‘I’m just thinking of the greater good. If this girl doesn’t speak up and he feels safe – not to mention vengeful – that whole film is going to cave, and all those people will have lost their jobs. And you’ve flushed your career down the pan…but, thereisalso the chance you could come out of this as a knight in shining armour. If it all goes public.’
‘I’m not going to use it for my own benefit.’ Rowan’s voice rose.
‘Look. You’ve had a stressful day. I’m not angry with you, and I’m not asking you to back down, although that would be the safest option. But why shouldn’t you be acknowledged for doing something good?’
‘Because the thought that the only thing you care about, in all this, is myimage, is making my skin crawl.’
‘It’s my job, Rowan. And yours too.’ Gerrard’s voice hardened. ‘I’m always having to think about damage control with you. This is going to affect Cassandra too now that she’s affiliated with you.’
‘Thenunaffiliate her,’Rowan said through gritted teeth. ‘However, that works when it’s not real anyway.’
‘No. No way. The only way to avoid negative speculation from that side is to double down I think. A positive sign. Show her supporting you. Maybe a visit.’ Gerrard was half talking to himself now.
‘No. I’ve done as much as I’m willing to do on that count. No more. You said all I had to do was Italy and then behave myself over the summer.’
‘And how has that gone? It’s been two weeks and you’ve walked straight into more controversy. It shouldn’t be this hard.’
No, it shouldn’t,Rowan agreed in his head but before he could decide how to reply, another call cut in. Rowan held his phone out from his head to see who it was. Wesley.
‘I have to go.’
‘Fine. Call me as soon as you hear anything.’
‘Fine.’
Rowan cut off his agent and took a deep breath, ready to speak to Wesley and find out if he was still his director.
Lila
The phone calls began not long after they got to the beach. First, it was Jackie, then Sally, then any number of other people Ruth knew from the crew. Lila lay out on her towel beside Ruth, hearing half a conversation and having the gaps filled in when Ruth got off the phone. Lila’s ability to be quiet and just listen served her well, as her roommate talked around every possibility and who thought what and was saying what.
They were packing up their bags and shaking sand from their shoes, getting ready to go back to the apartment for some dinner, when Wesley finally called Ruth personally. She reached out for Lila’s hand as she answered the phone and Lila squeezed her clammy palm and held her breath as they stood awkwardly on the beach. Ruth’s grin eased some of the suspense.
‘That’s great. Thank you…’ Ruth paused as Wesley’s muffled deep tones filled in the silence. ‘Iamgrateful though. I know it could have gone another way… Really? Yeah, definitely. Thank you. See you tomorrow.’
‘Good news?’ Lila asked, as Ruth let go of her hand and dropped her phone into her bag.
Ruth let out of big breath. ‘Yeah. Good news. Stan Gillian has “chosen to leave” the production.’ She did air quotes.
‘Thank God.’
Ruth laughed and gave Lila a big hug. ‘Thanks for today. Listening to me go on and on about it. Now, we’re going to have a party.’
‘We are?’
‘Yeah. This is definitely a cause for celebration. The sleazy old git has been sent packing and the film is all going ahead. No one is out of a job apart from the person who should be. This is a win.’
Lila nodded along and Ruth linked arms with her as they headed back to their apartment. They changed, cleared as much space as possible in the living room, set up the music and Ruth sent messages around to everyone. Lila felt like she’d hair-sprayed the smile to her face to hide the fact that she was dreading it. She loved that Ruth wanted to celebrate, that she wasn’t feeling down in the aftermath of Stan’s actions; the whole “don’t let the bastards grind you down” attitude was great, and she would never have objected…
But their tiny apartment was packed full of people within an hour. People who were releasing lots of worry and tension by talking loudly and drinking a lot. It was intense. Like an exorcism – or the aftermath of a coup – and Lila hated seeing the evidence of how much people really did talk behind each other’s backs and make judgements on the minutiae of what had been said, or not said.
It almost seemed like Ruth was gathering information on who had had her back – and who could blame her? Now the initial fodder for the gossip had passed, Jackie had filled her in on Marcus’s less than supportive comments and Ruth had then turned to Lila and asked whyshehadn’t told her, since she’d been there. The disappointment was written in Ruth’s narrowed eyes and downturned mouth, and Lila knew she’d screwed up again. Sheshouldhave told Ruth. The only excuse she had was that she’d wanted Ruth to feel better, not bring her down with another harsh reality when she already had enough to deal with.
But Lila struggled to voice that in the moment and then another group arrived, Ruth going off to greet them. It always seemed to be two steps forward and one step back with their friendship. She already felt bad about leaving Ruth on her own with Stan and now it looked like she’d completely misjudged the situation with Marcus. Shame filled her, and there wasn’t anywhere she could go to get some breathing space. There were even people in her bedroom making out – she’d have to change her sheets before she slept in that bed now.
She found a spot on the windowsill in the living room, facing the beach. Sally, Ruth and Jackie were nearby, talking angrily about all the many horrible things horrible men had done on film sets but Lila was just far enough away that she wasn’t sure whether she would be welcomed into the conversation – and it wasn’t like she had anything to add anyway.
She alternated between watching them and glancing out the window towards the sea. When Ruth let out a cheer, she turned back to see Rowan walking in with Jonathan. A flock of butterflies went soaring in Lila’s stomach to see him there, without warning, in her apartment. He looked good, as usual, wearing a dark blue shirt, the sleeves rolled up, but even from across the room Lila could see the stiffness in his shoulders.
