‘Really?’ Lila leaned forward, accidentally knocking a book off the sofa. She left it where it was.
‘Sure. Dating someone famous must be weird. Especially when you’re, y’know, the shy and retiring type.’
Lila laughed again, but this time it wasn’t forced, it came out in a rush of relief. ‘That is one way to put it. But you don’t have to say sorry, Ruth, really. I feel so bad. I’m just not very good at…opening up to people. And that makes me not such a great friend. I’m sorry. It’s kind of a vicious circle.’
‘Rubbish. I mean – yeah, you do need to trust your friends, but youhavebeen a good friend to me, Lila. We had fun going shopping, lazing on the beach, and pampering ourselves back at our apartment, going for dinner and…you were there for me after the whole disgusting groping incident. I appreciated it. Not all friendships have to be about going out drinking or with people who act the same as you.’
Lila didn’t know what to say. She knew she needed to say something, so she forced herself to squeak a little thank you out.
‘That wasn’t the only reason I was calling. I have good news. Sibyl has gone. Ding-dong the witch is dead. Andguesswho is now in charge?’
‘What? Sibyl left? And you’ve got her job now?’
‘Uh-huh. Sounds like she got sacked for breaking the NDA. Her loss – she should know better.’
‘Right.’ Lila licked her lips and stood up. Her palms were sweaty and she had to wipe them on her shorts, switching the phone. Why was her body going into high alert? ‘Was it Rowan? Did he report her? Does everyone know that was the reason why she got sacked?’
‘To the first questions, I don’t know. To the last one – no, not everyone knows. Sally told me it must have been Sibyl who spilled the news about you and Rowan back in London. Sally was with her – when Rowan spoke to her. Did you know that? She’s known this whole time and she never said anything until it all came out. So, you see, noteveryoneloves to gossip.’
Lila nodded to herself, catching sight of her pale face in the mirror above the mantelpiece. So, Sally was the other person who Rowan had referred to when she dragged him off to his trailer in a panic. That explained some of the looks she’d given Lila, like she was trying to figure something out.
‘But anyway, nowI’min charge,’ Ruth carried on. ‘And I just wanted to know if you’re able to come back? ’Cause I’d be glad to have you here again. You’re good at your job – you’ve picked things up quickly.’
‘Oh, I-I’m not sure yet.’
‘If you’re worried about people gossiping about you and Rowan, it will blow over y’know. Of course, people will be interested – it’s a bit of drama – but once they’re used to it, then they’ll focus on something else. Someone will inevitably get drunk or have an argument or shag someone and the rumour mill will move on. And you already know I’ve got your back – and Sally and Jackie—’
‘I don’t think Jackie likes me.’
‘She does! She’s just a bit prickly sometimes. She has a very low bullshit threshold, and it can come across a bit harsh. I know this is your first time working on a film, and it can be intense. You’re stuck with a bunch of people you don’t know and some of them are, undoubtedly, arseholes, but there are a lot of good ones on this set. I swear it.’
‘There are. I know there are.’ One of the very best people she’d ever met was on that set…but could she do this?
Not having Sibyl there would make it easier, and hearing that Ruth thought she was good at her job helped repair some of the horrible thoughts that had been replaying over and over in her head. This was an opportunity for her to break the cycle of running away and put her career back on track.
But now, on top of everything, she’d inadvertently been the cause of someone losing their job. She knew Ruth said it wasn’t common knowledge but surely people would put two and two together and then everyone would blame her? Would they tiptoe around her for fear of repercussions?
And even if Ruth was right and the gossip would blow over eventually – did she have the strength to weather the storm?
