‘Not completely,’ Ivy said. ‘I mean, your plan did kind of work. Look at how all those people were queuing up at the mall to get their books signed!’
‘It’s true,’ Olivia said, putting an encouraging hand on Holly’s arm. ‘I’m sure he’ll realize soon that you were only trying to help, even if you did go about it the wrong way.’
‘But . . .’
Holly stopped, frowning, as they were all distracted by a sudden commotion inside the house. They heard raised voices. A moment later, the door burst open. An unexpected figure strode into the garden, waving an all-too-familiar book.
‘Woot! I’ve got it, and it’s mine, all mine!’
Ivy’s mouth dropped open. ‘Mr Harker?’
She rubbed her eyes. Beside her, she saw Olivia looking as if she’d seen a ghost.
Jacob Harker, the hot-shot movie producer who’d offered Olivia her first starring role, had just burst into their garden, waving Bare Throats at Sunset over his head.
Chapter Eleven
Harker! Has he come all the way from California ? Olivia shook her head. He’d become friends with the girls after Olivia acted in one of his films, but she’d never expected to see him in Franklin Grove again. ‘What are you doing here?’
He waved his copy of Bare Throats at Sunset like a flag. ‘I’m here to celebrate with your dad and Lillian, of course! But I’m killing two birds with one stone – I’ve just discovered this book and it’s gold, dudes. I’m buying the film rights.’
All three girls looked at him, absolutely stunned.
‘What ?’ Holly croaked.
Lillian stepped into the garden behind him, smiling. ‘I sent him a copy of the novel to read, and he loved it just as much as I did.’
‘But – but . . .’ Holly stuttered. ‘You don’t mean . . .’
Olivia leaned over and touched Holly’s arm. ‘Mr Harker is big in the film business. This could be the best thing ever for your dad.’
‘No time to chat!’ Harker said, interrupting. He obviously hadn’t heard Olivia, or made the connection between Holly and the author of the book he was holding. He swept his arms out expansively. ‘I’ve got to find him! The dude of the hour! Reardon’s supposed to be in Franklin Grove for the book tour, right? I’ve got to talk to him about this book – it’s going to be huge once it’s on the big screen, and I want his input along the way. We’re talking mega-blockbuster-spectacular, guys!’
‘Mega . . .’ Holly whispered. Her eyes looked glazed with shock.
‘There’s just one problem. I can’t find him!’ He rolled his eyes. ‘Does the dude not realise he’s a hot commodity? The strikes are finally over, and I need him now !’
Olivia saw her sister smirk. ‘I know exactly who can help you,’ Ivy said, glancing at Holly.
‘Holly?’ Olivia said. She smiled gently. ‘I bet your dad would like to hear from you now.’ My heart could just melt right now, she thought. This was like the best Hollywood drama ever!
‘I don’t know if he’ll even answer the phone,’ Holly whispered. She sniffed, wiping the tears hastily off her cheeks. ‘But of course I’ll try.’ She took a deep breath and pulled out her cell phone. Olivia watched the colour in her cheeks fluctuate as she waited for her dad’s answer. Then she said, ‘Dad? It’s me, but . . . there’s a Hollywood producer here who wants to talk to you. No, I didn’t – it’s not –’
‘Here, give me that!’ Harker scooped the phone out of her hands. ‘Harker of Harker Films here, Reardon. Get your butt over here, man! I want to shake hands on our film deal!’
Olivia smiled. Ivy was grinning widely, her arms folded as she watched Harker shout into the phone.
‘I’m so glad I’m back in Franklin Grove to see all this,’ she said. ‘It was totally worth that stake out in the graveyard!’
Olivia shook her head. ‘Just promise me you’ll never take a risk like that again. I’m so glad Brendan was around to look after you last night.’
Ivy rolled her eyes. ‘Do you seriously think I need looking after?’
Olivia flung an arm around her sister’s shoulders and pulled her in for a hug. ‘Not even by me?’ she asked. I’ll never stop looking out for my vampire twin, she added to herself.
Ivy shrugged her off, but gently. ‘OK, OK, you can stick with me if you like,’ she said. Olivia knew she was secretly enjoying the moment, even if it would have killed Ivy to admit it.
‘I’m not going anywhere,’ Olivia told her.
Ivy grinned and linked arms with her. ‘That’s two of us, then.’
When Holly’s dad arrived at the house fifteen minutes later, Ivy ran for the door, but Charles got there first.
The house was full of family and friends from Franklin Grove, Transylvania, and California, all talking and laughing and eating the gourmet food her dad had chosen so carefully. After all the distractions of the past few days, Mr Vega’s long-awaited engagement party was not only happening, it was chock-full of celebrities, and he was glowing with pride.
‘Mr Turner!’ Charles gushed as he opened the door. ‘I’m so thrilled. A real live author here for such a special occasion! Lillian and I are both so honoured.’
‘We are pleased to meet you, Mr Turner,’ Lillian said calmly. Standing beside her fiancé, she looked as composed and elegant as ever in a sleek burgundy dress, completely unfazed by their unexpected guest. ‘Your daughter is in the garden, waiting for you.’
‘Oh, thank goodness. The last time we saw each other, I – well, I really need to talk to her, to apologise. I shouldn’t have been so stern with her. Sorry, you don’t need to hear all that, do you?’ Looking pale and shocked, the author reached up to straighten his tie with a trembling hand. When his gaze landed on the Count and Countess standing in the corner of the room, drinking cocktails and chatting with Lillian’s parents, he gave a nervous twitch.
The Count beamed at him and waved. They were separated by the crowd, but even a human could read the Count’s lips as he mouthed happily: ‘I’ve still got that pizza recipe for you! I’ll give it to you later.’
Mr Turner blinked, shook his head, and turned back to his host. ‘I’m sorry, Mr Vega, but could I just check – is there really a Hollywood producer here too? And he really wants to see me? My daughter said on the phone –’