‘It has nothing to do with sex.’ He was almost stern as he said it. ‘I would never hire for that reason, never. A director’s role is too important. I am only hiring you because I now think you are right for the role. I have given it some serious thought and have come to the conclusion that you would be fantastic—you understand the movie inside out. You have seen the disaster Rafaele has made...’
Ella nodded.
‘And you know what the movie needs.’
‘Taylor would never agree.’
‘She already has,’ Santo said. ‘There was a lot of trouble on set today. Things turned very nasty and, you’re right, it is not her acting that is at fault. I spoke to her at length. That is when I told her your suggestions and how passionate you are about this film. She is happy to work with you.’
‘Really?’
‘Fresh vision is always good,’ Santo said. ‘So here is your chance.’
She was terrified, because his earlier argument had been right. She hadn’t earned her stripes. She hadn’t even been an assistant. If she took this role Ella would be stepping straight into the big league and she told him that.
‘You can do it,’ Santo said. ‘I have every faith that you can handle this, but it’s the last professional handhold I will give you, Ella. We will be fighting tomorrow on set. I am not going to hold back just because it is you—and if I don’t think you are doing well...’ Then he paused. She didn’t need to be told. Ella knew only too well how he operated. ‘But when we are off set...’ He waited and he watched as she shook her head. ‘Ella, I promise you that whatever happens between us on a personal level I will not bring it to work.’
‘I can’t.’ She couldn’t, but she knew more explanation was needed. Santo had offered her the biggest break professionally, and also emotionally. She had never opened up more with another, and she needed to do so now. ‘I only slept with you when I knew I had the other job.’
‘I know,’ Santo said. He had no issues with truths. ‘You left your email open on my computer.’
‘My mum used to work for my father.’
‘You are not your mother.’
‘I know that,’ Ella said.
‘And this is very different...’
‘I know, but I swore a long time ago that my career would always come first, that I would never jeopardise it for a man, any man. I’ve broken way too many of my own rules lately but this really is a big chance. It’s not a PA job that I don’t particularly want that I’m risking now. I can’t go back on my promise to myself just because it’s you.’
And she waited for his argument, for him to attempt to dissuade, but it never came. ‘I accept that.’ And only now did she understand the true meaning of his earlier words, that he had known from the start what her rules would be.
‘It’s a couple of weeks,’ Ella said. ‘I need to concentrate properly on the film.’
‘Then do,’ Santo said. ‘But understand this, Ella—you don’t get to pick and choose.’
‘Sorry?’
‘Till filming is over you are in or out.’
Ella just looked at him, wasn’t entirely sure she understood what he was saying.
‘You don’t get to dip in when you choose to,’ Santo clarified. ‘So what is it to be—in or out.’
And for Ella, there could only be one answer. ‘Out.’
‘Fine.’ He headed for the door. ‘Good luck. As my note said—you’ll be amazing.’
CHAPTER ELEVEN
SANTO BLINKED IN surprise when he walked on the set this morning, not because Ella was there. He’d known she’d be early. More it was an Ella he had never seen.
She was wearing a faded denim skirt and espadrilles and a halter neck top. The hair that was usually groomed was hanging loose as it did in the bedroom. As she smiled at him, Santo saw she was wearing absolutely no make-up.
‘Is this director Ella?’ he asked as she walked over to him.
‘No, this is Ella.’
And it was a bit of a fist to the gut, that all the clothes and the make-up had been the part she had played for him, and just confirmed that Santo didn’t know her at all.
‘The ship is all organised.’ Marianna came over and spoke in Italian with Santo as Ella half listened, translating easily. Yes, Marianna was a far more efficient PA. She had achieved in a few hours what Ella had been struggling with for days. ‘So everyone will be in place for 5:00 a.m. and it sails at 3:00 p.m. the following day.’
‘Eccellente.’ He glanced over to Ella. ‘We have to be finished by then.’
‘We will be.’
