Page 13 of Hollywood Games
‘I don’t know! What have I agreed to? I don’t know what the hell’s going on.’
‘If he wants to film at the cabin, you’d better charge him megabucks.’
Zoe’s mind whirled into action. She had to play this right. If Brad Bauer did film in Kinloch, the castle would be saved. Not only by the location fees, but the increase in tourism. She had to keep him onside.
Fiona was still laughing. ‘Poor Mum, I don’t think she’ll ever recover. I half expected her to bring out a pair of bagpipes.’
‘I can’t believe she didn’t say “och aye the noo”.’
‘Oh, she did! And she called him laddie! It’s a miracle he understood a word.’
Zoe let out a snort, and they ran back up the street to the castle, like ten-year-olds again, running wild. When Zoe was inside the truck she ran the window down. ‘Are you sure I can’t give you a lift back?’
Fiona leant her arms on the door frame. ‘Nah, I’ll walk. I need to shake off the adrenaline. Just keep the big fish on the line for us. This could be the most amazing thing for you, and Kinloch.’
‘I’ll do my best.’ Zoe leaned out of the window and gave Fiona a squeeze. ‘Fiona Mary Sinclair, I am so glad you are back in my life.’
Fiona hugged her tightly back. ‘And me you.’ Fiona slapped the side of the truck. ‘Now go sell him his Scottish dream!’
Zoe grinned at her and drove out of the courtyard.
It wasn’tdifficult to spot where Brad was parked.
A massive Mercedes was surrounded by people. Word had spread that he was in Kinloch. Zoe stopped alongside. The driver’s window eased silently down to reveal a burly man in a chauffeur’s cap. He looked more bodyguard than driver and had a thick Essex accent.
‘Hi, I’m Barry. I’ll follow you, love.’
He beeped the horn and the crowds jumped back. Zoe pulled in front and the car slowly moved away from the kerb, Brad hanging out, still scrawling autographs.
The drive to the cabin wasn’t long, no more than ten minutes, but Zoe drove slowly, running ideas and scenarios through her head. She knew if the film actually went ahead it wouldn’t be filmed entirely in Kinloch; it wasn’t possible. A film that size needed a studio, and open spaces which were easily accessible. She’d watched enough behind-the-scenes documentaries to see how much went on behind the camera. Still, even if he just took a few shots of the exterior of the castle it would be enough to keep selling it to tourists for years. It would be the kick-start Rory needed to turn everything around. She needed to send him a message as soon as possible to let him know the amazing news.
When she reached the beginning of the track, she stopped the truck and got out to chat to Brad. ‘It’s pretty rough from here, especially with the snow, so I recommend you leave the car and walk. It’s only a couple of minutes.’
‘Okay, Zoe, right behind you.’
She got back in her truck and drove as quickly as she could down the track to the cabin. She had a couple of minutes to make the bed, hide her dirty clothes and tidy up. She did the best she could then ran out towards the track, seeing Brad emerge around the corner, Crystal and Greg behind him.
Brad stopped, his arms spread wide. He bent at the knees, formed a frame with his index fingers and thumbs, and walked slowly across the snowy ground, his arms extended. He didn’t seem to notice Zoe and she wasn’t sure whether to get out of his way, but it appeared she was an integral part of the picture. He was looking at the cabin behind her. He took her arm, repositioned her in front, and tilted her chin. He stepped back and held an arm out, his gaze never leaving Zoe. Crystal hefted an enormous camera into his outstretched hand and put the strap around his head. He lifted it and started snapping photos from all angles.
Zoe held still, unsure what he was doing, feeling a pang of empathy for Rory after she had subjected him to the same treatment. Crystal stood next to him, one of her phones held up as Brad muttered notes to himself into it. Greg was standing back, also taking photos.
Brad turned his attention back to Zoe. ‘Okay, walk slowly down to the loch. Yeah, that’s right, baby.’ Zoe complied awkwardly, and he ran around, snapping away, Crystal following behind him so as not to get in any shot. When they got to the shoreline she anticipated what he might be wanting, and stared out across the water.
‘Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about! This is it! Now, stay where you are. I want you to look back at the cabin. You’ve lost your castle, you think your husband is dead, and you’re hiding out here as a peasant.’
Zoe’s mind dragged her back to her ten-year-old self, remembering standing in the same place having lost her childhood home and her mum being seriously ill with cancer. Painful memories flooded through her. Brad sounded like he was close to orgasming, every picture taken being punctuated by a ‘yeah’ or a ‘yeah, baby!’
‘Okay, now, stay right there. In the distance, you see a figure. He comes closer and you see a miracle has happened. It’s the love of your life. Your husband is alive, and he’s come back to you.’
Zoe’s mind went immediately to Rory. She saw him walking down to the water, dressed in a kilt, overcoat and long boots, his wolf eyes on hers. She felt the connection between them, the history, the love. Even though she had only known him a few months, her heart tugged to something ancient, as if they had loved each other through many lives. No other man could ever compare. He had changed her completely, fundamentally. He had woken a part of her soul she never knew she had, and her heart was now his. She imagined him stepping up to her—
‘FUCK!’ yelled Brad, excitedly. ‘This! Is! What! I’m! Talking! About!’
He spun around in a circle, holding the camera above his head as if already addressing the crowds for his Oscar acceptance speech.
Even Crystal was moved. ‘Oh my gosh, Zoe, this is going to be like, so awesome!’
Brad turned to look at her. ‘I knew it, Zoe. I knew it in my gut.’ He thumped himself hard in the stomach. ‘It never lets me down.’ As if reading his mind, Crystal passed him a phone.
