Simon Bach said: ‘I am so looking forward to joining the dream team that is Sharon, Emilia and Becky. These are three passionate, clever and fabulous beacons of progressive film-making. The story they have to tell is vital and I could not be more thrilled that they’ve invited me along for the ride.’
Becky Shawcross said: ‘I am over the moon that Simon has agreed to play the role of Jason in our forthcoming production. He brings magic to everything he does.’
Further notes to editors: with MEDEA, Kingfisher Films will be one of the first UK film companies to implement an ‘inclusion rider’ across the whole production, ensuring that during pre-production, production and post-production both cast and crew fully reflect British society in terms of gender, BAME identity, sexuality and disability status.
Becky stares down at her own quote. It’s too short. It’s a bit flat. Can she really not think of anything else to say about this actor?
‘Have you ever even met him?’ asks Siobhan. ‘He makes it sounds like you’ve all been camping together. Had a fabulous night on magic mushrooms under the stars and are planning to buy a holiday house together.’
‘That’s just actors, isn’t it? Best friends by day two on set, cry at the wrap party, don’t bother replying to each other’s emails the following week.’
‘He and Matthew are good mates, aren’t they? They worked together on that Russian sports film. Matthew’s really pulling it out of the bag for you, isn’t he?’
But it’s not a question.
‘He hasn’t done that much,’ Becky insists. ‘I’ve been making all the calls and doing all the meetings. Besides, it’s a good role for Simon.’
‘Chill,’ says Siobhan. ‘I’m just saying he’s obviously going above and beyond because he totally loves you.’
‘He totally loves the film.’
‘Come on. You’re his number one girl since you testified in his defence.’
‘Testified?’
‘You know what I mean.’
‘Well what else would I have done?’
‘Don’t get me wrong, I’d have done exactly the same.’
Becky looks up, face flushing hot with shame at the memory of giving too much, anything, to that iguana-faced Sun reporter.
‘While we’re here.’ Siobhan places her hands on both her hips. ‘I want you to know that I don’t need to be mollycoddled. Yes, I dropped Emilia into both your minds as a casting suggestion, yes it was kind of genius on my part, but it’s not like I own her. I’m happy she’s attached to your film. It’s good for all of us. But it sucked to find out the news online. Like one of the civilians. You could have just texted me.’
‘I’m sorry.’ Becky’s face burns a degree warmer. ‘I’ve been preoccupied.’
‘Throw me a bone here! I’m stuck doing, like, ninety per cent of the shit stuff and you’re planning how many ballgowns you need for awards season.’
‘I’m thinking five?’
‘Seriously though. Don’t get too grand.’
‘I was being thoughtless, I’m sorry. All the stuff in the papers has been freaking me out a bit.’
‘Well,’ Siobhan says, reaching into the filing cabinet and pulling out a bottle of pitch-black nail polish. ‘With great power comes great responsibility.’ She has no tools, no nail polish remover; she smudges her nail borders, botches the job and yet, cracks on. ‘God I love this colour. It’s so goddam goth,’ she says. ‘Yeah, all that stuff in the papers with you was heavy. Not sure I’d like my face in The Sun. I’d prefer the Guardian, to be honest.’
‘A better class of witch-hunt?’
‘If someone’s going to accuse me of terrible things, I want them using really long words so my mum won’t understand when she reads it.’
‘That’s very strategic.’
‘Strategic is a good example of what I’m talking about. That’s a classic Guardian word.’
‘Can you look at this press release for me? I’m doing a shit job.’
‘Which bit are you struggling with?’
‘My own quote.’
Siobhan laughs. ‘I’m putting: Becky says, I like eating dropped pasta off the floor.’
‘That’s better than what I’ve got. Oh God,’ Becky slaps a palm to her forehead. ‘I’ve been so busy, I’ve completely forgotten to do the expenses. Would you mind? Please?’
‘Because I’m not busy at all.’
‘I’ll make it up to you.’
‘I want to play Jason in your movie then.’ She blows along a row of nails. ‘I’m going to put that in the press release now. If Simon dies before cameras roll, the part will be played by Siobhan. At the very least you owe me a pint and a sharing platter.’
‘I know you won’t let me forget.’
Becky hands over the print-out. She begins to pack her phone and some other papers into her bag.
‘Going somewhere?’
‘I’m taking Maisie to Camber for her birthday. I’m having a couple of days off.’ Becky clocks Siobhan’s raised eyebrows and speaks quickly. ‘It’s her sixteenth, a special one, and besides, I can’t keep on ditching her whenever work gets crazy. I’ve done that a lot recently.’
Siobhan tries a smile, but it is effortful, far from her usual wide-eyed generosity.
‘So do you want me to do the expenses because you’re busy being a hotshot producer, or because you’re fucking off on holiday? I’m finding it hard to keep up.’
‘Both. Please, do me this favour?’
Siobhan doesn’t answer the question and instead asks, ‘Where are you staying then?’
‘A place in Kent that was recommended to me.’
‘Who by?’
‘Matthew.’
‘Oh how bloody lovely for you and your good hair.’
‘Thanks, it needs all the support it can get,’ Becky says, trying to steer them back to their usual chatty rhythms.
‘And does that support come from a hair salon, or does Matthew trim it himself?’
‘Simon Bach did it, actually. He’s playing my haircut in my next film so …’
‘Can I be honest actually?’ Siobhan says, her smile now entirely flatlined. ‘This
