The One You Love Read Online Free PDF

to Richard?’
    ‘I’ve thought that too,’ Emma said. ‘Maybe they’d got into some kind of trouble – I don’t know, gambling or something, and someone came looking for them.’
    ‘Dan was a gambler?’
    ‘No, but maybe Richard was. Oh, I don’t know, I still can’t believe that this is happening.’
    She shook her head in exasperation.
    ‘Emma, just tell me to back off for being so insensitive, but I was wondering what you’re planning to do about the second reading tomorrow.’
    ‘I can’t go. Not while Dan’s still missing and Richard is in hospital. I just couldn’t do it; it would be so selfish.’
    ‘I understand,’ said Lizzy, taking a sip of her tea.
    ‘You think I should go to it?’ Emma said, reading her friend’s face.
    ‘I think it’s a fantastic opportunity,’ Lizzy admitted, ‘after all these years of hard work, it’s what you’ve always wanted – always dreamt of. Having Guy Roberts, the famous casting director, call out of the blue and ask you to come for an audition for a potential blockbusting movie. And to think that someone actually recommended you to him for the part – it’s amazing really. It’s a real shame to turn your back on something that could change your life.’
    ‘But…’
    ‘But,’ Lizzy continued, ‘I think that you’re doing the right thing.’
    ‘Thanks, Lizzy.’ Emma smiled gratefully. ‘I don’t know what I’d do without you.’
     
    ***
     
    Will woke up with one hell of a hangover, courtesy of a bottle of Jack Daniels. He’d spent the evening drinking in front of the TV and had fallen asleep fully clothed on the sofa. And although he’d woken up several times since, he didn’t have the balance, energy or inclination to make his way to the bedroom. He struggled to his feet and staggered towards the curtains. A short, sharp shock was required. The blast of early morning sunlight set off what felt like a nuclear bomb in his head. Turning back towards the living room, grimacing at the sour taste in his mouth, his eyes focussed on the photograph lying on the coffee table.
    Why had he not told her about it when he had the chance?
    Somehow he’d managed to regain his composure in the hospital, hiding his torment, even joking with Emma and Lizzy. And the phone call from Dan seemed to indicate that maybe it wasn’t what he feared.
    But who was to say that the person calling really was Dan?
    He moved over and picked up the photo.
    ‘If you had anything to do with this, I swear I’ll kill you,’ he said, his eyes burning at the man in the shot.
    He showered, dressed and headed outside into the sunshine, needing to escape the stale smell of alcohol that seemed to have soaked into every part of the flat. He decided to head towards Regent’s Park – maybe amongst the crowds of picnickers and sunbathers he could try and forget about the mess he had got himself into, if only for a couple of hours.
     
    ***
     
    ‘What did he say?’ Lizzy said, as Emma replaced the handset. ‘Was he okay about it?’
    ‘Surprisingly nice,’ Emma replied, not quite believing what the casting director Guy Roberts had just said to her. ‘He said he understood why I’d decided not to go, but he was really disappointed as I’d been the standout candidate from the first reading. He also said that I have real talent.’
    ‘Wow, Emma, that’s great! And you said there were loads of people going for the part.’
    ‘He probably says that to everyone.’
    ‘No way. Why would he? People like him have got enough wannabe actors bothering them without encouraging people who aren’t good enough. So he wouldn’t have said it unless he meant it. That’s really great news. I’m so proud of you!’
    Lizzy embraced Emma in a congratulatory hug.
    ‘Thanks,’ Emma said, ‘but it’s not really important now, is it?’
    ‘I guess not,’ conceded Lizzy, pulling away. ‘Not right now, anyway. But everything will work itself out, Em, I’m sure of it. Then maybe you can