Chapter 15

‘OK! AAAAND, ACTION!’

The First Assistant’s arm swung down and as the camera started to track slowly along the street the strategically positioned extras began shopping or skateboarding or whatever else they had been directed to do. An instant later the two stars of the movie burst from a shop doorway, collided with a pair of stunt men, knocking one into the path of a speeding taxi, then raced on down the street. The whole thing took no more than a minute and as the director yelled cut everyone stopped where they were and waited to hear whether they were going again or moving on to the next shot.

Sandy and Nesta were standing at the edge of the set, behind the producers’ and director’s monitors, so were able to get a good look at the action, live as well as on screen. They hadn’t been there long, but Nesta was already amazed by the way the cast and crew seemed to be making some sense out of the chaos. Between takes, jokes and insults were bandied about as freely as the coffees and cold drinks, and every time the camera stopped a clutch of make-up artists and dressers, grouped outside the costume trailers, took up their gossip where they’d left off.

Carl Roman, the lead actor who was making his big-screen début with this movie, was every bit as gorgeous in the flesh as he was in the BBC series that had made him famous. Starring with him was Libby Sherwood, one of Zelda’s recent signings who had appeared in several successful features before. Nesta watched them as they strolled back down the street towards the director and wanted to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.

‘This is unbelievable,’ she whispered to Sandy, her eyes riveted to Roman.

Receiving no reply, she turned to find Sandy in conversation with one of the producers and a friendly-looking woman dressed entirely in leather. To Nesta’s surprise, Sandy seemed to be doing most of the talking while the others listened, nodded or shook their heads and genuinely appeared to be taking note of what she was saying. Nesta moved in closer to eavesdrop and blinked as she heard Sandy say, ‘… so I’m afraid there’s just no way we can allow her to do that. It wasn’t mentioned in the original script and even if she’s prepared to do it I still can’t give the go-ahead under the terms we negotiated.’

The producer glanced at the woman in leather, then said to Sandy, ‘We’re hoping to get the shot in the can today.’

‘So let’s talk,’ Sandy said.

They appeared about to move off when someone called across the street, ‘Hey! Sandy!’

Nesta turned and her mouth almost fell open when she saw Carl Roman heading their way. Sandy had told her that it was Roman himself who had issued the invitation to the set, but until now she hadn’t really believed it. Harder still to credit was the way Sandy greeted him, as though he were any old friend she’d just happened to run into.

‘Hi,’ she said, going up on tiptoe to return Carl’s embrace. ‘How’s it going?’

‘Pretty good,’ he answered, ‘or so I’m told. I just heard we’re going in for close-ups so we’ve got time for a chat while they move the lights. Christ, it’s hot out here,’ he said, grabbing a glass of iced water from the tray a runner was passing with. ‘Did you speak to Len Holton?’ he said to Sandy. ‘The guy who wrote the book we talked about?’

Sandy nodded. ‘I called him yesterday. The rights are still available, so Craig’s going to talk to his agent. I didn’t mention anything about you, or the price will automatically skyrocket. By the way, you and Libby have invited Michael to dinner tonight, OK?’

Roman frowned. ‘Have we?’

‘Yes,’ Sandy told him firmly. ‘I left a message with Jodi earlier to tell him.’

Roman’s eyes started to dance as he broke into a grin, but before he could say any more Sandy caught sight of Nesta and said, ‘Listen, I need to sort something out with the producer. Can I introduce you to my friend Nesta Haines? She’s a really big fan.’

Nesta threw Sandy a daggered look and blushed to the roots of her hair as Roman turned his famously sultry eyes in her direction and held out his hand. ‘Hi, pleased to meet you Nesta,’ he smiled.

‘Pleased to meet you,’ she replied faintly.

He appeared about to say more when to her combined relief and frustration his PA came running over with a mobile phone for him to take a call.

As he walked away Nesta looked around and saw Sandy standing apart from the mêlée, obviously discussing terms with the producer, while the director and the rest of the crew got things ready for the next shot.

