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Usually, Caleb loved a location stunt. It was freeing and more exciting than the studio stunts that were staged and unnatural. He also loved practising his martials arts fighting, especially with someone as skilled as Sarah, Bianca’s stunt double. But the presence of Hannah’s ex, Patrick, was grating on his nerves – and not only because he’d been such a shitty boyfriend to Hannah. Patrick had arrived on set half-asleep, with an oversized energy drink in one hand and his phone in the other.

Hannah had been shaken by his arrival and still winced whenever she heard his ridiculous TOWIE accent – Caleb could have sworn he emphasised it for attention. Nobody sounded like that much of a stereotype, surely? He wore a guard’s uniform, lots of black and red leather that was slightly too big for him. Caleb dreaded to think of the genuine stunt performer he’d replaced at the last minute, a job he had no right stealing.

At least she wasn’t alone; Zach and Caleb were on set today as the stunt required more than one medic on standby, and she seemed content to chat with her friend and stick to the sidelines. He noticed her eyes drifting over to Patrick occasionally, which made Caleb’s hackles rise – an unusual reaction for him, as he’d never been the possessive or jealous type in the past.

Maybe it was because Partick was a complete and total, A-grade, 100 per cent, no additives or preservatives dickhead? Yep, that’s got to be it.

Caleb moved to Jackson’s side as they waited for the cameras to be unpacked from the carts. ‘Seriously, Jackson, what were you thinking allowing a novice to join the team?’ He gestured towards Patrick for emphasis; the idiot was showing off already, leaping from an earthen bank while one of the bored crew filmed him on Patrick’s phone. He’d even managed to utilise one of the set lights to his advantage.

Jackson shrugged. ‘Bit hypotastical of you, Caleb. Considering you got Hannah her job.’ Caleb’s left eye twitched at Jackson’s made-up word and the mention of Hannah. Jackson smirked confidently as he dropped his last pearl of wisdom. ‘This industry is all about who you know, not what you know.’

Caleb bristled with indignation. ‘There’s no comparison. Hannah is qualified to do her job, and we’re lucky to have her.’ He didn’t mention that Jackson’s failure to plan for enough medics was the only reason Caleb had been able to offer Hannah a job in the first place. He imagined it would only piss Jackson off more, and he was beginning to think that part of the reason he’d partnered with Pat Down Under was because Jackson felt threatened by Caleb’s sudden explosion on social media. ‘Has Patrick ever worked on a film set before, or done anything except pranks?’

‘We’ve all got to start somewhere,’ said Jackson dismissively. ‘I mean, not me – I went to LA’s top stunt school, but not everyone starts that way. You didn’t, right?’

‘Right,’ Caleb said with a frown, wondering for a moment if Jackson was right to remind him of his humble beginnings. He’d followed Baz around like a lost puppy until he’d got the hang of simple stunts. Yes, he’d later got martial arts belts and had done specific training. But Jackson had done an actual qualification in stunt performance. Apparently it was equivalent to two degrees – or at least, that’s what Jackson had told him.

Did Caleb have any right to argue about people’s suitability when he hadn’t a single academic qualification to his name?

Sarah walked over to them. ‘Caleb, do you mind if we practise the section on the bank? I think it’s a little higher than the cushion we used in rehearsals.’

‘Sure thing,’ he replied, shaking off his insecurity to get back to what he was good at.

As they walked to the bank, Sarah leaned towards him and whispered, ‘Who’s the joker?’, gesturing with her chin at Patrick as he shouted into the camera lens of his phone about this ‘exciting opportunity with Jackson Stunts’.

‘A friend of Jackson’s,’ he replied, not even wanting to dignify the man with a name.

Sarah pursed her lips. ‘Well, he’s pissing me off. Keeps asking me to film parts of our sequences with him. I’m beginning to think he’s after your job.’

Caleb laughed, genuinely amused. He might not be any good with the paperwork side of the business, but there was no way Pat Down Under could ever take his job. The guy was one ankle-roll away from breaking his leg and he was leaping around like a concussed kangaroo. ‘I don’t think I need to worry yet.’

‘No,’ she agreed. ‘But someone like that on set? They could cause a major accident,’ she said sourly, and he stopped laughing. Baz had always been generous with young performers like himself. Was that why he was now in a hospital bed? Because of someone like Patrick being over-confident? He vowed there and then to keep a close eye on him.

‘Clear the set!’ snapped Sarah, and Caleb was glad he wouldn’t be the only one keeping a sharp eye on Patrick.

Chuckling like a naughty schoolboy, Patrick – still filming – hurried out of the way.

Sarah and Caleb practised the fighting sequence until they were confident with the minor adjustments they’d had to make. That was part of the fun and challenge of a location shoot – things changed between the production crew’s recce and filming.

The rainforest stunts consisted of one ensemble chase scene with the prince and guards chasing Bianca’s character. There were a couple of tumble falls from the stunt performers as they were each picked off by the assassin’s magical traps, followed by a combat scene between the assassin and the prince, which would lead to the spectacular drop into the river at the end of the week.

Then they’d be moving straight on to the desert location, for the tortured lands stunts. He half-hoped that Parick’s ankle would roll before they got to the bigger stunts.

Unfortunately for Caleb, after filming the chase sequences and stunts, Patrick and his ankles were still going strong – although Caleb might have smiled once or twice when Patrick hit the ground with far more force than he needed to. He might have even suggested a retake of those particular shots as well. After the bullshit he’d put Hannah through, he deserved every bruise.

Lunch was staggered so that filming could continue while the light was good. So, while the stunt performers took their break, the lead actors could do their close-ups. Caleb couldn’t help but grin when Jackson had to swerve Patrick away from talking directly to the talent – the greatest faux pas in movie-making.

As soon as the light was no longer any good, the crew broke for the day and headed back to the ranch or their respective cabins.

‘You seem happy,’ said Hannah as she fell into step beside him. He’d not spoken with her much today, as he’d been so busy rehearsing or filming. But he was surprised she’d thought him happy. He supposed he’d been smiling a lot (especially when Patrick was hitting the ground).

‘We got a lot done today. The ensemble chase will be done by tomorrow,’ he said, and he noticed the way her shoulders sank with relief when she realised the significance.

‘So, Patrick will be gone by the end of tomorrow?’

Caleb nodded. ‘Although it sounds like Jackson has added him to the cast list for the tortured lands shoot.’

‘Ahh, well, I’ll psych myself up for that delight.’