Private Lives

‘Because he’s a gay gentleman.’

If Sylvia was surprised by the news, she didn’t show it.

‘You want a counter-story? Why don’t we just tell the world why Joe turned me down?’ said Jessica.

Sylvia shook her head.

‘We should leave Joe’s private life out of this.’

‘Why? His private life is my public humiliation.’

‘Jess. Leave it,’ said Sylvia firmly. ‘Joe is a national treasure. You screw with his image, this town will come down on you like a truckload of horseshit.’

Jessica had rarely heard Sylvia swear. It was so at odds with her steely, matronly persona.

‘Look, what’s done is done,’ Sylvia said. ‘Let’s just think about how we can turn this to our advantage.’

Too right, Jessica thought, a plan forming in her head. It was so obvious, she wondered why she hadn’t thought of it earlier.

‘Could I just have one moment alone? I need to make a call.’

Sylvia looked reluctant until Jessica flashed her a fiery look.

‘Fine,’ she said, closing the door behind her.

Jessica took out her cell phone and scrolled to Joe’s number.

‘It’s Jess,’ she said without preamble.

‘How are you?’ he asked, his voice guarded. Hardly surprising, seeing as she had screamed at him then hung up the last time they had spoken.

‘I just wanted to apologise for how I spoke to you,’ she said. ‘I was upset, but there’s no excuse for behaving like that.’

‘No, I totally understand,’ said Joe.

‘Yes, and I also wanted to say that of course you can count on me to keep your secret. One friend to another.’

‘I appreciate it, Jess. And if there’s anything I can do for you, like that Tori A

dams party . . .’

‘Well, it’s funny you should bring Tori up,’ she said.

‘What do you want?’ he said cautiously. He was experienced enough in the ways of Hollywood to know that everyone was after something.

‘I’ll cut to the chase, Joe. I want the role of Daisy in Purple Skies. I know you’re tight with Tori and I know she has the power to decide who’s chosen.’

‘But I can’t—’ he began.

‘Oh I think you can, Joe,’ said Jessica, her voice hard and clipped. ‘I think we both know how much this favour would mean to me. And how much pain it would avoid.’

‘I don’t respond well to threats, Jessica,’ he said, his voice low.

‘It’s not a threat, Joe, it’s a business transaction. You know what I want, I know what you want.’

‘You didn’t let me finish. I was about to say I can’t ask Tori to cast you as Daisy, because they offered it to Angelina Jolie this morning.’

Jessica felt the room tilt.