They were at a quaint little shopping area somewhere in Wiltshire, with crowds gathering either end of the street, hoping to get a glimpse of Carl Roman and Libby Sherwood. Nesta was just loving being on the inside, even if she was only a visitor, and was beginning to understand now why Sandy was so taken with her job. It must feel really good having people like Carl Roman treat her like she was someone and be able to tell a producer what he could and couldn’t do. In fact, if the truth be told, it was blowing Nesta’s mind finding out what clout Sandy had and the way she handled it, with such confidence and efficiency, was forcing Nesta to see her with new eyes.

‘Are you OK?’ Sandy said, coming to join her again, a mobile phone pressed to her ear while an anxious-looking producer went in search of the director.

Nesta nodded. ‘This is great,’ she answered, unaware of how lovely and fresh she looked without her night-time make-up and costly designer clothes. In fact, she was dressed much like Sandy in faded denim jeans and sneakers, though whereas Sandy was wearing just a plain white T-shirt on top, Nesta had chosen a body-hugging number with a lace up-front and underwire cups. It had already earned her several appreciative glances from some of the crew, but as a couple of other women around the unit were dressed much the same way she didn’t feel she was letting Sandy down. ‘But did you have to tell Carl Roman I was such a big fan?’ she hissed.

Sandy laughed and failing to make the connection, dialled the number again. ‘Feed an actor’s ego,’ she said, ‘it’s the easy route to an easy life.’ She winked. ‘And who knows, maybe an easy lay.’

‘Don’t,’ Nesta gasped, using a hand to fan herself. ‘Anyway, I thought you said he was gay.’

‘He is, but no one’s supposed to know, so keep it under your hat. What do you think of the DOP? I saw him looking at you earlier.’

‘DOP?’ Nesta frowned.

‘Director of Photography,’ Sandy explained. ‘The one in the red shirt and black shorts.’

Nesta looked over at the rank of shops opposite where the DOP was just emerging from the tailor’s, a couple of riggers and his operator in tow. ‘Oh him,’ she said. ‘He’s OK.’

Sandy laughed, for she had seen the way Nesta had responded to Dick earlier and unless she was mistaken Nesta had actually blushed. ‘Different being a woman to being an escort, isn’t it?’ she said.

Nesta’s eyes narrowed, letting her know she wasn’t going to get into that. ‘What are you doing now?’ she asked. ‘Who are you calling?’

Sandy glanced back over her shoulder. ‘Sssh,’ she said, putting a finger to her lips. ‘I told the producer I had to check some details on Sophie’s contract, but I’m actually calling my boss, Diana, to make sure the increase the producer’s just offered for Sophie to do her own stunt is acceptable.’

Nesta screwed up her nose. ‘Why don’t you want the producer to know you’re calling Diana?’ she asked.

‘Because it would weaken my position,’ Sandy answered. ‘He has to think I can take the decision myself or he won’t treat me with the same respect.’

Nesta was impressed. ‘You’ve really got this sussed, haven’t you?’ she remarked.

‘Damn!’ Sandy muttered as she got cut off again. She redialled, then, laughing she said, ‘All I do is watch what the other agents do and copy it. And believe me, it’s amazing the way people respond if you behave like you’re the one in charge. No one wants to deal with the monkey, so you act like the organ-grinder and everyone’s happy. Hi, Jodi?’ she said into the phone. ‘It’s Sandy. Is Diana there?’

Nesta waited as Sandy was put on to her boss, then relayed the new deal she had just struck. She received an immediate go-ahead and asked to speak to Jodi again.

‘Jodi, did you give Michael the message about dinner with Carl and Libby tonight?’ she said, pushing a finger into her other ear as a nearby walkie-talkie squawked into life. ‘What did he say?’ she asked, glancing at Nesta and crossing her fingers. She listened for a moment, then her face fell. ‘Well, is he going to call me?’ she said. ‘I mean, I have to give Carl and Libby an answer.’ She paused, then, taking a breath she said, ‘OK. I’ll see you tomorrow.’

‘So what’s happening?’ Nesta asked as she put the phone back in her shoulder bag and dug around for her sun-glasses. ‘Is he coming?’

Sandy shook her head. ‘I don’t know,’ she responded. ‘Jodi gave him the message, but he didn’t say anything.’ She shrugged. ‘He only got back from France last night so maybe it’s a bit soon to be … Oh hi, Sophie,’ she said, as the leather woman came up behind Nesta. ‘I spoke to the contracts department and everything’s in order. I just need to get the increase in writing, then you’ll be free to go and leap from a window on to a passing lorry.’

