  By the time the food’s laid out and people are ready to eat, I let out a long breath and just watch.

  I don’t want to look like a fangirl by asking about Josh, but I can’t help but scan every person who approaches, doing a double take at anyone who looks remotely like him.

  You have to get this under control.

  “Delaney.” George walks toward me with a big smile on his face. “Thank you so much again. This has been a real big hit.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.”

  “Can I ask you a question?” Jo speaks up from behind me.

  “Sure,” he says.

  “Are the two stars of the movie here? Can we meet them?” Jo asks.

  I grimace. George glances at me, his lips quirking up. “No, they’re not here. They both fly in next week.”

  Turning, I see Jo’s face fall, while I’m relieved but feel a tinge of disappointment too. I’ve seen Josh on the cover of magazines and occasionally on television, but I’m still a little curious about the man he’s become. He’s been in a bunch of blockbuster films, but I’ve avoided every one.

  It’s been an act of self-preservation.

  “I’m sure I can maybe organise some merchandise or something for you. I’ll ask them.”

  She smiles. “That would be wonderful.”

  “Thanks,” I say. “And sorry.” I mouth the last two words to George, but he winks at me as if to say it’s okay.

  “Hey, Delaney.” The man I met in the diner the other day walks toward me. “I just wanted to say thanks. The food was great, and today went really well.”

  “Glad to hear it. Good luck with your movie.”

  “Thank you.”

  He walks away with a hot dog in his hand, and I let out a sigh.

  “What did you want us to do with the leftover food, George?” I ask. There’s not a lot, but I’m not about to leave any mess behind.

  “I’ll get it taken care of. You two have done more than enough for us. I’m so grateful.”

  “You’re welcome. Just don’t drop me in it again.” I grin.

  “You’re an angel. And no offence, but we shouldn’t need you again.”

  I laugh. “No offence taken. We’ll clear out our gear and get going.”

  Packing up is easy, and I can’t wait to get back to my daughter.

  When we reach the diner, I drop the b
oxes on the table and head through to the counter. Melly’s eyes light up when she sees me.

  “Mummy.”

  “Hey, sweet pea.” I walk around the front and give her a hug. “Have you had fun?”

  “Pania picked me up and she made me a hot dog.”

  “Did she?”

  She nods as if I didn’t organise for Pania to do that.

  “Do you want to go home now?” My heart lights up as she buries her face in my chest.

  “Yes, please.”

  “Let’s get you down from there.”

  I help her off the stool and we walk back through to the kitchen.

  Pania smiles. “Did everything go okay?”

  “Really good. They had food warmers and everything ready, just no food. We didn’t even have to clean up after ourselves.”

  “Was he there?”

  I look over at Melly. She’s picked up her schoolbag from beside the door and is waiting patiently.

  “No. Apparently the stars of the movie fly in next week.”

  “An easy afternoon, then.”

  “It was good. I told George not to dump me in it again, but I think we need to be prepared just in case. I’m sure their in-house catering will be fine from now, but you never know.” I shrug.

  She grins. “If they pay as well as they did for today …”

  “Exactly. Anyway, I’m going to get this one home because we’re both tired. I dropped Jo off on the way.”

  Pania sighs. “Some days, I’m really glad we close at five.”

  “Me too. Come over for a wine when you’ve closed up? I don’t feel like cooking dinner, but I’ve got some leftover spaghetti and meatballs in the fridge to heat up.”

  “That sounds perfect.”

  “Come on, Melly.” I take my daughter by the hand and lead her out the back door, across the small car park and over the road to our house.

  We’re quite lucky here. It’s quiet, being off the main street, and we’re the last house with a gap of about three sections between us and the nearest neighbour.

  I’m grateful for the peace and quiet.

  “Dodged a bullet, then,” Pania says. She takes a sip of the sauvignon blanc we opened before dinner.

  Melly fell asleep straight after eating, and I tucked her into bed still in her clothing. It’s been a big day for her. She’s used to going to the diner after school, but not so used to waiting there until nearly closing time.

  “You could say that.”

  “I bet you’re curious about him.”

  I smile, running my finger around the rim on the glass. “Of course I am.”

  “Are you still hung up on him? After all this time?”

  I shake my head. “No. He killed that a long time ago. But I’ve been reminded of him every freaking day when I see Melly’s eyes. She’s so much like him in that respect.”

  “I’ll have to take a look if I get a chance.” She licks her lips. “You know, you could always take up Damon’s offer. At least then you’d have the excuse of a boyfriend if Josh turned up.”

  I groan. “Nothing against him, but you know I’m not interested. He hangs around enough now. If I went out with him, I’d probably end up having to get a restraining order.”

  She nods. “I think you’re right there.”

  “I’ve made it really clear to him that I’m not interested.”

  “And yet he’s still there every day in the same seat waiting for you to serve him.”

  I roll my eyes. “He must have been disappointed today.”

  “Oh, he was. Today he even tried to engage your daughter in conversation. Melly just gave him the cold shoulder. Told him she wasn’t allowed to talk to strangers.”

  My mouth falls open. She sees him nearly every day when he sits at the counter. “She didn’t.”

