A Starlit Summer

by Kate Frost

  Milo was posing for photos next to the cinema entrance. He’d brought his mum as his date, a clever move which no doubt would win him more fans, and also leave him free to be with Timothy later on. Jenna wasn’t sure if she was happy or sad for Timothy, but he had a choice and at least Milo wasn’t lying to him about anything; just to himself.

  Of course after filming had wrapped and the weeks had gone by with Jenna back in London and Milo filming in the US, the gossip about them had died down. Her brief notoriety had been usurped by Heidi, and her ‘fling’ with Milo carried on for months afterwards, cementing Heidi as a firm fixture in the gossip magazines. Far from feeling jealous of the attention Heidi got, Jenna felt only relief. Although she was enjoying the glitz and glamour of the premiere, she didn’t want that kind of scrutiny to be a part of her everyday life.

  Finn stood back and grinned at Jenna as she had a photo taken with two young girls in the crowd. She signed autographs for them and took hold of Finn’s hand again. They reached the wall of photographers and journalists and the noise intensified. People shouted her name, bombarding her with questions from all sides. She’d worked as a model and she knew her best angle, so she posed, one leg crossed in front of the other beneath her red carpet-skimming dress. She held her clutch bag in one hand and put the other on her hip, and with her chin tilted slightly down, she focused on the cameras flashing in front of her. Finn stood back, allowing her a moment in the limelight.

  ‘Are you upset your relationship with Milo Blake is over?’ a journalist called out.

  ‘Not at all. I’m really happy.’ She looked at Finn and he joined her. The journalist smiled and gave her a knowing look.

  There was no point in correcting the media. As far as they were concerned, she had a brief fling with Milo while they made the film until he moved on to Heidi and she found new love with a Cornish builder. She was certain everyone thought Heidi got the better deal, but Jenna knew the truth. Heidi may have gained notoriety from having a ‘famous boyfriend’ but it was for show only, a kiss here and there for the paps and no real affection beyond that. What a life to lead. The supposed ‘hot sex’ she’d been having with Milo was far from fiction with Finn.

  ‘Jenna! Jenna!’ Whistles and shouts from the press grew as they reached the cinema entrance.

  Jenna turned, and with her arm firmly hooked in Finn’s she smiled and waved. She leant closer to him. ‘Let’s get inside.’

  She didn’t want to get used to this kind of attention. The truth was, the more fame she gained, the more she shrunk away from it, which in the end had helped her to get her priorities right over the past twelve months.

  ~

  The cinema was packed. Nearly two thousand faces gazed up as Jenna made her way on to the stage with the rest of the cast, the producers and the director. Her heart beat faster as the director introduced the film, and she zoned out as he sung Milo’s praises. She heard Cornwall mentioned and the incredible welcome the production had received when it took over Mullion and the surrounding area for a whole summer.

  Jenna only realised that Heidi was standing next to her when she took Jenna’s hand in hers and whispered, ‘This is insane, isn’t it?’

  Jenna nodded, but couldn’t quite believe in the sincerity of her words, not when less than a month earlier she’d walked the red carpet for the Bond premiere, the biggest movie of the year. It eclipsed this one by a long shot.

  Milo took the microphone from the director and stepped to the front of the stage. Someone wolf-whistled from the back and laughter echoed around the cinema. He was dressed impeccably in a smart fitted-suit, and his dark hair, tanned skin and handsome face commanded attention. Jenna squinted in the dim light of the auditorium to make out Finn sitting next to Ade. She could see Lily and Amanda too and suddenly felt a fraud up on the stage, even more so when Milo mentioned her. She had no idea what he said, she just smiled politely and was glad when the audience erupted in to applause and they could return to their seats.

  The theatre lights dimmed and the filming board classification for The Cornish Affair came on to the screen. There was an air of anticipation in the movie theatre as voices hushed. Jenna squeezed Finn’s hand tighter. Amanda was on the other side of Jenna, her hand gripping the armrest between them. It was a big moment. Jenna had seen herself on screen before but to be featured in a film as big as this one was something special.

