Plain Jane in the Spotlight

‘Nothing. It’s not you that’s funny. It’s me.’

‘So tell me.’

‘No…no, I can’t,’ she insisted.

‘All right, I don’t want to pry. By the way, I’m sorry about last night.’

‘But what is there to be sorry about?’

‘Getting all miserable and emotional. I went too far. You do know you’ve got nothing to fear from me, don’t you?’

‘Yes,’ she said with a touch of sadness. ‘I do know.’

‘I promised you that when you moved in here-’ he gave a self-conscious laugh ‘-when I more or less forced you to move in.’

‘You didn’t force me.’

‘Manipulated you, then. I seized the chance to make you do what suited me. I’m good at that, I’m afraid, and I don’t blame you if you don’t trust me. I wouldn’t trust me. I’m a bad character. But you know that.’

‘Travis, there’s no need for this, honestly.’

‘All right, I’ll shut up in a minute. I talk too much as well.’

That was true. If she hadn’t been distracted by her own nerves she might have noticed that he was gabbling like a man holding on for dear life.

‘You’re probably planning to make a run for it,’ he went on, ‘but there’s no need. I give you my word. Don’t leave me, Charlie.’

‘I won’t leave. I know you can’t manage without your big sister.’

‘Funny how you always say big sister, although I’m older than you.’

‘No, you’re not. Compared to me, you’re about five years old.’

He gave a rueful grin. ‘I guess that’s true. What would I do without you to keep me on the straight and narrow?’

‘You’d pick someone else from the crowds who’d apply.’

‘But there aren’t crowds because nobody else knows that much about me. I’d never let them. Only you.’

‘Well, be careful how many of your dark secrets you tell me. When this is over I’ll probably blackmail you.’

They both laughed, but then he said, ‘Why should it be over? Why can’t we stay in touch for the rest of our lives? You’re the best friend I ever had, and I’m not going to let my best friend go.’

Best friend. Once the words would have pleased her. Now they were like the crack of doom.

The phone rang. He answered it and a moment later she heard him cry, ‘Yes!’ in a voice full of delight. ‘That’s wonderful! I don’t know what took you so long-yes, yes, all right. Of course I’m coming. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Give Cassie my love.’

He hung up, seized Charlene and waltzed her around the room.

‘What’s happened?’ she asked, laughing.

‘That was my brother, Marcel.’

‘The one who made a mess of his proposal and she went back to modelling?’

‘That’s the one. But he’s got her back. You remember that picture we saw, and you said she must be making a lot of money? Well, she was, enough to invest in his business. Then she marched in, told him she was a fellow shareholder.’

‘So he had to treat her as an equal instead of walking all over her,’ Charlene said. ‘Excellent.’

‘Somehow they’ve managed to get it together, and they’re marrying in Paris next month. It’ll be a big celebration. We’ll have a great time, and you can meet my family.’

‘Am I invited?’

‘Are you-? Listen, everyone’s crazy to meet you. I wouldn’t dare go without you. Hang it! Who’s that?’ The phone had rung again. ‘Yes? Hi, Joe. Yes, I’m on my way-glad you’re pleased-well, I guess we could do some more-wait, she’s here. I’ll ask her.’

He turned to Charlene. ‘It’s Joe. He’s pleased with the story so far, but he wants to “direct strategy” as he puts it. Can you come into the studio with me this morning?’

‘Sure.’

‘Joe, we’re on our way.’

Joe cornered them as soon as they arrived and swept them down to the studio canteen. By now Charlene was used to being surveyed, and wasn’t offended by the way he looked her up and down, then nodded.

‘Yup. Going well.’

‘Thank you,’ she said ironically.

‘No, really, you’re doing a fantastic job.’

‘What about me?’ Travis demanded comically.

‘Oh, sure, you too.’

Travis put his arm around Charlene’s shoulder, hugging her and saying, ‘You see how it is. Now you’re here nobody notices me any more. I could get insulted.’

‘Yeah, right.’ She aimed a shadow punch at him. He delighted her in this jokey mood.

‘Can we be serious?’ Joe demanded. ‘I know the press are in pursuit but we need to stage something where we’re in control. I’ve arranged a theatre attendance for you so that they can see you entering the box, standing there for all to see. And I think a couple of shopping expeditions. Travis, you should buy her some jewellery so that’ll start them speculating.’

‘Do we want them to speculate?’ Charlene asked. ‘What happens when it comes to nothing?’

‘Who says it comes to nothing?’ Joe asked.

‘That’s enough,’ Travis said firmly. ‘Don’t go too far. Charlene’s helping us out of the goodness of her heart.’

‘And she’ll gain. You can give her a lot of jewellery, all paid for by the studio, and if you eventually quarrel and she chucks it back at you, I’ll make sure it’s returned to her quietly.’

‘Oh, we quarrel and I chuck it back at him?’ she said hilariously.

‘Yeah, but be careful how you do that. Don’t hit his face. The studio has a lot of money invested in that face.’

‘Fine, I’ll just punch him in the stomach.’

‘You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?’ Travis asked wildly.

‘I don’t know how I’m keeping a straight face,’ she told him.

‘Yeah, it’s got its funny side,’ Joe conceded with a grin, ‘but it’s serious too. I shouldn’t be telling you this quite so soon but-’ he lowered his voice ‘-it’s just possible that the series will be turned into a film.’

They both stared at him, dumbstruck.

‘A film?’ Travis whispered.

‘Right. And you’re the leading candidate for the part.’

‘He should be the only candidate,’ Charlene said indignantly. ‘He made it what it is.’

‘And that’s why we’re backing him all the way,’ Joe said. ‘But Alaric Lanley is interested.’

The other two drew sharp breaths. Lanley was a major film star.

‘If he wants it they’ll give it to him,’ Travis said.

‘Not necessarily. Like Charlene says, it’s you that’s associated with the part, and that’s worth money. Have you ever met Alaric, by the way?’

‘Yes, once at a party,’ Travis said. ‘I thought he seemed a nice guy.’

‘Well, don’t let anyone hear you say that,’ Joe said, scandalised. ‘You’re enemies. This is a fight to the death. Give a few interviews saying he’ll steal your role at his peril. Nothing specific. Just some vague showbizzy threats.’

‘Forget it,’ Travis said at once.

‘Look-’

‘I said forget it. Excuse me.’ He leaned sideways to attract the attention of a waitress.

While he was talking to her, Joe growled to Charlene, ‘What can you do with this guy? There are things he just doesn’t understand.’

‘Yes,’ she agreed, ‘being nasty is something he definitely doesn’t understand. Kicking people in the teeth,