‘Simi, you are about to do the biggest show of your career. Even for the small roles, hack journos will sniff around for gossip like a mutt up a poodle’s arse. As your agent and your friend, I’m telling you, we have to shut this down,’ she ordered, laying on her best Meagan glare.

Simi cleared her throat but said nothing and Meagan seethed. As usual, she would have to take this on by herself – the story of her life. Why did she think today would be different? she bridled as her thoughts spilled into a resentful eddy. But then, she stopped herself, dumbfounded. Her loner mindset was so ingrained she was almost powerless in its face. She reeled at how quickly the anger had surged as though it had a life of its own, possessing its own spiteful intent.

‘Sorry, Simi. Old habits.’ Meagan shuddered.

‘It’s hard, Meag, I know,’ said Simi laying a reassuring hand on her.

Meagan smiled. ‘Look, I can’t force you to join this lawsuit. It’s your call.’

Simi puckered her lips side to side, weighing her decision as Meagan waited, her breath bated.

‘Jemima was out of line,’ Simi began.

‘Exactly.’

‘But it’s a big step. Plus, it’s expensive and she is… sorry, was our best friend,’ Simi continued.

‘I’ll take care of the money and if we win, which we will, she’ll have to pay our expenses anyway,’ said Meagan trying to rein in her frustration.

‘Not that it’s about the money,’ Simi pondered.

Meagan balled her toes inside her shoe, wanting to scream in Simi’s face but she held it in. That was old Meagan. New, sensitive Meagan would give Simi all the time she needed – whilst biting her new, sensitive tongue.

At last, Simi slapped her hands on her thighs. ‘I’m in. I think. Yes, I am. Let’s shut it down.’

‘Yes, mate!’ yelped Meagan, high-fiving Simi.

Strong-arming people had always been Meagan’s go-to tactic. She was stunned to find there were actually other ways to get what you wanted. She would have to try this patience malarkey again sometime.

‘This is the right thing, Simster,’ she said, clocking Simi’s downturned demeanour. ‘It’ll be fine.’

Meagan leaned in for a fist bump.

‘Cool. I think. Yes, cool,’ Simi said, tapping her fist against Meagan’s.

Chapter 46

Simi

Simi waited until she was alone before letting out a giddy squeal. After weeks of bizarre auditions, notes, waiting and uncertainty, she was finally on location. She laughed as she twirled around her huge trailer, arms outstretched, her fingertips not touching a single wall. After a few bounces on her sofa, she inspected her kitchen including a fully stocked fridge, and her bathroom, complete with power shower. This trailer was nicer than her first flat and all this for someone doing just one day of filming. As she soaked up her surroundings, there was a knock at the door. It was Kelly, the production runner.

‘Ready for some breakfast?’

‘Sure. Where do I go?’ Simi asked.