Chaos on Camera

by Louise Lynn

  “Hey Sandra,” I called out, and the producer glared at me through a pair of moon-sized sunglasses. “I hope we’re on time.”

  “For what?””

  Sandra slammed the trailer door and grimaced at us. Like me, the yawn on her face and black bags lining her chocolate brown eyes said she wasn’t particularly a morning person.

  “Umm, for catering?” Ivy shrugged.

  “We have breakfast ready to be set out,” I said, as Sandra leapt down from the stairs. Ivy and I quickly followed her like eager puppies. I cringed at how we trotted after her. But anything was better than spending another moment with Quintessence. “Also, some teas and snacks prior to lunch. Scones, pastries, herbal, and breakfast tea. Everything you stated in the menu and all homemade.”

  “Our mom even made the clotted cream and jam. She insisted,” Ivy said, and her smile widened.

  Sandra rolled her eyes. “Oh. Yah. You can set up in the catering truck inside the Unit Base. You know? Tall, big thing next to the green screens. You can’t miss it.”

  We’d already seen the truck near the entrance, but judging by the size, I hadn’t assumed it was for the catering alone. Being in the culinary business, I couldn’t wait to see inside of it. I felt like a kid who’d just been told they were going to Disney World. I nodded my head and focused my attention on Sandra. Her eyebrows were knitted together, a crease formed above her nose, and a blue vein throbbed at the side of her temple.

  Oh, if looks could kill.

  I wish I knew what I’d done to irritate her. But I pushed the thought aside. Friendly or not, I was there to work, and I had more to worry about than making friends.

  “So, breakfast will be laid out by five a.m. I have the contract here, looked over and signed by the both of us.”

  Sandra took the contract from me with an almost accusatory glare. With her spare hand, she stuffed it into one of the backpacks.

  “Is there anything else you require besides serving the food?” I asked.

  “Other than not killing or poisoning any of my staff, I think you’re good for now. Just don’t mess anything up.”

  She turned away from us, and not even glancing over her shoulder, she added, “Let’s see how good your food really is.”

  Once she was out of earshot, Ivy breathed a sigh of relief. “Jeez. What flew up her nose?”

  “I don’t know. But come on. We don’t have long to set up.”

  Ivy rolled up her sleeves and I noticed her polka dot Maritime apron had been caught in her jeans’ pocket. I pulled the material out and smiled at her.

  “Do you think there’ll be any cute guys?”

  “On a movie set?” I raised an eyebrow. “I imagine so.”

  She rolled her sleeves up even further. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!”

  The breakfast rush wasn’t as crazy as I’d anticipated. With the help of Ivy, plus a gorgeous—and I mean utterly gorgeous and high-tech catering truck—we managed to serve all two hundred crew members without running out of fresh goods. I was thankful my mom had helped to prepare the food the day before. I hadn’t been sure how many to cater for, since Sandra noted in the contract that the numbers fluctuated, depending on what was needed on the day, so I’d prepared for two hundred and twenty. I was surprised to still have some left over.

  The snacks had just been set out on the tables when I saw Dean making his way toward the truck.

  “Sorry I missed your breakfast, Olive. I had a meeting with the director. But if it’s any consolation, they’re all raving about your scones and jam.”

  I blushed at the compliment. Ivy busied herself with reorganizing the food truck. “Don’t worry about it. And that’s a relief. I was worried they’d hate it or accuse me of poisoning them.”

  Dean furrowed his thick eyebrows.

  I gulped. “Probably not the best word to use, considering.”

  He nodded, but a slight grin pulled at the corner of his lips. “Probably not. I’m just heading off, but I wanted to check in on you. On you both. Make sure you’re okay.”

  “We’re fine. Just trying to find our feet here, I guess. I hear lunch is the busiest hour because more people are on set at that time. Have you been here the whole morning?”

  I watched him closely. His gray eyes looked sideways at something I couldn’t see then he shook his head.

  “Not really. Can I tempt you for a drink once you finish up here?”

  I paused, biting my bottom lip. Did he just lie to me? Or was Quintessence simply trying to get under my skin?