Laughing, Sophie said, ‘I’ve done it a hundred times before, but never for this much loot. You’re a genius, Sandy. Diana’s got a real gem in you. We all have and Phillip’s right, you should think about setting up your own list.’ As she spoke she was wiping the perspiration from her face and Nesta looked at her, not even wanting to think about how hot she must be in all that kinky gear. ‘Was that me?’ she said, turning to see who had shouted her name.

‘I think so,’ Sandy answered, looking across to where the First Assistant was waving for Sophie to come and join the director and continuity girl.

‘Who’s Phillip?’ Nesta asked as Sophie ran across the street.

‘Phillip Waring, the writer,’ Sandy answered. ‘He’s one of Craig’s.’

‘Blimey, is there anyone here who isn’t part of McCann’s?’ Nesta laughed.

Sandy rolled her eyes. ‘I told you, it’s a project Michael got involved in personally because he knows the executive producer,’ she said, ‘so we’ve supplied the writer, director, two line producers, both stars and a handful of support cast. If you remember, that’s why we thought he’d come down here for dinner tonight. And stay over,’ she added glumly.

Nesta’s lips flattened as she looked at her. ‘He might still come,’ she said. ‘I mean, he hasn’t said no, has he?’

‘He hasn’t called either,’ Sandy reminded her.

‘But he will if he thinks Carl Roman and Libby Sherwood have invited him.’

Sandy immediately brightened. ‘You’re right,’ she said, feeling the anticipation coast through her heart, ‘there’s no way he’ll ignore them and you’re brilliant for coming up with the idea in the first place.’

Nesta laughed. ‘Well I had to come up with something,’ she responded, ‘and since this particular situation includes a night in a hotel I think I can safely say I’ve surpassed myself.’

Sandy smiled ruefully and went off to find the producer, trying hard to ignore the terrible nerves she was experiencing at the mere thought of Michael arriving on set, never mind what she hoped might happen after.

More than three weeks had gone by since they’d spent the night together and though he’d been in Paris for the past eight days there had been plenty of opportunities for them to see each other before that and he hadn’t taken a single one. He hadn’t even turned up for the opera the night he’d told Zelda to invite her, nor had he returned any of the messages she’d left on his answerphone.

There was no point fooling herself any more, he was obviously avoiding her and though she knew why, it still hurt to realize that he was trying to stick to his rule of no relationships in the office. She wanted desperately to let him know that she’d never tell a soul, that she’d keep their affair secret for as long as he wanted, just as long as he saw her again, but short of sending him a letter there seemed no way she could get near him. She was sure he still wanted her, for it just couldn’t be possible to feel this way about someone and them not feel something too. Besides, she saw the way he looked at her sometimes, in meetings or while she was talking on the phone, and he always smiled as though letting her know how much that night had meant to him too. Or maybe he was telling her how much he appreciated the effort she was putting into her career, knowing that it would make a real difference to their relationship once she became a fully fledged agent.

Actually, if she were being honest with herself, she had no idea what he was thinking, though he’d seemed much more withdrawn lately, not just with her, but with everyone. Nesta agreed that it could well be his dilemma over her that was causing it and though neither she nor Nesta considered it a good idea to corner him at work, her attempts to reach him at home had all so far failed. Not that he ignored her messages totally, he just waited until the next morning in the office to ask her what the call was about. Each time she’d told him she’d managed to sort the problem out herself, as Bertie or one of the booking assistants were invariably in earshot and though she longed to let them know that her relationship with Michael had developed into something beyond the professional, instinct told her that Michael wouldn’t appreciate it if she did.

And now, here she was, waiting for him to call again. She wished she had the courage to call him herself, but she couldn’t bear to hear him say he wasn’t coming when she’d invested so much hope in this one night away. In her heart she just knew that if they were able to talk, everything would change: he’d see how right they were for each other and stop fighting it. Not that she blamed him for the way he was holding back, most men had a problem with commitment, everyone knew that, and after what had happened with Michelle it wasn’t very surprising he was finding it so hard to let go again. She just wished there were a way to let him know she understood that and was prepared to wait however long it took for him to be ready to take that step again.

