The Director's Cut by Js Taylor (if you give a mouse a cookie read aloud txt) 📕

“We wait and hope whoever’s doing this messes up.”

By the time we arrive back at the car, I can hardly believe what a carefree couple we were only hours ago.

As he opens the door to let me in, James is brooding and silent, clearly turning over in his head how best to track down the press informant.

I’m still wondering what to make of it all. I’m new to this, so I don’t really know if this is commonplace. But something about James’s reaction suggests this is serious.

Once he sees me safely belted, James pops the gear and races out onto the Barcelona roads.

Whoa. This is fast. Something about James’s driving tells me more about his mood, than his silence.

I throw a nervous glance his way, and he sighs and slows fractionally.

Now that I’m not watching the Spanish streets hurl past at quite the same pace, I have more space to reflect.

I let myself tussle over the mystery of the leak.

Who might it be?

My first thought would always be Natalie. Since she has an addiction to press coverage. But since James says it’s the same person making the leak, it couldn’t possibly be her.

I flick my mind back to our conversation outside the chalet. There’s no way she could have phoned through a leak to the press without me seeing it.

My thoughts turn to Natalie’s personal assistant. Poor, downtrodden Carol. Could she be leaking information?

Carol isn’t as self-obsessed as Natalie. Maybe she drew a different deduction from the truck which filled my chalet with flowers.

I decide it’s an unfair suspicion. I’m only considering Carol because she’s associated with Natalie. I have no more reason to suspect her than anyone else in the crew.

I let out a little huff of air, frustrated with the whole situation.

James glances to me for a second, and then turns back to the road. I resume my thinking.

How horrible, to be betrayed by someone and not know who. It must be worse for James. He’s worked with this crew before, and he obviously trusts them. It would be terrible if one of them has started leaking information.

Then again, there is a lot of money at stake. Maybe the temptation of thousands of pounds is too much, even for an honest person to bear.

James turns to me again.

“Are you nervous about the actor’s meeting?”

“I was,” I admit, “but it seems as though there might be bigger things to worry about.”

James returns his eyes to the road.

“Once we’ve found out who the leak is, we’ll have nothing to worry about,” he says. His tone is unreadable.

“In any case,” he adds. “I have some news about the movie.”

Oh?

“I was hoping to be able to tell you in a more relaxed fashion,” he says, his face serious. “But the latest leak has rather put paid to that.”

“It’s ok, James,” I say, touching his forearm. “Whatever I need to know, just tell me.”

My heart has started to beat slightly faster. I know the scheduled meeting tonight will involve his Berkeley Method. But I don’t know the details. Is he about to tell me it will be worse than I feared?

“I told you I would reveal who the male lead is at the meeting,” he continues. “But I may as well tell you now.”

My heart slows almost instantly.

The mystery male lead. I had all but forgotten about it.

“Who is it?” I’m not as excited as I usually would be, given the circumstances. But I’m still keen to know.

“Until about a week ago, I was still seriously considering Michael Bass,” he says slowly.

Michael Bass. Gorgeous. Screen God. Am I glad it’s not him? It’s hard to know.

“But on measure,” continues James, “I think that would create too many problems with Natalie.”

The other slated male leaps to mind. It must be Shane Peters then. I’ve seen Shane in a couple of movies. He’s known as a bit of a bad boy.

“So you’ve cast Shane?” I conclude.

“No,” says James, still concentrating on the road. He lands his green eyes on mine. “I’ve decided against Shane as well.”

“Who then?” I ask. “Someone unknown?”

“In a manner of speaking.” He takes a deep breath. “It’s me,” he says. “I’ll be playing the male lead.”

“You?”

James plans to act in his own movie?

I have to admit, it’s less of a surprise than I might have imagined.

I think on some subconscious level, I must have suspected this would happen.

The question is, how do I feel about it?

“That sounds like a challenge,” I say carefully. Because I honestly don’t quite know how to take this.

“Yes,” answers James shortly. “But you understand why it’s necessary.” He says it like it’s not a question.

“I do?”

James smiles. “I could hardly watch another man kiss you and retain a professional job to my directing.”

I smile at this.

“Oh James. You can’t possibly be suggesting changing your whole movie because you’d be jealous of a screen kiss.”

“I’m not,” he says quickly. “Well,” he revises, “if I’m totally honest, that was a small part of the decision. But not all of it,” he adds hastily, his eyes on mine again.

Then he faces forward, and his face sets, as though what he plans to say is difficult for him. I wait for a moment, giving him space to speak.

“I started out in acting,” he says, “when I lived in Hong Kong. A long time ago.”

I say nothing, letting him get the words out.

“I went into direction because it gave me more control,” he continues. “And after I developed my method…” he pauses for a moment, “I realised I wasn’t ready to give that level of honesty to my work. So I stayed out of acting.”

“And now?” I ask quietly.

“Now I’m ready,” he says. His voice sounds determined. “Things have changed. I think I can be more open.” His eyes seek out mine. “You’re a big part of the reason.”

His words bring a surge of joy. I’m so proud that I’ve helped him become ready to open up.

But the happy feelings are quickly replaced by