Page 5 of Under A Sicilian Sky
‘I’m afraid you won’t. Philippe checked in there again. There’s been a graffiti attack overnight. The building manager wants you out of there, at least until the dust settles.’
‘Oh, my word. But my clothes? My belongings?’ Ruby slumped down onto one of the gold tapestry armchairs.
‘It’ll be fine. I’ll get Shelby over there to collect your stuff after her audition. We can have her take it to another location.’
‘Audition?’ Ruby was surprised to hear that the dour-looking girl was auditioning for anything. She could’ve given April fromParks and Recreationa run for her money.
Valerie paused for a moment. ‘Uh, yes.’ She cleared her throat. ‘Everyone’s a budding actor. Look, I’ll book you into the Four Seasons.’
Ruby’s heart sank and took her stomach with it. The thought of needing to have her possessions collected by Valerie’s assistant was just too painful. The fact that she couldn’t simply walk up to the doorman, Cuthbert, and have her usual chat with the elderly gentleman, made her insides knot. He was such a sweet man; somewhat of a grandfather figure to her. Had he heard about these awful comments too? And worse still, had he been caught up in the foray? She presumed he must know now, considering the graffiti and protests. She only hoped he hadn’t been hurt or verbally abused in any way.What he must think of me.
‘Yes, okay,’ she eventually replied, reluctantly. ‘I’ll write her a list.’ She was surprised at how quiet her own voice sounded. ‘I’ll have her collect my mail too. I was waiting on a parcel from home. My mum’s apparently been knitting again.’
‘That’s nice. Now go and relax. Enjoy your time with Tyler.’
Tyler was a former client of Valerie’s but had been snatched up by a bigger agency since he hit the big time. Luckily, Valerie wasn’t one to hold grudges and still took credit for his star status.
‘I will. And, Valerie… thanks for sticking by me. I really do appreciate it.’
‘Pfft. No thanks needed, Ruby, dear. We’ll get through this, you’ll see.’
Ruby ended the call, stood and stared out at the hustle and bustle of the New York street below. People wrapped up against the cold, dashing from work, hot coffee in takeout cups gripped in gloved hands. She wished she was out there too, going about her business without a care in the world, instead of being weighed down by the troubles on her shoulders.
She hated herself in that moment for being so passive. Kitty’s words rattled around her head once more and she grabbed her phone. Valerie expected her to be happy to wait for things to just happen, but that wasn’t Ruby’s style. Perhaps it was time to use some of her own connections, save Valerie more hassle. She dialled the number of someone she knew would lap up the scoop of her first post-apocalypse interview.
‘Ruby Locke? Not a call I was expecting to receive but one I hoped I would. Howareyou, darling? In hiding I presume?’ Veronica Lucas’s voice dripped with syrupy sweetness. She had been the editor at the New York Star for around the same length of time that Ruby had been a well-known actor. Unlike Ruby, Veronica was a spoiled brat who had allegedly had her mind set on Tyler Harrison before Ruby met him. Veronica’s father, media tycoon Archibald Lucas, gave her anything her heart desired, including the editorial role at his top tabloid – nothing like a little nepotism for keeping things in the family. But evenhecouldn’t make Tyler see past the plastic, surgically enhanced exterior of his beloved, spoiled daughter. And even though she wasn’t exactly keen on Ms Lucas personally, Ruby was very much aware that she had great connections and was a sucker for a good, breaking story. In addition, out of the people Ruby knew in the media, Veronica was the best of a very sour bunch.
‘Oh no, Veronica, I’m not in hiding. Far from it,’ Ruby lied. ‘But I did wonder if you fancied a shot at helping me clear my name? Being the first point of contact for anyone wanting news on the stars, I thought I would give you first dibs on my story.’
Veronica scoffed. ‘Clear your name? After the posts you put out on social media? How would that workexactly?’
Ruby sighed and rubbed at her temples. ‘Come on, Veronica. I think you know me well enough to be aware I wouldneversay those things. I was hacked. Valerie has a team working on things just now and the truth will out, but I thought you might like to get my story before anyone else. Of course, if you’re not interested I can always—’
‘Darling, I’m so glad you came to me first. I knew you couldn’t possibly have said those terrible things. You’re more shrinking violet than bigoted exhibitionist.’
Ruby scrunched her brow; was that a veiled compliment? ‘I wouldn’t say I was a shrinking violet… Anyway, we’re digressing; I want people to knowmytruth. I want people to see me for who I am. To know how I feel about the things that were put out there as me, and how this has hurt me as much as the people it appeared to be aimed at.’
‘Well, I can understand that, darling. I mean this could completely ruin your career, your relationship with Tyler, you could loseeverything.’
Ruby clenched her teeth when she thought she noticed a hint of pleasure in Veronica’s voice and she questioned her sanity in contacting her. But she was the person with the most clout, the biggest influence and longest list of contacts. ‘So, do you want the interview or not?’
‘Darling, give me five minutes and I’ll video-call you. We’ll do it properly; I’ll record it and I’ll use my connections to get the interview aired everywhere as soon as possible.’
4
Ruby was jolted awake by the slamming of a door, finding herself shrouded in darkness. For a moment, she was disoriented but quickly remembered where she was, and more importantly,why.
Her video interview with Veronica had been emotional and mentally draining. Ruby had almost believed that Veronica cared abouther, rather than the scoop. Deep down, she hoped she was right and that it did the trick. She just had to wait for Veronica to let her know when the video would go live on TV now, and maybe then things could go back to some kind of normality.
Her neck was stiff from falling asleep, fully clothed, on the small couch by the window. The daylight outside had evaporated, giving way to the bright multicoloured lights of billboards, club signs and traffic.
‘H-hello?’ she called nervously into the space around her.
‘Hey.’ Tyler’s response was terse. ‘I’m going to take a shower.’
She picked up her phone from the coffee table, hit the home button and glanced at the illuminated screen. It had been a daytime event, so why was he back way past midnight? She put the phone down again and stood to walk towards his voice, flicking on the lamps as she made her way through the rooms. ‘Is everything okay? You’re so late.’
He laughed drily. ‘Is everything okay? Hmm… let me think.’ He tapped his chin, sarcasm dripping from his tongue. ‘So… I was at a charity event to promotemymovies and to spread the word about the fundraiser. But guess what?’ He glared at her.
