A Starlit Summer

by Kate Frost

  She swung her legs out of bed and sat on the edge. She was tempted to stride across the landing, push open the door and slide into bed with Milo. That would be one way of finding out if his attention towards her meant something or not. But then, the other day in the garden when Finn had kissed her, that lightest of touches had sent shock waves through her... Anyway, she’d sworn herself off relationships with fellow actors; in her experience they always ended in tears. Milo would be no different. In fact, it would be a lot worse to get involved with someone so famous. The pressures of the job mixed with the price of fame – there must be so much expectation on him at all times. Lily had said there were quite often paparazzi outside the hotel. Every part of his life was written and talked about.

  Jenna made her decision and got back into bed, pulling the sheet over her bare legs. She’d had too much to drink and wasn’t thinking straight. They’d all had fun tonight, but she had to be up in less than five hours for work, and here she was considering seducing the lead actor on the film. If he’d wanted something to happen, he had every opportunity out there on the landing...

  Despite both windows being open and only a sheet covering her, Jenna slept fitfully, unable to get comfortable. Too much drink had made her head woozy.

  Footsteps creeping up the stairs pulled her out of an uneasy sleep. She glanced at her watch; 02.27am. She had to be up at six and she desperately needed sleep. A door opened and closed, the flush sounded loud in the quiet of night-time, a tap briefly running. The footsteps paused on the landing, but instead of going back downstairs, another door opened, the now familiar creak of the spare room door closing really slowly like someone didn’t want to make any noise.

  Silence.

  Jenna rolled on to her side and tucked her hand beneath her pillow. In the middle of the Cornish countryside with no neighbours and no passing cars, it was painfully quiet, making it impossible to ignore the moans from across the hallway. Jenna closed her eyes tight, burying her head in her pillow, willing sleep to erase the sound of Milo and Timothy moving together on the spare room bed.

  Chapter Eleven

  Beep-beep-beep.

  Jenna shoved her hand out, felt for her mobile on the bedside table and swiped it to snooze. Her head thumped with tiredness and she desperately wanted to go back to sleep but she had thirty minutes to get up, dressed and leave the house.

  She groaned as she forced herself out of bed. She crept on to the landing and stood there for a moment, listening. She couldn’t hear anything from the spare room. She bit her lip; Timothy had the same call time as her. The last thing she wanted to do was go knocking on the door waking him and Milo up. She was not ready for that kind of awkwardness at such an ungodly time in the morning with a thumping hangover.

  Coffee. She needed to get her priorities right. She went downstairs instead, filled the kettle and switched it on.

  ‘Morning.’

  The voice behind her made her jump.

  She swung round. ‘Bloody hell, Timothy, you scared the shit out of me.’

  ‘Sorry.’ He ran a hand through his messy hair. He was bare-chested but had at least put on the shorts he’d been wearing the day before. ‘You forgot I’d crashed in the living room?’ He met her eyes and held her gaze.

  ‘Something like that.’ She turned away and grabbed two mugs. ‘Coffee?’

  ‘Please, you’re a lifesaver. Drunk far too much last night.’

  Not slept enough either, Jenna thought. She knew what she’d heard. Had he crept downstairs so she wouldn’t realise he’d been with Milo? He was acting like nothing had happened so maybe he thought she didn’t have a clue.

  ‘It was a good night, last night. Just maybe next time we should do it on a weekend rather than mid-week.’

  Jenna made the coffee and handed him a steaming mug. ‘My bad; it was all a little spur of the moment.’

  ‘Good though. I really enjoyed myself.’

  Jenna murmured ‘uh-huh’; she’d heard exactly how much he enjoyed himself. ‘So, I’m going to get a quick shower, then you can have the bathroom.’

  ‘Great, thanks Jenna.’

  The lukewarm water left Jenna feeling a little more alive. Timothy showered while she went to her room, towel-dried her hair and threw on a skirt and top. At least she didn’t have to bother doing her make-up as that would be done once they got to the base. And they’d be able to have breakfast before being taken to location. Her stomach rumbled. She could actually face a cooked breakfast this morning to counteract all the alcohol.

