Page 54 of The Cut
‘Seriously?’ Dani turned to face her. ‘Actually, Karine, I think we need to have a little chat.’ Her voice was quivering with the anticipation of confrontation.
‘Really, about what?’ Karine’s voice lightened.
‘Umm … Lily’s sprained ankle and cuts on Nate’s face.’ Dani’s hands went to her hips. ‘OK, look, I don’t know how this filming lark is supposed to be but …’ She was struggling. ‘… frankly, I’m concerned.’ Their eyes met. Dani didn’t blink. ‘They’re just children.’
Karine smiled and tossed her white hair back over her shoulder. ‘Oh, Dani … I totally understand.’ There was an arrogance in her tone. She took a breath. ‘Yes, I admit there is a certain level of danger when we attempt a stunt, and sometimes things happen in the heat of the moment, but I can assure you, I am watching them like a hawk.’ Her eyes flicked to the TV news bulletin. ‘Lily must get a few knocks and bumps in football, no?’ Karine smiled at Dani. ‘She’s a tough cookie.’
Dani swallowed. She didn’t want Nate’s dreams – her dreams – to be shattered.
Karine continued. ‘Like I said before, I don’t want anything fake … this film needs to feel real. I need to believe everything, I209need to feel everything. It has to be visceral. You’ll thank me at the Oscars.’ Karine nudged Dani.
Dani smiled but her voice had an edge to it. ‘All right, well … as long as you’re getting what you need.’
‘Oh, I am.’ Karine glanced at the TV. ‘We are.’ Her eyes returned to Dani. The muted presenters had segued into a piece about paedophiles and AI.
‘What was it you wanted?’ Dani fished out the boiled eggs from the pan.
‘I need to get everything over to the editor this afternoon. Can you please sign the release agreement?’ She pulled an envelope from her coat pocket and slid it along the quartz worktop.
Dani inclined her head and smiled, feeling a sudden sense of empowerment. ‘What exactly is being released? Do I need to read the small print?’
‘It’s a standard waiver for Nate and Lily’s participation. We can’t release the film without it.’ Karine flashed Dani a confident smile. ‘Aren’t you curious, to find out what happens in the end?’
‘No. But I am.’
Karine turned. Ben was standing on the threshold of the back door.
‘I’m fascinated to find out.’ His face was flushed and he gripped his jaw. ‘You seem to be having a wild time with my family, Karine.’
Dani had never seen Ben like this. He had a look on his face like he was about to kill someone.
‘Can I have a word?’ He beckoned Karine out into the garden with a nod. ‘In private.’
Ben was waiting by the edge of the river, as far away from the house as he could possibly get, hidden from sight behind the stack of fallen branches in the burn pile. Come autumn, this would all210be ablaze. He heard her feet on the gravel path behind him, but he didn’t turn.
‘Where were you last night?’ Ben thrust his hands deep into his pockets.
Karine stepped close to his side, her shoulder almost touching. ‘Why?’ She nudged him slightly. ‘I didn’t know you cared.’ Ben flicked his head back to the house and pulled away from her.
‘I don’t.’ His tone was flat. ‘But we need to talk.’
She smiled but he cut her dead with his eyes.
‘Oh, OK … well … I went to the cinema with Dani.’ Karine smiled implacably.
‘I dropped into the Red Lion. I’m becoming quite the regular over there these days.’ He squinted at her, enjoying the power he had in this moment. ‘Your tech guy was in the bar … Ed, isn’t it? Yeah, I played a round or two of darts with him and your focus puller, Freddie. Ed and Fred certainly enjoy chewing the fat … so …’
‘So?’
‘So … They told me where you were.’
‘Then why did you ask?’ Karine’s voice hit a register he hadn’t heard before. It was intimate, seductive even.
‘Why did you lie?’ Ben held her gaze, matching her tone.
Karine moved her hair away from her neck, exposing her tantalising white skin, and laughed.
‘Because I … I didn’t want you to know.’ She smiled to herself and turned her face towards the river and the mill.
