Scripted Reality

by Karen Frances

  “It’s all good and back up and running. Although, that dress is now completely out of stock.” I smile. “Let’s talk about today’s photoshoot, and there are a few events I would love you to attend in London in the coming weeks.”

  I sit quietly and listen as Martin tells me all about his plans for driving his business forward and, as I listen to him talk enthusiastically about it, I’m really privileged to be working for him and his business. I get what he wants to do and achieve, which is provide an affordable fashion range for everyone.

  As he talks about today’s fashion shoot that will be featured both online and on his store magazine, I really wish I wasn’t so thin at the moment.

  “This is all very exciting, but can I ask a question?” Martin nods. “Why women’s fashion?”

  “This was a joint business between my wife and me. We started with the online shop about ten years ago and built it from there. This was her passion.”

  “Was?” I’m dreading hearing the answer.

  “My wife passed away last year, leaving me and our daughter.”

  “I’m so sorry. What age is your daughter?”

  “She’s only five.” He reaches into the inside of his suit jacket, taking out his wallet, and opens it. He takes a picture from it and hands it over to me.

  “She’s beautiful. She looks like her mum,” I say as I hand it back to him. I can’t imagine losing my mum when I was that young. Not having her around to talk about all the first things that happened in my life as a teen; periods, boys, all the usual stuff. My heart breaks for Martin as I think about that.

  “Thank you. I’m sure she’s going to be a handful as she grows up.”

  “Just as much as this one then,” Trevor says with a warm smile. I can’t argue with what he’s said.

  “So, my daughter and my wife are my driving force behind making this business a success. Lately, so many big businesses have gone out of business. I want to continue to strive forward and if, one day, my daughter wants to take over then it will all be hers. If not, she’ll be free to sell it as a going concern. As for my wife, I just want it to work out because this was her hopes and dreams and she couldn’t see it out for herself.”

  “I’m sure your wife is very proud of you.”

  “Okay, if we’re all finished, let’s go and pick up some clothes for you, and Will can start taking some pictures.”

  We all travel together in Trevor’s car to the city centre store. Will and I talk about what he wants to achieve from the shoot. He asks if he can take a couple of extra shots to add to his business portfolio. I agree after a quick chat with Trevor who is in a deep conversation with Martin.

  As we enter the store, lots of shoppers stop to see what is going on. Voices are hushed as they try to guess. In the store, I leave the guys talking to the shop manager while I wander around, looking for the perfect outfits to model.

  This is new to me. I’ve done photoshoots before, but this seems different. Will follows behind me and I already know he’s snapping away on his camera; I don’t need to turn around to know that.

  I smile and say hello to a few customers in store who stare in my direction. A little black dress catches my eye and I hold it up. Will moves and I can see him before me. “What do you think?” I ask him.

  “I’m not sure I should say considering you’re not a single woman.”

  I shake my head. “Should I include it?”

  “Hell yes.” I now know what he thinks of the dress. “Ella, some of the pictures I’ve got look so natural as you look through the clothes. I’ve also had an idea that I’d like to run past Martin.”

  “What’s that?”

  “There’s some really amazing buildings around here I’d like to get a few shots of you in front of. I had planned to take lots of shots inside the store, but it’s a lovely day. The light is perfect and I’m sure we could do a lot outside. The only thing that concerns me is your privacy. You won’t get that.”

  I glance around the store. “What privacy?” Will looks around and there’s more than a few people with their phones in their hands.

  “I see what you mean,” he says with a smile. Will reminds me of Callum, a little.

  “Have you found anything?” Trevor asks, joining us.

  “Yes, a few things.”

  “Martin has said he’s happy to close the store if having shoppers is distracting you.”

  “No, it’s fine. Anyway, Will wants to take some shots outside.”

  “As long as you are happy about that. You are my main concern today, Ella. I promised your dad I would look after you.”

  “And you’re keeping that promise. If anything gets too much, I promise to tell you. Now, I should go and change.” I head off to the changing room, following the manager that was here the other day. I’m so glad Julie came over and did my hair and make-up for me this morning, otherwise I wouldn’t have a good look going on. The manager took the clothes I picked from me and said she would get a few more outfits. Some new stock. She hangs everything in the same large changing room I’ve already been in.

  I change into the black dress and it looks better on than it did on the hanger. With a certain amount of confidence, I leave the changing room. Trevor is with Martin and Will, standing to my left, and he instantly starts snapping away on the camera.

  Trevor is a Godsend. Why I never had him as my agent before now still baffles me. Oh, yes. I had that complete prick Donovan Bell.

  “Ella, darling, you look beautiful as always,” he says, walking toward me.

  “Thanks, but you’ve got to say that.”

  “I don’t and I always tell you the truth. Now, where are we going first?” Trevor asks Will and Martin.

  “Outside.”

  Today’s photoshoot has been fun but exhausting. I’ve had more costume changes than I would have for an entire shoot on a movie set, but I loved every minute of it. Will was great to work with. He made me feel so relaxed, especially when we were outside and it felt like everybody in Glasgow city centre was watching.