  Jenna grabbed her bag and closed her bedroom door. Timothy had finished in the bathroom. The door to the spare room was still closed. She stood in the middle of the landing and listened – she could just make out gentle snores, so Milo was still asleep. It wasn’t her responsibility to wake him. He had a later call time than her and Timothy and would have to sort himself out. He was the star of the film so a car would pick him up and drive him to set as long as he let them know where he was. Oh God, Jenna thought, what would that seem like to everyone, Milo being picked up from the cottage? That would fuel the rumours he’d already ignited with his flirting. Nothing she could do about it now.

  Timothy was dressed and smoking on the steps outside the front door. Jenna tore a blank page from a notebook and scribbled a message for Milo, leaving the keys for the cottage next to it. Hopefully he’d have the sense to lock up and bring the keys with him. She grabbed her bag and joined Timothy outside, closing the door behind her.

  ‘Milo’s still asleep; didn’t want to wake him.’

  ‘Uh huh.’ Timothy stubbed his cigarette out on the step.

  ‘Figured he’ll realise we’ve already left. Come on, let’s go. We’ve got twenty minutes to get there.’

  ~

  An early start and a short easy scene to shoot meant an early finish. She’d spent the day running along the beach and laughing with Lily and Amanda, who were both as hung-over as she was. Spending the day outdoors, splashing in the shallows and laughing together was a great tonic. In-between shooting, the three girls retreated to the shade beneath the umbrellas on the edge of the beach while they waited for the scene to be reset.

  ‘So, what happened with you and Milo after we left last night?’ Amanda nudged Jenna’s arm.

  She’d been waiting for this question all morning. ‘Nothing.’

  ‘Yeah, right, he was all over you last night.’

  Jenna smoothed the creases in her chocolate-brown 1940s skirt, leant her elbows on her knees and gripped her water bottle in her hands. The sea curled on to the sandy shore, a rhythm that soothed her aching head.

  ‘He’s a flirt, that’s all. I told you this last night.’ She looked at them both over her sunglasses. ‘Everyone knows he’s a flirt.’

  ‘You’re his type though. I mean, it’s rather shallow of him if he can’t see past someone’s looks, but he does love blondes.’ She motioned between herself and Lily. ‘Never going to be interested in us.’

  Jenna knew her looks had helped her to get the role, Milo had told her as much. Amanda with her chestnut hair and pale skin and redheaded Lily with her freckles were both pretty – it was a requisite of the film – but Milo had taken a shine to her over the others.

  Timothy was fair-haired. Maybe Milo really did have a thing for blondes.

  ‘We should have made Timothy get the taxi back with us, given you and Milo some alone time.’ Lily nudged her arm.

  Jenna stood, stretching her aching back and turning her face to the sun. ‘Seriously you two, nothing happened. There’s no gossip. I’m sorry to disappoint you.’

  ‘Imagine what hooking up with Milo Blake could do for your career...’

  Jenna turned to them. ‘Seriously? You’re seriously suggesting I sleep with him to further my career?’ She felt angrier at Lily suggesting it than she’d done when Milo himself had hinted at the idea last night.

  ‘Everyone else does it given half a chance.’

  ‘Yeah, well, I don’t want to be t
he type of person who will do anything to get a role.’ The First AD was walking towards them. Jenna wedged her bottle in the sand. ‘Come on, they need us back on set.’

  ~

  Lily’s comments left her feeling annoyed for the rest of the morning. After a handful of takes on the beach they were wrapped by 1pm and bussed back to the main base where they headed straight to wardrobe to change out of their costumes. It was a relief to ease into a comfortable and cool skirt and sleeveless linen top. The weather did not go with spring-time 1940s costumes. Whether she wanted to or not, she had to find Milo to get the keys off him before she could head back to the cottage.

  He was easy enough to find. The first crew member she asked knew where he was, and when she reached the marquee his popularity and dark smouldering looks worked like a beacon. Jenna breathed deeply and strode over, weaving her way past the tables filled with extras and crew having lunch.

