CHAPTER 12
There was no point looking for Emily, Jess knew, as she collected a bag of fish and chips from one of the food trucks.
Doug and Mel were using the extended lunch break to cast the two small roles they’d advertised for, and Emily had been so nervous when Jess had seen her earlier she was pretty certain she hadn’t been able to eat at all.
She was debating whether to join some of the extras who were having lunch on the orangery patio, when she saw Afric approach.
“Afric, hi!” Hurriedly, she wiped her hand on the leg of her suit trousers, before offering it to her. “We haven’t properly met – I’m Jess Bradley. I work for the Charleston Group. I’m your … troubleshooter … your go-to if you need anything during filming.”
Afric tossed back her hair. “Nice to meet you, Jess. You haven’t seen Lisa, have you? She said she’d meet me here with Diva.”
“Oh.” Jess looked around. The grounds were so busy it was difficult to pinpoint anyone. “I haven’t, sorry. I’m sure she’ll be here soon, though.”
Afric smiled warmly. “I only leave Diva with people I trust. I’ve had her since she was only three weeks old, you know.”
Jess was about to ask how old she was now, when she was interrupted by the sound of barking and growling.
“There’s my baby!”
Jess looked around, a bit surprised to see Robert approach, holding Diva. The dog was doing her best to bite him.
Afric hurried over and scooped her out of his arms.
“Sorry – she doesn’t really like men!” She flashed Robert a look of apology. “You look familiar. Are you staff here at Linford?”
“I’m, uh …” Two small spots of colour appeared on Robert’s cheeks as he stared at Afric, who smiled politely as she waited for him to speak.
“Robert is a structural engineer, Afric,” Jess said quickly. “He’s been overseeing the construction of the sets.”
“Oh, that’s amazing! Well done!” Afric nodded. “So, I’d better get something to eat before I’m due in makeup. Nice to meet you both.” She flashed them another smile and walked off in the direction of the food trucks.
Jess glanced over at Robert, who was watching Afric walk away. She hid a smile. She couldn’t tease him about being star-struck – at least not until she knew him better.
“So,” she said after Afric was out of earshot, “how did you end up on Diva-minding duties?
Robert grimaced. “Lisa had to take a call from LA and I was close by. I might go wash my hands and get some lunch. The fish and chips look good. Can I join you?”
“I’ll save you a seat on the patio.”
“Oh my God, Jess, I was so nervous! I honestly don’t know how I did.” Emily collapsed in a chair in the orangery after her audition and put a glass of what looked like green sludge on the table.
Jess closed the rough draft she’d been working on for her new marketing campaign for Linford.
“I’m sure you were great. And if they don’t cast you it just means they’re going for a different look, so don’t take it personally.”
“You’re right, yeah.” Emily picked up the glass and took a tiny sip, shuddering visibly as she put it down.
“Er, what is that?” Jess asked.
“It’s a kale smoothie.” Emily wiped her mouth. “The cast get them from the craft truck. Well, I think Afric definitely does.”
Jess gestured to the French coffee press on the table. “There’s lots of coffee if you feel like one afterwards.”
“Oh, cool.” Emily eyed the pot.
“Or even instead of it.”
Emily wrinkled her nose. “I’ve probably had enough of this for the moment.”
Jess hid a smile as she poured Emily a coffee. “Who else was auditioning?”
“I’ve no idea. When I went along it was just me and Mel and Doug, so Mel read with me. Dermot was the camera man.” Emily stirred in two sugar lumps. “They have to see what sort of screen presence I have, obviously.”
Jess nodded. “Obviously.”
“I think having Dermot there made me more nervous,” Emily admitted with another sigh. “Like, I want him to notice me but in the right way, you know?”
“I’m sure he was busy just concentrating on the screen test,” Jess said.
Emily looked at her sceptically. “Beforehand, he was joking around with some of the ADs and he wasn’t even looking at me.” She topped up her coffee and sighed. “He could have any girl he wants, Jess. Maybe I should just ask him out instead?”
Jess wasn’t sure if Emily was following a properly thought-out line of reasoning. Still, there was nothing stopping her doing what she wanted. Except that if she rushed things she might get hurt.
“Why don’t you wait a bit longer and see what happens? Even if you don’t get this part, you’ll get to know each other better.”
“I know, it’s just that he’ll only be here for a few weeks.” Emily sighed. “I should have just signed up to be an AD. But, sure, I couldn’t with my job anyway.”
Jess grinned. “Didn’t Robert say they’re glorified gofers?”
“Yeah, but they get to hang around the set all the time.” Emily finished her coffee. “I’d better head off. I’m not working today so I might just go home and get some stuff done.” She pulled at a thread on her jeans.
“Do me a quick favour?”
“Sure?”
“Robert’s friend, Shauna, sent me the promo footage for the new campaign, and I could do with another set of eyes on it before I send it for editing.”
“You want me to have a look?” Emily beamed. “That’d be awesome.”
“Great!” Jess got to her feet. “You’ll see it better on the laptop. Come on.”
They left the warmth of the orangery and walked down the east corridor towards the foyer.
“Jess?”
“Hmm?”
“You can totally say no if you want, and like, only say yes if you’re doing nothing or if –”
“Emily!” Jess looked over and laughed. “Just say it.”
“Do you want to come over to mine on Friday evening for pizzas and a movie?”
Jess didn’t hesitate. “I’d love to.”
Emily flushed. “Really?”
“It sounds perfect.”