‘The very one. Moonman number one.’
Gem nodded. ‘Makes sense. Well, it was great to meet you, Blake. I’ll take what you’ve said into consideration.’
Blake zipped his coat up and grabbed his bag, scurrying off like a rat. Gem hadn’t even known who Blake was, so there was no reason for him to be in here, cornering her for a chat.
‘Is everything OK?’ I asked.
‘Yes. How well do you know that guy? He seems like an absolute sleaze.’
‘I worked with him for a couple of days back in London. He’s married but he seems to think he can help himself to whoever he fancies.’
Gem nodded. ‘I’ve met plenty like him over the years. Heads up – he said you tried it on with him while working onMoonmenand that was the reason your contract was terminated.’
I stopped and stared at her, trying to make sense of what she’d said, as my blood started to bubble with rage. Blake’s disgusting lies, coupled with him secretly speaking to Gem to try and ruin this job for me, as well as theMoonmengig, made me want to chase after him and smother him to death with a silicon mask.
‘What? That isn’t true…’ I stammered, shocked.
‘He claims one of the make-up artists witnessed it, but he agreed not to take it any further as long as you were fired immediately.’
I had to sit down before I fainted. Lucy must have corroborated his story. I thought back to her face when she walked in on him gripping me into his crotch.
‘That’s not what happened!’ I said, horrified at the suggestion. ‘I wouldneverbehave so unprofessionally. My career means everything to me. I’ve put my heart and soul into it my whole life.’
‘Don’t worry – I know a pre-emptive strike when I see one. And I’d already heard about his wandering hands in the wardrobe department, from Benji.’
‘Oh really?’ I was relieved to have some back-up. ‘Yes, now you mention it, I was warned in the coffee queue yesterday, too.’
‘Word gets round pretty quickly when there’s someone to watch.’
‘That’s true. If we don’t look out for each other, who will?’
‘I also remembered why his name rang a bell yesterday. One of my contacts in New York told me he’s getting the big cowboy boot fromOutlawsbecause he can’t keep his hands to himself. It’s one of those open secrets, apparently, and being announced any day now.’
‘It was him who wouldn’t take no for an answer. And that was before I knew he was married. I just can’t believe he’s trying to ruin my reputation like this. In London and now here, with you. I’m mortified.’
‘Some egos just can’t take a no,’ Gem said, kindly. ‘At least now you know what he’s been saying so you can take some control back of the situation.’
‘Too right. And to think he had the audacity to try and apologise yesterday. He even asked me to do his make-up for the wrap party to make it clear to the industry there were no hard feelings.’
‘You should totally take him up on that,’ Gem said, with a wicked smile. ‘Sounds like an excellent opportunity to get your own back.’
‘Do you think? I can’t screw up his make-up and then shout about it on my Instagram! Look at the awful job I did, world.’
‘No, but there are plenty of other things you can do with a little imagination.’ Gem reached for a box on top of the wardrobe and started rifling through it. ‘I think I’ve got some itching powder in here, somewhere. It’s got something in it that delays the itch by an hour, so he won’t be able to prove it was you.’
‘Really?’ I said, my sick feeling subsiding. I wanted to teach him a lesson, without beingtoocruel or knowingly unprofessional, so this could be perfect. ‘How come you’ve got itching powder as part of your kit?’
Gem looked up with a cheeky shrug and we both laughed. ‘As I said, I’ve met plenty like him over the years. I’ve only ever used it once, but I like to have it on me.’ She was opening and closing her many meticulously kept boxes. ‘You only need a very tiny amount, no more than half a teaspoon. And make sure you’re wearing gloves.’
‘I just wouldn’t want you to think… especially you, that I’m…’
‘Here it is!’ she said, pulling out a small, red pouch and handing it over. ‘I won’t open it in case the spores fly into the air.’
‘Bloody hell, is it that powerful?’ I looked closely at the sand-like substance and felt slightly scared.
‘Just use itverysparingly,’ she said, tapping her nose. ‘And let’s have a think about the industry reputation situation as well. He doesn’t get to cancel you just because you rejected him.’
*