  Along with almost everyone else, Jenna watched the film for the first time. Scenes and locations were so very familiar, and yet in post-production the sense of history and the way it had been edited together made it fresh and new. It was like watching a film she barely knew the storyline of. It surprised and elated her in equal measure, and despite cringing when she first appeared on screen, she slowly relaxed and actually enjoyed it for what it was, an entertaining period drama and love story.

  ~

  The post-premiere party was held in an old chocolate factory-turned-swanky bar. Apart from the principal cast and crew, there were a lot of other celebrities whose agents had managed to snag them an invite. A few A-listers and lots of reality TV faces. Jenna had no clue who many of them were, apart from The Love Hotel contingent who’d been on at the same time as Heidi. Heidi of course seemed to know everyone.

  Finn took two glasses of champagne from a passing waitress and handed one to Jenna.

  ‘I feel out of my depth.’ He looked around the bar packed with people glammed up for the evening. It was filled with lots of sparkle, little black dresses, tuxes and over-the-top air kissing.

  ‘You and me both.’

  ‘Yeah, but I’m not used to any of this and I’ve just watched you killing it on the big screen. Doesn’t really compare.’ His eyes widened. ‘Heads up, Milo’s coming our way.’

  Apart from on the red carpet and on stage before watching the film, Jenna hadn’t seen Milo for months. He’d been on the press tour in the US and around Europe, while she’d only done some press about the film in the UK. He was the big star, the one booked for The Graham Norton Show and interviewed on BBC Radio 1. His fame was stratospheric compared to hers.

  He reached them, his hand immediately finding her shoulder. ‘Hey, how you both doing? Finn, good to see you again.’ They shook hands and Jenna couldn’t help but think of the ridiculous situation they’d found themselves in the summer before last.

  ‘You too,’ Finn said.

  Jenna wasn’t convinced that there was any truth in that reply; there was no love lost between Finn and Milo.

  ‘Do you mind if I talk to Jenna for a moment.’

  Finn looked at Jenna and she nodded.

  ‘I’ll be over there.’ He kissed her cheek and walked off.

  ‘I’m glad you’re with him, Jenna. He seems a nice guy.’ He sidled closer, the waft of his aftershave strong as his hand rested on her hip. ‘And fit as anything.’

  ‘Yes he is. Timothy’s fit too if you took time to notice.’

  Milo glanced behind them.

  ‘Don’t worry,’ Jenna said. ‘I won’t say a thing. I never will, I promise you that.’

  ‘Well thank you, I appreciate it because after how it all kicked off, well, I wouldn’t blame you if you had spilt the beans.’

  ‘You realise I’m doing it for Timothy, not you.’

  ‘I gathered that.’

  ‘He’s a bloody decent bloke. You should do right by him.’

  ‘I know, I know.’ He waved at a passing actor. ‘I will do, one day.’

  Jenna folded her arms. ‘One day. What are you waiting for? Someone to force you to speak out? I don’t understand why you don’t do it on your own terms?’

  He rubbed the stubble on his chin. ‘It’s not that simple, Jenna.’

  ‘It really is. You either love someone or you don’t.’

  Milo took her arm and steered her away from the group of people next to them. ‘What I wanted to come over and say to you is, I’m sorry. Deeply sorry about the stress and upset I caused you when we were filming. I was selfish
. I made assumptions about you and didn’t mean to mess around with your life quite as much as I did. I think you’re unusual – in a good way. You don’t seem to want fame for fame’s sake.’

  ‘It’s not that I don’t want to be famous, it’s just I want to be known for acting, not anything else.’

  ‘That’s what I mean by unusual. Most twenty-something’s whether they’re actors or not crave fame and would lap up the attention. I mean, look at Heidi. But not you. I like that about you, Jenna Wilson.’ He touched her bare arm. ‘And I really am glad you’ve kissed and made up with Finn. He’s quite a catch.’

  His stubble tickled her skin as he kissed her cheek. He turned to go.

