‘Becky.’ Alicia comes forward, her footsteps silent in her trendy soft-leather yoga flip-flop things; her face in that composed, serene expression she puts on. ‘Welcome.’

Instantly my hackles rise. She doesn’t get to say welcome. I say welcome.

‘And welcome back.’ I smile sweetly at her. ‘Welcome to you.’

‘This is a challenge we have.’ She looks at me seriously. ‘But I’m sure if we all work together, we can find Tarquin, your father and Bryce before—’ She breaks off. ‘Well. We’re worried that Bryce is … predatory. That’s our concern.’

‘I get it.’ I nod. ‘Well, let’s get back to the Batcave and make a plan. Don’t worry, Suze.’ I give her another squeeze. ‘We’re on the case.’

‘You get in.’ Suze is tapping at her phone. ‘I’ll just be a second.’

I climb into the car, followed by Alicia, and we sit in silence for a moment. Then, just as Alicia is drawing breath to speak, I turn to her.

‘I know you haven’t changed,’ I say in swift, low, furious tones. ‘I know underneath all that sweetness and honey you have some agenda of your own. But just know, if you hurt Suze one tiny bit, I will burn you.’ I’m glaring at her so hard, I think my eyes might pop out. ‘I will burn. You.’

The car door opens and Suze climbs into the front passenger seat. ‘Everything OK?’ she asks breathlessly.

‘Fine!’ I say brightly, and after a moment, Alicia echoes, ‘Fine.’ She looks a bit shell-shocked. Well, good. I don’t care about me, she’s already hurt me enough. But I’m not having her hurt Suze.

Luke gets into the driver’s seat, slams the door and turns to make a comical face at me. ‘Ready, Betty?’

‘Ha ha.’ I make a face back at him. ‘Funny. Let’s head home.’

He starts the engine, and as we move off I look back through the rear window, craning my neck, slightly blinded by the streetlamps. We’re driving away from the TV cameras, the bright lights, the celebrities. We’re driving away from everything I was so excited about. I may never get to walk on a red carpet again, it hits me. That could have been my last chance. Maybe this is farewell to Hollywood.

But I don’t care. I’m heading the right way. And I’ve never felt better in my life.

FROM THE OFFICE OF DIX DONAHUE

To Graham Bloomwood

With greatest appreciation for you and your wonderful daughter Rebecca.

You’re welcome to come to a show and visit me back stage any time.

With very best wishes

Your pal

Dix Donahue

PS: Thank Jeff for this!

PPS: I heard you went missing. Hope you’re back safe and sound by now??

CREDITS

Associate Producers (UK)

Araminta Whitley, Peta Nightingale, Jennifer Hunt, Sophie Hughes

London Unit

Linda Evans, Bill Scott-Kerr, Larry Finlay, Polly Osborn, Claire Evans, Suzanne Riley, Sarah Roscoe and her team, Claire Ward, Kate Samano and Elisabeth Merriman, Jo Williamson, Bradley Rose