Thankfully, there was a gym on the corner, and he’d been able to sneak out past the press guys in a hasty disguise and fit in a decent two-hour workout that morning.By the time he got back upstairs, showered, dressed and cooked himself a light lunch of tuna steak and couscous, he was feeling more affable.Luke’s call came at just the right time.
“Hi,” he said, genuinely pleased to hear from him.“How’s it going?”
“Better now I’m speaking to you.More importantly, how are you doing?”That lovely accent was like fine whisky, having an instant, warming effect.Any uncertainties he’d had about Luke vanished at the sound of it.
“Meh.Not sure I even want to go there.But it’s nice to hear from you.”
“I guess you’ve had a lot to deal with.”
“No shit.I take it you’ve heard the latest.That the show is going ahead.”
“I did, though Sal Morte didn’t strike me as an obvious replacement.”
“Me neither.”Hudson hadn’t even been aware that his agent also represented the Spanish actor.He was a similar age to Hudson, so understudying him wouldn’t be a problem in that respect.The fact that the character was American and Sal had a very heavy Spanish accent might be a bigger concern.But as Hudson had no intention of missing a performance—all Sal needed to worry about was nailing the small role he’d been cast for.“He’s already arrived.Rav and Andie are going to work with him over the weekend before we resume on Monday.”
“And how do you feel about that?”
“That’s another tricky question I’m not sure I can answer just yet.”
“Fair enough.”
It really was good to talk to him again.They had ended things on such a strange note the other night when Hudson had freaked out about Luke’s terrible taste in movies.It seemed even stranger now, but his head had been all over the place on Wednesday.Much of the day had been a blur that he struggled to remember with any clarity.Trying to look back on it was like watching one of his old films.He felt a distance and disconnect from it.
“Listen,” Luke said.His voice had taken on a serious tone that Hudson was unused to.“I’ve got some news.It’s not out in public, but my colleague has told me it’s one hundred percent legit.Are you free for a catch-up later this afternoon?”
“Sounds ominous.”
“Hmm, I can’t lie, it’s not great.But, given the circumstances, I won’t go into it over the phone.Do you want to get a drink somewhere after work and I’ll fill you in face-to-face?”
“That would be tricky.I’ve still got the paps camped outside.Wherever I meet you, they’re bound to follow.”
“I could come by your apartment, like the other night.”
“I’m getting sick of these four walls.Didn’t you say you lived somewhere on the coast?How about I meet you there and we can go for a walk along the beach instead?”
“That’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.Give your handlers the slip and I’ll pick you up at the corner of Broad Street and Salvin Road just after five.”
* * * *
It was a brilliantly clear and warm afternoon.Hudson changed into cream chino shorts and a light blue T-shirt before leaving the apartment.His moustache had gotten a little neglected, so he’d spent some time trimming and grooming.He’d started to become quite proud of the thing.
He was surprised to find that the photographers were no longer waiting on the doorstep, but hurried off anyway, in case they were only taking a break, though surely they knew by now that they would get nothing from him.In shades and a baseball cap, he snuck down the side alley and cut through to the main road.
Luke hadn’t told him what kind of vehicle to expect.The glorious weather seemed to have triggered a mass early exodus from the city and the traffic moved at a sluggish pace.
Butterflies danced in his stomach as he waited at the kerb.When he’d gotten off the phone with Luke earlier, he’d been intrigued to know what his news would be, but as the time came closer, he’d been more excited about seeing Luke again.They’d ended the other night on a strange moment.Hudson was certain he would not allow that to happen again.
He’d been standing on the street a little over five minutes when a modest grey Peugeot tooted and pulled over to the kerb.Hudson rushed forward and leapt into the passage seat, as the driver behind issued their own blast of the horn in protest.
“Hey.”Luke grinned at him sideways, easing back into the traffic lane.“Sorry, but I think I’ll be lynched if I stop here.”
“Just keep moving and do what you have to do,” Hudson said.Damn, he looked good, in a short-sleeved, open-necked shirt and light grey trousers.“Have you been in the office all day?”
Luke nodded, checking the rear-view mirror.“I would have been observing your rehearsals, so it’s given me a chance to catch up on some things I’ve been putting off.”
Hudson pulled off the baseball cap and ruffled his hair.“Will you be joining us again next week?”
“I certainly hope so.Though it might be a little busy in there.”
