Lucy worked her way around the silicone with a small metal tool, gently lifting it up.
‘The Vaseline should mean this doesn’t hurt but brace yourself while I peel it off.’ She ripped the strip off clean, leaving nothing behind, then turned it over to show Blake’s skin and veins, cast into the rubber mould.
‘Wow, it really does pick everything up, doesn’t it?’ he said, staring at it.
‘Yup, that’s the idea,’ Lucy said. I stayed silent, afraid my tone would give me away. I was so angry. ‘Keep an eye on it for the next twenty-four hours and if there’s no irritation, we can get going with the casting tomorrow.’
‘Sounds awesome,’ Blake said, hopping off the chair and unrolling his sleeve. He picked up his gilet to go. ‘I’ll send Travis down when I see him. Good to meet you both.’
‘You too, see you tomorrow,’ Lucy said.
‘Bye,’ I said, quietly, avoiding his gaze.
Blake gave us a pearly-white smile and walked out. What an absolute piece of work.
Five
Tuesday 30thJuly
I had to stay professional. I was finally working in film, and I wanted it to stay that way. I’d have to apologise to Blake and somehow make it work – even though it was him who’d crossed the line. My career was too important to let a misunderstanding get in the way of being a success. I was already up and at ’em, morning run done and stood outside the studio wearing boyfriend jeans and a slouchy top to divert any unwanted attention. Best to try and blend into the walls. I took great pride in beeping my security pass as the door buzzed open, waving to Tanya, skinny latte in hand and my headphones on. My phone pinged with a photo.
Holly:Morning, Abs! Another Italian sunrise to add to your collection. When are you coming out to see me? It’s been forever ? xxx
I felt a pang of guilt as I read it. Pictures of sunrises and sunsets had been steadily filling my camera roll for the past two years, while I’d promised month after month to go out and taste the coffee and eat the cheese. I just hadn’t managed to get out there yet. I needed to plan it in, even if going would undoubtedly mean losing all control of my routine, which gave me huge anxiety. I liked to know where I was and what I was doing each day. It made me feel safe.
I thought back to the weeks post-Josh where I wouldn’t leave the house for days at a time. It had taken a lot to find the inner strength to build myself back up – on all sides – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. The doctor had looked at me so kindly, as she’d written out a prescription and referred me to a counsellor. Anything to try and help me feel better. I didn’t ever want to be in that fragile place again. I was finally back on my feet, and I wanted to stay there, which meant looking after myself. Being my own champion and protector. Eating healthily, a strict exercise regime and a two-drink maximum on nights out. All of which would be impossible to maintain, while hanging out with Holly in the land of pasta, pizza, and prosecco.
I waved ‘good morning’ at the crew as I walked through the breakfast area, but not one person waved back, just a couple of half-smiles and lots of blank stares. Maybe they all thought I was waving at someone else, but it still stung to be such a complete and utter outsider. I’d taken the warm familiarity of my theatre family for granted and just assumed things would be the same in film. Over-friendly, over-chatty, big smiles all round. That didn’t seem to be the case here so far. Oh well, I’d get to know them all eventually. I’d had six months to make friends atLes Misand we’d been like one big happy family. Maybe I was mis-remembering my first few days there – it had been a while after all. Our door was ajar, and Lucy was already in. Bloody hell! I’d come in nearly two hours early to try and get a jump on her. What time did this girl wake up?
‘Morning!’ I smiled, hanging my bag on the back of the door.
‘Hi,’ Lucy said, quietly, briefly looking up. She was measuring powders and chemicals into a bowl, and there was a vinegary whiff in the air.
‘Can’t wait to get started on them today,’ I said, brightly, trying to lift the energy. Travis had arrived for his patch-test shortly after Blake, so assuming neither actor had ballooned overnight, we were good to go with casting their faces. I pulled out the illustrations of the masks and Blu-Tacked them to the mirror. We had every iteration of the creative, so we could understand the evolution from early sketch to finished artwork and see how the thinking had developed. The moon heads had to fit nice and tight, so both actors’ faces needed to be contoured into the inner silicone.
My phone pinged again, and I went over to check it as someone walked in.
‘Oh. My. God! I’vejust heard what happened! Tell me EVERYTHING!’ a voice said, as I peered around the door. A tall ginger man jumped when he saw me. ‘Hiiiii! I’m Danny,’ he said, holding out his hand to shake. ‘Assistant Producer. Well, one of them.’ He laughed to himself.
‘Hi,’ I said. ‘I’m Abi.’
‘I knowwww! Great to meet you!’ He was very exuberant.
‘Tell you everything about what?’ I asked, looking at him expectantly.
Lucy shifted in her chair.
‘Oh, er, yes, well I was just wondering how it went with Blake and Travis yesterday,’ Danny said, with a skittish smile. ‘What were they like?’ He sat in the make-up chair and crossed his grasshopper legs, using the dressing table to spin himself around.
‘Both gorgeous, of course,’ Lucy said. ‘And friendly. Very friendly.’ She raised her eyebrows and looked at me, pointedly.
‘Have you worked with either of them before?’ Danny asked me, with gleaming eyes.
‘No, this is my first movie. I’m usually with the C-listers in the theatre. Or complete unknowns – I’m hopeless with celebrities.’
‘Oh, I don’t know?’ Lucy chipped in, giving me another loaded look. She was being very weird.
‘It’s hard to see them as normal people to start with, but you’ll get over it. And if all else fails, you know what they say?’ Danny whispered, conspiratorially. ‘Just imagine them naked.’
