Lila’s heart turned over at the thought. They wouldn’t do that would they? She’d have loved to think it was impossible, but she was well aware that she was naive when it came to this business. She racked her brain for some way to try and reassure Ruth. It was so unfair that she’d been the one wronged and yet she was sitting here worrying about her job. ‘Did Sally give you any indication that they were trying to hush it up?’
‘No. She was really kind actually. But we’re old friends. She knows I’m telling the truth and I know she’ll get that across to Wesley. It’s not really about them believing me though, is it?’
‘What about Sibyl?’ Perhaps if enough people on the set made a stand about not wanting to work with the sleazy old actor, that would help. If everyone stood together, then maybe the tide would turn.
Ruth shook her head like she could read Lila’s mind. ‘She was just quiet. She’s waiting to see which way the cards will fall I expect. She’s worked too hard to get into film – she’s not going to want to jeopardise it.’
God, what a twisted mess. ‘I’m so sorry.’ Lila pushed her fingers through her hair. ‘I should have warned you I was getting a creepy vibe off him and then maybe it wouldn’t have even happened.’
‘Did he do something to you too? You were on your own with him.’
‘No. I mean I was on my own with him, but he didn’t do anything. He was just…odd. A bit patronising and overfamiliar?’ Lila swallowed. She’d written it off as her own paranoia because she was so worried about reading social situations wrong. ‘My gut was telling me he was off, so I made a quick exit. But I should have found you and Jackie before I went to the canteen and made sure none of us were on our own with him.’
Ruth stared at her for a moment and Lila held her breath, worried she would be angry with her.
‘Lila, why should we spend the entire time he’s on the production buddying up for safety?’ Ruth grabbed the box of pastries from the middle of the table. ‘I’m eating these. All of them. Then I’m going to go to the beach, to sunbathe and listen to Alanis Morissette.’ She lifted a huge lemon and ricotta pastry from the box, looking determined, but when her eyes fell on Lila it was obvious she wasn’t feeling strong enough to be alone. ‘Will you come with me?’
‘Of course.’
Rowan
‘You had a good hand and you squandered it,’ Jonathan told Rowan as he showed him the cards he’d been holding.
‘I’m not much good at cards.’ Rowan shrugged and leaned back in his chair.
‘I can see that.’ Jonathan pulled the cards towards himself across the table where they sat in the back garden. ‘D’you want to play for money?’ He grinned and Rowan let out a short laugh.
He’d been at the villa for hours, waiting for word about what was going to happen. Jonathan had come over to keep him company while Wesley was in talks with the producers – or perhaps to be the first to know what was happening. No – it was unfair to think that. Rowan couldn’t seem to get the anger out of his bloodstream, and it was making him paint everything black.
He didn’t regret stepping in. He didn’t even regret the ultimatum he’d pretty much thrown at Wesley, but now he could see that he’d put the whole production at risk. Not to mention his own career. He couldn’t back down though. He wouldn’t. Someone had to stand up to people like Stan Gillian and it shouldn’t have to be Ruth on her own doing it. If he backed down, it was as good as saying his career was more important than stopping men like Stan doing whatever they liked and hurting people. It wasn’t. No matter how much he wanted to provide for his family – to make it up to them for all the years they’d lived under the tyranny of a bully like Stan – theyweresafe now.
He just needed his body to get the memo about it. Going for a swim might’ve helped more than sitting around playing cards but being on his own probably wasn’t for the best either, so he was grateful for Jonathan’s calm presence.
Rowan’s phone started ringing. He straightened up instantly and grabbed for it, but it was only Gerrard. He didn’t know how Gerrard would have found out so quickly, but he knew that was why he was calling before he even answered.
‘Tell me it isn’t true.’ The distance between Sicily and England did nothing to disguise the impatience in Gerrard’s tone.
‘It depends on what you’ve heard.’
‘That you’ve refused to work with Stan Gillian.’
Rowan’s muscles tensed back up, his body ready for a fight. ‘Did you hearwhy?’
‘Yes.’ Gerrard sighed. ‘Rowan…are you determined to make success as difficult as possible for yourself?’ Gerrard didn’t bother waiting for an answer. ‘Look, let’s just keep our fingers crossed that the “Me too” movement isn’t such a distant memory for people, and he comes crashing down from his pedestal. Do you know if the girl is going to press charges?’
‘No.’
‘Well. I hope she does. Otherwise, you’re risking a lot and there will be no official proof that he did anything to deserve your reaction. His wrath will meet with no resistance. You’ll be ruined.’
‘Yeah. The thought had crossed my mind.’
‘Shame it didn’t cross itbeforeyou acted.’
‘You can’t mean that.’
‘Wasn’t he only due to be on the set for a week? You couldn’t have tried diplomacy and gritted your teeth for a few days?’
Rowan’s mouth flapped open. It wasn’t often that he was at a loss for words. ‘Really?’
