of the crew.”
“Then who do you want me to meet now?” I am confused.
“The re is another person who I’ve recently cast,” he says. “I’ve written in a small part for her, and I want you to talk with her first.”
Her ? He’s written in a part for another actress?
“Wait,” I protest. “You’ve written in another female character? Is that normal, once filming has started?”
“Not usually, no,” admits James. “But I had my reasons for this particular choice. I think you’ll understand, when you meet her.”
“Meet who ?” I’m getting annoyed with all the mystery now.
James gives a little cough, as though he’s unsure how I’ll react.
“Madison Ellis,” he says.
Chapter 12
Madison Ellis.
James has cast his ex-wife in the movie.
Okaaay.
I did not see that one coming.
I shake my head, trying to make sense of it all. I like Madison. And I know there was no real romantic involvement between James and her. But I hate the idea that they pretended to be a married couple.
I give a little sigh, and James assesses my face cautiously.
“I cast Madison,” he explains, “so we can manage how our relationship appears to the press. If you want to go public,” he adds, with an uncertain glance at my face.
“I don’t understand,” I grumble, ignoring his last remark. “How could casting Madison possibly help how we appear to the press?”
“You’ll see,” he says. “There’s an art to this. You can’t just stay out of the press. That creates a void, and they’ll only go after you. But if you gi ve them good stories, you get more choice over what they run.”
Hmmmm. I’m not happy about this at all.
“I’ll say one thing for you, James Berkeley,” I mutter. “You’re full of surprises.”
He laughs. “So are you, Isabella Green.”
Madison is sat demurely in the studio restaurant. Her short blonde hair is pulled into a small ponytail, and her face bears only the briefest touches of make-up. She wears plain black jeans, sneakers, and a black shirt, unbuttoned slightly to reveal a small gold necklace.
Her unassuming appearance, combined with her lack of entourage, makes her seem small. Almost timid. It’s very different from the persona she plays on screen. And I feel instantly warm towards her.
I’ve met Madison only once before, and briefly. When she visited my house to explain there was no romantic involvement between her and James.
I’d forgotten how much I liked her. She is the complete opposite of a diva.
“Hi Issy.” She waves her hand. Her nails are cut short and painted in clear gloss. “Good to see you again.”
“Good to see you too,” I blurt, amazed that she’s remembered me, and a little embarrassed at the circumstances of our last meeting.
Madison stands and embraces me, planting a kiss on either cheek. I am momentarily encircled in her clean citrusy perfume. Then she steps back and looks James up and down, smiling broadly.
“I can see Issy is taking good care of you,” she smiles at him. “You’re looking well.”
“Thank you.” James seems distracted, and I wonder if he’s uncertain how I feel about all this.
He should be. It’s one hell of a meeting to spring.
“Listen,” says James, addressing both of us. “I’m sorry this was so last minute.”
My eyes flick to Madison. I didn’t realise it was last minute for her too.
“More like last second,” she says, with feeling. She glances at me to include me in the joke. “James has a bad habit of springing last minute plans on people,” Madison adds.
Don’ t I know it!
“I wanted to make sure you’re both aware of what’s happening,” continues James. “The divorce has been announced. As far as the press are concerned, Madison has a new lover. The final part of the story is that Madison and I are still good friends, and Issy, you are a friend of Madison’s.”
I am?
Madison is smiling shyly at me.
“I hope that part won’t require much acting,” she
“Then who do you want me to meet now?” I am confused.
“The re is another person who I’ve recently cast,” he says. “I’ve written in a small part for her, and I want you to talk with her first.”
Her ? He’s written in a part for another actress?
“Wait,” I protest. “You’ve written in another female character? Is that normal, once filming has started?”
“Not usually, no,” admits James. “But I had my reasons for this particular choice. I think you’ll understand, when you meet her.”
“Meet who ?” I’m getting annoyed with all the mystery now.
James gives a little cough, as though he’s unsure how I’ll react.
“Madison Ellis,” he says.
Chapter 12
Madison Ellis.
James has cast his ex-wife in the movie.
Okaaay.
I did not see that one coming.
I shake my head, trying to make sense of it all. I like Madison. And I know there was no real romantic involvement between James and her. But I hate the idea that they pretended to be a married couple.
I give a little sigh, and James assesses my face cautiously.
“I cast Madison,” he explains, “so we can manage how our relationship appears to the press. If you want to go public,” he adds, with an uncertain glance at my face.
“I don’t understand,” I grumble, ignoring his last remark. “How could casting Madison possibly help how we appear to the press?”
“You’ll see,” he says. “There’s an art to this. You can’t just stay out of the press. That creates a void, and they’ll only go after you. But if you gi ve them good stories, you get more choice over what they run.”
Hmmmm. I’m not happy about this at all.
“I’ll say one thing for you, James Berkeley,” I mutter. “You’re full of surprises.”
He laughs. “So are you, Isabella Green.”
Madison is sat demurely in the studio restaurant. Her short blonde hair is pulled into a small ponytail, and her face bears only the briefest touches of make-up. She wears plain black jeans, sneakers, and a black shirt, unbuttoned slightly to reveal a small gold necklace.
Her unassuming appearance, combined with her lack of entourage, makes her seem small. Almost timid. It’s very different from the persona she plays on screen. And I feel instantly warm towards her.
I’ve met Madison only once before, and briefly. When she visited my house to explain there was no romantic involvement between her and James.
I’d forgotten how much I liked her. She is the complete opposite of a diva.
“Hi Issy.” She waves her hand. Her nails are cut short and painted in clear gloss. “Good to see you again.”
“Good to see you too,” I blurt, amazed that she’s remembered me, and a little embarrassed at the circumstances of our last meeting.
Madison stands and embraces me, planting a kiss on either cheek. I am momentarily encircled in her clean citrusy perfume. Then she steps back and looks James up and down, smiling broadly.
“I can see Issy is taking good care of you,” she smiles at him. “You’re looking well.”
“Thank you.” James seems distracted, and I wonder if he’s uncertain how I feel about all this.
He should be. It’s one hell of a meeting to spring.
“Listen,” says James, addressing both of us. “I’m sorry this was so last minute.”
My eyes flick to Madison. I didn’t realise it was last minute for her too.
“More like last second,” she says, with feeling. She glances at me to include me in the joke. “James has a bad habit of springing last minute plans on people,” Madison adds.
Don’ t I know it!
“I wanted to make sure you’re both aware of what’s happening,” continues James. “The divorce has been announced. As far as the press are concerned, Madison has a new lover. The final part of the story is that Madison and I are still good friends, and Issy, you are a friend of Madison’s.”
I am?
Madison is smiling shyly at me.
“I hope that part won’t require much acting,” she
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