It was as the unit was wrapping that Carl Roman sought her out to tell her he’d just received a call from Michael saying he was sorry he couldn’t make it tonight. To make up for it he’d invited Carl and Libby to join him for dinner the following Thursday when they got back to London. The news hit Sandy hard, but she was right in the middle of trying to sort out a problem with one of Janey’s clients at the time. So there was nothing else she could do but thank Roman for letting her know and carry on flipping through the pages of her Filofax making endless calls and copious notes on what the actor in crisis should be saying to the rest of the press after the Sun exposed his prison record the next morning.

As she dealt with the problem Nesta sat on the street bench with her, watching the crew packing up their gear and marvelling at the way Sandy was coping so coolly and effectively with a matter that should have gone straight to Janey, but because of the particular friendship and trust Sandy had built up with the actor he had come to her instead. In fact, the more Nesta watched Sandy in action the more impressed she was becoming. It was clear to her now that she had seriously underrated Sandy, both professionally and intellectually, for if what she’d seen here today was anything to go by, she was much more cut out for her chosen career than Nesta had realized. And though Sandy might profess just to mimic her superiors, Nesta suspected that the shrewdness and cunning were all her own. Not that Nesta considered there to be anything wrong with the way Sandy manipulated people and situations to her own end; God knew no one ever got to the top without such skills and though Zelda might have given Sandy her first break, to the best of Nesta’s knowledge, no one else could be accused of giving her a leg-up. Unless one counted Maurice Trehearne, the property tycoon from Sandy’s escort days, whom she still saw quite regularly, though no longer in a professional capacity. That wasn’t to say she didn’t sleep with the old guy any more, because she did, but only because she was so fond of him and needed all the invaluable advice on business strategy and executive technique he’d have happily given her anyway.

‘You know what I think,’ she said to Sandy as they walked back to the car they’d hired for the day, ‘I think Michael’s still seeing you as the starry-eyed kid from the sticks who doesn’t know her soliloquies from her sit-coms. I mean, you can’t really blame him for that when he only promoted you a month ago …’

‘Six weeks,’ Sandy interjected.

‘… but what I reckon is that you just have to wait this out and let him see for himself what you’re really about, because I’m telling you, you’ve really knocked my hat off today and that was just one day. Give him another month and he’ll have forgotten all about the peculiar little clerk with a crush who used to sit in his outer office in fancy stockings and Wonderbras; he’ll be seeing you for the ragamuffin businesswoman you’re turning into.’

Though Sandy laughed at the reference to her casual attire, her eyes were shining with pleasure at the compliment. ‘Well, if I can convince you, I should be able to convince anyone,’ she quipped.

Nesta shrugged. ‘You can make out it’s all an act if you like,’ she said, ‘but I’m not fooled. You know what you’re doing and you know where you’re going. In fact, I can see now why you gave up the escort business. You’ve carved a real niche for yourself here and I have to tell you, if I wasn’t happy doing what I’m doing I’d probably be asking you for a job.’

Sandy laughed. ‘I’m a long way from that kind of position,’ she reminded her.

‘But you’ll get there,’ Nesta assured her. ‘If you carry on the way you’re going I don’t see how you can fail. What’s more, I’ll lay money on it you’ll end up with Michael too. I just hope the bastard’s good enough for you, that’s all.’

Sandy looked at her in confusion. ‘Well, that’s a change of heart if ever I heard one,’ she commented.

‘I mean it,’ Nesta told her.

Sandy smiled. ‘It’s nice of you to say so,’ she responded, ‘but it’s still whether I’m good enough for him that’s the issue.’

Nesta was shaking her head. ‘No, I promise you we’ve got this all round the wrong way,’ she said. ‘Isabelle gave me this book the other day on self-esteem. I think you should read it, because honest to God, Sandy, you’re worth more than a one-night stand and by rights you should be getting as mad as hell about the way he’s treated you by now, not standing here wondering if you’re good enough for the bastard.’

Sandy inhaled deeply and pulled a face. ‘But you just said I had to be patient,’ she reminded her, ‘and after what happened with Michelle – you know, the way she let him down and everything – who can blame him for being nervous it’ll happen again?’

‘But how do you know he feels that way? Did he tell you?’

‘No, of course not. He never even mentioned her. But think how you’d feel if someone walked out on you publicly like that? It must have been terrible. So I think you’re right, I just have to wait this out and give him time to get used to the idea of having someone else in his life.’