  I can’t wait to see what he’s got. Some of his shots from me looking through the shop rails have already been uploaded to the store’s social media. They look good, and if the constant buzzing of my phone is an indication, it would seem they are causing as much of a stir for the company as it did after the premiere.

  My phone beeps in my hand.

  Connor: I hope you’re hungry x

  Me: Yes and no. I’m really tired x

  Connor: I picked up pizza x

  Me: I’m sure I can manage a few slices x

  Connor: Is that all you’ll manage???

  Me: Oh I don’t know. What else do you have in mind? X

  Connor: Now that would be telling. I saw some pictures. You look amazing. See you soon x

  With thoughts of Connor in my head, I sit back and enjoy the journey back home alone. Trevor wanted to get home. I don’t think either of us realised how long today would be. But, I would do it all again tomorrow.

  Connor had wanted to come with me today, but he would’ve been a distraction. Now, I can’t wait to see him and fall into his arms.

  “TEA OR COFFEE,” I SHOUT up the stairs, hoping Connor hears me. He really needs to hurry up or he’ll be running late. He has a meeting with Trevor this morning and, this afternoon, we’re meeting with the production team of the soap opera and I can honestly say we’re both excited. Everything about this project appeals to us.

  Working at home in Scotland has already sealed the deal in my mind. Life here goes at a much slower pace than it does in L.A., and if I’m truthful with myself, I was sick of all the parties Donovan dragged me along to. Some weeks, we were out every night, and when you’re working long shifts on set, it begins to take its toll. No wonder all I longed for was home.

  And as for Connor, he feels the same way. He would much rather be here, but will go wherever he needs to go for work.

  This past week has been non-stop. I had completely forgotten how easy it
is to get caught up in everything going on around me. The feelings of excitement about an industry that I’m blessed to be a part of have returned. I’m buzzing to read through some of the projects I’ve been linked with and some of them are in the UK.

  My phone hasn’t stopped ringing since Connor’s premiere. Not only have I done the photoshoot for Inspire, but I’ll be heading to London in the coming weeks to do another photoshoot for them and someone will be filming some behind-the-scenes footage that they hope to use on the television. I’m excited about that.

  Connor has just as much going on as I do. He’s been asked to do a commercial for a new brand of aftershave. We’re hoping we can tie them both in at the same time as we need to be in London.

  I can’t help but smile with thoughts of Connor in my head. He’s given me a new lease of life. He’s inspired my passion that had long since gone about acting. And now I’m really excited about working alongside him.

  There’s still been nothing from Donovan, and even though I’ve tried to push it to the back of my mind, there’s a lingering thought that he’s up to something. Although, what it is, I don’t know. So until I hear from him, I’m just going to enjoy my life because, even with all I’ve been through lately, life is good and I still want to help others.

  Footsteps bring my attention back to here and now. “Neither, I’ve no time,” Connor says, walking down the stairs. “I’ll need to go. Can I take your car?”

  I cast my eyes over him as he reaches me. He looks pretty good in black jeans and a tight cream sweater. “Oh, I don’t know. The last time you drove my car you upset us both.” Our day at the beach, I swear he thought he was on a race track the way he took some of the corners on the country roads.

  A day out at a race track could be the perfect present for his birthday next month. I’ve been thinking about this for days; what do you get someone who has everything? I think it’s the perfect present for him.

  He takes a step closer to me and dips his head, his lips almost touching mine. “What if I promise to look after you both?” His words whisper across my skin. “What do you say?” His lips touch mine delicately.

  “I could be persuaded.”

  “I know you could. Now, have you given any more thought to going to L.A.?”

  He’s asked this question repeatedly since I told him the producers of a new movie want to meet with me as soon as possible. This is the same movie that Katherine Hunter has also been shortlisted for. “I still don’t know.” The thought of being in L.A. isn’t sitting well with me.

  “Ella, I understand your fears, really I do, but you have to do this. If you go to L.A, I wouldn’t let you go alone. I would be right there beside you to hold your hand. But, I think you have the strength to do it.”

  “My reservations aren’t just about Donovan, or Katherine, for that matter. It’s more to do with the fact that I don’t want to split my time between two countries. My home is here in Scotland. I have no desire to go back to spending half the year across the Atlantic because of filming schedules.”

  He wraps his arms around me and I allow my hands to rest on his shoulders. “I get that. There’s no rush for a decision. We can see what the production crew have to say to us this afternoon.”

  This is what I’m most excited about work wise; the soap opera. For me, it ticks all the right boxes and means I can stay where I want; at home.

  “Thank you.”

  “What for?”

  “For not pushing me into making a rash decision.”

  I lift my head and find myself looking into his eyes. “I won’t ever push you into doing something you’re not comfortable with, especially when it comes to your career. I’ll always support you in every decision you have to make.”

  I kiss him briefly. “You’d better go if you want to get there on time.”

  “Yeah, I should. So can I take your car? And I’ll pick you up so we can go to the meeting together.”

  “Yes, go on before I make you late for Trevor.”

  “Promises, promises.” He gives me a kiss before turning, grabbing my car keys, and walking out the front door. My eyes linger on the door until I hear my car engine roar to life. With a shake of my head, I make my way back through the house into the kitchen to make myself a cup of tea.