  “You should be really proud of her. I told him it wasn’t appropriate for him to try to keep talking to her if she didn’t want to. He’s trying to win you over through your daughter.”

  “I raised her well.” I grin.

  “You have, and don’t you dare forget it.” She takes another sip. “Today was good from what you said.”

  I nod. “Very good. I’m just really glad it’s Friday and I don’t have to work tomorrow.”

  Pania laughs. “I love you, my friend.”

  “Want to sleep over? We can open another bottle of wine.”

  She grins. “I like the way you think.”

  By the time I crawl into bed, I’m a little drunk and still thinking about Josh. He’s never really left my thoughts, but now he plagues me even if he’s not in the country yet.

  But he will be soon.

  I can’t just run away from the life I’ve built here, and I refuse to hide.

  This could be it—the moment I’ve been dreading for so long.

  Five

  Josh

  I want to broaden my horizons.

  That’s what I told my agent, Mac, when I said I wanted to do this movie.

  It’s the first movie we’ve fought over in six years.

  I hated that it wasn’t an action film, hated the concept, hated the script.

  But when you get a call from an old friend who’s convinced that this is her career launching pad, what do you do?

  It had the added benefit of filming in New Zealand.

  I could have come here years ago to look for Dee, but no amount of searching from the States had turned up anything. She’d simply vanished. It didn’t help that I never got her last name.

  It’d been lust at first sight, and me, the lovestruck teenager, had sat in the café where she worked all day every day when I wasn’t auditioning.

  Then I had two life-changing things happen in the same week. Dee and I slept together, and I landed the role that set me on a career trajectory that hasn’t dipped since.

  But I had no one to share the latter event when she left.

  It’s crazy to still be thinking about a girl I spent one night with six years go.

  She disappeared the morning after without saying goodbye. She’d was due to fly back to New Zealand the day afterward, but for all I know she is back in the States, living under an assumed name.

  So, now I sit in a rental house overlooking a view that I’ve been told ‘will take your breath away’.

  I flew in last night under the cover of darkness, and didn’t get to see much of the vaunted landscape people talk about all the time. The nearby town is tiny, but it’s a small-town romance we’re filming, and the setting is perfect.

  The house I’m staying in is huge. I think it’s some billionaire’s holiday home that he rents out. From this bed, I’m treated to a view of the lake, the stunning glass-like surface reflecting the golden rays of the early morning sun.

  It’s so peaceful.

  Beside me somewhere, my mobile rings. It breaks into the stillness of my morning.

  Clearly someone has other plans.

  I feel the bed beside me until I lay my hands on the phone, and squint at the bright screen.

  “Mac,” I mumble.

  “Good flight?” He sounds way too happy, but it’s probably mid-afternoon in LA.

  “Good sleep too until someone woke me up.”

  He chuckles. “Just wanted to make sure you got there okay. And to make sure your phone was working.”

  “Clearly, Mindy did her job. But I might still grab a local SIM while I’m here. Fuck paying roaming charges.”

  He laughs again. “You can afford it.”

  “That’s not the point.” He makes fun of me all the time for my miserly ways, but I’ve been stone broke before and never want to be there again. I’d rather save my money and donate to charity where I can to help other people in that position.

  “House okay?”

  I scan the room. “Looks good. I walked in the door and crashed last night, though.”

  “I’ll leave you to it.”

  “Thanks. I’ll give Mindy a call now and see what else she’s organised.”
>
  “Good idea.”

  Mindy answers on the first ring. I wouldn’t expect anything different from her.

  “How’s the house?” she asks.

  “Big and in the middle of nowhere.” I laugh.

  “Good. It sounded fabulous. I’ve got an email from Richard to send you.”

  “Who?”

  “Richard Baker. The guy whose house you’re renting. I’ll forward you the welcome email he just sent me. He’s got some local food recommendations that you might enjoy.”

  I grin. “That’d be great. I’m starved.”

  “I’m not sure if you’ve taken a look, but the kitchen is apparently fully stocked if you feel like cooking.”

  Laughing, I walk down the stairs. “I’m not sure I’d go that far. Though, it depends on whether anywhere around here delivers. I appear to be tucked away up a mountain.”

  “I’ll send this email through and you can take a look. If you need anything, call me.”

  “Of course.”

  Mindy’s Mac’s sister-in-law, and while she takes her job as my PA seriously, sometimes she’s a little too serious.

  My phone dings as the email comes through.

  Josh,

  Please feel free to treat my home as your own. It’s to my eternal regret that I don’t get more time there, but it’s good to know it’s being put to good use.

  I’m not sure if you’ll have time for sightseeing, and this time of year will be pretty cold, so the usual tourist things won’t be very attractive. There aren’t a lot of restaurant options, but there’s the pub which offers snacks during the day and bigger meals in the evenings and on weekends. Lafontaine has French cuisine, and Delaney’s Diner serves American-style food. I think you’ll like it; it’ll be like eating back home.

  There’s no UberEats, but Delaney’s delivers between midday and five, Monday to Friday. Small-town New Zealand has a thing about being open later and on weekends, which is a bit of an inconvenience, but I’m sure you’ll work it all out.