***
Will sat back in the cab’s seat and closed his eyes. His head was spinning ever so slightly, and he prayed that he would keep his breakfast down on the way to the airport. He opened his eyes and watched as London passed by. He didn’t think he would miss it, at least not at first anyway.
As the taxi neared Heathrow he gazed skywards as dozens of aeroplanes flew past; just some of the millions who left and arrived every year, each with their own mixture of hopes and dreams, disappointments and fears.
He wondered whether this really was the start of something new, something better.
Then his phone rang. The realisation of who was calling crushed his optimism dead.
‘What the hell do you want?’ Will said, grasping the phone tightly. ‘You said it would be the last time…. look, I told you, that’s it; no more…I don’t care what you do. Do whatever you like. Just fuck off and leave me alone.’
He cut the conversation off and glanced at the driver. His head was fixed straight ahead, focussing on the road, apparently oblivious to what had just happened. Will thought of apologising for the bad language, but the cabbie had probably heard much worse than that in his career. Instead he simply turned his phone off completely and stuffed it into his bag, hoping that what he had just said, and the way he had said it, wouldn’t prove to be his undoing.
31
Emma’s new start began that afternoon, in a particularly exclusive part of Notting Hill. She’d rarely been to this part of London before, and had certainly never gone there to visit anyone. You had to be seriously wealthy to live in such a place - seriously wealthy, like Guy Roberts.
She reached his door and rang the bell; thinking back to the advice Lizzy had given her about keeping calm and maintaining control. But as she waited for someone to answer, the sound of birdsong ringing around her, she felt anything but calm and in control. This was unlike anything she had ever done in the past. She remembered the night she had found out that she had got the part in Up My Street – she had gone out to a nightclub with friends, and spent much of the night on the dance floor, trying to come to terms with the fantastic news. But this was taking things to a whole new level. The man who was presumably waiting inside to speak to her was a world-renowned casting director who had mixed with some of the world’s biggest movie stars.
She took a deep breath as the door started to open.
‘Emma, it’s so great to see you,’ Guy Roberts said, taking her hand and shaking it vigorously. ‘C’mon in.’
She followed him down the hallway and into the lounge area. The house was as nice inside as out, decked out like a Hollywood mansion. Framed posters of movies adorned the walls, and a piano stood in one corner of the room.
‘Take a seat,’ he said. ‘Can I get you a drink? Tea, coffee, something a little stronger?’
Emma sat down. ‘Tea would be great.’
‘Very wise,’ he said, smiling. ‘I always like to keep a clear head whilst doing business. Unless of course I go out to discuss terms with agents – then the more you drink the better. I’ll just be a second; I’d already boiled the kettle.’ He disappeared around the corner. ‘You can take a look at the papers, if you like,’ he shouted from the next room.
Emma took a look at the paper that had been lying upside down on the table in front of her.
It was a cast list for the movie.
And her name was on it.
‘You can close your mouth if you like,’ Guy joked as he came through with two cups of tea. ‘I know it was a little presumptuous of me, but I was working on my laptop last night with the cast list on the screen and that one gap was just so painful. I couldn’t help myself.’ He smiled.
‘I don’t know what to say,’ Emma admitted, looking down the list of people.
‘I’m pretty pleased with the cast,’ he said. ‘You like the look of it?’
‘Of course.’
It was an impressive list. Most of those playing the lead characters were already established movie actors, with three or four films under their belts. The leading man, Colin Farley, had been in a couple of Hollywood hits, albeit in supporting rather than leading roles.
‘And how does it feel to be up there with them?’
‘Good,’ she said. ‘It feels good.’
‘Well that’s good. So, let’s get down to business.’
He reached down behind him and pulled out another piece of paper.
‘This,’ he said, sliding the paper across the glass table, ‘is how much we would be offering you.’
Emma took one look at the details and had to put a hand across her mouth just to stop herself from swearing out loud.
‘I said we could offer you money you’d only dreamt of,’ he smiled.
‘But, I don’t deserve this,’ she said.
He laughed. ‘Oh, Emma, if only all the actors I work with were as honest as you.’
‘But this would be my first movie, I don’t have any experience…’
‘Why do you think I do this job, Emma?’
‘I…I don’t know,’ she said.
‘Well it’s certainly not for the money anymore. I could easily afford to retire. The reason I do this, what gets me up in the morning, casting for new films, is because I love breaking new talent. It gives me a real buzz to identify someone with untapped potential; someone who I think can make it right to the top. Someone like you, Emma.’
Emma smiled, embarrassed.
‘The minute I watched you in that first reading, I knew that I wanted you to be in this film. That’s why I was so disappointed when you called saying that you were pulling out.’
‘I don’t know what to say,’ she said, struggling to maintain her excitement.
‘Just say yes.’
‘Yes.’
‘That’s terrific,’ he said, clapping his hands together. ‘I can liaise with your agent on the exact terms. You know, Emma, I really believe you have a bright future in the business. You have something. Something all of those other girls don’t have. You’re different, and I don’t mean that in a derogatory way. There’s more to you. I hear that you used to be a karate champion.’
