I walked onto the set of Blue Harvest, scanning around for Josh. I knew he was here but I couldn't quite see where. Hugh and Jeremy saw me first, wide grins spreading across their faces as they bounded towards me.
"Matilda!" They greeted me, clearly beaming at my sudden arrival. "What are you doing here?"
"What do you think?" I chuckled, smiling at them, genuinely happy to see them both.
They both nodded, taking in the information. "He's just finished shooting a scene so he should be here about now." Hugh told me. As if by magic, Josh appeared in the hallway, chatting to a young woman. I recognised her but I couldn't quite think from when.
"Josh!" Jeremy shouted, grabbing his attention. Josh glanced up and we made eye contact, holding it for a few seconds. He was overtaken by shock, freezing in his spot. The brunette who stood next to him turned and looked, seeing Jeremy, Hugh and I. She muttered something before leaving Josh to stand frozen in his stature.
He had more facial hair than when I'd last seen him. It suited him, the specks of hair on his face more.. becoming, in a way. Josh looked older, wiser. Hotter.
"Mate, are you alright?" Hugh chuckled, unsure what to make of it. It took him a moment but Josh bounded over, pulling me into a tight embrace. I felt like he was never going to let me go and I wouldn't have complained if he had.
"God, I missed you so bloody much." He whispered, lifting me into a bear hug.
"Who wouldn't?" I joked as we broke apart.
"What are you doing here?" He asked, a small glimmer of pride in his eyes. He had always been one for showing off, particularly if it was me he was flaunting. "Aren't you supposed to be in Botswana?"
"I am a bit of a fugitive," I admitted, grimacing. I didn't know how to tell him of recent events, though I'm sure he'd hear all about it soon enough.
Josh frowned. "Are you supposed to be doing the Commonwealth tour now, Matilda?"
"About that..." I trailed off, avoiding eye contact. "But I wanted to see you and Edward and I aren't really on good terms."
"So you thought you'd piss him off?" Josh sighed, a little worried at my actions.
"I mean.." I lacked an answer, pouting a little. Josh merely chuckled more, shaking his head.
"I love you." He grinned.
"Good!" I replied, taking his hand. "Because I have good news."
"Good news?" Josh asked, prompting me.
"Edward said he'd consider allowing me to renounce my rights."
"Renunciation?" Josh was somewhat shocked by my words. Edward's position on the matter had always been stubborn refusal and we both thought it would never change, but now it was changing — perhaps for the better.
"He wants me to wait six months, until he's fully crowned, but even if we don't work out, Josh, I'll be much happier as a normal young woman, without title or privilege. Just another face in the London crowds."
"You could never be just a face." Josh admitted, as if to warn me. I nodded, acknowledging his words.
"But I wouldn't be restricted as I am now. I would be.. more free than I am now. And if we did marry, you wouldn't have to give it all up for me. You could do what you wanted and so could I."
Josh looked worried, his face full of unexplained angst. "You're not just doing this for me, are you?" There was a tinge of guilt in his voice.
"No," I chuckled. "I mean, it would be advantageous for you, but I'm doing this for me. It'll make my life a lot easier."
