Page 84

But Caleb was wrong about one thing at least. It wasn’t that she was ignoring the bad and pretending she had a perfect life. If anything, she’d seen too much misery, and that’s why she’d wanted to only include the positives, to shine a light on the things that made her happy. But perhaps that had caused a bigger problem? Because her curated life didn’t reflect reality, and she didn’t want that either. She didn’t want to be one of those influencers that posted about extravagant milkshakes only to throw them in the bin.

So, she was determined from now on to use her influencer platform to debunk bullshit. To be honest and happy.

At least today was the last major stunt performance – the destruction of the temple – so the chances of seeing him were dwindling daily. Which was probably for the best.

Franco wanted to film the entirety of the temple’s destruction, so the set had to be cleared for safety reasons. But Hannah still had some time during the lunch break to take some pictures of all the behind-the-scenes pyrotechnics.

‘Thanks for letting me do this, Jerry,’ she said, as Jerry limped around the many wires and packs of explosives, double checking them as he went.

‘No problem, it’s nice to have someone with a genuine interest. Had that Patrick in earlier too – but I could tell he’s more interested in seeing it blow up than how it actually works.’

Jerry had talked through the whole process of the controlled explosions and burns. A combination of air-rams, small explosives, and quick burn torches that would ignite the flammable set.

‘Franco wants to record the entire destruction. From the breakdown of the entrance to the roof collapse.’

‘Won’t that be a lot of footage?’

‘About ten minutes – we’ve timed it to go up quick.’ Jerry grinned, and she saw that mad twinkle in his eye, proving he genuinely loved to torch stuff. ‘Saying that,’ he added with a wince, leaning his leg up on one of the many beams as if it pained him, ‘what Franco uses in the end will probably be minimal. But pyrotechnics are always a little unpredictable, so it makes sense to film it all. We’re only to go in with the extinguishers if it goes past the safety zone.’

‘Interesting,’ said Hannah. She had to admit she enjoyed working at the studios, and regardless of her troubles with Caleb, she was keen to work here again. Curious, she pointed to Jerry’s leg. ‘Everything okay?’

Jerry lifted his cargo trouser to reveal a prosthetic. ‘Phantom pain.’

Her jaw dropped and Jerry grinned. ‘Before you ask, car accident. I didn’t blow it off – in case Zach tries to tell you otherwise.’

She blushed at her previous terrible assumptions and the fact that Jerry had heard about it somehow – probably from Zach himself, as he was friends with everyone. ‘Are you being treated for it?’

They chatted about his treatment plan for a few minutes before she insisted he go and have a rest. ‘I want to make a video explaining it in my own words, and then I’ll get out.’

‘See that you do,’ said Jerry. ‘And be careful of the cables. That Patrick nearly fell arse over dick in here earlier!’

Hannah smiled and waved him off. ‘Thanks, Jerry.’

She was about to film her video when a notification came up on her phone from Zach.

HELP! Bianca’s yelling at Emma in her trailer. What should I do?

Hannah knew the pyrotechnics would make a good post for social media and that she wouldn’t have another chance to film it, but some things were more important, and this was one of them.

Hannah texted back. On my way! She tripped on a cable in her haste to get out, and a few boxes tumbled down.

She glanced back but didn’t think she’d knocked any of the wires, and all the important bits Jerry had pointed out seemed fine. The boxes’ only purpose was to add flammable fuel anyway, according to Jerry, so the fact they’d moved a little wouldn’t be the end of the world. Plus, she could mention it to Jerry before filming. Emma was more of a priority right now.

A short time later, she was at Bianca’s trailer. Zach was pacing frantically outside. ‘Thank God! She sounds like she’s going to kill her! But Emma told me not to come in.’

Hannah could hear Bianca yelling from inside. ‘Who the fuck are you to interfere in our relationship? You’re his assistant! A nobody! I say who I date and for how long! And you, Katie! You’re meant to be on my side! How dare you!’

There was the sound of something thudding against the wall of the trailer, followed by an indecipherable screech from within.

Bianca’s assistant, Katie, flew out of the trailer crying and stumbled down the metal steps. ‘Fuck this!’ she screamed at no one in particular. ‘I’m done! I’m so fucking done! This job is trying to kill me!’

Zach and Hannah watched her run past them and down the road. She wasn’t even wearing shoes because of Bianca’s ‘no shoes in the trailer’ policy. Katie hopped in pain on the hot tarmac, but she didn’t slow down or pause in her swearing or her escape.

There was another screech from inside, followed by the sound of smashing glass. Hannah strode up the trailer steps and went inside.

Emma was stood with her tablet held in front of her like a shield. A smashed champagne bottle was on the floor, and foam had sprayed all over the walls and Emma. Bianca was grabbing anything that moved and throwing it around in a fit of anger. A plate of canteen food was the next projectile she’d picked up.

‘Put that down! Right now!’ shouted Hannah with an absolute authority she did not feel in the slightest. She’d used this voice for years on difficult patients, and it shocked Bianca enough for her to pause and lower her plate.