Protection Read Online Free PDF Page B

thanked him and toasting his very good health with decaf, wondered if she would ever reach a point in her career when she could afford to be as magnanimous.
    It certainly wasn’t now, that was for sure. She still had a long way to go before she reached the heady heights of global fame that Ray Stephenson enjoyed. The entire world recognized him, whereas only the UK and parts of Europe greeted her with any enthusiasm, and she suspected some of that was only because Carmichael coached them beforehand on how vigourously to clap.
    Still, if Carmichael was to be believed, this, her third movie, was the one destined to bring her international fame, although the USA hadn’t exactly gone wild for the first one. Instead America had practically ignored it in favour of some corny comedy with Steve Martin, and her disappointment hadn’t been overly soothed by Carmichael telling her that ‘ Angels with Attitude’, had already been done in the States. Under a different name, of course, and using American actors, but undoubtedly done, meaning that the interest in an almost identical English version hadn’t been exactly forthcoming.
    The follow up movie, therefore, hadn’t been released on the other side of the pond, although her latest movie, entitled ‘ Walking Wild’ was due to be shipped out amid as much publicity as they could manage. Why, when the other two hadn’t exactly set the Yanks on fire, was a mystery to her? But as usual Carmichael had all the answers and remained convinced that not only would ‘ Walking Wild’ become a phenomenal success but come the end of the year, she would be on the cover of America’s ‘The Face’ magazine. Yeah. Right.
    It was done.
    The ritual circuit of the house complete, and although by now she wasn’t entirely convinced she still needed to walk this personal tour, she was loathe to give it up. Somewhere along the line, it had transcended beyond simple ritual to an all powerful talisman and she was scared that if she gave it up something disastrous would happen.
    Not that she truly believed it would. But you never knew.
    Still she was finished now and settling herself into her leather chair- trying not to think about how far the dress was sliding up her thighs- she steepled her fingers under her chin and glanced around her study, wishing she had time to light the fire but knowing there would be plenty of cold, winter evenings when she could and when she could sit right in front of it, hugging her knees and waiting for her face to go a ridiculous shade of red.
    Smiling to herself, her eyes rested on the mantlepiece above it and to the photograph of her parents and little brother, Darren.
    Her family lived in an old farm house in Wiltshire, and although she knew they were enormously proud of her success, they’d never once been down to London to share in it properly. London was too busy and intimidating, her mother had explained, and they were frightened that if they did land on her doorstep they’d either get in her way or say something they shouldn’t to one of those dreadful ‘ camera people?’ And then how would they live with themselves? If they ruined everything for her? No. It was better if they stayed in Wiltshire where they could do least harm. Didn’t mean they didn’t love her and it certainly didn’t mean they weren’t as proud as punch!
    Carrie would have liked to argue the point, but fearing she might upset her mother, had ultimately dropped it, figuring she couldn’t really blame them for being apprehensive. London was alarming at times, Heaven knows she’d sweated over it enough. But it would have been nice if they could have made it down just once instead of keeping in touch over the phone. She missed them terribly and praise and congratulations just weren’t the same when they were diluted by distance.
    Not that her mother’s worries had stopped her brother, Darren.