  ‘Milo.’ Jenna caught his hand. ‘You’re too good an actor to ever lose out on parts because of your sexuality. You’re incredible in the film, you know that right? Just wait until the reviews are published tomorrow. And if casting directors have an issue with you being gay, well then that’s their problem and they’ll be the ones to lose out. All the fame, all the gossip that constantly surrounds you, it totally gets in the way of how awesome you are when you’re on that big screen.’ She squeezed his hand and looked intently into his hazel eyes. ‘You shouldn’t have to lie about who you are, and certainly not when you’re so damn talented.’

  Jenna walked away, adrenalin pumping through her. Yes, he’d messed her around that summer, but she had initially liked him. His bad judgement may have clouded that for a time but now they were out the other side and the gossip had died down, she couldn’t help but warm to him again. But without Timothy’s honesty, she and Finn may have lost their chance of getting together forever.

  She smiled at familiar and unfamiliar faces as she made her way to join Finn, Ade, Carla, Lily and Amanda and their partners at a large circular table.

  Jenna slid on to the seat next to Finn.

  ‘What did he want?’ Finn asked.

  ‘Believe it or not, to apologise.’

  ‘Are you sure? Not the opportunity for a photographer to take a picture with his arm around you?’

  ‘You noticed huh?’

  ‘Yep. And even through all these people, I’m sure a photographer somehow managed to get that shot.’

  ‘I gave him a piece of my mind too...’

  ‘Is Heidi with Milo again?’ Lily shouted across the table above the thump thump thump of the music.

  Jenna shrugged. ‘Who knows? I don’t think either Milo or Heidi know what they want from each other.’

  ‘Well.’ Amanda motioned towards the crowded bar. ‘Heidi’s just cornered him so...’

  Jenna wondered where Timothy was and what the hell Milo and Heidi were playing at. It was frustrating to see Milo constantly hiding behind a lie. Maybe she shouldn’t have been so blunt with him, but she’d told the truth. One day someone less forgiving than her or Finn, someone wanting to make lots of money off a huge story would out him and then he’d lose all control over the situation.

  ‘They’ve got it all planned out,’ Carla said, leaning closer to Jenna so no one else could hear. ‘Now Heidi’s finished on The Love Hotel and that relationship fizzled out, she said Milo thought it might be good for them to “hook up” at the premiere – you know, for one night only. Then once all the fuss with this film has blown over they’re going to split up, which of course will gain them more column inches. Heidi will move on with her life having gained roles and shedloads of money off the back of being Milo’s lover, while Milo can just be single for a while, enjoy flirting and all that crap that he’s so damn good at.’

  ‘And perhaps spend some time with Timothy?’

  ‘I have no idea how they’re going to manage to do that without raising suspicion unless they work together again.’

  ‘Well, Milo handpicked me, I’m sure he can do the same with Timothy.’

  ‘Yeah, like that wouldn’t be obvious at all.’ Carla raised a pierced eyebrow.

  ‘Have you seen much of Heidi?’

  ‘A bit, before she went on The Love Hotel. And then of course we all saw a bit too much of her while she was on that. Flipping hell, Jen, did you dodge a bullet by not going on it.’

  Jenna knew she had. It was nothing short of torture watching the emotional turmoil Heidi went through on the show. The intense focus on her life didn’t sit comfortably with Jenna. The way she bared her soul and everything else all for the viewers’ entertainment, assured Jenna that she’d made the right choice.

  Watching Heidi’s ups and downs in love and out of love, and the way she was talked about and discussed on social media had made Jenna feel sorry for her. It was like watching a car crash; she was unable to tear her eyes away despite hating what she saw. However much Heidi had hurt her, Jenna still wanted to give her a hug when she broke down on TV for the world to see after getting turned down by the guy she’d fallen for. How much was scripted and played up for the cameras Jenna really had no idea. She saw a version of Heidi, a mix of real and fiction. She played up her sexiness, and at times left little to the imagination. It made for uncomfortable viewing. So Jenna knew exactly what Carla meant by her having dodged a bullet. Jenna had made a wise choice, which had led to a quieter life. Out of the two of them, Heidi was the centre of attention tonight; Heidi was the one who knew most people here; Heidi would be the one in the gossip magazines tomorrow and trending online.

