Devoted: The Blackwell Lessons Part 6

'No. I think she asked for you because she's seen Beauty and the Beast. And much as it pains me to admit it, you and Leo work well together. You have good chemistry. She's looking for you as a pair, am I right?'

'Yes.'

'Would you like me to call Nadia explain that you might be pregnant?'

'She doesn't even know I've agreed to the screen test yet.'

'Then I can tell her.'

I feel myself grinning again. 'I like you being supportive. It works much better than you telling me how to live my life. Don't you think?'

'I think there's still plenty of scope for telling you how to live your life. But on this occasion I realise the wisdom of letting you make your own choices. And for the record, if you want me to be supportive in future just mention your mother. And I'll be putty in your hands.'

I put my arms around his neck. 'I'll have to remember that.'

'Now Mrs Blackwell,' Marc whispers. 'Where to? Back to the townhouse or home to the farm?'

'I'm liking being in London right now,' I say. 'Maybe we could stay at the townhouse for a few days. And if I'm doing a screen test, I guess I need to be in the city.'

'Okay. Let me call Nadia.'

'Wait.' I feel nerves dance around my stomach. 'Marc, what if I am pregnant? And she says she doesn't want to test a pregnant actress?'

Marc frowns. 'That's a chance you'll have to take. You have to be honest with Nadia. If you're pregnant, it will make a big difference to how they shoot the movie. Timings and so on.'

'Yes but-'

'Look, I'm calling her. Let's get this over and done with.' Marc puts his phone to his ear. 'Nadia?'

I hear a tinny, 'Marc!' down the line.

'Yes,' Marc replies. 'So you're back in London. Yes. You're right. She's Sophia Blackwell now. As of yesterday. And I understand you'd like my wife to test for your new movie. She'd like to go ahead, but there's just one thing. No, I don't need to act as chaperone. But Sophia might be pregnant.'

I hear Nadia shriek down the phone.

'Yes of course,' Marc replies. 'Completely understandable. I'll tell her. Goodbye Nadia. Take care.'

'Well?' I grip Marc's arm. 'What did she say?'

'She'd like to meet for lunch. So she can meet my new wife.'

'And what about the movie?'

'She'd still like you to test. Even if you're pregnant right now, she can move the filming schedule around so all the full-body shots are done early on. And any face close-ups can be filmed later.'

'Oh wow!' I feel excitement bubble in my stomach.

'There was something else she wanted to discuss. But she wouldn't say over the phone. We're having lunch next Friday she'll talk about it then.'

'What kind of something?'

'Something to do with the movie. She wouldn't say any more. Nadia likes to keep people guessing.'

11.

All week, I think about meeting Nadia Malbeck. Will she like me? Will she change her mind about testing me for her movie? And what is this thing she wants to discuss?

By the Friday of our lunch date, I'm a nervous wreck.

Marc watches in amus.e.m.e.nt as I cause havoc in the townhouse's walk-in wardrobe, trying on outfit after outfit.

'If you'd have told me yesterday you were so nervous, I would have taken you shopping for clothes.'

'You've already bought me tons of new clothes,' I say. 'The problem isn't the clothes. It's that I can't make a decision.'

'You look stunning in everything you've tried on so far.' Marc sits on a leather chair by the walk-in wardrobe, chin resting on his fingers.

'Some help you are.' I smile.

'You already know I have a blind spot for clothes,' says Marc. 'I notice you. Not what you're wearing. Why don't you invite Jen over? I'm sure she'll be a much better help than me. And I should talk to her anyway. About PR and your potential new movie.'

I feel a shimmer of excitement.

My new movie.

It's unbelievable to think I've been asked to test for a Nadia Malbeck picture.

I'm still getting my head around it. A part of me thinks something has to go wrong. Something so amazing can't really be happening.

But then again, I did marry Marc. And I am now Mrs Marc Blackwell. So dreams really can come true.

'I wish I knew what Nadia wanted to talk about at lunch,' I say. 'It's making me even more nervous, the not knowing. What if it's something that means I can't test for the movie?'

