darling, welcome back!’
‘Have I really changed that much?’ asked Claire, extricating herself.
Sally stood back and surveyed her. ‘This is the girl I knew four years ago. You look stunning!’
Claire smiled back at her. ‘I think I’m going to get better, Sal,’ she said evenly.
‘I know you are,’ Sally replied with conviction. ‘You look heaps better already, though admittedly you smell a little funny, sort of mildewy! Nothing that a drop of scent won’t put right.’
Claire giggled. ‘I’ll go and get some.’
Sally stopped her. ‘No, darling, new man, new scent,’ she said firmly.
‘But I haven’t got a new man,’ protested Claire laughingly.
‘Looking like that, you soon will have,’ said Sally. ‘Yep, new job, new man, I’m absolutely convinced of it.’
‘Yes,’ said Claire doubtfully, ‘but I’ve got to get the job first.’
‘And so you shall!’ said her friend with determination. ‘See what I’ve brought you!’ And she rescued the clothes from the floor where they had fallen.
‘But, Sal,’ protested Claire, as Sally held up a superb-looking garment, ‘this is your new Italian suit!’
‘That’s right,’ responded Sally gaily. ‘It’s perfect, isn’t it?’ And she held it up against Claire. ‘This’ll get you the job!’
She had class. Of that there was no doubt. She looked good, was in fact stunning. High cheekbones, slanting grey eyes, dark reddish brown hair and a flawless complexion. Hugh noted it all. The impeccably cut slate-grey suit. The moss agate earrings and matching ring, the dark green of which was picked up in a long narrow silk scarf hung loosely around her neck. The shoes and handbag of matching grey suede. The hair piled on top of her head. Hugh felt a surge of excitement. He had found Sara Harper.
‘Excuse me a moment will you, Ms Jenner?’ He rose from his seat. ‘Oh, would you care to take a look at the script?’ he added. ‘I’m just popping down the corridor.’
‘Thank you, yes, I’d love to.’
He seemed to be in a hurry, Claire thought. As soon as he had gone, she picked up the wodge of type-covered paper that he had placed in front of her. The pages were held together at the top with a single clip. ‘The McMasters. Episode 10’, it said on the front page, followed by a list of the producers, assistants and various other administrative personnel. She flicked through the pages, trying to find her character. She already thought of it as ‘hers’. She had an idea that Hugh was impressed. He had seemed agitated. She noticed that she often had this effect on men. Ah, here it was.
Int. Sara’s office.
A tall blonde woman is perched on the edge of a desk. She is speaking on the telephone. She swings a shapely leg as she talks.
| SARA: | I don’t think I will have any difficulty in obtaining the Rembrandt sketch for you, Contessa. What are you prepared to go to – (She breaks off abruptly as her office door opens quietly.) Who the hell are you? Get out of here! (She glares at the intruder.) |
| PAUL: | Good afternoon. Ms Harper, I presume? |
| SARA: | Who are you and what the hell do you think you are doing in my office? |
| PAUL: | My apologies, Ms Harper. I came to pay my respects. Well no, to be truthful, I came to size up the opposition. (He smiles charmingly.) |
| SARA: | (Unimpressed.) Who let you in? |
| PAUL: | I let myself in. I was hoping you wouldn’t mind. (He gives her the benefit of another dazzling smile.) |
| SARA: | Well, I do mind. Get out! |
| PAUL: | (Taken aback.) I beg your pardon. I had no idea you’d take it so – |
| SARA: | I said get out! (She picks a nearby ledger and flings it at him. He ducks and exits hurriedly.) |
Claire smiled to herself. This was right up her street. She had to have this part. The door opened and Hugh reappeared with another man in tow, older, bald, benign-looking.
‘Ah, Ms Jenner, you’re still here,’ he sounded relieved.
As if I’d think of going anywhere with a part like this hanging in the balance, thought Claire.
‘This is Claire Jenner, Martin,’ said Hugh. ‘Ms Jenner, this is our producer, Martin Roberts.’
‘I’m so pleased to meet you,’ said Claire, rising to shake hands. Martin nodded and smiled shyly, shook her hand vigorously but did not speak. They both seemed uncertain of what to say next.
Then, seeing the script, Hugh had an inspiration. ‘So, what did you think of Episode – er – Ten – is it? Yes, Episode Ten.’
‘I’ve only just glanced at it,’ replied Claire, wondering how on earth he supposed she’d had time to read it in the few minutes it had taken him to fetch Martin.
‘Yes, yes, of course,’ Hugh replied. ‘Did you manage to find our Sara?’ He spoke of the character as though she were a personal friend.
‘Yes, I found her first entrance. I think it’s brilliant.’ Both men looked at her eagerly.
‘Good, good, splendid,’ said Hugh. ‘And how do you feel about her?’
‘I can handle her,’ she replied, fingering the script for a moment, then tossing it across the desk.
‘You can?’ said Hugh. They were both looking at her intently.
‘Oh yes, she’s right up my street. Would you like me to read for you?’
‘Oh no, no, good Lord, no, that won’t be necessary, we know of your reputation.’
Do you? thought Claire in amazement. What reputation? She’d hardly done any television. Then she remembered. Of course, Larry Matthews – he’d obviously said nice things about her Lydia Languish. ‘Oh, I’m so glad,’ she laughed. ‘That’s all right then.’
Martin had still not said a word, but was looking at her as though he wanted to drink her in. Claire didn’t quite know what was expected of her. Hugh finally wound up the meeting.
‘Well, thank you, Ms Jenner, for coming in to see us. We’ll be speaking to your agent this afternoon.’ He held out his hand. Martin followed suit. Claire, relieved that it was over, gathered her things together and took Hugh’s outstretched hand.
‘Thank you for seeing me,’ she said charmingly. And then offered her hand to Martin. She had turned to go when the door burst open to reveal a tall blond good-looking man.
‘Claire Jenner!’ he proclaimed dramatically. ‘What a lovely surprise. Are you leaving us?’
Claire crossed to the door, recognizing Larry Matthews at once. ‘How good to see you again,’ she said and meant it. ‘Yes, I’m just off.’
‘Then allow me to escort you to the lift.’ And he took her arm and steered her out of the room and down the corridor.
‘You look stunning,’ he told her. ‘I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of each other.’
‘I do hope so,’ replied Claire fervently.
He