Who: Luisa, Capable and Tessa When: Late January Where: Much Ado About Books What: A planning meeting Rating/Warnings: Low/None Status: Complete
Luisa couldn’t deny she was excited, her book had been optioned by a movie studio although the talks she had gone to so far had left the question of whether they would develop them into movies or a television series but either way the project was going to be green lit. As a result she had a lot to discuss with Tessa about the event she wanted to put together.
Capable was also excited, Tessa had asked her to be involved in the putting together of this event and she was willing to do so. Especially since Myrcella was getting busier with her beauty course and business. “I got drinks and pastries from Baxter’s” she told her boss when Tessa entered the office where they were waiting for Luisa to arrive.
Tessa was incredibly happy with how everything was going lately. Her life with the boys was amazing, her business was going from strength to strength and her assistants were doing spectacularly well. One of their local authors having her work optioned by a film studio was just the sort of thing to celebrate all of that success. Having the confidence with Capable and Myrcella let her loosen her grip on things slightly and she was intending to let Capable take the lead in organising this event. She thought it might be another step in gaining experience in the wider world.
Smiling at Capable as she saw her come into the office, she pushed the papers she’d been looking over to one side and turned her attention to the girl. “That was an inspired idea,” she grinned, watching the girl settle down. “How are you doing?”
“Well I thought it might help, professional yet personal” Capable smiled, Tessa had been a wonderful role model and mentor for her and she wanted to show she was learning and could be relied upon. “I’m good, excited about this meeting and event. It’s amazing to know someone whose writing will be on the screen”
“It is definitely very special,” Tessa agreed with a smile. “And our event should reflect just how special it is. Do you have any questions about the meeting? Anything you’d like to know?”
Capable shook her head, “I don’t think so. I have a notepad to write things down in case Luisa has special requests or anything” she expected Tessa to lead the meeting so she would just take notes.
Luisa, who was running a few minutes late, entered the bookstore a little flustered but smiling.
Hearing the bell of the front door ring, Tessa stood and moved to the entrance of her office, beckoning Luisa in. “Luisa, how wonderful to see you,” she greeted, shaking hands with her friend. “Please come on in, I think you’ve met Capable before,” she introduced, moving back to sit behind her desk. “She’s brought us some lovely goodies to keep us going,” she smiled at the girl.
Capable smiled at the older woman, “I hope you like them” she said politely as she shook Luisa’s hand.
“Hello Tessa, I’m sorry I’m a little late” she said shaking her hand, “Hello Capable, it’s lovely to see you and I am sure I will. It looks lovely, already the best meeting I’ve had in a long time” she added squeezing her hand to ease the girls nerves.
“Not to worry, we’re all pretty flexible here,” Tessa reassured Luisa, gesturing to the other seat next to Capable. “So, firstly congratulations again, very exciting news for you I’m sure! Capable and I are looking forward to supporting you and publicising you to the community,” she told her. “In fact, I haven’t told her yet, but I would like Capable to take the lead in organising this event,” Tessa smiled confidently at Capable. “Would that be ok?”
“Yes it’s very exciting” Capable said with a smile, letting Luisa know how truly happy they were for her. She was surprised when Tessa mentioned her leading the event and it showed on her face.
“Thank you so much, it’s still a little hard to believe” Luisa said before nodding happily, “Oh I think that is a lovely idea. And I think you’ll do absolutely wonderfully Capable and if you need anything always come to me, anytime”
Tessa smiled confidently at Capable, knowing she was more than up for the task. Besides, she could always ask Myrcella or herself for advice if she needed it. “Great, so I guess we should start with learning a little bit more about the project in question and what you would like to achieve from the event,” Tessa suggested, opening up her notepad and picking a pencil out of her stationary pot.
Capable did the same with her own notebook, the pencil that was stuck behind her ear almost all the time being pulled down so she could take notes too.
“Well I can’t tell you an awful lot about the project since they’re still looking at it, but I have a feeling they will go for the television series but we should know before the event if we’re still going for a late February timescale” she told then, “And really I’d just like to try and thank my readers and maybe get a few new ones. Obviously I want to let them know that there’s a new project coming and hope that they’ll support it”
“That’s ok, we can put together signs and some promotional material for the event which highlight your career and that there is a new project coming out. What about food and drink? And decorations. Would you like anything in particular?” she asked, reaching for the drink with her name written on the cup.
“Maybe something in relation to the theme of your first book, the murder took place at a masked ball right?” Capable suggested.
Luisa smiled, “Wonderful. Oh food and drink I think Baxter’s is the usual and best choice don’t you?” she replied before turning a smile to Capable, “I think that would be a lovely idea. And for those who don’t wish to take part we can have some spare masks if they want one”
“That’s a really good idea Capable,” Tessa smiled at her assistant encouragingly. “We can definitely get that sorted for you, and we like to use Baxter’s too. They give us really great service,” Tessa reassured her, putting her drink down and scribbling some notes. “We will make sure that we have plenty of stocks in and I could ask my partner James if he could perhaps provide some violin music if you’d like? He’s exceptionally good,” she told Luisa.
Capable smiled and wrote down everything, making a note to speak to Izzy and Audrey at Baxters and that Tessa was going to speak to James. As well as checking their stock levels and looking into creating a poster to advertise everything.
“Oh that would be lovely, and it would work well with the theme of the ball from the first book like Capable suggested” Luisa nodded in agreement, it was getting quite exciting.
“Excellent,” Tessa smiled brilliantly. “So I guess the final thing is when would you like to do this?” she asked.
“Oh we have a valentines event on that weekend in February” Capable said just to remind them all and make Luisa aware of it.
“Well then how about towards the end of February? The last weekend perhaps?” she suggested, “If that would work for you?”
“Thank you for reminding me,” Tessa smiled gratefully before writing in a reminder in her notepad. “And the end of February sounds absolutely fine for us,” she agreed. “Oh, and would you be free to do a little Q & A with people before the signing perhaps?”
Capable nodded, she knew Tessa was planning quite a focus on Valentine’s Day and didn’t want anything to distract from that or from Luisa’s event.
“Of course, I could do a reading and Q&A if you like, I know some people like that” Luisa offered, “And by then I should know some more details that I might be able to share”
“That would be wonderful, thank you very much,” Tessa smiled, jotting more notes down in her notebook. “I can't wait to hear more news! How exciting Capable!” she clapped her hands together excitedly.
Capable grinned brightly, “It’s going to be incredible” she declared brightly, “Thank you Miss Rey”
“Oh please, it’s Luisa. And thank you both, it’s wonderful to have such support and enthusiasm” she told them, “We’re going to have a wonderful event together”