Free Fatal Act by Leigh Russell Page B

making her jittery. Why on earth would anyone be interested in her? It was going to be different when she was famous. Right now, no one even knew who she was.
    A t last the train drew in. She found an end seat. Luckily it was one of the new rolling stock, which ran more smoothly than the bumpy old trains. Taking out a small mirror, she studied her face one last time. Everything had to be perfect today. She looked up as the train passed Wembley Stadium. At night the huge arch looked magical, lit up like the entrance to space. In the daylight it looked like the skeleton of an alien dinosaur. The day was chilly and she shivered as she left the station. She wished she had worn a warmer coat.
    T he audition passed in a whirl of adrenaline and excitement. She remembered her lines, which was always a relief, although it was impossible to tell how she was doing during her short performance. At least they all appeared to be listening. The producer remained aloof throughout, but Bethany was sufficiently experienced not to set any store by that. It could even be an encouraging sign. The casting director she had expected wasn’t there. His replacement was friendly enough, and they all chatted briefly to her while she answered their questions in as relaxed a manner as she could. Yes, she was available for the whole of the run if the production was extended, or went on tour. It went without saying that she was willing to sacrifice anything else in her life for the duration of the show. She was shaking physically by the time she left the building, confident she had managed to keep her nerves hidden. Under the circumstances, she had acquitted herself well.
    R eaching her flat, she thought she glimpsed a figure in a grey hood and sunglasses standing perfectly still between the street lamps on the other side of the road. She felt a flicker of unease before her door slammed shut and she leaned back against the wall, overwhelmed by the enormity of her day. The audition had gone well. That was all that mattered. Now she had to try and put it out of her mind. It might be a few weeks before she heard anything. Normally gregarious, she was relieved her flatmate was out. Lucy was bound to quiz her about the audition, and she didn’t feel like talking. But as she was making a cup of tea her agent rang and forced her to relive the experience.
    ‘W here are you?’
    ‘I’m home.’
    ‘That was quick. They didn’t keep you hanging around then?’
    ‘No, I got there early and they asked me to go straight in.’
    ‘Good. That’s always a good sign if they don’t keep you hanging around.’
    Bethany knew that was bullshit.
    ‘So, how did it go?’
    Bethany sighed. Now it was over, she didn’t want to think about it.
    ‘I don’t know.’
    She gave a brief account of what little she could remember of the audition.
    ‘It went by in a blur, to be honest.’
    ‘That’s the adrenaline. It’s not a bad thing. So, there were no surprises, then?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘That’s good.’
    Bethany scowled at the phone. Dinah’s relentless optimism was wearing.
    W hen she opened her bedroom window for a smoke, she noticed the figure was still there, standing motionless across the road. She turned away quickly, and hurried into the kitchen. It had been a strange day altogether. She was glad it was over and she had come through it without a hitch. Within a week, she might hear she had landed the part of a lifetime. The worst that could happen was that she wouldn’t be cast, and she would have to continue the dreary round of auditions and waiting, auditions and waiting, until her lucky break came.
    ‘I don’t know how you put up with all the rejections,’ her sister had said.
    Bethany had just shrugged.
    ‘I’m an optimist.’
    It was true. She knew the future was going to turn out well for her. With her looks and talent, and her determination, how could she fail?

Chapter 13
    O N M ONDAY MORNING G ERALDINE overslept. She didn’t stop for breakfast but