Chapter 3 #2
“There’s a big role waiting for him. One he landed just before he was injured.
Shooting starts September/October in the States, if he can get well.
But it’s a big if. And I have to give them some notice if he’s not able to do it.
Misha Denning, the executive producer, knows he was injured, though he has no idea how badly, but he has another actor in line if River doesn’t make the grade.
Harry Gardner, who sent River art materials rather than flowers, which was thoughtful, is itching for the role, but Misha favours River.
Misha was the producer of a film of River’s that will be out soon. Medway Boys.”
Newt had no idea who Harry Gardner was, let alone Misha Denning.
“How many people do know about his current condition? I assume those who were there when he fell.”
“Yes, but they don’t know how he is now, the extent of what happened to him.
Several of the crew went to see him in hospital but at that stage he was still unconscious.
We were encouraged to talk to him, with the idea that he might be able to hear what we were saying.
Barney, his stunt double, feels terrible.
He was sick that day, which was why River was persuaded to make the climb.
River shouldn’t have done it. He shouldn’t have been allowed to do it.
He hates heights. I have no idea how they talked him into it.
But he doesn’t remember what happened. He understands that he fell, but nothing else. ”
“Is the accident being investigated? I mean, was it an accident?”
Max hesitated. “It appears so, but the investigation is slow going. No one died. Filming is over. The Croatian police don’t seem to be very motivated to investigate more thoroughly. The studio is petrified they’re going to get sued for millions.”
“You hesitated. You think it might not have been an accident?”
“I really don’t know. I do know that River’s been getting nasty letters. He’s not aware. Forward all his mail to me. I’ll send you my address. I’m keeping an eye on that situation.”
“So where do people think he is? Are there rumours circulating about him?”
“The official line is that he’s away recuperating, which is true. Obviously, his address is not public knowledge. I get people enquiring: fans, film studios… His friends contact me regularly, but we don’t give out anything but a standard—he’s taking time out. Back to normal soon.”
“Is River aware there’s a deadline?”
“Yes. He’s desperate for the part, but very easily discouraged.
He doesn’t feel as though he’s making fast enough progress.
Part of that is his own fault. He can’t expect to improve if he keeps pissing off those who are trying to help him.
He needs some sense of achievement and hasn’t felt that yet.
He should. For a start, he’s alive after an horrific injury. ”
“And no friends are allowed to visit?”
“No, because he doesn’t want them to. Harry Gardner has pushed but I’ve said no to everyone.”
“What about his girlfriend?”
“Dila went to see him in hospital, but she’s currently on tour. She has commitments.”
“Family?” Newt asked.
“Not on the radar. Anyone who claims to be family is not allowed to see him. That applies to anyone who comes to the house. You need to run their name by me first. And their image.”
“It’s quite a job.” Newt gave a short laugh. “Speech therapist, cook, gardener, assistant physiotherapist, cleaner and friend.”
“You’re right. And you haven’t even asked about salary.”
“Which gives away my desperation.”
Max chuckled. “Are you so unemployable?”
Newt wanted this topic gone. “I didn’t think so but maybe it’s the area.
It’s commuter belt and expensive. After the job I thought I was coming for didn’t happen, I should have moved to somewhere more downmarket but I had the place in the hostel so I thought I’d stick around for a while on the off-chance I’d rescue some guy’s phone from an opportunist thief. ”
“Well, would you credit it!” Max smiled. “Right! Five thousand pounds per month. After tax.”
Christ Almighty! After tax? Even before tax would have been great.
“You’ll have a roof over your head. Meals included, though you’ll have to cook them.
The downside is you’re having to look after someone who’ll put every obstacle in the way of you helping him.
And it’s only until September/October, possibly not as long as that.
I want you to succeed and if you do, there’ll be a generous bonus.
But if you fuck up or you try to make extra money by saying something to the press, or by posting pictures or feeding information to social media, I’ll get back every penny I paid you and make you very sorry. ”
“And here I was thinking what a nice guy you were.”
“Keep hold of that sense of humour. By the way, at the moment, the press has no idea that River is even in the country. They know about the accident but not how bad it was. They aren’t aware that he owns the house.
All bills are under a different name. Leo Miller.
