Free Unlucky Break by Kate Forster Page A

me,’ said Andie. She knew she sounded naive.
    ‘You did have an intense connection,’ said Jess, still staring at herself on the screen. ‘I could tell from across the deck.’
    ‘I know,’ said Andie. ‘I thought he was different.’
    Cece made a sympathetic face. ‘Some people are good at seeming like they’re one thing and ending up being something else entirely. Or sometimes circumstances change them. I’ve seen it happen before in Hollywood.’ Cece looked down at her plate as she spoke and Andie wondered again about her aunt’s romantic history. It was clear she had some baggage.
    Jess turned the iPad to them, showing them more photos of herself from the night before.
    ‘You look gorgeous, Jess,’ said Cece.
    ‘I know, right? Totes classy.’
    Cece looked up at Andie. ‘What are you doing today, Andie?’
    ‘Nothing in particular,’ said Andie, shrugging. Like every other day, she thought. It struck her how empty her life had become. Her last few months in Melbourne had been filled with looking after her mum – taking her to the hospital, managing her medications, washing, dressing, preparing meals for her. And even after Mum had died there had been so much to do and organise. Now there was nothing to do but think.
    ‘What about you, Jess?’ asked Cece.
    ‘I have an audition this afternoon.’ Jess wrinkled up her nose. She didn’t seem very pleased about it.
    ‘Oh? What’s the film?’ asked Cece, interested.
    ‘Some English drama. I won’t get the part.’ Jess looked depressed.
    ‘Why not?’ asked Andie, frowning.
    ‘Because I look like this,’ sighed Jess, pointing to her face. ‘And English films usually cast people with bad teeth.’
    Andie and Cece both laughed.
    ‘Life must be so hard when you’re gorgeous,’ Andie teased.
    ‘What’s the film about?’ asked Cece.
    ‘Some war. Which war was Hitler in? The first or the sequel?’
    ‘The sequel,’ said Cece and Andie together, grinning.
    ‘Okay, that one,’ said Jess. ‘I’m auditioning for the role of an American nurse in London, up against the odds, you know the type.’
    ‘What are you going to wear?’ asked Cece.
    ‘No idea. Any suggestions?’ asked Jess, and Andie saw the insecurity in her face.
    ‘Want me to help?’ asked Andie. She had no idea what she could really offer, other than ensuring Jess didn’t look like a stripper, but she wanted to at least try to cheer her friend up.
    ‘Would you? I have to be at Frontier studios at 12.30.’ Jess said hopefully.
    ‘Yeah, sure,’ said Andie.
    ‘Perfect,’ said Cece. ‘If you go with Jess to the studio, you could come and meet me for lunch if you like. I can introduce you to a few people on set. I’d like to show off my niece.’
    Andie smiled half-heartedly. She wanted to make an effort for her aunt’s sake, but she was so tired. Tired from last night, from jet lag, and from trying not to think about everything. Her mind felt like it was caving in.
    ‘Let’s go, then,’ said Jess, standing up and kissing Cece on the cheek. ‘Thanks for breakfast.’
    Andie was silent as they walked over to Jess’s house.
    ‘What’s up?’ asked Jess.
    ‘Do you go to Cece’s often?’ she asked as they slipped through a gap in the hedge at the end of the garden.
    ‘Yeah, quite a bit. She’s really lovely and she gives great career advice,’ said Jess as she opened the door to her house.
    ‘You still haven’t unpacked those bags,’ admonished Andie.
    ‘Yeah, yeah. I will one day,’ said Jess as they walked upstairs and into her room. ‘Now. What the hell am I going to wear?’
    Andie sat on the chaise lounge. ‘So, World War II, huh?’
    ‘Yep, the sequel,’ said Jess cheerfully.
    Andie tried not to laugh. ‘They were totally different wars, you know,’ she said. ‘Twenty-odd years apart.’
    ‘Whatevs. A war’s a war – they’re all the same. People die and lose a lot of money. The arguments stay the same. Exactly like me and my parents,’