CHAPTER SEVEN
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JAMES
This was not the plan. I was not expecting to spend the night after the interview being fondled by PC Kevin Stewart or sleeping in a concrete bed, covered with the roughest woollen blanket I had ever seen.
Not only did I have to spread my cheeks for a man the size of the Green Giant, I had to spend my night in a cold cell, waiting until I was released the next day.
I was laughed at when I asked if the process could be sped up, and felt like a complete twat when I used the typical “do you know who I am?” sentence.
“We know who you are,” the policeman chuckled. “A fancy rich boy from Hollywood, who thinks he’s better than everyone else. But let me tell you something, pal.” PC Stewart adjusted his belt and continued, “You’re lucky enough you get your own cell.”
With this, I was given a blanket, was removed of my shoes, tie, and all other belongings, and then told to stay quiet until the next day when the judge would see me.
“Where the fuck have you been?” I asked Ralph as soon as he came into the police station to pick me up.
He looked at me and shrugged. “I was stuck in traffic and couldn’t find a parking space.”
“I waited for fifteen minutes.”
The little shit was enjoying seeing me miserable.
He chuckled. “Wow, you’re in a bad mood. Were you not given Evian water to brush your teeth this morning?”
I collected my shoes and signed my release. Once that was done, I looked at Ralph and said as sincerely as possible, “Fuck off.”
He gave me his sunglasses, a hoodie, and a cap, which I used to leave the police station. There weren’t as many journalists outside as I expected, so the walk to the car was fairly straightforward.
Once inside, Ralph started the engine. “We’re going back to the hotel where Michael and Jack are waiting.”
I groaned. “Are you kidding? That’s the last thing I want to do.”
“Nope, I’m not kidding. They aren’t very happy.”
I dropped the cap over my eyes to cover the sun and try to catch a few minutes of sleep, but I wasn’t that lucky.
“Can I at least have a shower before I’m reprimanded like a child?” I asked as soon as I got inside the room and saw Jack and Michael.
Michael stood up first, his face sombre. “If you don’t like being treated like a child, stop behaving like one.”
“I take that as a no then.” I slumped on one of the sofas.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure why I thought it was okay to behave like a spoiled teenager, but at that moment, I felt as if they were being unfair to me. And by them, I meant everyone.
“How can I fix this?” I asked, hoping a fine would do, or perhaps I could buy the slimy reporter a brand-new camera.
Michael took in a big breath, before speaking, “You can’t get out of this one, James. It’s not going to be as easy as that.”
“Can we not just pay a fine or something?” I asked, as I bit one of my nails.
“You punched a fucking paparazzi!” Michael shouted, his anger rushing to the surface.
This time I didn’t find his red, angry face as funny.
I stood up and paced around the room. “In my defence, he was in my face taking pictures.”
“And you didn’t think breaking his camera was enough? You had to break his nose?”
Fair enough. I had no excuse, but I tried anyway. “He was in my face. What did you want me to do?”
Michael stormed in front of me. “Not fucking punch him!”
Ralph gave him a glass of water and tried to calm him, while Jack still sat quietly waiting for the storm to pass.
Jack cleared his throat and spoke up. “Don’t worry about the photographer. We’ll pay him off, offer him a few exclusives. But if he doesn’t accept it, you’ll probably have to do community service. There’s no way around it. Until then, we have to sort out your image.”
“Okay, fine. What do I need to do?” I asked, finally agreeing to my punishment. This time I didn’t have a choice.
“First you’ll have to apologise for your mistake—” Jack started.
I didn’t let him finish. “What? Why?”
Jack’s nostrils flared. He always seemed so composed, the complete opposite to Michael, but this time he looked to be running out of patience.
“In all honesty, James, you’re behaving like a dick. The film will come out in the next few months, and the studio doesn’t want to be affiliated with someone who creates havoc everywhere he goes.” He paused for a second. “You’ll apologise. Then we’ll do some public appearances. Like for example, showing up in a children’s hospital and get a few photos taken.”
I nodded, not knowing what else to do.
“Once everything has calmed down a bit, that’s when Jane comes in.”
I knew that Jane’s last film was a complete flop, but I didn’t expect for our teams to join in together and come up with a plan.
“What about her?”
Jack didn’t beat around the bush. “The media seems to think you guys make a good couple, so we just thought, for the sake of both of your careers, to ride this wave. Let them get a few pictures of you guys together.”
“So… we have to fake being a couple? Does she know about this?”
Jack nodded.
I took a few moments to digest this information. Then, for benefit of everyone in the room, I agreed. “Okay, when do we start?”
Jack sighed in relief. “That’s up to you.”
I could feel my head spin with the amount of information and with everything that was expected of me. It was a bit too much. I needed time off.
Without hesitation, I said, “I need a break. One week, that’s all I’m asking. I promise I’ll behave.”
Neither of them agreed, but they didn’t disagree either. After looking at each other, Michael was the first one to speak.
“James, you have a week to get your bearings. Please, do not fuck this up,” Michael advised.
“Scout’s honour,” I said, lifting my hands in surrender.
Jack and Michael left the room, leaving me seated on the sofa where I was slouching minutes before.
“I’m going to get something to eat. Do you want anything?” Ralph asked, standing at the door, ready to leave.
“No, I’m okay. Thanks, man.”
I sat, planning what to do for a week. Maybe a nice spa to recharge the batteries? Should I stay in the UK or head back to the US?
That was when I remembered the interview mentioning my first kiss.
Emma.
My childhood friend, my neighbour, and my first crush.
It made me wonder if she watched it. I wondered if she still lived in the same place and what she was doing at that exact moment.
Looking for my mobile phone, I googled her name, and a picture of our class in high school showed up.
Tracing her face with my thumb, my chest constricted. She was so beautiful. With my gaze firmly focussed on her image, I knew exactly what to do for my week. I just needed to call the only person who would know how to find her.
My mum.