  Milo spotted her and grinned as she reached him.

  ‘Thanks for letting me sleep in this morning.’ He didn’t say it quietly and the two older female actors sitting opposite him glanced at each other.

  Milo pulled Jenna down on to the chair next to him and leant close, his hand on the small of her back. He smelt delicious, fresh and spicy, and for the briefest of moments she imagined him back at the cottage, getting a shower and the possibility of what could have happened...

  ‘It was a good night last night; we should do it again.’ He smiled and winked, but she knew it was for show. No doubt it was Timothy he was thinking about. She could feel eyes on her though; the actresses opposite were definitely watching them. ‘You’re finished for the day?’

  ‘Yeah, but I need the keys for the cottage.’

  ‘They’re in my trailer. Can you wait a minute?’

  ‘Of course.’

  He stabbed the last piece of salmon on his plate with his fork, popped it in his mouth and washed it down with a swig of Coke Zero.

  ‘Let’s go.’

  Jenna followed him. She knew how this looked. She knew they were being gossiped about. She felt Timothy’s eyes on her where he was queuing for lunch as they left the marquee. Was Milo playing a game? Putting on a show to give an impression of someone he wasn’t? He was a bloody good actor; that was evident on camera and off.

  The grass had been worn away by so many feet walking between the trailers and the marquee. The earth was hard and cracked, baked by the never-ending sunshine.

  Jenna matched his stride and wondered if she should say anything about last night. Did he even have a clue that she knew about him and Timothy? She knew his flirting with her was for show, she was certain he didn’t really like her in that way, and yet it was messing with her head regardless.

  ‘I shouldn’t have drunk so much,’ Milo said as they reached his trailer. ‘Alcohol and acting doesn’t mix, not when I have a goddam serious scene to shoot today. Next time, we party on the weekend.’

  ‘That’s what Timothy said this morning.’

  ‘Uh huh.’ Milo unlocked the door of his trailer and pushed it open. ‘Well, he’s right.’ He turned to her. ‘Don’t be shy; come on in.’

  Jenna stepped into the trailer but left the door open. It was the stuff of dreams to have a private trailer, somewhere to escape to on set, but right this minute she wanted to get off base and back to Bramble Cottage.

  ‘Your keys.’ He dangled them in front of her. She opened her palm and he dropped them into it. ‘You should join us at the hotel for drinks later.’

  ‘I will sometime. Not tonight though. Like you, I drank way too much last night, school night and all. I’m planning a quiet evening.’

  ‘You don’t get lonely on your own at the cottage?’

  Jenna shook her head and clasped the keys firmly in her hand. ‘Nope.’

  ‘I guess you have that builder for company.’

  Jenna frowned.

  ‘Think I surprised him this morning.’

  Finn. Shit. She hadn’t even thought to let him know that there’d be someone at the cottage when he started work this morning. She’d left a note for Milo, but hung-over and thinking about getting to set on time she’d completely forgotten that Finn would rock up for work not thinking anyone was there.

  The tightness in her chest as she said goodbye to Milo and left his trailer took Jenna by surprise. Anger coursed through her. The events of the last twenty-four hours had surprised and annoyed her in equal measure. Working so closely with people always led to gossip, intrigue and complicated relationships, but she never liked being a part of that.

  She managed to avoid bumping into anyone else on the way from Milo’s trailer to her car. She drove the now familiar route inland to the cottage. She parked the car next to Finn’s van and walked round to the back.

  Finn briefly turned at the sound of her footsteps crunching over gravel but quickly went back to focusing on the window surround he was working on. He had an open tin of paint next to him and he was wearing a T-shirt with the sleeves rolled right up to his shoulders.

  ‘You’re back early.’

  ‘Yeah, short day.’ Jenna shaded her eyes with her hand. ‘It’s looking really good out here.’

  Finn glanced at her. ‘Been at it all day. Finished the top windows on this side.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Speaking of which, you might want to warn your boyfriend that I’m working on the windows at the moment.’

  ‘My boyfriend?’

