Devoted: The Blackwell Lessons Part 8

Marc doesn't look at the waiter but nods a thank you.

I'm suddenly very conscious that we're in a public place. My fingers slip from Marc's.

'Something wrong?'

'I feel a bit self-conscious, that's all.'

'Surely you're used to people staring at you by now.'

'People aren't staring at me. They're staring at you.'

'They're staring at both of us. And you need to get used to it. Of course, if you'd prefer to keep displays of affection private I think I can restrain myself.'

'No ... I like you being affectionate. You're right. I need to get over it.'

Marc nods over my shoulder. 'Here's Nadia.'

In the doorway, I see a tiny woman with acres of thick black hair. She wears huge tortoisesh.e.l.l sungla.s.ses. There are smile lines around her mouth and a stripe of grey hair tucked behind her ear. She's wearing a white shirt, beige leather jacket and tight blue jeans. For her age forty-something I think she looks fantastic.

My heart beats really fast.

Oh my G.o.d.

Nadia Malbeck.

Nadia whips off her sungla.s.ses and waves frantically at us, crossing the restaurant in seconds.

'Marc Blackwell!' She kisses Marc on both cheeks. 'After all these years. Still as handsome as ever!' Her accent is rich and Spanish.

Nadia whirls around to me. 'And Sophia ... what do I call you now? Mrs Blackwell?' She takes my hands and kisses me on both cheeks too. 'So good to meet you!'

'Nice to meet you Nadia.' I manage a smile.

'How have you been?' Marc asks, his posture unchanged on the bar stool.

'Good, good.' Nadia beams. 'Well great actually! And this new movie ... wow. It's going to be terrific. We already have Rita Cabal designing the set. Remember her?'

'Yes. She's very good.'

'And Doug Granger for the score. He is just the best. We are so lucky to get him. Okay. Shall we eat?'

15.

We're sat at the best table in the restaurant, right by the window overlooking the street. We get a great view of London people-traffic, but the lace curtain means no one can see us.

Our sherry and brought over, but I'm too nervous to eat or drink now Nadia is here.

My hands shake a little as I hold the menu. Partly because I'm nervous around Nadia, and partly because I know I'll sound like an idiot if I try to p.r.o.nounce these Spanish dishes.

Marc's hand finds my thigh under the table. 'How about Nadia does the ordering for us? She has a great knowledge of Spanish food I'm sure she'll pick the best dishes.'

I throw Marc a relieved smile. 'Yes. I think that's a great idea.'

'Oh, you want me to order?' Nadia nods at the menu. 'Sure! Sophia, what do you like? Chicken? Seafood?'

'I honestly don't mind.'

'Easy going. I like it.' Nadia calls the waiter over and orders everything in perfect Spanish. Then she and the waiter talk in their native language and end up roaring with laughter.

'The waiter says don't eat the specials,' she laughs. 'They're made from everything that didn't sell over the weekend. So I ordered us grilled bread and tomatoes, paella, garlic prawns, mixed seafood rice, roast chicken, bean and beef stew, calves liver and grilled beef steak.'

Marc catches my worried expression. 'It's okay,' he whispers. 'This is a tapas restaurant. You order lots of small dishes. And share everything.'

'I should have remembered that. I went out with Leo one time and ... anyway. Thank you for explaining.'

'Oh I'm so silly!' Nadia exclaims. 'The chicken comes in sherry, but for Sophia ... not such a good idea right? If she might be ... you know.' She glances at my stomach.

'I think a little alcohol in sauce is okay,' I say. 'I mean, I'm already drinking a sherry.'

'Let me re-order, just in case. I couldn't live with myself if I hurt my good friend's unborn baby.' Nadia shouts at the waiter in Spanish. Then she slaps her hands on the table. 'So! You look worried Sophia. What is it? You think I'm going to say you can't test for the movie because you're pregnant?'

I feel the nerves in my stomach soften a little. 'I did think that,' I admit. 'I mean, we don't know if I am pregnant. It might not even be likely. But ... I wanted you to know it could be possible.'

Nadia claps her hands together. 'Listen. Honey. I have three children. I don't mind if you're pregnant. I don't believe a woman should be held back because of her body.' She grins. 'So listen. Remember I said on the phone last week that I had something to discuss? Well now it's turned out to be two things. Something for you and something for Marc. Who wants to hear first?'

16.

Marc raises an eyebrow. 'You always did delight in drama, Nadia. Whatever news you have for Sophia, tell us that first.'

Nadia laughs. 'Always the gentleman.' She clasps her hands over mine. 'So listen honey. Marc's known me a long time. He'll tell you I go by instinct.'

'Um ... okay.'

'You know why I arranged this lunch?'

'Marc said you wanted to meet his new wife-'

'Oh sure, sure. But really, I just wanted to meet you in person. Because I knew as soon as I met you, I could decide if you were right for this movie or not. I've already seen you on stage. Marc's agent sent me dozens of your screen test videos. I don't need to put you through test after test. I've been doing this a long time I know what I'm looking for and I know when I find it.'