  I put my money on the latter.

  “I can’t. I’ll need to prepare everything for tomorrow. The only day I won’t be working here is on Sundays.”

  “Then how about this Sunday?”

  Ivy appeared beside Dean. I could tell she had been sensing my discomfort. I couldn’t shake the weird feeling of Dean and Quintessence being together. I knew he was single—well, almost, he was nearly divorced—but still. He could do better, at the very least.

  “We’re spending the day with Mom doing house stuff,” Ivy said, then she disappeared again, holding a tray of white chocolate cookies.

  I nodded. “Such a riveting life I lead.”

  Dean chuckled. “Well, I’m not giving up on you.”

  “You could be waiting a long time,” I said.

  “I’m patient.”

  “You’re stubborn.”

  He raised his brows again. I winced at the sound of my tone. I’d sounded somewhat bitter.

  Olivia, just ask him! What were you doing with Quintessence before four a.m.?

  My lips parted, but at that moment, Michael appeared and slapped a hand on Dean’s shoulder. “I see you’ve met our beautiful caterer. Her food has been the highlight of this location, Detective Harper. Have you tried them?”

  “Not today,” Dean replied, his voice low and eyes pinning me on the spot, trying to suss me out.

  “Ah, mate. Well that is a shame. Maybe tomorrow you can stop by again and grab one. After all you’re doing for Quintessence, you deserve one.”

  The blood drained from my face. I occupied myself with filling the kettle with more hot water for the tea.

  “Goodbye, Olive.”

  Once Dean had gone, I placed the water on the truck counter for Ivy to collect.

  Michael flashed a pearly white smile. “So far, so good,” he said, his eyes sparkling. “Your scones have gone down a treat. Even Sandy had one.”

  I steeled myself, thinking that I already knew the answer. “Did she enjoy it?”

  “You keep putting out food like this, Miss Darrow, and you’re gonna do just fine.”

  With that, Michael returned to the set and I smiled.

  At least I was doing something right.

  “Hey, guuuurl!”

  I’d spoken too soon.

  Quintessence heels click-clacked up to the truck. I spied only a protein shake in her hand—no sign of scones or tea.

  “Did you enjoy the breakfast?” I asked her, forcing my tone to remain professional.

  She scrunched up her nose at me. “They smelled okay, but I’m on a strict diet.”

  “What’s in the shake?”

  “Kale and apple.”

  Delicious … not!

  I’d rather stick with the calories, thanks.

  “Well, I hope you manage to eat some of my stuff. I promise they’re not awful.”

  She pouted her lips. “Probably not, but to me, it’s a waste of calories. Anyway, have you seen Sandra?”

  “The producer?”

  “Weird, grumpy woman with the awful bangs? Yeah. Her. Where is she?”

  “We saw her outside her trailer an hour ago,” Ivy said, appearing in front of the truck again. “More hot water’s needed for the tea.”

  “Coming right up,” I said, and turned to pour more boiling water into the jug Ivy extended me.

  Quintessence set her shake onto the counter and groaned. “Urgh. I really hate these trailers. Did yo
u know that they only have forty-inch TVs? I mean, hello! It’s the twenty-first century. Get with the times already people.”

  I didn’t even have a TV back home. But I certainly didn’t bother saying so. It would only be another thing for Quintessence to poke fun at. At any rate, it wasn’t that I couldn’t afford a TV. I just didn’t have the time to watch it.

  “You’re super quiet, Olivio.”

  Olivia!

  “I’m just busy. Are you sure there’s nothing I can get you? We have dairy-free cakes in the fridge. They’re for after lunch, but I can slide you one, if you want.”

  “Don’t bother. I’ll probably just spew it up anyway.”

  For the first time, I saw a different expression flicker over Quintessence’s face. It was though a mask had slipped from her momentarily, and pain shone through. Was she ill? Was she bulimic?

  “Well, what about some tea. What kind of flavors do you like?”

  More crew members buzzed by us, not even paying their lead star any attention, which I thought was off.

  Quintessence pondered for a moment, pursing her red lips. “I like cinnamon,” she said.