‘I don’t understand, what’s this guy hoping to get out of it?’ Michael asked, referring to the proposal Harry had just handed him.

Harry shrugged. ‘Publicity, I guess’ he answered. ‘And kudos. And gazillion bucks, eventually.’

Michael scanned the document again. ‘An initial investment of two million’s a lot of money,’ he remarked, looking up. ‘How serious do you think he is?’

Harry drew a hand over the gingery stubble on his chin, then picked up his coffee from Michael’s desk. ‘I told you, I met the guy at a party the other night,’ he said, taking a slurp. ‘He seemed serious at the time and now this,’ he added, indicating the document.

‘Whose party was it?’ Michael wanted to know. ‘Who introduced you?’

‘Ed Baldwin.’

Michael’s expression suggested he was OK with that. ‘Have you spoken to Ed since?’ he asked.

‘He’s in New York. I left a message for him to call.’

Michael pursed his lips thoughtfully and looked down at the proposal again. ‘I’ll speak to Ed when he calls,’ he said, ‘because if this guy is serious it could be something we want to get into. Do you know if he’s given this to anyone else?’ he asked, referring to the three page dossier outlining one of the most ambitious film–TV–theatre projects Michael had ever seen.

‘He said not,’ Harry replied, glancing over his shoulder as Jodi came into the office. ‘He said he’d heard good things about this agency so he wanted to give us first refusal. In fact, so he claims, he was scheduled to have lunch with you early next week, but something came up that meant he was flying back to Australia the morning after the party. So when he heard who I was he made a point of introducing himself and asking me to start the ball rolling.’

Michael’s eyes narrowed. ‘Mark Bergin?’ he said. ‘Did we have him down for lunch next week, Jodi?’

She nodded. ‘Yeah, we did,’ she answered.

‘So what do we know about him?’

‘He’s Australian, into mining or something, and wants to get into showbiz.’

‘Do we know anything else?’

‘Never heard of him before the other night,’ Harry responded, watching Jodi from the corner of his eye as she started updating the schedule boards on Michael’s wall.

Michael hit three buttons on his intercom. ‘Zelda, does the name Mark Bergin mean anything to you?’ he said. ‘He’s an Aussie.’

Zelda was quiet as she thought. ‘Can’t say it does,’ she answered finally. ‘Why?’

Michael told her about the proposal.

‘Is that two million pounds or dollars he’s prepared to put up?’ she asked.

Michael looked at the document. ‘Pounds,’ he replied.

‘And he wants you to find someone here to match it?’

‘That seems to be the general idea,’ Michael answered. ‘And you haven’t bitten his hand off yet?’ Zelda marvelled.

Michael laughed. ‘I’ll keep you posted,’ he told her and clicking off the intercom he handed the proposal back to Harry. ‘Get me a copy,’ he said, looking at his watch. ‘I’ll make a few calls to Sydney and let you know what I come up with. Jodi, it’s past eleven o’clock. Did Fitzwarren come back to us yet?’

‘No,’ she answered, watching Harry leave.

‘Then he’s missed the deadline,’ Michael said. ‘Get on to Sally Byrd at Fox and tell her she’s got herself a deal with RTV on the media-mania project. Then call Philomena at the National and ask her for an answer on the tickets tomorrow night.’

‘How many people are you taking?’ Jodi asked, her pen poised over her notebook.

‘Six,’ he answered. ‘Seven if my mother wants to come. Call her and find out, will you? Did you hear back from Ellen Shelby?’

Jodi nodded and started to go through a pile of paperwork she’d left on his desk. ‘She faxed last night. Here it is.’

Michael took it, read it quickly, then said, ‘Fax her back and tell her I’ll deal with Forgon.’

Jodi jotted it down, then looked at him. ‘Anything else?’ she asked as he started going through his mail.

Without looking up he shook his head and continued to read the letter in front of him.

‘Sandy’s replacement started while you were away,’ she informed him. ‘Would you like to meet her?’

‘I already have,’ he answered. ‘I interviewed her, remember? How’s she working out?’

‘Let’s put it this way,’ she replied. ‘I don’t expect she’ll be giving you any trouble in the crush department.’

