Page 100 of Musical Games
Sam’s laugh was almost a sob. ‘I didn’t think Dad knew who he was.’
‘You’re joking! We all watchElm Tree Lane. Although we’re having an official boycott after your last episode.’ Esther squeezed her hand. ‘We all felt so guilty after what happened with your health. We’ve never forgiven ourselves.’
Sam’s chest started heaving. ‘You were just a child.’
‘No, I wasn’t. I was at medical school. I should have listened to you. I failed you. Weallfailed you.’
A sharp pain knifed her in the chest, prying her ribs apart. She gulped air in, her body shaking. Esther moved to sit next to her, holding her tightly as she sobbed.
All those years thinking her family thought less of her. Had she been wrong? Esther rocked her gently, letting her cry. Sam forgot she was in a restaurant. She forgot she was a semi-famous actress and now an even less-famous musician. She was just a little girl hurting and being comforted by her big sister.
When her tears ran out, Esther handed her a napkin and she wiped her eyes and blew her nose.
‘I must look such a mess.’
Esther brushed a strand of hair off her face and tucked it behind her ear. ‘You’re beautiful. You’re Mum and Dad’s third time lucky.’
Sam’s lower lip quivered and she welled up again.
‘Oh, don’t cry! I’m sorry, don’t cry, Sam. You need to be able to take me to meet Brad Bauer!’
After a quick detourfor a change of clothes and a fresh face, they took a taxi to Brad’s home in the hills. He had several places in LA, but this was the house used most for entertaining. Sam had already been there so knew the layout. It was a large, modernist building, sleek and beautiful, with an infinity pool that overlooked Hollywood. Brad threw parties almost weekly. They were as much for business as pleasure and people always seemed to have conversations with one eye on the person they were talking to and the other looking for better opportunities. Mikey greeted them at the front door and put freshly made leis over their heads.
‘Welcome, Sam, and nice to meet you, Esther. Do you know the royal family?’
Esther’s eyes widened. ‘Do I need to know them?’
Sam laughed and put her arm through her sister’s. ‘He asks all British people that. Come on, I’ll take you through. See you later, Mikey.’
The house was already packed. Waiting staff glided between the glitz like discreet penguins, offering food and drink and taking away used plates and glasses.
Esther clung to Sam. ‘Don’t look now,’ she hissed out of the corner of her mouth. ‘But have you seen who’s over there?’
Sam wasn’t sure who her sister was referring to as they were surrounded by famous actors, all looking smaller and slightly less attractive than they appeared on-screen.
‘You get used to it. Let’s go outside and see if we can find Brad.’
‘Don’t leave me. This is terrifying.’
‘I won’t. Pinkie promise.’
She guided her sister through the house to the landscaped gardens. Colour changing LED lights ran above their heads from the house, above the long pool and were threaded through the trees around the grounds. They both let out a collective sigh.
Brad was standing at the edge of the pool, naked except for a shimmering blue loincloth around his hips. He was wearing a gold crown and holding an enormous trident. In the water they saw the flick of an iridescent mermaid tail as a beautiful woman swam in front of him.
‘Good grief. Is this really happening?’
Sam giggled. ‘Brad is something else. Come on.’
She pulled her sister to where he was standing.
‘Babe! Hold this, will you?’ Brad thrust the trident at Sam. ‘The mermaid’s got the munchies.’
A server carrying a large silver platter materialised at his side and Brad expertly lifted off a piece of sashimi with a pair of chopsticks. He knelt by the side of the pool as the woman swam over with a smile. He dropped the fish into her mouth and she swallowed it, then backflipped and swam underwater to the other end. Brad stood and took back his trident.
‘Isn’t she mermazing?’
‘Brad, I’d like you to meet my sister, Esther. She’s—’
