Page 109 of A Game of Lies

It was on the second day of filming that Henry began to feel unsettled. He had successfully positioned himself as a good-natured, easygoing guy. Confident yet not alpha-male; supportive of the ladies but not sleazy (Miles was reserving that particular role for Jason, and would be shaping the edits accordingly). Henry almost began to relax. This was going to be the easiest sixty grand he’d ever earned.

‘I’m so scared,’ Aliyah said. They were all searching for Ryan, walking around the enclosure, calling his name.

‘I’m sure the confession pod won’t be as bad as you think.’ Henry knew it would be worse – he’d seen the crates of spiders being shipped in. All different sizes, from furry fat-legged tarantulas to quick-paced gossamer-thin creatures capable of crossing a room in a heartbeat.

‘It’s not just that, it’s not knowing who to trust.’ Aliyah looked at Henry. ‘I can trust you, of course—’

‘Hundred per cent.’

‘—but do you think there’s something creepy about Lucas?’

‘But he’s a vicar,’ Henry said.

‘Exactly.’ Aliyah stopped walking and lowered her voice, even though there were no cameras around. ‘I overheard Roxy telling Owen there was a #MeToo contestant.’

‘A what?’ Henry feigned ignorance to buy himself time. He knew the other six secrets in that box, and none of them related to the #MeToo movement. While he’d been researching the other contestants, had Miles been researching Henry?

‘You know, like a predator.’

What had Miles found out? Henry wasn’t sure what to do. If he dismissed Aliyah’s concerns, would that throw her off the scent or make her more suspicious?

‘Now that you mention it,’ he said, deciding it was safer to throw someone else under a bus then risk falling himself, ‘Lucas does have that look about him.’ He turned concerned eyes on Aliyah. ‘Be careful around him, won’t you?’

She nodded, then threw her arms around Henry. ‘Thanks for the chat. You’re one of the good ones, you know?’

The following day, after the live segment had finished, Henry went to speak to Owen, who was packing away his camera.

‘Is he okay?’ Henry gestured towards a furious Jason, who was being escorted out of camp by Dario.

‘I can’t talk to you once we’ve finished shooting,’ Owen said immediately. ‘You know the rules.’

‘I’m just concerned, that’s—’

‘Look, mate, Miles has clearly stated you’re to have no communication from the outside world.’ Owen heaved his bag on to his shoulder. ‘And I don’t blame him. I wouldn’t want to lose five million quid either.’

‘Five million quid?’ Henry followed him.

‘In sponsorship.’ Owen flapped his arms as though Henry were a cat. ‘Scram – you can get binned if you want, but I’m not risking my job by fraternising with contestants.’

Henry stared after him. Miles had never mentioned a five-million-pound sponsorship deal. The show was being filmed on a budget –the concept will carry it, had been the arrogant declaration – and although Miles had told Henry he’d secured financial backing, he’d given him the impression the numbers barely added up. ‘It’ll just about keep the wolf from the door,’ he had said. Five million? That was one hungry wolf.

Meanwhile, Henry was the one risking his reputation for a measly sixty grand.

On day four of filming, Henry waited by the perimeter fence. He knew Miles’s running route – had joined him for a couple of runs while they were working together – and he knew how the producer liked to adhere to a regime. Sure enough, at ten-fifteen, Henry saw a flash of fluorescent.

‘Miles!’

The producer slowed his pace. He glanced at Henry and did a double-take, looking around before cautiously approaching the fence. ‘What are you doing? We can’t be seen together.’

‘Why does Roxy think there’s a #MeToo predator on the show?’ Henry was wasting no time.

Miles blinked. ‘I don’t know.’

‘Look into my eyes and tell me you’re not going to fuck me over.’

‘What are you talking about? We’re a team.’

‘The sort of team that shares the five million you’re getting in sponsorship?’

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