Take Two (A psychological thriller)

Carolyn got out of the chair and took the dress from him. She held it against herself and nodded appreciatively. ‘I’ve got a gold necklace that will look amazing,’ said Terry. ‘And a couple of chunky rings.’

‘Bag?’

‘I thought a black Prada. Nice and simple and it won’t be a distraction.’

‘And shoes?’

‘I’m going to stick with black and Prada. The dress is so fabulous we don’t want anyone looking at anything else.’

He folded his arms and nodded at her.

‘I’m not changing with you standing there,’ said Carolyn.

‘Darling, first of all, I’m gay. And, second of all, you haven’t got anything there I haven’t seen a dozen times already. And, third of all,…’ He threw up his hands. ‘I’m sure there’s a third of all but for the life of me I can’t remember what it is.’

Carolyn laughed, handed the dress to Tracey and took off the suit she was wearing.

Terry looked her up and down and smiled. ‘God, you’re fit for a… how old are you again?’

‘You are cruising for a bruising,’ said Carolyn. She dropped the suit on the back of one of the chairs and slipped on the dress. It was a perfect fit, accentuating her curves and revealing just enough cleavage.

‘You know, you should think about going braless,’ said Tracey.

‘I don’t think so, thank you very much,’ said Carolyn. ‘This is just fine as is.’

‘She’s right,’ said Terry. ‘Give it a go.’

‘You’re not serious.’

‘The way it’s cut, you’ll not see anything but you’ll get the ripple effect.’

Carolyn laughed. ‘The ripple effect? Or the nipple effect?’

‘Just try it,’ said Terry.

Carolyn took off her bra and then checked herself out in the mirror. They were right, it looked stunning.

‘Told you,’ said Terry. He handed her the shoes and she slipped them on. ‘You get your coat and I’ll fetch the bag and jewellery,’ he said.

Carolyn’s Tommy Hilfiger raincoat was in her dressing room. She was just putting it on when Terry arrived with the jewellery and a large black leather bag. ‘Room for your ciggies and big enough to pinch a couple of bottles of bubbly, if you’re half inclined.’ He put the necklace around her neck and gave her two large rings, both with red stones that were an exact match to the to the colour of  the dress, and a pair of diamond stud earings.

He kissed her on both cheeks and waved her off like a father sending his daughter away to her first disco.

CHAPTER 9

Harrington was in the back of a Mercedes at the main entrance. Carolyn got into the back. ‘Frank’s not coming,’ he said. ‘His wife’s pranged the car. He’s not a happy bunny.’

‘Is she okay?’

‘She’s fine, the car not so,’ said Harrington.

The car moved out of the car park and headed south.

 ‘Why are we schlepping all the way down to Surrey?’ asked Carolyn.

‘Soap Digest have done a deal with Hello magazine,’ said Harrington. ‘And they don’t want all the celebs in the papers tomorrow. This place has got a ten-foot high wall around it and there’ll be security at the gate to keep the paparazzi out. That way, Hello gets the exclusive pictures. Plus they want to get the various stars together in a luxury setting. Makes a lot of sense.’

‘For them, sure. But I’d be happier at the Savoy.’

‘Maybe. But at least this way there’ll be no pictures of drunken stars tripping over and ending up in the gutter.’

‘Hey, listen, that was only once and it was eight years ago, and my heel broke,’ said Carolyn archly.

‘It was one hell of a picture,’ said Harrington.

‘Yes, well, my agent was supposed to have had all copies of it destroyed.’

‘These days it’s all computer files,’ said Harrington. ‘Once it’s out there, it’s out there for ever.’

‘So what is it? A country house?’

‘A country house hotel, I think is what they call it. And the chef’s got two Michelin stars, so the food will be good. And the wine cellar is world famous.’ Harrington rubbed his hands together. ‘And the magazine is picking up the tab, so it’s going to be one hell of a night.’

‘Do you think the show will get anything?’

‘It’s possible. You and Seb might even get best kiss.’

‘Oh God, don’t remind me,’ said Carolyn, settling back in her seat and folding her arms. ‘Jake, have you heard anything about the storylines?’

‘Like what?’

Carolyn shrugged as if she didn’t care overmuch. ‘Just where the story’s going.’

‘You know the directors are at the bottom of the food chain,’ he said. ‘First we get to hear of the plot is when the script arrives. We’re the hired hands.’

‘You talk to the writers, though.’

‘Only about the script I have. To be honest, even the writers don’t have much say in the plotlines anymore. It’s Paul who runs the show but even he has to take notes from the network.’

‘Since when?’

‘It’s been happening bit by bit over the past few years. In the good old days, long before my time, the network just put up the money and Paul produced the show. A couple of network execs might drop by during the edit but that was just a courtesy. It all changed when they asked for script approval. Then they wanted to make casting decisions and now the network decides pretty much everything.’

‘Paul never said anything.’