'You ... you don't want me to test?'

'No. Because I'm gonna give you the part.'

I put my hand to my mouth and a laugh escapes through my fingers. 'You ... I have the part? In your movie?'

'You sure do. You'll be perfect.'

'But don't you have to ... I mean what about production and everything? Aren't there hoops to jump through?'

'Not on my movies. I married well. My husband owns the film company. I have a contract saying I get to hire and fire whoever I like. Total control. And you're hired. Okay?'

I let out another delighted laugh. 'Oh my G.o.d. Thank you. Thank you!'

'I knew the second I sat down that you'd be perfect. That lovely balance humble but charismatic. I can't tell you how long I've been searching for a leading lady for this picture. And when you know you know. Isn't that right Marc?'

'It would seem so.'

'Oh come on now,' says Nadia. 'Take off that frown. I'll take good care of your wife. You know that.'

'She could be pregnant Nadia,' says Marc. 'Am I the only one who seems to understand that?'

'Even if she is, it's no problem as far as I'm concerned,' says Nadia. 'We can still go right ahead. But listen Sophia if you're pregnant, shooting a movie might not be easy. Especially your first movie. If you get sick or tired ... wow, it's going to be hard work.'

'I don't mind hard work,' I say.

'That's good to hear, but ... look, maybe you should find out if you're pregnant before you accept the role. For your sake. Some of the filming will be tough. Long days.'

'I know. I think I'm prepared for it. Pregnant or not.'

'Sophia-' Marc shakes his head at me.

'Okay, maybe not prepared. I don't know what's coming. This is all new. But I have faith. I believe I can do it. Truly I do. And this is such an amazing opportunity. I've always loved your movies.'

Nadia waves her hand at me. 'Stop! Stop! You're going to give me a big head. Listen, if you're okay to go ahead then I'd love to have you. Delighted actually. You and Leo together! You look so good.'

Marc's lips go firm. 'So I hear.'

Nadia slaps her fingers on Marc's arm. 'Don't you go getting possessive of your new wife now, Mr Marc Blackwell. She'll be mine for the next four months.'

'Four months?' Marc takes a sip of sherry. 'We negotiated three.'

'Negotiated?' I say. 'What? When did that happen?'

Marc's lips twitch. 'I had my agent talk to the production team. Actually Sophia, he's your agent now. As of last week. It's important to hammer things out right from the start. Even if you're just testing for a role.'

My agent?

I feel a little dizzy. Things are moving so quickly. A moment ago I thought I'd be testing for Nadia's movie. Now I'm in the movie and Marc tells me I have an agent ... this is all too much to take in.

I listen to Marc and Nadia talk, feeling like I'm underwater.

'Oh sure, sure that was the agreement,' says Nadia. 'But sometimes things overrun. You know how it goes.'

'You and your timekeeping.' Marc frowns.

'Hey.' Nadia opens her hands. 'It's the Spanish way. Okay? Take life easy.'

'But seriously Nadia. If Sophia's pregnant, filming can't overrun. You might have to keep to schedule for once.'

'You're not the boss of me Marc Blackwell,' Nadia teases. 'I'm the director of this movie.'

'Wait!' I say. 'Slow down. Hang on a minute. Marc I have an agent now?'

'Yes. My agent. He's the best in the business. I wouldn't settle for anything less, as far as you were concerned. I thought if you were going to test, you needed someone good.'

'Tell me more about this negotiating,' I say.

'Our agent spoke with Nadia last night,' says Marc. 'He made it clear that if things did go ahead, three months would be the maximum you could work.'

'I don't really appreciate your agent making phone calls without telling me,' I say. 'This is my career, not yours.'

Nadia claps her hands. 'Bravo Sophia! Marc means well though. You know that, don't you? He loves you so much I can see it in his eyes. He just wants to look after you.'

I frown. 'Sometimes he needs to back off a little.'

'You can see why I love her, can't you?' Marc asks Nadia.

Nadia laughs. 'I certainly can. So listen if you really want to go ahead we should start filming as soon as possible. Because if you are pregnant, that b.u.mp is going to start showing fast. You are very skinny Mrs Blackwell. There'll be nowhere to hide the baby.'

I laugh.

'Perhaps Sophia should have a little more time to think about this,' says Marc. 'At least until we know what the doctor has to say at our next appointment.'

'No, I've made my decision,' I say. 'Nadia I'd love to accept the part. And thank you for being so understanding. I really do appreciate it. Even if I'm pregnant, I'll work as hard as any other actor. I promise.'

'I'm happy to hear that Sophia,' says Nadia, grinning her big, beautiful smile. 'Okay so let me tell you about the movie. You know it's based on Rapunzel, right?'

'Yes. Leo told me that.'

'So the t.i.tle of the movie is, guess what? Rapunzel! Original huh?'

I laugh. 'Very.'