Santo nodded and turned back to Marianna, telling her to organise a party that final night for the crew. That was the one part of the job Ella had loved doing. Santo knew how to throw a good party and Ella had enjoyed organising them. She mentioned a couple of contacts she had to Marianna.
‘I can run through things this evening,’ Ella offered. ‘I’m sorry, I really haven’t been much help handing over.’
‘No need,’ Marianna said. ‘I have my own contacts. Anyway, I’ll speak with Santo if I need to know anything. I prefer to find out things firsthand.’ She went to head off and then changed her mind. ‘Actually, I need his spare car keys, his diary, that sort of thing....’
Ella was terribly aware of Santo’s smirk as she went in her bag and handed over a few items.
‘You forgot the sunglasses,’ Santo said.
‘So I did,’ Ella responded tartly, her cheeks burning as she handed them over.
‘Headache tablets,’ he prompted.
‘No need,’ Marianna chimed in. ‘I have some on me.’
Ella’s bag was soon considerably emptier as she handed over a shirt and a couple of ties too.
‘I think that’s everything,’ Ella said.
‘Sure?’ Santo checked, enjoying her discomfort.
‘I’m sure Marianna is prepared for every eventuality.’ Ella smiled sweetly and then turned her attention back to what was important, what would remain.
Work.
Except she wanted to share it with him.
To start with, Ella was incredibly nervous. It seemed wrong to be giving directions to someone as skilled as Taylor, but overriding her nerves was the rising thrill that Taylor seemed to completely understand her.
‘You’re not happy as such,’ Ella said, trying not to be too rude about Rafaele’s interpretation. ‘It’s more that you’re carefree. Yes, you know he’s leaving tomorrow, but for now you have no idea what’s to come.’ She looked through the viewfinder, watched Taylor walking along the beach with her lover who would soon go missing, watched the shot of her life before it changed for ever, and any nerves Ella had died then, because she could do this.
All those endless nights of her childhood spent locked in her room making movies with her mind reaped the rewards today as finally a scene came to life, and there were actually tears in her eyes as Ella watched it unfold.
And Santo watched her grow before his eyes too.
‘Vince, from now on you’re not going to be watching her.’ Ella got back to the heart of the script. Rafaele had interpreted it that Vince came upon Taylor crying, but over and over Ella had read it and pictured it differently. Now she brought it to life. ‘You need to be here first, thinking about your friend, then you see Taylor arrive. Remember that till this point you’ve never really liked her. You’ve always thought that she was using him, but watching her cry, you see for the first time how much she loves him—it is that that moves you.’
‘Right.’ The sulking Vince actually smiled because, till now, Rafaele had made his character look nothing other than a man taking advantage of a vulnerable woman.
‘That’s why you go over,’ Ella said to Vince. ‘You realise that she knows how you feel, that you both miss him. And, Taylor...’ Ella said. ‘When he turns around, you’re defensive. You’re used to him making sarcastic comments. He’s already accused you of crocodile tears, but it is his empathy that is going to have you two heading off to the beach.’
‘Got it.’
‘And we’re not going to do the full-on crying scene yet...’ Santo watched as Taylor breathed out in relief. The past few days had been draining at best. ‘Just a few tears. What I want to get is your expression when Vince joins you.’
Taylor was brilliant. For the first time since filming had started Santo could breathe. Just having Vince there first changed everything, shifted the whole dynamics. It was something he wouldn’t have thought of and he told Ella the same as they headed back to the hotel.
‘We’ve got more done today than we have all week.’
She was glowing inside at the praise, on a high from finally doing the job she loved and knowing that she was doing it well.
‘I’m starving,’ Santo said. It was 10:00 p.m. and they had been too busy working to stop and take advantage of the catering. Now, all Ella wanted to do was to order something from room service, or... She looked over to Santo as they walked through the foyer. Perhaps they could have dinner and talk about the scenes tomorrow, or perhaps—Ella took a deep breath—they could simply talk.