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

says Natalie. “Would it be a good idea to dislodge some of our coffee cups and things? Spray us both with coffee?”

James pauses for a fraction of a second.

“Yes. I think that could work,” he agrees. “We’ll do a few reaction shots without the coffee spill, and then try it with.”

He smiles at Natalie.

I have a sudden wave of uncertainty. The acting part, I can do. But it looks as though actors can also contribute more than I realised.

I decide, slightly miserably, that I’m not sure I’d be brave enough to offer my opinion like Callum and Natalie.

Pull it together, Issy, I tell myself sternly. Concentrate on getting the acting right before you worry about being as good as the mega stars.

“David. Props please!” calls James, and in a moment, David is on set with us. He seems less shy of me this time around and gives me a warm smile.

James explains he wants coffee spray set up, and they discuss equipment and what level of soaking Natalie and I should receive.

“Ok,” says James, once the equipment is arranged. “Issy, I want Grace to be really shocked, horrified. Ok? Really ramp it up.”

I nod.

“You’ve added a really nice character touch by dressing her semi-formal,” adds James. “So when we shoot the coffee spray, let’s see that in full comic effect. Her nice clothes are drenched. She’s disgusted.”

He turns to Natalie.

“Natalie, I want Lisa to be easy-going,” he says. “Laugh, roll your eyes. Lisa has seen the funny side. Grace hasn’t. Let’s really play that contrast. Ok?”

The rest of the day passes in a whirl. We shoot scene after scene, take after take. It’s exhausting, but it’s fun.

Lunch comes and goes with an incredible array of local food. But we barely have time to fill our stomachs before we’re back on set.

Towards early evening, a runner brings us all fresh coffee. And although I’m not a big coffee drinker, I take it gratefully. I’m beat.

For all the hard work though, I am enjoying this. And it feels as though Natalie, Callum and I are bonding.

Lorna and the other extras are only needed for the morning, so for the rest of the day, it’s just us working through our scenes.

When James finally calls an end to filming mid-evening, Callum and I file gratefully off set.

We change into our regular clothes, and I study my inch-thick layer of make-up.

I’ll need an entire bottle of make-up remover, I think, staring at my face. Maybe Natalie has something I can borrow.

I emerge from changing to see Callum.

“Where’s Natalie?” I ask, noticing she’s vanished.

“Probably she’s off to enjoy the Barcelona nightlife on her own terms,” says Callum. He gives a large yawn. “Suits me,” he adds. “I’ve been waiting all day to call my wife. I have a date with my cell phone and a club sandwich on room service.”

He gives me a cute little smile. “How about you, Issy? You got any hot dates planned?”

I smile back. “I don’t know,” I admit. “I think Lorna may have other plans, so I guess I’ll just wait and see.”

James has vanished into some production trailer, and I don’t think it would be appropriate to go after him.

Callum winks at me, knowing full well I’m waiting on James.

“I’m sure there’s something very exciting awaiting you,” he says.

As if on cue, my phone beeps, and I take it out to see the message icon and James’s name. My heart does a little flip as I read the message.

I have to finish up here. Wait for me at the hotel. Won’t be long. xxx

James’s text etiquette is improving marginally, I guess. But it’s still on the curt side.

I shrug at Callum. “I guess I’m coming back to the hotel with you.”

We arrive back at the hotel to find all the crew seem to have disappeared to their rooms, or out into the city.

“It’s been a long day,” I say. “I’ll bet everyone is exhausted.”

“Yeah,” agrees Callum. “But the crew work hard willingly. They all love James.”

“They do?” It’s hard to imagine they could be fond of someone who makes them work such long hours.

“Sure they do,” says Callum. He pauses. “Issy, you fit so well on set, I forget it’s your first time.”

I laugh at this.

“But believe me,” he adds, “you don’t see this level of commitment from the crew on many movies.”

Oh. I didn’t know that.

“James deserves his loyalty,” adds Callum. “You see how he is with the crew? James knows everyone by name. Most directors just shout for ‘props’ or ‘hair’, but James calls for Scarlett or David. People like that.”

I hadn’t noticed, but now Callum says it, I guess it makes sense.

“I guess that’s good,” I say.

“It’s very good.” Callum nods decidedly. “It’s going to be a great movie. For all of us. Now. I’d better go call my wife and get my beauty sleep.”

Callum kisses my cheek and heads off across the lobby.

“Give your wife my love,” I say as he drifts into the elevator.

“Thanks,” he replies with a tired smile.

The elevator doors slide closed, and I find myself suddenly at a loss.

I glance at my phone, wondering if I should call James. And then I hear a familiar voice.

“Well, well, well. I didn’t know you were such good friends with the A List, Issy.”

I turn in surprise.

It’s Ben Gracey.

Chapter 21

“Hi, Ben.” My words come out weakly as I turn to face him.

He looks me up and down, his eyes open wide.

“Good God, Issy!” His upper-class accent comes out full pelt. “You look… incredible.”

Ben is looking at me as though he’s trying to devour me through his eyes. I realise I’m still in my full screen make-up and raise a distracted hand to my face.

I don’t like him looking at me like that.

“Did you hear the latest news?” Ben adds, raising his arm. My eyes flick down to see he’s holding a newspaper.

“What news are you referring to, Ben?” I reply tartly.

I feel caught between several conflicting emotions. By