  “There’s cinnamon tea over there, though it may have a hint of apple. Why don’t you go try it?”

  I bite back any spiteful comments that would usually have slipped in, and watched Quintessence turn and leave. Her protein shake lay abandoned on the countertop, so I moved it aside for when she came back over.

  She didn’t come back over, though. I folded my arms and watched her ponder over the selection of teas. She’d barely been there two minutes, when suddenly she screamed, and people came rushing toward her.

  “I’m injured! The water burned me!”

  She thrust out her hand to the crowd of spectators, including Michael, who stood with a worried look on his face.

  “You’re okay. Now, let me see your hand.”

  “I can’t believe it! First, stupid Gina dyed my hair wrong; which was a total threat to my career and life by the way, and now this!” Quintessence shoved her hand into Michael’s face, and tears raced down her cheeks, ruining her perfect eye makeup. She looked like a watercolor painting that had been left out in the rain. “Getting burned was not in the contract, Michael!”

  “Will you calm down already, Quinn! Sandy, arrange for a medic to visit Mrs. Lovejoy’s trailer immediately.”

  “The water barely even touched her,” Ivy whispered, joining me inside the truck again. “I hope we don’t get docked for this.”

  I nodded my agreement. “We won’t. But if there’s one thing I remember about her, it’s her tendency to always seek attention.”

  Quintessence was rushed away to her trailer, with an entourage of people fussing around her, and I shook my head.

  Well, what had I expected from Quintessence Lovejoy?

  I was willing to bet money on her scalding herself on purpose, just for attention.

  Chapter Four

  I dreaded to look in the bathroom mirror that day. It had been a long first shift and I imagined my thick auburn hair to have turned into a gigantic bird’s nest. Even the opening day of my teashop in San Francisco hadn’t been so chaotic. Still, my sister and I had managed to get through the day with minimal fuss, and for that I was thankful.

  At closing time, Michael popped up in front of the truck, his complexion slightly pale after an equally long day … of dealing with Quintessence Lovejoy, I guessed.

  “You ladies worked wonders today,” he said with a yawn, rubbing a hand through his wavy hair. “I wanted you to know that. Hard work’s something that’s greatly valued here and you two have been an asset to this team. And more to the point, I was right. Your food is to die for.”

  I beamed at his compliment. “Well, we’re always here to help, Michael. Anything else we can do, just let us know.”

  “Oh, you’ll regret saying that,” Michael said, then he yawned again and wiped a hand over his face. He glanced at his watch. “Seven-thirty p.m. I should get ready for the event tonight. Are you ladies attending?”

  “Event?” Ivy bounced up from underneath the counter, where she’d been storing the last of the unused utensils.

  Michael chuckled. “Yes. An after-party in town to celebrate our official wrap up of the first day on set. The whole crew will already be there. You’d be welcome to join us. Paid for, of course, including an open bar.”

  “Really?” Ivy beamed this time, her eyes widening into green saucers.

  “Of course! You’re part of the crew now.” He yawned again. “Even Quinn will be there, though late, as always, I imagine.”

  “Is she okay?” I asked, hoping, reluctantly, she hadn’t been burned too badly.

  I guess Quintessence burning herself had reminded me of the mayhem with Maggie White and Jenny Walker in Maritime a month ago. I winced at the thought. Sure, I had little to no love for the woman, but that didn’t mean I wanted her dead. Not now anyway although I had wished it before prom.

  “Oh, that. She’s fine, just a little, err, dramatic about these things. She’s in her trailer right now, if you want to see her. Perhaps I’ll see you both later?”

  He began to walk away, and I nodded.

  “Is it a ball?” Ivy squeaked, and I lightly whacked her on the side of the head. “But I have the perfect dress for it and everything.”

  “Ivy, you were practically falling asleep an hour ago. You almost dropped the strawberry tarts at dinner.”

  “Nothing some champagne won’t help.”

  She was clearly struggling to suppress a yawn.

