My deep breathing technique is letting me down. It’s meant to make sure I stay calm, but it’s having no effect whatsoever. I’m sure if someone was to take my blood pressure right now, it’d be two hundred over a hundred and fifty.

“Let’s do it again,” yells Mason, and I try hard not to glare at Emma.

For some reason, only known to the woman herself, she’s deliberately stuffing up the scene. What should be a quick and easy take has turned into twenty-four unsuccessful ones.

I take my hat off to Todd who’s still smiling after all the time that has been wasted because of Emma’s bad acting.

“It’s time to…” Emma hesitates and stops midsentence.

“Cut,” Mason calls and I sigh. “Take five.”

With my patience growing thin, I grab Emma by the arm and pull her away from Todd and the cameraman.

“What’s going on, Emma?” I don’t even try to hide my annoyance. “You’re deliberately sabotaging this scene. What is the problem?”

In my mind I’m replaying the last few days of shooting to pinpoint what might be troubling the young actress, but nothing comes to mind. I’m sure I haven’t said anything to offend or upset her.

I shoot a quick glance in Todd’s direction.

Has he said something to her? It seems unlikely. Perhaps I should check with him.

Emma pouts. She flips her hair back and thrusts her chest out. Why I would want to catch an eyeful of her boobs is beyond me, but I say nothing.

“It’s not my fault the director is not focused on the job.”

My lower jaw drops. Did she just say it was my fault?

“Pardon?”

Maybe I misheard the woman.

“You heard me. You wanna be a superstar. If there was a real director on this movie, it wouldn’t take twenty something takes on a simple little scene.”

The little witch.

“Listen here, Emma.” My voice is ice cold. “You’re the one who has been getting the scene wrong. You seem to be unable to remember the handful of words you have to say in this scene. What do you mean that if the director was better this would not happen?”

Emma purses her lips further.

“You heard me, Sophie. If you didn’t insist on playing the starring role and directing, this film would be a lot better. Have you never heard the saying ‘don’t bite off more than you can chew?’”

A little bit of spit hits the side of my cheek.

It takes every ounce of self-control not to do something I might regret later.

“I can’t work like this,” announces Emma and walks out of the studio.

Someone touches me on the shoulder. I spin around. Todd is right behind me.

“You know she’s wrong.”

I peer closely at him. All my confidence has vanished.

Words are so powerful. They can caress, they can declare love, and they can destroy a person. Emma’s words have left a bitter aftertaste in my mouth.

“Sophie.” Todd lifts my head and looks me direct in the eyes. “Repeat after me. Emma is wrong. I’m a great director and actress.”

Despite my low mood, my lips curl into a smile.

“I can’t believe she just walked out.” I shake my head. “This means a day totally wasted. And we’re not going to be able to finish the scene today.”

Todd leans toward me and murmurs something in my ear.

I slap the back of his shoulder lightly.

“I’m serious, Todd. It’s a total waste of a day.”

“Come on.” Todd takes my hand. “Let’s have a little break. We’re all getting a bit tired.”

I shake my head. It’s nice of Todd to stand up for me and try and cheer me up, but I’ve got to talk to Emma.

“I better go and talk to her and see what’s really eating her.”

Easier said than done—Emma is not keen to speak to me. At first, she won’t even open the trailer for me to come in.

“Look, Emma,” I start and search for the right words.

“I don’t know why you’re here,” Emma cuts me off. “I told you. You shouldn’t be playing the lead role and directing. You’re not as great an actress as you think you are, and don’t get me started on your ability as director.”

Where has this evil beast come from? Did Emma have a twin sister and they switched places to play a trick on their work colleagues? If so, at what point in time will someone say fooled you?

“I’m not sure my ability as director has anything to do with your inability to play your minor scene correctly today.”

Emma has her hands on her hips and glares at me.

“If this film had a proper director, my acting would be a lot better. I would shine.”

Anger is taking hold of me. How dare this little bitch insult me and blame me for her shortcomings.

Her acting wasn’t fantastic before she took this role. Some of her critics even went as far as saying she couldn’t act, and she only got parts where she could sleep with the producer or director.

“Perhaps you need some time to go over your lines,” I say and leave the trailer. There’s nothing more to say to her. And I really don’t want to hear how useless I am again.

Alice and Eric find me.

I’m close to tears, and Alice notices it. She hugs and wraps her arms around me.

She’s good that way. Reassure first then ask questions next.

“What happened?”

I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand. I know I’m overreacting.

“I just went to talk to Emma, and she keeps telling me I shouldn’t be in the lead role and directing the film. In fact, she says I shouldn’t do either roles.”

Eric laughs.

“And on what does she base this?”

I shrug. I don’t want to share my theory of evil twin sister.

“Don’t worry, Sophie.” Alice hugs me again.

“I’ll go and have a talk with her,” Eric says. “Let’s call it a day. We could all do with a bit of a rest day.”

I watch them leave arm in arm and feel a sudden wave of sadness.

“So…will you hang with me now?”

I turn to see Todd behind me.