18
“OK, Viscount, your thoughts on who might win?”
“Really? Didn’t I just give you enough footage to have you coming all over your feet?”
The camera crew chuckles, but cuts off quickly at a sharp look from the director.
“Kissing is always a good thing,” he nods enthusiastically. “Does that mean you have a clear favourite already?”
“Christ, you don’t give up, do you? I couldn’t give a fuck who wins.”
He pushes his glasses up to the bridge of his nose as he shakes his head.
“But, ah, you will, at some point, when feelings catch on.”
“Feelings?”
He takes a step back as I glare at him.
“You should be very grateful I’m not giving in to my feelings right now, Gerry…”
He gulps, and I roll my eyes.
“Very well, I’ll make some shit up if it will satisfy you.”
“It will, very much. If you could say who you think might do well at this trial, who you fear for, something along those lines.”
“And… Action!”
“It’s a tense time awaiting the results,” I drawl, “but each one of these competitors seem more than capable of winning. Obviously, there are a number of ways to approach this competition; my money is on the Italian, Catriona.”
The director nods and gesticulates for me to expand on my prediction.
“She was last to leave, but only because she took the time to read the clue before bounding off into the unknown. It’s a smart move and makes me think there’s more to her than meets the eye.”
The director holds up his whiteboard with the words ‘And Cherry???’ scrawled across it in red marker.
I contain a groan and go on.
‘I’m literally spinning shit like a spider spins a web. Yet it IS a web, all of it, and I’m stuck in it just as firmly as any fly.’
“As for the English contestant, Cherry, naturally I fear for her. After all, I know her better than any of the others. That being said, every contest has its risks. If something should befall her I’m glad I had the opportunity to take her on a date.
As to the others, I hope I’ll still have that prospect after tonight. ”
“And Cut!”
“Perfect, perfect,” the director beams.
I scowl as he signals for the camera crew to head towards their van, and I turn to face the lake.
There’s no sign of any boat.