‘How did you know that?’ Emma asked, genuinely shocked that he knew about her past to such an extent.
‘Ah…we casting directors have our ways and means,’ he joked, tapping his nose without elaborating further.
‘What else do you know about me? Nothing bad I hope?’
‘Well that would be telling,’ he said, giving her a wink. ‘So, Emma,’ he said, changing the subject, ‘what is your diary looking like next week?’
‘Err, pretty empty,’ she said, thinking quite irrationally that maybe he knew somehow about the planned wedding, and its subsequent cancellation.
‘Perfect,’ he said, ‘because on Wednesday we’ve got a very special night planned. We’ve hired out a boat on the Thames, for a floating party. All the cast are invited, so you can all get to know each other. There’ll also be other people there – the director and producer, scriptwriter, me of course. I promise it’ll be a great night.’
‘Sounds good,’ Emma said.
‘You can make it then?’
‘Yeah, sure, wouldn’t miss it for anything.’
‘Fantastic,’ he said. ‘You know, this is just the beginning, Emma. The money is just the half of it. Soon you’ll be walking down the red carpet at the London premier, mixing with the stars. This is the big time. You’ve got your big chance, and I’ve got my perfect leading lady. We should be drinking champagne really.’
‘I was wondering,’ Emma said, ‘when you first contacted me you said someone had recommended you to me. Who was it?’
‘Can’t say,’ he said, making an apologetic face.
‘Why?’
‘They asked me to keep their name secret,’ he explained.
‘I don’t understand.’
‘It’s not that unusual,’ he said. ‘I have a lot of contacts who I work with, and sometimes they just like their anon
ymity. It’s nothing to get too hung up about. If it’s about thanking him then I’ll pass it on for you.’
‘So it’s a him then?’
‘Yes,’ he admitted, rather sheepishly. ‘But honestly, I can’t say any more.’
‘I just don’t understand why he doesn’t want me to know who he is.’
‘Please, Emma, it’s really not that big a deal.’
‘I want to know,’ she said. ‘Otherwise, I’m afraid I can’t take the part in the film.’
Guy looked stunned at the threat. ‘Emma. You’re blowing this out of all proportion.’
‘Then you won’t tell me?’
‘I’m sorry.’ He held his hands up. ‘I promised.’
Emma stood up. ‘Then I’ll be going.’
***
Emma closed the door behind her and walked down towards the gate. She couldn’t believe what she had just done. She’d thrown away possibly the one and only big chance that she had to really make it as an actress.
And what for? For a stupid matter of principle. What did it matter really that the person who was kind enough to recommend her for the part wanted to remain anonymous. They must have had their reasons. But added on to all those other secrets of the past week, it was the final straw. Why did everyone have to be so secretive?
She had just reached the tube when her phone rang.
‘I’ll give you one thing, Emma,’ Guy said. ‘You’re certainly strong-willed.’
‘I’m sorry, Guy,’ she said, ‘I know it sounds silly, but…’
‘It’s okay. I admire your guts. So, you’re really prepared to lose this great chance over this?’
‘Yes.’
‘Okay then, I’ll tell you; if that’s the only way I can get you in this film. It was your ex-boyfriend, Stuart Harris.’
32
‘I don’t think it’s a good idea,’ Lizzy said. ‘You might end up getting hurt again. You know what he did to you last time.’
‘But that was years ago. A lot of things have happened since then.’
‘Why would you even want to see him again?’ Lizzy questioned. ‘He just dumped you without any explanation. Why invite him back into your life like that?’
‘I know what you mean, Lizzy, and I do agree with what you’re saying…’
‘I sense a big “but” here.’
‘Well, it’s just that he’s the one who has invited himself back into my life. He’s the one who recommended me to Guy Roberts. I just want to find out why he did it.’
‘You want to thank him?’
‘No,’ Emma replied. ‘But I can’t just leave it like that, knowing that he went a long way to getting me that dream job, but not really knowing why.’
‘You think he’s got an ulterior motive?’ Lizzy said, suddenly looking more interested herself. ‘You don’t think he might want to get back with you?’
‘I’m sure that’s not the reason,’ she dismissed. ‘If he wanted that, he wouldn’t have made Guy Roberts promise not to tell me he had been involved.’
‘You wouldn’t be interested in getting back with him though, would you?’
‘No way. He really hurt me – there’s no way.’
‘Did you still love him when he left?’
‘Yes,’ Emma admitted. ‘But I don’t now.’
Lizzy blew out her cheeks. ‘Well I still don’t like it. I don’t like it at all. I think you should just steer well clear of the guy. Just get on with this great film opportunity. You can’t be in the right mental state to go meeting ex-boyfriends. Not after the last few weeks.’
‘Maybe it’s just what I do need.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, I never got an explanation of why Stuart left me. Okay, I assume it was because he couldn’t settle in London, and that maybe he was jealous that I was finding work when he couldn’t. But I never found out for sure. He didn’t tell me where he was going, and I never called him. So I was just dumped, without knowing what went wrong. And now it’s happened again, with Dan. I thought we were in love, and then he just disappears. I know it’s more complicated, with Richard, but essentially the same thing has happened to me again. I’m not able to ask Dan why he left, but now I’ve got a chance to ask Stuart.’
