The Perfect Hero Read Online Free PDF Page B

at her pale face and the look of uncertainty in her eyes. ‘You nervous?’
    ‘Yes!’ she’d said, the word leaping from her mouth. She’d looked surprised that she’d confessed such a thing.
    ‘But you’re a great actress,’ Adam had told her. ‘I’ve seen you in rehearsals and you’re fabulous. I’m really excited about this production.’
    She looked up at him and smiled. ‘That’s really sweet of you.’
    ‘I’m just being honest.’
    ‘It’s just—’ She stopped.
    ‘What?’ he asked.
    ‘Well, this is my first film and I’m terrified of letting everyone down.’ Her eyes were wide and fearful.
    ‘But you won’t!’ he said.
    She nodded. ‘I mean, what if I’m just not a very good actress?’
    Adam couldn’t believe what he was hearing. This was one insecure lady. There was only one thing for it – to lie. ‘But everyone feels like that on a film set.’
    ‘They do?’ She didn’t look convinced.
    ‘They certainly do. I was talking to Beth Jenkins before. She was shaking with nerves. I couldn’t believe it!’
    ‘No way! Beth Jenkins is nervous?’
    Adam nodded, wondering where all this was coming from and if he could keep it up. He supposed it was just an extension of his storytelling abilities. ‘She said that there hasn’t been a single film where she’s felt confident beforehand but that it’s those very nerves that drive a good performance.’
    Gemma nodded. ‘I was the same at stage school. Every performance gave me the shakes.’
    ‘But I bet every performance was brilliant?’ Adam said.
    ‘Well, I’m not sure about that,’ she said with a little blush.
    ‘You wouldn’t be standing here right now if anyone doubted your ability. A film’s too expensive a project to cast the wrong person,’ Adam said and then regretted it as he saw her pale again. ‘Which is why you’ve nothing to worry about. Teresa was just telling me how wonderful you are. This production’s already in the can. It was the day you were cast.’
    Gemma let out a long sigh and reached out a hand to touch his arm. ‘Thank you,’ she said.
    Driving back through the darkening country lanes, Adam thought about Gemma’s beautiful young face and how genuinely scared she’d been. He hoped his words had calmed her and he hoped he’d be around to comfort her if she had another attack of nerves.
    * * *
    Later that night, Gemma woke up with the strange sensation of feeling wet. She flung back the bedclothes and leapt out of bed, turning on her bedside lamp and shrieking as she saw a huge wet patch on her pillow. She looked up to see the ceiling dripping.
    ‘Oh my goodness!’ she exclaimed, stuffing her feet into a pair of shoes and grabbing a jumper from her suitcase. Where was it coming from? Was the ceiling about to collapse? Was she in danger of dying before she could make her mark in the world of film?
    There were voices in the corridor and Gemma opened her door.
    ‘My room’s turned into a swimming pool!’ Beth was squealing. Gemma couldn’t help noticing that she’d still managed to brush her hair and apply a coating of mascara and lipstick in her panic.
    ‘My bed’s completely soaked,’ Sophie said. She was wearing a cute pair of pyjamas covered in teddy bears and, like Gemma, hadn’t been anxious to apply make-up in such circumstances.
    ‘Everyone all right?’ Oli said, coming down from the floor above them. ‘There’s a burst pipe. Everywhere’s drenched.’
    ‘Oh, this is dreadful!’ Beth said.
    ‘You should see our rooms,’ Oli said and Gemma noticed that his jeans were soaked and his hair was plastered to his face.
    Teresa appeared on the landing, her face dark and drawn. ‘Grab your things as quickly as you can,’ she said.
    ‘I’m not going back in my room,’ Beth said. ‘I could drown!’
    Oli shook his head and dashed in for her. Gemma returned to hers and started packing, grabbing her things as quickly as she could and meeting everyone out on the landing a few