Sandra feigned surprise at her egregious queue jump. She then pulled a box of Krispy Kreme donuts from her bag and presented them to Gabe as she glided into the room. A bribe??? fumed Simi as two actresses upped and left. Surely Antonia wouldn’t fall for such a shallow ruse?

‘Krispy Kremes? Love that!’ gushed Antonia as the door slammed shut.

An hour later, after Simi had listened to the murmured voices of Sandra and Antonia chatting about everything from climate change to the latest series of Doctor Who, the door opened and Sandra breezed out. She blew Antonia a kiss then gave Simi a supportive thumbs-up and left. Simi threw a thumbs-up back. Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeetch, she seethed as the door bumped closed behind her. She quickly rubbed her crystal.

How was she going to follow that? She didn’t have any sugary treats with which to bribe Antonia. Maybe she could go with the classic Sandy opener – a hug. Disarm with charm. Gabe beckoned Simi in and she launched herself at Antonia who was holding a piece of donut in each hand. Simi quickly adjusted, grabbing Antonia’s shoulders.

‘So great to meet you!’ Simi squealed. ‘Strong arms!’

Antonia looked at Simi who was practically nose to nose with her.

‘Pop yourself in front of the camera, dear,’ she said working herself free and neatening her salt-and-pepper up-do which Simi had shaken loose.

‘Gabe will read with you,’ said Antonia as Gabe positioned himself between Antonia and Simi like a human shield.

Simi sat down, her back now damp with sweat.

‘Off you go,’ said Antonia.

Wait, no banter? Simi panicked. She didn’t expect the Graham Norton-style interview Sandra had been privy to but didn’t Antonia want her thoughts on climate change? How would she know Simi wasn’t a grabby weirdo without ‘The Chat’?

Simi leaned in. ‘By the way, new Doctor Who – best choice. A guy at my agency got seen but he couldn’t do a Welsh accent.’

Antonia stared back at her. ‘When you’re ready, dear.’

Simi glanced at Gabe who looked ready to march her out in a headlock if Antonia said the word. She gulped as she reordered her script pages.

‘Ready when you are!’

Simi paced down the street in a vain attempt to shake the embarrassing funk the audition had put her in. She had intended to simply go as far as the nearest burger bar but somehow her feet had carried her out of Soho, through Holborn and towards The City. Another shame shudder rippled through her as she replayed her absurd Doctor Who banter and even stranger response when Antonia had asked if she was, ‘comfortable with scenes of a sexual nature…’

‘The more sexual the better!’ Simi had flailed.