And more selfishly, he wondered if Max was the only one who’d likedMedway Boys. By tomorrow morning, he’d know. The studio would have invited professional critics to attend advance screenings but River wanted to know what the general public thought. He’d not seen the finished film. He had no idea how it had been edited.
And what if his speech wasn’t perfect by the time he had to filmKaden’s Monster? Misha might have been reassured, but River knew he wasn’t there yet.
The following morning, Newt brought him breakfast in bed. Marmalade on toast, pieces of honeydew melon cut into star shapes and coffee. And there was a solitary snowdrop in a sherry glass, not that River had ever drunk sherry from it.
“What have I done to d…deserve this?”
Newt climbed in next to him and tapped on his phone. “River Lawson gives the performance of his life inMedway Boys. Will he ever be able to top this?”
River let out a choked laugh. “I’m doomed.”
“I’ve not read anything negative.” He handed River his phone. “If you struggle, I’ll read it to you. There were a few comments I liked. Specifically, about your outrageously bravebodyguard with the dashing looks who wore a superbly fitting suit and fought off an attacker with a yoyo.”
“Really?”
“No.”
“Oh.” River ate the toast as he read. It was a struggle, and he was slow, but he was getting there.
The comments about his performance were flattering. He was pleased for Misha and the crew that the film had been so well received.
River’s phone rang while he was still reading. He put it on speaker.
“Hello?”
“Mr Lawson?”
“Yes.”
Good morning, it’s DI Sutcliffe.”
“Morning.”
“We’ve been liaising with our colleagues over the arrest yesterday in Leicester Square. I understand you didn’t recognise the assailant.”
“No,” River said.
“Did Mr Jones?
“No,” Newt said.
“His name is William Young. He says he had nothing to do with the hate mail. He’s been detained under the Mental Health Act. If it’s any consolation, we believe it was Dila Fox he was fixated on. We know he had nothing to do with the incident in Croatia. He was in hospital in London at the time. I think you were just unlucky in this instance.”
“And lucky not to be stabbed,” Newt said.
“Indeed.”
When the call ended, Newt stroked River’s hand. “Sort of good and bad, right?”
River nodded.
“Now you’re all sad again. Listen to this.” Newt read him a review from theMetro.“Did you notice the mention of an Oscar?”
River laughed. “Oscar Ben…nett. Lighting di…director.”
“Oh, was it? Listen to this then.”
River stopped him part way through. “Enough.”