'Do you want this role?' Marc asks, suddenly serious.

'Of course I do.'

'Then fight for it.'

Half an hour later, Jen arrives looking shiny and perfect.

Her long blonde hair has been cut into a neat, straight fringe and she's wearing a fitted shift dress in peach silk.

I meet her at the door and she kisses me on both cheeks.

'Babes! What's the emergency?'

'My wardrobe,' I say, leading her upstairs.

'You've got to be kidding me. These days you have the best wardrobe of anyone I know.'

'I know, I know. I'm so lucky. But I'm still having a meltdown. I'm so nervous about this lunch today and I just cannot decide.'

'Whoa, wait a minute. Slow down. What lunch?'

'I told you last week. The Nadia Malbeck lunch,' I say. 'Marc and I are meeting her, and there's something she wants to discuss. And-'

'Sophia. You need to calm down. There's nothing to be nervous about. As soon as she meets you she'll love you.'

'But she hasn't met me yet and-'

'She's seen Beauty and the Beast, right?'

'I think so.'

'Well that's what Leo told me. He said Nadia saw you both on stage and thought you'd be perfect for Rapunzel. So it's in the bag.'

We reach the bedroom, and Marc stands to greet Jen.

'No, don't get up,' says Jen. 'It's fine. Honestly.'

'You're a guest in this house. I'm not going to stay seated.' Marc kisses Jen on both cheeks. 'Sophia is having something of a crisis.' A little smile plays on his lips. 'I'm failing to help her get things into perspective. So we thought perhaps you'd have better luck.'

Jen winks at me. 'Men never understand real emergencies do they? It's lucky I came.'

12.

In the end, Jen convinces me to wear grey jeans, black riding boots and a navy v-neck cashmere jumper.

'You don't want to look like you're trying too hard,' she says.

'You're sure I look okay?' I say, examining myself in the mirror. 'Not too informal? I don't want to look like I don't care ...'

'Maybe you could do with a little extra something. Just to make you stand out. What about jewellery? What do you have?'

I glance at Marc, thinking of the pearl necklace he bought me. 'Um ... just the stuff you and I bought with my student allowance,' I say, feeling a blush spread up my cheeks.

'In here?' Jen goes to the jewellery drawers in the walk-in wardrobe. She drapes a silver pendant around my neck. 'Mmm. Bit too casual. Shame you don't have a diamond one. Oh well. Your engagement ring will just have to do, as far as bling is concerned.'

I turn in front of the mirror. 'Thanks Jen. You're a life saver.'

'Actors! Always so dramatic.'

I laugh. 'Okay. Maybe not a life saver but you've definitely helped me out. Speaking of actors, Leo must be pretty pleased about this movie too. How are things?'

Jen's eyes glow. 'He's decided to buy a place in London. And ...' She looks at the floor.

'Jen? And what?'

A huge smile grows on Jen's face. 'And he's asked me to live with him!'

We both shriek and hug each other.

'I knew he would!' I say.

'I never knew I could be so happy. Leo is just ... he's such fun, you know? I've never been with anyone I've had so much fun with. Of course, he is staggeringly good looking too. And in the bedroom-'

I hear the crisp rustle of Marc's newspaper.

'I think that's my cue to leave,' he says.

Jen laughs. 'I never had you down as a prude, Marc Blackwell.'

'I have my limits.'

Marc strides out, dropping a kiss on my cheek as he leaves.

'So things are still going great for the newlyweds?' Jen asks.

'Better than great,' I say. 'Amazing. Truly, truly amazing. Except ...' I think of Annabel on our wedding day. And the family drama. 'Oh nothing.'

'Good luck with this lunch today,' says Jen. 'Come see me afterwards. I'll be round at Leo's apartment. Making s.p.a.ce in his wardrobe.'

'What's the time?'

'Just gone twelve.'

I chew a fingernail. 'Gone twelve? Marc and I should get going.'

'Relax,' says Jen. 'You've got ages.'

'I know. But ... I don't want to be late.'