‘Got it? Good!’ said Meagan hanging up before he could respond.

The inferno abated, she breezily sipped her cocktail, ‘So, what do you think of this place?’

Simi gave Jemima a bewildered look. Just like that, Meagan’s fury had calmed to warm embers.

‘Love it, really great. Wicked!’ she and Jemima chimed.

‘And you know what else is wicked?’ Meagan said. ‘You got availability-checked by Antonia De Silva today.’

Simi stopped rocking her horse. An availability-check was by no means an offer, merely an enquiry but it meant Antonia was still interested in her for the role of Dorothea. Since her fateful audition Simi had done some well-overdue research and discovered that the books Clash of the Crown had been adapted from had a huge following. The cast that had been announced so far were amazing and the blogosphere was already abuzz with show gossip. But as quickly as Simi’s excitement rose, it plummeted.

‘What about these scenes of a sexual nature?’ Simi mouthed.

‘Oh don’t be starting on this lesbian thing again,’ Meagan interrupted. ‘So you have to get your kit off. It’s awks but you could end up in three episodes!’

Meagan crossly pulled her horse back and began rocking so hard it looked as though she might flip over the front of it. Simi withered as she watched Meagan rock back and forth like a demented cowgirl.

‘You don’t have to go down on Cameron. It’s pretend. You know, acting,’ sulked Meagan.

Simi slid off her horse and slowed Meagan’s to a gentle canter.

‘I am grateful, Meag, you know I am.’

Simi sometimes wondered, of the two of them, who found it hardest to balance their friendship/work relationship. If this was any of her other clients, Meagan would have verbally pummelled them into submission. It was probably taking all Meagan’s will to keep that rage inside.

‘I’m just trying to give you what you want,’ said Meagan glaring down at Simi from her horse.

Jemima dismounted her steed too. ‘You’ve done your bit. The rest is up to Simi now, isn’t it?’

Meagan shifted her glare to Jemima.

‘It’s just, you’re so capable. Not everyone’s like you. You expect a lot,’ Jemima ventured.

Simi looked at her. Jemima was on rocky terrain. No one schooled Meagan.

‘Perhaps you need to be like an insurance company. You know, have some accident forgiveness. People make mistakes… In some ways, I wonder if your high standards played a part in what happened with Parker?’ Jemima said, her face tilted with innocent curiosity.

Simi whipped round to face her. What on EARTH was she doing and why was she bringing up Parker? It was like she’d seen a Don’t Poke the Bear sign and then shoved a broom into the cage. What did he have to do with anything? Simi watched as Meagan’s top lip curled. Jemima deserved whatever inferno was heading her way.

‘Loo,’ Simi said making a dash for it.

‘Oh no you don’t,’ said Meagan yanking her back.