Page 62 of Hollywood Games
Charlie shrugged. ‘Dunno. I could go anywhere. Does Bandit fancy a holiday?’
‘Fuck off,’ replied Rory good naturedly. ‘Get your own dog.’
Rory paid for their purchases and they drove back towards Kinloch. They parked a little way down the road from the cabin, then walked in silence through the woods. They stopped when they were almost at the edge of the treeline, seeing the film crew working in the distance. Starting at the waterline, they set up a perimeter of tripwires, which would detonate flares, bangs, and other hazards designed to scare instead of maim. It was nearly dark by the time they finished. They left the main track free to deal with later, then drove back to the castle.
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That night was Sam and Jamie’s concert in the pub. Although Rory wanted to support Jamie, he told Zoe he couldn’t cope being in the same room as Brad or Kirsten, so drove out to the cabin with Bandit to finish setting the tripwires across the entrance and down the track. Zoe still hadn’t seen Kirsten or Brad since his dunking and felt sick at the idea of speaking to either of them, but was determined to support her best friend.
When she entered the pub early with them to help set up, Clive took her to one side. ‘Can I have a quick word?’ He looked harried. Zoe nodded and they walked to a quiet corner.
‘What’s up? Is everything okay?’ she asked.
‘Do you know where I can find Rory?’
‘He’s out at the cabin at the moment. We had an issue with the press this morning so he’s keeping guard in case they come back.’
Clive nodded, seeming distracted.
Zoe tilted her head. ‘Is there anything I can help with?’
‘It’s a personal issue. It’s about that Vlad character.’
‘Rory told me he tried to buy drugs in here,’ said Zoe, hoping this was the only issue Clive had with him.
Clive shook his head. ‘It’s worse than that. It’s to do with our Kayleigh.’
‘She hasn’t gone off with him, has she?’ she asked, her voice rising with panic.
‘No, she’s in her room. I just need to know where that bastard is.’
‘The moment I see Rory I’ll tell him.’ She touched his arm. ‘We’ll sort this, I promise.’
‘Thank you. You know, I imagined all sorts of things going wrong when the film crew arrived, but I never imagined this.’
Zoe gave him a wry smile. ‘I know how you feel. Two more days, Clive, then they’ll be gone.’
He nodded. ‘Can’t come soon enough, love. I think we all need a holiday after this.’
Zoe went back into the restaurant and helped Morag and Fiona arrange chairs. The gig was meant to start at eight, but by seven the pub was full and Jamie looked as sick as a dog. Morag had a brave face on, but Zoe could tell she was worried. Fiona stuck to him like glue in case he tried to bolt. At half seven, Brad arrived with his entourage and announced the drinks were on him for the night. Zoe hid in the far corner of the restaurant, relying on Fiona to bring her a drink and news from the main bar. She came through with a glass of red wine, passed it to Zoe and sat down.
‘Is Barbara here?’ Zoe asked.
‘No, this isn’t really her scene, although your new bestie Kirsten is flashing her assets at anyone in a kilt, and Valentina’s with a total hottie who’s nearly as big as Rory.’
‘That’s Charlie, one of Rory’s old army friends.’
Fiona fanned herself. ‘He’s almost as gorgeous as my Dunc.’
At seven fifty-five, Brad led the way into the restaurant like a king, sitting right at the front and giving Zoe a wave. The room filled, with people standing around the edges and pushing through from the main bar. Fiona elbowed her way to the front and gave her brother a wastepaper basket lined with one of Liam’s nappy bags. He looked gratefully at her, turned his back to the audience, and promptly threw up in it. When he’d finished, she passed him a glass of water.
Kirsten sat at the front next to Brad, tossing her hair and staring provocatively at Jamie. Zoe met Sam’s eyes and gave her a thumbs-up. Sam grimaced, sharply pinched her arm, then turned to her audience. She sashayed to the microphone and picked it up.
‘Ladies, gentlemen, commoners, and the legend that is Mr Brad Bauer, welcome to this special concert put on tonight for you by myself, Sam, and my right-hand music man Jamie!’ The room broke out into cheers and claps. ‘Jamie and I have been inspired by Brad and his masterpiece to write the music you will hear tonight. Count yourselves lucky that you are the first, the very first, to hear these songs.’
‘And they’re bloody brilliant!’ yelled Morag from the back, already on her second Dubonnet and Coke. There was a big laugh from the audience. Sam was on fire, whipping everyone up and getting them onside, whilst Jamie looked like someone put his fire out a long time ago with a bucket of cold water.