But they could come sniffing. No matter what you might be told at the gate—Jehovah’s Witnesses helping you see the light, someone who reckons the roof has a problem, a neighbour bringing you a pie, a schoolfriend of River, an energy company, the police—whatever they say they want, they are not allowed through the gate without asking me. Understood?”
“Yes.” He needed to add one more job to that list. Bodyguard.
The further out into the countryside Max drove, the more excited and nervous Newt became.
One good deed had changed his prospects in a way he’d never envisaged.
His grazed and aching arm and hip seemed worth it now.
It didn’t matter what an arsehole this actor was, for that amount of money, Newt could put up with a lot.
No way would River be worse than some of the men Newt had come across in prison.
He felt a pang of guilt that Max didn’t know he’d been in prison, but Newt wasn’t going to wreck this by confessing.
When Max turned off the road onto a narrow lane edged by trees, Newt guessed they were getting close. There was a river on the left side. He could just see water glinting in the low winter sun.
“My mother put a supermarket order in and took delivery yesterday so you should manage for groceries for a while. I’ll get my secretary to send you all the details and login information you need to run the house, including River’s account and the alarm code.
When you hear from her, send her your bank details for me to pay you.
I’ll put an extra thousand in for peripheral expenses. ”
“Such as?”
“Petrol, takeaways, anything you need to do your job, anything that makes him happy.”
“Whip and handcuffs?”
Max raised his eyebrows. “Maybe you are my type.”
Newt chuckled. “Can I take him out in the car?”
“Nowhere he can be recognised. Which would be everywhere. But he doesn’t want to go out, so… Use your judgement.”
“How long has he been in the house?”
“Eight weeks. He moved from the hospital in Croatia to a private hospital here, then a private convalescent facility. Once he was able to get around on his own, shower, look after his personal needs, he came home. And here we are. There’s a remote for the gate in the glove box.
Press the red button. Same to close it.”
The black metal gates they approached were high, as were the stone walls either side. Newt could see through the gates to the house beyond. There was a large parking area at the front, but no cars on it. Newt closed the gates behind them and put the remote back in the glove box.
The house looked fairly new, brick built with black siding covering the upper floor. On the right was a triple garage block with dormer windows. Maybe that was where he’d be staying.
“Take a deep breath,” Max said. “His bark is definitely worse than his bite. And by bark, I mean attitude. He’s a talented actor.
I’ve not handled many as talented as him.
He has a great sense of humour but he’s temporarily lost it.
If you can tap into that… Help him to see a way forward…
Well, just do your best. Please don’t give up on him no matter what a shit he might be to you. ”
As Max pulled up, the front door opened and a trim woman with grey hair cut into a stylish bob came out, followed by a tall man.
“My long-suffering parents.” Max got out of the car and embraced them.
Newt retrieved his bag from the boot and stood waiting.
“Mum, this is Newt. He’s going to take over from you.”
“I thought you were staying when we left,” his mother said.
“I was, but now I don’t need to. I’ll drive you home this afternoon.” He turned to Newt. “My mum, Linda, and my father, Daniel.”
Newt held out his hand. “Hello, Mrs Turner, Mr Turner.”
“Please call us Linda and Daniel,” Max’s father said. “I do hope you know what you’re letting yourself in for.”
“From what Max has said, I’m expecting Satan crossed with Beelzebub on a bad day holding a You’re fired sign.”
Max’s parents laughed.
“He’s not quite that awful.” Linda glanced at the rip in Newt’s jacket or maybe she was thinking it was a cheap piece of crap.
“Newt had a bit of an altercation with a motorbike today while retrieving my stolen phone. Saved me a lot of hassle.”
“Oh my goodness,” she said. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine.”
“Well, come on in. We’ll have some lunch before we set off.”
As Newt went into the house, he saw the suitcases standing by the door.
Linda spotted his gaze. “We’re ready for our great escape. We’re tired.”
It reminded Newt of when he’d planned his escape all those years ago.
“You do too much for him,” Max said.
“He’s…sad,” she finally settled on.
“Sad, mad, dangerous and ungrateful,” Max muttered. “Where is the little bastard?”
“In the media room,” said Daniel. “By the way, there are three items of post in the drawer.”
Max took them out, frowned at one, and put all of them in his pocket.