Page 12 of Hollywood Games
‘Thank god you’re here,’ she whispered. ‘I ran out of things to say twenty minutes ago.’ She gave Zoe a quick once over, took her coat and bag and dumped them unceremoniously on the kitchen table, then shepherded her through into the living room. ‘She’s here, Mr Bauer, here’s our Zoe.’
Zoe walked in to find Brad Bauer standing, filling the room with star power. He was staggeringly good looking. He had short, impossibly black hair, smoky brown eyes, perfectly tanned skin, blindingly white teeth and a smile he knew could send anyone weak at the knees. He was the same height as Zoe so she unconsciously bent a knee and dropped a hip to make herself smaller. He stared at her, as if stunned, then clasped her hand in both of his and squeezed tightly. ‘Zoe, I’m Brad, it’s awesome to finally meet you in person.’
‘I, I thought your Instagram account was fake.’
Brad opened his arms expansively. ‘I’m the real deal, baby!’ He motioned to the chair next to his. ‘Take a seat, Zoe.’
She sat gingerly, noticing two other people sitting on the sofa: a man in his forties with messy brown hair, jeans and Converse trainers, and a young woman with two mobile phones resting on her lap. She was petite and pretty, with long straight blonde hair and flawless skin.
Brad introduced them. ‘Zoe, this is Crystal, my assistant.’
Crystal proffered a limp hand. ‘Oh my gosh, it is so great to meet you,’ she said enthusiastically, the excitement in her voice never reaching her eyes.
‘You too,’ replied Zoe, feeling large, scruffy and awkward.
‘And this is Greg, my location manager.’
‘Nice to meet you, Zoe. Can’t wait to see the cabin,’ he said.
Morag bustled in with a large teapot encased in a tartan tea cosy. ‘Zoe ma love, let me give yoo some tea, lassie!’ Zoe gawped at her, astonished how Morag’s accent had suddenly become broader than the River Clyde. She looked at Fiona, who was hiding a grin behind baby Liam. ‘Brad’s been tellin’ us how he’s proper Scottish,’ Morag continued, pouring a dainty cup for Zoe.
‘It’s true.’ Brad nodded vigorously. ‘I’ve done the research, tracing back my family tree and I’m a bona fide Scot. That’s why I knew I had to make B2; it’s in my blood.’
‘B2?’ Zoe inquired cautiously, aware that she was sat between the least Scottish man she’d ever met, and someone who’d snorted shortbread and swallowed a kilt.
‘Braveheart 2, baby. I’m the writer, producer, director and star. It’s going to be bigger thanTitanic.’
‘Braveheart 2? But didn’t Willie Wallace die at the—’
Morag cut her off. ‘Och, ye cannae kill the spirit of Scotland, Zoe.’
Brad slapped his thigh. ‘That’s right, Morag! Liberty ain’t gonna lie down for no one!’ He turned to Zoe. ‘It’s gonna happen here. Kinloch Castle. Your cabin. And you, my spirit guide. You’re the beating heart of B2. It’s destiny, baby.’ He tapped his chest and pointed to her. ‘You’re in here, Zoe; you’ve shown me the way.’
‘I have?’
‘You. Me. Boom!’ He brought his fists together then splayed the fingers wide, mimicking an explosion.
Zoe didn’t know what to say. He was looking at her expectantly. She needed to buy time to think. ‘Wow!’ she mustered. ‘It sounds incredible!’
Brad slapped his thigh again. ‘Damn straight! We’ll start at the cabin now, then do a tech scout of the castle, and tonight I’ll take you for dinner. Morag says there’s this traditional place in the village with authentic live Scottish music.’ He turned to Crystal, who was already tapping into one of her phones.
‘I’m on it,’ she said, not looking up. ‘I’ll book you in for seven.’
Zoe sneaked a glance at Morag whose head was vibrating up and down. Fiona was standing behind her mum and gave a discreet thumbs-up. Brad stood, followed immediately by Crystal and Greg. He pulled Morag in for a bear hug. ‘Morag, you’ve been a doll, thank you for bringing my Brave to me. I’ll be seeing you very soon.’
‘Brad, it’s been ma pleasure. Och, I’m your biggest fan!’
He gave her a multi-million-dollar smile, then turned to Fiona and Liam, gently pinching Liam’s cheek. Behind his back, Morag frantically gestured at Zoe to get up. ‘Thank you, Shona,’ he said to Fiona, who blushed.
Zoe stood as Brad strode out the back door, followed by Greg and Crystal. Morag and Fiona herded her after them, pushing her coat and bag into her arms. Crystal turned to Zoe. ‘We’re in the black Mercedes parked on the high street. We’ll wait and follow you.’ Crystal looked back at Morag and Fiona. ‘Thank you both so much, it’s been just awesome,’ she said, before running after Brad.
Morag grabbed Liam from Fiona. ‘Go with Zoe, quick quick!’ She pushed them out into the street and they walked off in the opposite direction to Brad, back to pick up Zoe’s truck. As soon as they were out of earshot around the corner, they both dissolved into hysterics.
‘Zoe, you’re my spirit guide!’ Fiona cackled. ‘God I can’t wait to tell Duncan and Jamie!’
Zoe tried to look sternly at her and failed. ‘Thank you so much,Shona.’
‘Oh. My. God. Zoe! What just happened? Brad Bauer! Here! In Mum’s living room!’
