Free Cherringham--Final Cut by Neil Richards

benefits—”
    “George Clooney!”
    “Ha, yes!” said Sarah. “Or this — sitting drinking cocktails with you. It’s not my normal kind of night out in Cherringham …”
    “I’m just a normal guy, you know—”
    “Really? And that’s why half the pub’s staring at you, hmm?”
    He laughed and then she saw him glance across at the crowded bar and shrug: “Are they? It comes with the territory. You get used to it.”
    “You think Zoë will? Get used to it, I mean …?”
    “You have to want it. Enough to pay the price. If you know what I mean. Privacy, a real personal life … out the window.”
    “And you don’t think she does … want it enough?”
    “Hard to tell. And after all these accidents, you have to think — why her?”
    Sarah took a breath.
    About to take a chance here.
    “What if they’re not accidents?” said Sarah.
    “Not sure I get you? You saying …”
    “She’s had a lot of close calls, don’t you think?”
    Karl nodded. “But what if they are? And she’s making them happen?”
    “Wow.” Sarah sat back in shock. “That’s quite an accusation. You certainly say it like it is, don’t you?”
    “I say it like I see it. All that stuff — does seem odd. And why would anyone want to hurt her?”
    “So you think she could be doing this deliberately?”
    “It’s possible. Who knows?” said Karl. “Either way, she’s jeopardising the movie — that’s for sure.”
    “And your career?”
    “ Everyone’s career. A big disaster like this film can dog you for a decade.”
    Sarah looked away. Karl certainly didn’t seem sympathetic at all to Zoë.
    Then, back to those dark eyes … “You think it would be better if she dropped out?”
    “I think she should get on with the movie — or walk. Though with all the scenes in the can, not even sure that’s possible. Probably would have to shut the whole production down.” He took a sip of his drink. “Maybe that’s what should happen …”
    Sarah saw that Karl was deadly serious.
    Behind Karl she spotted Sophie wobbly navigating her way back from the bar, getting more than her fair share of offers for help from the locals: she planted the drinks down on the table and sat.
    And as she did, Karl stood up.
    “Okay. Time I was heading back to my hotel,” he said.
    “Oh Karl honey — the party’s just started!” said Sophie, reaching her hand out to him.
    “No party for me ’til we wrap, sweetie,” he said, kissing Sophie’s hand like an eighteenth-century beau. “Try me then, hmm?”
    He turned to Sarah. “Nice to meet you, Sarah.”
    “You too,” she said.
    Though now she saw him in a different light.
    No kiss on the hand for me, she thought. And she watched him stride to the door and leave.
    *
    “Shame,” said Sophie, looking wistfully at the door as if he might suddenly return. “Hey ho, worth a shot yes?”
    Sarah laughed at that. “Thanks for the drink,” said Sarah, to pull her attention back …
    “No worries. It’s on expenses,” said Sophie, turning back and taking a sip. “So. You said you wanted the inside story. You going to tell me why? And don’t pretend it’s ’coz you love the gossip — I’ve heard all about your new line as a ‘Private Eye’ …”
    “Ha — private eye? That how people talk about me back in Clapham, huh?”
    “Oh you’re famous in the old Mother and Toddler Group you know — the one that got away!”
    “Well — it’s very part time. To be honest — I’m still a web-designer. That’s how the kids see me anyway.”
    “But what’s the case? Come on, I want to know!”
    So Sarah explained how she and Jack were convinced that Zoë’s accidents were more than just accidents.
    “This Jack — sounds dishy … you two are an—”
    “He’s just a friend , Sophie!”
    “Oh, that line — such a giveaway.”
    “In this case — completely true.”
    “Really?”
    “Really.”
    Sarah watched Sophie sigh in exaggerated disappointment.
    “’Spose I’ll have