Page 65 of Hollywood Games
‘If he takes enough of these, he’ll not only believe his own bullshit, he’ll probably think he’s actually turned into a pixie.’
‘Do you think he’s dangerous?’
‘Probably not, but I’m not taking any chances. I’m going to go out and look for him. Wanna come?’
That afternoon Zoeheaded back to Kinloch with Margaret, full of high spirits. The site for the shortbread bakery had been ideal, and Margaret was going to arrange with Donald how to get the equipment and staff they needed to get into production as quickly as possible. Zoe dropped her back at the bakery, then swung the truck towards the post office. That night, the crew were filming wide shots of the exterior battle, where Brad, Valentina, and their team of Native American ninjas were storming the castle. The populace of Kinloch had already set themselves up outside to watch, sitting on camping chairs, armed with blankets and flasks of hot tea.
Zoe hadn’t seen Barbara since the night of the earth meal, or Kirsten since she tried to punch her. She decided to sit the evening out with her Scottish family, instead of watching the show. She pushed open the back door and waved a bottle of Prosecco at Sam who was chatting to Morag.
‘Ah, there you are, love!’ cried Morag, getting up and giving her a hug. ‘Rory rang me to say when you’re ready to go you’ve got to ring him and he’ll come and pick you up.’
‘Is he still worried Brad might make a move?’ she asked incredulously.
Morag chewed her bottom lip. ‘I think he might be more worried about that Vlad character. Just do it for my sake, okay, love?’ Zoe nodded and Morag’s smile returned. She took the bottle from Zoe and opened the fridge door. There were already three other bottles inside. ‘We certainly know how to celebrate, eh?’ she chuckled.
The afternoon and evening passed in a blur of food, alcohol and good cheer. Jamie was out and Fiona was at her house with Duncan and Liam, so Zoe sat back and enjoyed the Sam and Morag show as they worked their way through the Prosecco. The only thing that reminded them of a world outside their happy bubble were the bangs from the pyrotechnics at the castle and the howling of the local dogs. By ten o’clock the noises from the castle had stopped and Zoe was tired. She knew Rory wanted to know when she was leaving so he could pick her up, but she didn’t want to put another job on his to-do list. He already had too much on his plate, as well as the stress of Brad and his mum to deal with. It was only a short walk to the castle and the cold air would sober her up. She left Morag and Sam chatting and slipped out the back door.
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31
The night air burned Zoe’s lungs as she walked through the empty streets towards the castle. Tomorrow was the last full day the film crew would be in Kinloch and she was looking forward to rediscovering what life was like without them. As she walked along the pavement by the castle wall, she cast her mind back to the year before. She’d gone there searching for firewood and instead found the love of her life. So much had happened since that moment. She was about to turn the corner into the back courtyard when her arm was grabbed from behind and twisted viciously behind her back. A smell of stale sweat and alcohol struck her nostrils and a chill ran down her spine as she heard a familiar voice in her ear.
‘I’ve been waiting for you.’
Shock was immediately replaced with anger as she struggled to free herself. ‘Get off! What the fuck are you playing at?’ She hoped by asking him a question she could distract him enough to get them both around the corner, where the film’s security guard would be sitting by the castle’s back door. She wasn’t panicking yet, more annoyed he was touching her.
‘You and that asshole have ruined everything for me. So now I’m going to ruin everything for him,’ Vlad burbled, his wispy beard and foul breath pressed into Zoe’s face.
She stamped down on his foot, jerking her head back and bashing it against his nose. He released her and she ran into the courtyard. He ran, rugby tackling her to the cobbles, knocking the air out of her. The last thing Zoe saw before he rolled her over and put his hands around her throat was that the courtyard was empty.
The security guard had gone.
‘Goodbye, unbeliever!’ gloated Vlad, his hands tightening around her throat as she kicked and struggled beneath him, pulling at his wrists.
Another voice rang out. ‘Your Holiness!’
Vlad looked up.
The voice again: ‘Get off her. She’s mine.’
Vlad scrambled off Zoe and stood. Zoe stumbled to her feet, clutching at her throat and wheezing.
Barbara stood by the back door to the castle, a rifle in her hand, pointed straight at her.
Vlad cackled.
‘Stand to the side, Your Holiness, by the car over there,’ Barbara instructed.
Vlad scampered back, standing to attention by an old Rolls Royce Phantom. ‘Yes, my lady.’
‘Thank you, most obliging,’ replied Barbara, swinging the barrel of the gun towards him, pulling the trigger and shooting him in the middle of the chest. He stared at her in confusion, began to move, then crumpled to the ground.
Barbara walked briskly, opened the boot of the Rolls, threw the rifle in and turned to Zoe. ‘Well, don’t just stand there looking gormless. Help me lift him.’
Zoe didn’t move. ‘You shot him!’
‘Yes, I did. How observant of you. Now come and help before anyone finds us.’