  My car horn startles me. I walk over and look out of the window. Connor waves at me from the driver’s seat. He looks as though he has no intention of swapping seats and letting me drive. He had better have been kind to my wee car today because, if he hasn’t, I’ll know. I grab my bag along with the script I’ve been reading and leave the house.

  My phone buzzes in my hand as I lock the front door. I glance down at the screen.

  Shit.

  No.

  Donovan Bell.

  Panic races through my body, making it hard for me to breathe. Everything around me begins to look blurry. I’m going to pass out. How the hell can a man who hasn’t been a part of my life for over three months have such a dramatic effect on me? This is silly, I know it is, but I can’t help myself.

  I can’t turn around. I can’t move from the spot. My body shakes, tears fill my eyes, and I haven’t even opened his message. Two weeks since the pictures of Connor and me went public. That’s how long he’s waited to make his move. A move I knew would come.

  He waited until the perfect time, for maximum effect.

  Everything was going too well in my life.

  The car door bangs closed and I hear Connor’s footsteps rush toward me, but I still can’t find the energy to move.

  “Ella! Ella, what’s wrong.” He places his arms around me and turns me to face him. He’s there before me, I feel him, but can’t see him. My vision has stopped working and all I see is Donovan Bell with a smug face because he thinks he has one over on me.

  Connor wipes away my falling tears before taking my phone out of my hand. Silence descends and I know he’s opened the message and he’s reading it.

  “Ella, it’s okay. I have you.” He wraps both arms around me and pulls me close to him. My trembling legs stumble toward him and he rubs my back, comforting me.

  “What does it say?” I ask after a few minutes.

  “It says he wants to talk to you, that’s all.” That can’t be all he wants. There has to be more to it. He’s playing games and he only plays games that he thinks he can win. I should know; I’ve watched him play enough games over the last five years.

  “Ella, come on. You need to breathe slowly. Here, sit down.” He lowers me to the step and moves position so he’s kneeling in front of me, holding my hands. I do as he asks and breathe slowly over and over, bringing me back from my panic-induced state. “There’s my girl.”

  “Sorry,” I mutter.

  “Hey, you’ve nothing to be sorry for.”

  “Is that really all his text message says?” I ask. He nods, holding the phone up so I can read it for myself. “And here I’ve worked myself into such a panic. How the hell am I going to cope when I need to come face-to-face with him?”

  “Ella, stop thinking. Just concentrate on now. He doesn’t deserve to be in your thoughts. He’s messing with you. We both knew he would start doing it sooner rather than later. You need to keep your smile in place and not let him see he’s getting to you.” I know Connor is right, but with Donovan’s sudden message, I feel as though I’ve taken two steps backwards when my life should be moving forward. “You have so much to look forward to. Now, if you’re ready, we should get going. We don’t want to keep our new employers waiting.” I smile at his words and allow him to pull me back up to my feet and toward the car.

  I get in at the passenger side. After all my internal moaning about Connor driving my car, I’m in no fit state to drive it. My poor car. “Everything will be okay, I promise,” Connor says, getting into the driver’s seat. I nod, hoping he’s right. But I also know Donovan, very well, and I’m certain this won’t be the last I hear from him.

  “Okay, now we’re alone, you can tell me yo
ur thoughts,” Trevor says as we sit in this quiet café.

  I smile at Connor. “I’m impressed with everything they’ve offered and I love the storyline that will introduce us,” I tell him. I will be introduced as a love child of one of the leading characters. Connor is going to play someone who works for my dad. It really does sound amazing.

  “Connor, what about you? You’re very quiet.” He looks deep in thought as Trevor and I watch him.

  “Sorry. I’d never heard about this programme until I received the proposal, but I’m impressed. They’re very professional. And I can’t get over their viewing figures. I think we need to start watching it to bring ourselves up to speed on all the current storylines before we start filming.”

  I can’t believe in five weeks’ time we start filming, or rather, I do. Connor will join the cast two weeks later. We met a few cast members today and they all seem really nice. I even met the man who will play my dad. After being told about his on-screen character—in the eyes of the viewers a baddie—he’s really quite sweet.

  “I’m really pleased you’re both happy with everything. Now, we have a few other things to discuss. I’ve managed to arrange for you to be in London at the same time. So the commercial for Inspire and the aftershave one will be filmed over the same weekend. So you should pack for going away on Thursday morning. Hotel and flights are booked. Don’t say I’m not good to you.”

  “That’s fantastic,” I say, now having a weekend away with Connor to look forward to.

  Trevor goes on to tell us that we’ve been invited to a movie premiere and after party on Thursday night.

  “Neither of you will be able to party hard because you’ll both be filming on Friday. Hopefully, it will get wrapped up on Friday and then Saturday and Sunday you’ll be free to do what you want. I’ll be traveling with you so I can keep an eye on the filming. That will be hard with you being in different locations, but I’m sure we’ll work it out.”

  Trevor will look out and work hard for us, of that I have no doubt. On the off chance he didn’t look out for me, he’d have Dad to answer to.