  Finn dropped his gaze from Jenna’s face. ‘Yeah, your boyfriend, the actor. He came out of the bathroom stark bollock naked this morning. I, um, got quite an eyeful from outside the landing window.’

  ‘Oh. Right. Blimey. Yeah.’ Jenna’s cheeks flushed. ‘Milo said he’d surprised you, I didn’t realise...’ Jenna shook her head, imagining the scene playing out, Finn minding his own business on the scaffolding outside the landing window, and Milo emerging from the bathroom naked.

  Finn stirred the paint, and Jenna watched as the white liquid swirled thickly around the tin.

  ‘By the way, he’s not my boyfriend.’

  He picked up the paintbrush. ‘Just thought I’d better mention it. In case he’s planning on making a habit of it.’

  Now it made sense Milo saying he’d surprised Finn this morning. Walking around the cottage naked would certainly do that. Jenna faltered, unsure if she should say something else or leave it. He’d got completely the wrong idea about her and Milo, yet she knew the more she protested that Milo wasn’t her boyfriend and actually they weren’t together in that way at all, the less he’d believe her.

  The wood around the ground floor windows had been repaired and sanded. Finn dipped the brush in the large tub of exterior woodwork paint and neatly ran the brush down the wood, turning it from pale brown to gloss white.

  Jenna turned away; saying nothing else was best. She stalked through the long grass at the back of the cottage and out into the sunshine. The wilderness at the front had been pared back, weeds removed, bushes tamed, showcasing the garden. She felt foolish about a naked man being in the house and Finn getting the wrong idea. What must he think about her? But why did she care? Milo was a colleague, as were all the others who came over the night before. She could have a party if she wanted to. Then why did she feel guilty? She knew why; that kiss in the garden with Finn, that they’d brushed off at the time and hadn’t spoken about since. And the unspoken tension between them that she had thought was sexual; now it just felt tense.

  She went inside. The brightness of the sunny morning turned to shadows in the dimly-lit kitchen. She glimpsed the devastation in the living room with wine and beer bottles cluttering the coffee table. Her early call time had at least resulted in her having an early wrap, but she was suffering for the late night and too much alcohol now, plus she had a lot of clearing up to do. She was also utterly confused about her feelings. Annoyed at Milo toying with her emotions. And now Finn had got completely the wrong idea.

  Chapter Twelve

  ‘Hey, how’s it going?’ Car
la’s cheerful voice filled the room. Keeping her on speakerphone, Jenna stirred the chilli con carne bubbling away on the stove. It was late and it had been a long day, but she felt like cooking and eating something homemade, something other than the food they got on set. And occasionally, when she was in the right mood, cooking relaxed her.

  ‘Nearly three weeks done. Lovely crew, great cast. I totally love being down here.’

  ‘I’m still beyond jealous.’

  ‘I know, sorry. You need to come down here for a few days. Whichever weekend you have free, just let me know.’

  ‘I promise, I will. I’ve got a bit of good news too.’

  ‘Oh yeah?’ Jenna lifted the lid off the rice before the water boiled over.

  ‘I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to jinx it, but I got an audition for a new BBC mini-series, for a tattooed cool-as-fuck secondary school teacher. Got the call-back earlier this week...’

  ‘And?’

  ‘And I got the part. Starts shooting in October.’

  ‘Aah, that’s amazing, Carla. I’m so pleased for you. See, and after everything you were telling me before I left.’

  ‘Yeah yeah, I know. I’m never going to get a leading role, but this is a good part, something I can really get my teeth into. So, that’s my news and you’re obviously loving being down in sunny Cornwall. How’s it been living in the cottage while work’s being done?’

  Jenna sprinkled a pinch of salt over the chilli and stirred it in. ‘Yeah, it’s fine. The builders have finished the roof and now that’s done it’s just been one of them working on the outside of the cottage, plus I’ve not really been around much during the week.’

  ‘You’re not getting lonely on your own in the evenings?’

  ‘It’s no different to being home.’

  ‘Apart from you have lots of friends back home. Have you hung out with the cast or crew much?’