Take Two

CHAPTER 6

They filmed three more scenes before lunch, then Carolyn went through to the canteen where she picked up a smoked salmon salad and went to join Terry at a table by the window. He was tucking into a Shepherd’s pie and chips. ‘How’s the diet going, darling?’ she asked as she sat down opposite him.

‘Bitch,’ Terry said and laughed. ‘I’m in the gym with Gabe tonight, I’ll burn it off.’

‘You’re not going to the awards?’

Terry laughed. ‘I’m a prop master,’ he said. ‘One of the backroom boys. Out of sight, out of mind.’

‘Come with me,’ said Carolyn. ‘You can be my plus one.’

‘And sit with a load of prima donnas and network suits? I’d rather crawl naked across broken glass.’

‘I’m getting a lifetime achievement award.’

Terry grinned. ‘Well done, you.’

‘I’m not sure it’s a good thing,’ she said. ‘Doesn’t it mean that the best is over?’

‘It means you’re being appreciated,’ said Terry. He frowned. ‘Plus one? Where’s Eddie?’

‘Fucking some trollop,’ she said bitterly.

‘Are you serious?’

‘I found him in bed with a Barbie lookalike last night. ’

Terry put down his fork. ‘God, I’m sorry.’

‘Yeah. Me, too.’

‘And you never suspected anything was going on?’

Carolyn sighed. ‘I was too bloody busy.’

‘That doesn’t make it your fault.’

She nodded and prodded her salad. ‘I know.’

‘Do you know who the girl was?’

‘No, not that it matters. She wasn’t the first.’ She felt tears sting her eyes and she cursed.

‘Hey, come on,’ said Terry. He passed her a paper napkin. ‘Don’t let the bastard upset you.’

Carolyn dabbed her eyes with the napkin. ‘I went home early to surprise him,’ she said. ‘Well, that didn’t exactly go as planned.’

‘Your house?’

She shook her head. ‘His flat.’ She shook her head. ‘Forget it. It doesn’t matter.’

‘Of course it matters. You thought he was the one, right?’

She took a deep breath. ‘I hoped he might be,’ she said. ‘I really thought he loved me, Terry.’

‘You know what they say, darling. Women can fake orgasms but men can fake an entire relationship.’

Carolyn dabbed her eyes again. ‘I need a drink,’ she said.

‘You can hit the bottle at the awards thing.’

‘I need a drink now.’

Terry laughed. ‘Well you know that’s not going to happen,’ he said.

‘Why are men such bastards, Terry?’

‘That’s why we love them, right?’

‘Would Gabe ever screw around behind your back?’ Terry’s jaw dropped in mock surprise and Carolyn laughed. ‘That wasn’t a double entendre. You know what I mean.’

‘I know what you mean,’ he said. ‘I’m like the American military — don’t ask and don’t tell. Providing he’s in my bed every night, I’m not that worried about what he gets up to.’

‘Yeah, well Eddie made it clear that he’s done with me. It’s over.’

‘Then you’re better off without him.’

‘That’s easy for you to say.’

He leaned over the table towards her. ‘Darling, you’re one of the most famous faces in the country, you’re drop dead gorgeous and as fit as a butcher’s dog. If I wasn’t gay…’

Carolyn reached over and held his hands. ‘Thank you,’ she said.

‘I mean every word that I say,’ Terry said, and Carolyn could see he was telling the truth. She gripped his hands tightly but then the tears started again and she let go and dabbed at her eyes with the tissue. ‘Darling, the more you cry the more repair work they’re going to have to do in make-up,’ said Terry.

She nodded and took a deep breath. ‘I’ll be okay,’ she said.

‘Damn right you will,’ said Terry. ‘And tonight you’ll be surrounded by people who admire and love you. Think about that.’

‘Now you’re going too far,’ she said. She picked up her fork, then sneered at her salad. ‘Screw this,’ she said. ‘I’m going to have a steak. Rare.’

Terry grinned. ‘Go for it, girl,’ he said.