‘But Em, Stuart isn’t Dan,’ Lizzy counselled. ‘You’re not going to find out why Dan left by talking to Stuart.’
‘I know, but, maybe he could tell me something. Maybe I did something.’
‘Come here,’ Lizzy said, putting her arms around Emma and embracing her. ‘You’re a wonderful person, Em. Don’t you dare start thinking that this is your fault. I won’t let you.’
‘I’m sorry, Lizzy,’ Emma said, into her shoulder. ‘I have to meet with him. I can’t take this part until I do – it wouldn’t feel right. I promise I won’t start raking over old ground.’
Lizzy squeezed her tightly. ‘Whatever you do, Em, I’ll support you one hundred percent.’
***
The next day Emma took an early morning tube, resting her head against the window and stifling yawns. It had been a restless night, her mind buzzing with thoughts of whether she should meet Stuart. Would it be a potential disaster? After all, Lizzy was right; she wasn’t in the best frame of mind for meeting ex-partners. And it seemed especially unwise under the circumstances to meet someone with whom she had invested so much love in the past. She would have given the same advice as Lizzy if she had been in her position: steer clear. But she would also have offered her the same support her good friend had offered her, irrespective of what she decided.
Guy Roberts had reluctantly given her Stuart’s telephone number and home address. He was living just south of the river. Emma thought it ironic that the man who she thought had hated London so much had chosen to stay in the capital after their break-up. Maybe there had been something else wrong in their relationship.
Emma was surprised when she reached the address. She hadn’t really known what to expect, but the stained, concrete tower block certainly wasn’t it. It was the kind of place that under normal circumstances she wouldn’t have dreamt of going in. Emma hadn’t asked Guy what Stuart was doing these days, but it couldn’t have been that much if this was the best he could get.
She pressed the buzzer for his flat and waited. She had decided not to call him, and instead just turn up. If he was in, fine, if not, then maybe that would be a sign that she should leave well alone.
‘Hello?’ a voice said, unmistakably Stuart. It brought the memories flooding back, although they felt somehow distant, as if she was remembering someone else’s life, or was watching it up on the big screen.
‘Hi, Stuart,’ she said, her voice cracking with nerves.
There was silence.
‘Sally, is that you?’ he said.
‘It’s Emma,’ she said, thinking that Sally was probably his current girlfriend. ‘Emma Holden.’
More silence.
‘I’ll be straight down,’ he said.
33
‘It’s just a temporary place,’ he said, gesturing towards the tower block. ‘Mostly it’s student accommodation, but it’ll do for now.’
Emma took in the sight of Stuart Harris. He had changed quite a bit in the years since she had last seen him. He’d lost some weight, and cut his hair short. He was still however essentially the man she had first fallen in love with. She felt both guilty and weak in the knowledge that her heart was fluttering and she was still very much attracted to him, even after all that he had done.
‘It looks okay,’ Emma said, participating in the idle chatter while wondering where Stuart planned to take her.
‘I’m hoping to move soon,’ he said. ‘It can get a bit noisy. You know what students are like.’
He smiled nervously as he met Emma’s gaze.
‘Err, I thought we could go to the café down the road,’ he suggested, looking away. ‘They do a good breakfast, and I haven’t eaten yet.’
‘Sounds okay,’ Emma said.
***
It was weird sitting across from Stuart in the café; like stepping back in time. Emma watched as he sipped at his coffee, before diving into the greasy full English breakfast that had just arrived. Emma glanced around. It wasn’t the type of place Stuart ever used to visit. He’d always liked to eat out at expensive places, but this was pretty run down. The chairs and tables were made out of brown, moulded plastic, bolted to the floor. And wire mesh covered the window, indicating that this was probably an area that required some protection against glass breakages. The café smelled strongly of fried food. And the place was virtually empty, apart from a rather scruffy looking guy who was reading the paper in the far corner. Emma diverted her attention as the guy looked up from the newspaper at her.
‘Sure you don’t want some toast?’ Stuart said, looking up.
‘I’m fine.’
He nodded and went back to eating. Emma watched him, feeling frustrated at the lack of conversation. She didn’t want to just sit there as if everything was okay; she wanted to talk, about a lot of things.
‘You haven’t asked why I came to see you,’ Emma ventured. ‘Or how I knew where you live.’
‘Guy told you,’ Stuart replied, chomping on a mouthful of food before washing it down with a swig of coffee. ‘He called me last night.’
‘So you were expecting me?’
He shrugged. ‘I wondered whether you would come. Although I wasn’t sure.’
‘How do you know Guy?’
‘I met him through a friend,’ he explained, ‘at a party. We got talking and have kept in touch on and off ever since. That was about two years ago. He’s a great bloke. Not like some of the people in this industry.’
‘This industry?’
The One You Love (suspense mystery) Page 14