  ‘I feel sorry for her,’ Jenna said. ‘Is she happy? Do you know?’

  ‘I have no idea. She comes across like she is when you speak to her, but she’s not the same person we became friends with at drama school. I don’t know, maybe it’s to be expected, she’s playing the game and she’s playing it well. She’s making a load of money, she’s getting roles, she’s become a household name, but at what cost...’

  At what cost indeed. Jenna sat back against the cushioned seat. Heidi was a household name but that was all down to having a ‘fling’ with Milo and then sleeping with at least one of the blokes on The Love Hotel. Even with the release of the latest Bond, she was getting the attention because she played a sexy – albeit smart – woman who caught Bond’s eye and featured in one of the most exciting set-pieces in the whole film.

  A tapping noise on a microphone caught Jenna’s attention. One of the producers was standing on the stage at the other side of the bar.

  ‘Sorry to interrupt but Milo would like to say a few words.’

  The music faded and chatter petered out. Milo leapt on to the raised platform, took the microphone from the producer, and cleared his throat.

  ‘I, um. So I just want to say something. It seems like the right time to say it...’ He stared down at the floor for a moment lost in thought. Even from across the room Jenna could tell from his flushed face that he was nervous, something she’d never seen before. ‘Throughout my career I’ve had well-meaning advice from my agent, producers, directors, fellow actors, casting directors, magazine editors, you name it, everyone has advised me about everything, particularly when it comes to money and my career. But actually, I’ve never really listened to those few people in my life who talk sense, who aren’t all about fame and money.’ Milo looked directly at Jenna and she sank lower in her seat. ‘They’re about integrity and friendship, supporting one another; they’re about love and being true to yourself...’

  He swigged his champagne and loosened his bow tie. He looked across the crowded room, every single person looking at him, watching and waiting. Jenna’s heart thumped.

  ‘Timothy, could you come up here please.’

  The thudding in Jenna’s ears dissipated; she’d heard him crystal clear that time. Timothy weaved his way through the crowd, frowning as he jumped up on to the stage next to Milo. Milo smiled at him and took his hand. ‘We’ve got something to tell you that we should have told everyone about a long time ago.’

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  ‘Last night was one of the greatest of my life.’ Carla leant against the work surface in her kitchen, yawned and stretched her arms above her head.


  Jenna switched on the coffee machine and turned to her. ‘Tell me about it. Did you see Heidi’s face when Milo said that him and Timothy were in love?’

  ‘Her face was like thunder – impossible to miss.’

  ‘I actually feel sorry for her. I mean she’s going to get lynched by the media for being a part of Milo’s lies to further her career.’

  Carla took three mugs from a cupboard and turned back to Jenna. ‘I’ll be here for her, don’t worry. It might be a good thing, snapping her out of the mad world she’s been living in the past couple of years. She can’t carry on like she is without burning out.’ She splashed milk into two of the mugs. ‘Will Finn want coffee?’

  Jenna had left him in bed in Carla’s spare room. They’d managed a few hours’ sleep after the excitement of the night before. The hangover and her fur-lined mouth were an unwelcome result. She desperately needed coffee and she knew Finn would too.

  ‘I’ll wake him. We should go out for brunch.’

  ~

  The cafe was just around the corner from Carla’s, a chilled-out place with wooden tables and mismatched chairs. Compared to the night before in her slinky dress, with her make-up and hair done by professionals, she felt relaxed and comfortable in skinny jeans and boots, her hair wound up into a messy bun.

  Their plates of breakfast arrived, Finn’s filled with bacon, eggs, sausage, mushrooms and hash browns, Jenna with a poached egg and salmon, and Carla with smashed avocado and halloumi. They tucked in greedily, feeling more alive with food and more coffee.

  ‘I did not see that coming,’ Finn said through a mouthful of bacon. ‘What the hell did you say to Milo?’

  It was all they’d talked about since the moment Milo told a roomful of people that he was gay. Less than an hour later he was trending on Twitter and the world seemingly went mad over the ‘shocking news’.