‘Lois isn’t talking to anyone,’ says April curtly. ‘I’ve phoned a million times but she won’t reply. And even if she were, you’re the last person I’d bring along. Yes, she needs help. She’s needed help for a long time, if you ask me. But not from opportunistic users like you.’
‘I’m not an opportunistic user!’ I say in horror.
‘Don’t tell me you’re not doing nicely from this,’ snaps April, and rings off.
I stare at my phone, my cheeks hot, feeling as though I’ve been slapped. As I lift my eyes, I see Jeff’s thick neck ahead of me and feel a fresh twinge of shame. Here’s me, riding along in an SUV with bodyguards and shopping bags, my career transformed. And there’s Lois, being rushed to hospital.
Jeff hasn’t said a word all this time, but I know he’s been listening. And judging me again. I can see it from the muscles in his neck.
‘I’m not opportunistic,’ I say defensively. ‘I could have sold the story weeks ago, couldn’t I? But I didn’t. It’s not my fault Sage blabbed. And I’ve wanted to be a Hollywood stylist for ever. Can you blame me if I leap at the chance? It doesn’t mean I’m opportunistic.’
Again Jeff is silent. But I know what he’s thinking.
‘Well, what can I do now?’ I say, almost angrily. ‘If April won’t take me to see Lois, then it’s impossible! I can’t say sorry, or offer help, or anything. I don’t even know where she—’
I break off. I’m remembering something that April said, when we were sitting in her trailer. We’ve both lived on Doheny Road for ever.
‘Mitchell,’ I say, leaning forward. ‘Change of plan. I want to go to Doheny Road.’
It takes us about thirty minutes to reach Doheny Road, and as soon as we arrive it’s obvious which house is Lois’s. Journalists are camped outside the gates and prowling up and down the street, and I can see two vox-pop interviews going on. We pull up some way further on, outside a mansion that looks like a Greek temple.
‘Stay in the car, Rebecca,’ says Mitchell. ‘We need to survey the area.’
‘OK.’ I try to sound patient as they clunk the car doors shut and head towards Lois’s house, looking conspicuous in their dark suits. All this ‘surveying’ and ‘securing’ is starting to get on my nerves. Once you get over the novelty, having a bodyguard is a real pain.
I have to sit for ages while they scout around the whole neighbourhood. As they return to the car, their faces are even more sober than usual.
‘The building is currently compromised with the strong presence of media,’ says Mitchell. ‘We foresee a high-risk situation developing. We recommend you do not proceed.’
‘D’you mean not go into the house?’ I clarify.
‘We recommend you do not proceed.’ Mitchell nods. ‘At this time.’
‘But I want to proceed.’
‘Well, we recommend that you do not.’
I glance from Jeff to Mitchell. They look identically serious, with their dark glasses masking any expression they might have (which is probably non-existent to begin with).
‘I’m going to proceed,’ I say defiantly. ‘OK? I need to see Lois Kellerton. I can’t live with myself if I don’t at least try.’
‘Rebecca,’ says Mitchell sternly. ‘If you approach the front of the house, we cannot guarantee your security.’
‘It’s a situation,’ chimes in Jeff, nodding.
I look over their shoulders at the crowd of journalists. It is a bit of a mob. They might have a point.
‘Well, then, I’ll have to break in at the back,’ I say. ‘Will one of you give me a leg-up?’
Jeff and Mitchell exchange glances.
‘Rebecca,’ says Jeff. ‘Under the terms of our contract, we are not permitted to aid you, the client, in any endeavour deemed as law-breaking.’
‘You’re so square!’ I say in frustration. ‘Don’t you get bored, driving around in dark jackets and pretending everything’s serious all the time? Well, OK, I’ll do it by myself. And when I’m arrested, I’ll say: “Mitchell and Jeff had nothing to do with it, Officer.” Happy?’
I grab my bag, slither out of the car and start heading towards Lois’s house, my heels clicking on the road.
‘Rebecca, wait.’ Jeff’s voice follows me.
‘What now?’ I turn. ‘I know, you think I shouldn’t proceed. You’re worse than the bloody sat nav.’
‘Not that.’
‘What, then?’
He hesitates, then says in a low voice, ‘There’s a weak point in the fence by the pool house. CCTV just misses it. Try there.’