‘Then why didn’t you tell me?!’

‘Because I knew you’d freak out,’ Meagan carped.

‘I’m not freaking out, it’s just, I haven’t even done… stuff with a girl in real life let alone on set, in front of a crew!’

‘Well maybe you should get some practice, in case you get the job!’ Meagan winked.

‘Meag!’ Simi wailed.

Of course this was no big deal to someone as uninhibited as Meagan but for Simi it was. She wasn’t sure she was ready for scenes of sexual nature – with anyone.

‘Honestly, I don’t know what all the fuss is about. May I remind you, kissing a girl feels just like kissing a boy – just less scratchy. I went lez for my first six months of tech college,’ declared Meagan.

‘It’s not about that—’ Simi protested.

‘And secondly,’ Meagan continued, with a silencing finger, ‘there’s nothing wrong with being a prostitute.’

‘Please don’t tell us that’s what you did with the last six months of college,’ said Jemima.

‘Alright, keep cooking, Ainsley,’ said Meagan. ‘Look, Sim, you’re overthinking it. Once you’re skin-to-skin, it’s like belly buttons. Everyone’s just an innie or an outie. Plus, don’t forget, Jodie Foster played a prostitute and she got an Oscar nom. Big picture, babes. And now you’re back in the saddle, you can audition again. Speaking of which, I’ve snagged you a humdinger of a casting this Friday.’

‘The saddle? My foot’s barely in the stirrup! May I remind you, I am a cuckquean,’ Simi said.

‘See,’ said Meagan, ‘you already sound medieval.’

Simi grimaced. This was typical Meagan, just barrelling ahead. Simi wanted to believe Meagan knew best but she was growing tired of it.

‘Shouldn’t you… check with me first? It feels like stuff just happens without me knowing,’ said Simi.

‘Like when?’ Meagan asked folding her arms.

‘Like when you changed my casting age to 17 and I got called in to play a sixth former. I was 30!’

Jemima stifled a giggle as Simi recalled her abject humiliation.

‘What can I say, black don’t crack!’ said Meagan as though playing the statement to a crowd bigger than just Jemima and Simi.

‘All I’m saying is, shouldn’t this be more of a democracy than… a… a dictatorship?’

Meagan’s mood shifted and right away, Simi wanted to backtrack.

‘I mean, you’re not Pol Pot, It’s just…’ she said, her toes curling up inside her trainers.

‘Paul who? The guy who won Britain’s Got Talent?’ said Meagan. ‘Listen, Sim, I’m grafting my arse off here. The acting game, it’s not like comedy. Everything takes ages so sometimes I cut a couple of corners. That’s how I get the job done but I’m trying my best coz you’re my girl,’ Meagan said pulling Simi in for a bear hug.

Simi’s cheeks warmed and she was instantly disarmed. My girl. Those words meant a lot.

In the marathon to make it to the top, Simi was leagues behind Meagan’s other clients. In fact, she was lucky to still be on her books. The least she could do was stop griping and turn up to a few auditions.