Michael’s eyebrows went up as he treated her to a dark, cautionary look.

Jodi flushed and closing up her notepad let herself quietly and swiftly out of the office.

Michael was still looking at the door as she closed it, then, sighing to himself he turned back to what he was doing. The fact that Jodi and Harry had gone past the flirtation stage was pretty evident in the way both were behaving, but that was the first time Michael had even hinted he knew anything about it. Whether he was going to take it any further he doubted, for he didn’t want to lose either of them and now that Harry’s baby had been born, Michael had every faith that the man would come to his senses and give it up before either of them got in any deeper. As it stood, Michael was pretty certain that Laura, Harry’s wife, knew nothing about it; he just hoped it stayed that way for there couldn’t be many betrayals a woman would find less forgivable than that of her husband sleeping with another woman while she was carrying his baby.

It was lucky for Harry, Michael couldn’t stop himself thinking, that he’d chosen Jodi rather than Sandy for his illicit affair, as Michael couldn’t see Jodi clinging on to Harry the way Sandy was clinging on to him. Mercifully, she wasn’t too bad around the office, but all those messages on his answerphone at home and the way she used other people to set up drinks or dinners or even overnight stays was irritating him to hell. Surely she realized the reason he was avoiding her was so that he didn’t have to put her through the ignominy of a direct rejection? For God’s sake, he was trying to save her feelings, but the way she was carrying on was making it so damned difficult she was practically forcing him to tell her he wasn’t interested. Maybe, in the end, it would be kinder to do that and were it anyone else he probably would, but with her he had a horrible feeling that no matter what he said she wasn’t going to accept it. But he had to do something soon, because he’d just learned from his sister that she was angling her way in over there, calling up for friendly little chats, or dropping in with treats for the kids and Clodagh, God bless her, had invited her to join the family for lunch this Sunday.

As luck would have it he was going to Ireland at the weekend, but he still wanted his mother to withdraw the invitation, for the last thing he needed was Sandy carving herself a cosy little niche in the heart of his family. Getting Clodagh to agree wasn’t going to be easy, though, as she’d taken quite a liking to Sandy and once Clodagh had made up her mind about something it was damned near impossible to shift her.

He ploughed on through his mail until he was back at the fax Ellen Shelby had sent while he was in France. He smiled wryly to himself, for here was a woman of whom Clodagh would certainly approve, with her Irish ancestry and good Catholic values. Indeed, there was a chance that someone like Ellen would surpass even Michelle in Clodagh’s eyes which would be no mean feat at all. But he’d never been in the habit of doing what his mother wanted where women were concerned, as well she knew, which was probably why she couldn’t stop herself interfering. Like any other mother she always assumed she knew best and though he’d never disagreed with her about Michelle, he knew already that if she didn’t let up about Sandy they were heading for a serious falling out. But he didn’t see any reason for it to come to that, not if he gave Clodagh what she really wanted, and with the way he’d been thinking lately there was a chance he might. He’d spoken to Cavan a couple of times while he was in France and though he was still pretty convinced Cavan was hiding something, he was much less concerned now than he had been. Or, to put it another way, he didn’t see any reason to go rushing over there, at least not until he’d come to a firm decision on whether or not he really did want to try again with Michelle.

Pushing it out of his mind for now, he pressed the button on his intercom and got Jodi back in the office to take down a fax to Ted Forgon. ‘Let’s get it over with,’ he said, as she pulled up a chair. ‘Not that I expect the man to take any notice, but we can at least try to get Ellen Shelby off the hook.’

‘I’ve already sent the fax telling her you’re dealing with this direct,’ Jodi informed him, leaning forward to pick up his phone. ‘Hello, Michael McCann’s office,’ she said into the receiver. ‘Oh, hi, Craig, how are you?’ She paused, then looking at Michael she said, ‘He’s right here. I’ll put you on.’

‘He’s in a fix at LWT,’ she informed Michael, passing the receiver over.

Michael took it and covering the mouthpiece with his hand said, ‘You can do the fax to Forgon. Just tell him that under no circumstances do I ever want to do business with him, either now or in the future, and could he please get his staff off my back or I’ll come over there and tear all his hair out.’

Jodi burst out laughing and leaving him to speak to Craig she returned to her own office to find Sandy standing over Michael’s diary – again.