  I snorted and glanced around. Quintessence’s washed protein shake had been moved from the countertop and to one of the shelves. I picked it up and scrutinized its contents. “Should we be super polite citizens and make sure she’s okay? Quintessence?”

  Ivy shrugged. “It wasn’t a serious burn,” she reminded me. “But we do need to pass through the trailers. I guess, if you really want to. I’ve got your back.”

  “Oh, what would I do without you, dearest little sister?” I rolled my eyes then took one last look at the catering truck and service tables. Everything had been wiped down and cleared away for the night. We had zero leftovers and I still had to get home to bake the next batch for tomorrow.

  We pulled off our aprons, hung them over the counter then reached for our coats.

  Once we had closed up, I turned to Ivy. “Well done for getting through the first day, Ivy. I knew we could do it!”

  Ivy held up her hand and we high-fived. “Darrow sisters, rocking it once again,” she grinned, as we stepped out of the Unit Base.

  What we didn’t expect to see was Adam Fairgrieve, Juno’s big brother, striding by us and toward the parking lot. I hadn’t been overly close to Adam, but he usually always stopped to say hello. With Michael gone, the set was practically empty. Ivy nudged me on the shoulder and raised her eyebrows suggestively.

  “Well, we were headed in that direction …”

  “I do love a bit of stalking,” Ivy said, grinning.

  I pushed her lightly and rolled my eyes. “We’re just … observing,” I countered, “and checking up on our burned customer.”

  “Yeah. Okay, Olive.”

  When we emerged into the parking lot, it was dark and many of the trailers had no lights on.

  All except for one.

  Quintessence’s.

  I gulped and walked through the maze of trailers. When I saw Adam emerging from Quintessence’s, I pulled Ivy back and we slouched against the rear door of a hatchback Toyota Prius. I squinted and could just make out Adam storming away from the trailer. Not even a second later, Quintessence came hobbling after him, dressed in the most beautiful ball gown I’d ever seen: a deep, royal-blue fishtail and her hair, now dyed pink, in a braided bun.

  “Adam!” Quintessence called, though it came out more like a strangled whisper. “Please don’t do this!”

  Adam pivoted on his heel and crossed his arms. Even in the dim lights, his muscular build
looked intimidating, and I swallowed, trying to calm my heartbeat.

  Ivy clenched my shoulders.

  Adam huffed at her. “I’ve had enough of these stupid little mind games, Mary. Enough is enough!”

  “Please, Adam …” Quintessence begged, and I could hear the tears clogging her throat. “I’m sorry. I really am.”

  What on earth was going on between them? A torrid but secret love affair?

  Was Adam cheating on his girlfriend, Gina?

  A bitter taste rose into the back of my throat. If he was, I didn’t like how things would pan out.

  “Seriously? I don’t want anything to do with you. I said my piece, now drop it, Mary, or you will be sorry.”

  “Wait, Adam! Just one more moment … one more, please? After this, I won’t be back in town for several years!”

  Quintessence hobbled forward in her dress and clung to Adam’s biceps. I could only see her exposed back, and Adam’s face, and the look of utter astonishment crossing his features. I waited, with bated breath, to see what would happen. Ivy’s fingernails dug into my shoulders with anticipation.

  Quintessence stretched up on her toes and forced her lips against Adam’s. The two of them collided against each other, Quintessence embraced in Adam’s arms, whose eyes slowly dipped shut. Then realization must have kicked in and he thrust Quintessence away from him. She stumbled back, but didn’t fall over, much to my disappointment. At least she hadn’t died from her meagre scalding, though.

  “What are you doing?” Adam growled, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

  “You’re the only one who’s ever loved me, Adam … I can’t take it if you leave me! I won’t let you leave me!”

  For a moment, neither of them spoke, and I felt Ivy’s grip tighten. I winced then focused my attention on the pale glow of Adam and Quintessence.

  “Yeah,” Adam snarled at her. “Loved. Past tense. We were just kids then. It’s over. It’s been over for fifteen years, Mary.”

  As he began to walk away from her, Quintessence pushed her hands onto her hips. “But you kissed me back! Let’s see what your pretty little girlfriend has to say about that!”