Tension is alleged to be high with bad blood between all the stars on set, with Duke working under the man who stole his girlfriend, the ex who spurned him, and now the author he just can’t seem to get along with.

Evie Bird is no stranger to explosive sets herself, raised in Hollywood by esteemed writer-director and now estranged father Donald Gilbert. Gilbert was fired as head writer on his TV show Let’s All Just Get Along after allegations of unprofessional behaviour.

The argument comes as another blow for the film, a UK production in collaboration with Starry Night Studios, as gossip from set continues to eclipse production. The nature of this argument is unknown.

Bestseller Evie has an average 4.2-star rating on review sites, for novels that feature themes such as palliative care, teenage abortion, extramarital affairs and chance meetings that lead to love.

On the Romantic Road was optioned for film after the book went viral online, and is slated for festive release next year.

‘Right.’ Duke nods, his nostrils flaring. ‘Well, I come across as a total bloody idiot, don’t I?’

He looks to Evie for moral support, since they’re in this together, but if his nostrils are flaring Evie’s are positively tunnel-like. She’s gone bright red.

‘Duke, you get stuff like this written about you all the time. I am in sixteen pictures! Why does anyone need sixteen freakin’ pictures of me calling you a … a …’

Duke looks at her.

‘A what?’ he asks, genuinely curious.

‘That’s my face, all over the internet! And what’s all this about my average star rating for my books, too? Four point two is good. They say it like I’m publishing blank pages that still manage to disappoint. A four point two is incredible.’

‘I agree.’ He nods. ‘A four point two is like … eighty-four per cent on Rotten Tomatoes? In fact, you’d be certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes for an eighty-four per cent. Not that I’m surprised.’

She blinks ‘Thanks,’ she says, and he can’t read her tone.

‘Also,’ he adds, because he can’t help himself. ‘I didn’t know you were Donald Gilbert’s daughter.’

‘I’m not.’ She rolls her eyes. ‘They got that bit wrong. Duke, what are we going to do about this? No. Wait.’ She seems to reconsider what she’s asking. ‘This is your fault. What are you going to do about this?’

‘Nothing?’ he offers, and her face darkens. Duke shakes his head. ‘Evie, this is showbiz. The papers write things, and, like you’ve just pointed out, most of it is made up.’

‘But this wasn’t made up. We had a fight and somebody here caught it on camera. And who are all of these “sources”?’