***
At four thirty in the morning, the streets of London were practically deserted. The lamps lit the way for her to race home. Sophie opened her front door frantically. She raced up the stairs and knocked furiously on Carol’s door. Sophie didn’t have time to wait for a response and she burst into Carol’s room.
A scream resonated through the house.
“Calm down. It’s me, Sophie.”
Carol breathed heavily. “You scared the shit out of me.” Her voice quavered in the darkness.
“Josh isn’t with you is he? You’re not having sex are you?”
“No,” Carol snapped and Sophie turned on the light, causing Carol to squint. “Josh isn’t here, as you can see.” Carol’s eyes were like slits and she shielded her gaze.
“It’s time for your big break. Now get up,” Sophie demanded.
“What?” Carol sat up, a hand on her chest. “I’m not a morning person.”
“You don’t have time to think, breathe or go to the toilet. Get dressed. It’s time for you to become a national star.”
“Fuck off, Sophie, are you drunk or something? I’m going back to sleep, so turn off the light.”
Sophie frowned. Carol’s response was reasonable she supposed. She was acting like a madwoman.
She ran her hands through her hair, trying to calm herself. “Let’s start again. I’ll introduce myself. I’m Sophie Smart, and I’m not just your flat mate, I’m also a project manager for Clarks, Clarks and Clarks Advertising Agency. We’re shooting a commercial this morning at the Highbury Aquatic Centre, just down the road. I’m not sure if you remember when we took shots of Brighton beach. Well our actress has not turned up this morning. I’m here to give you an opportunity of a lifetime. You’ll be the face of the brand. The face of a national commercial which has the probability to rocket you to fame and possibly even fortune.”
“Sophie,” Carol said. “You’re talking all intensely.”
“You don’t have time to think about it. Every second I stand here, it’s costing me money or my client money; I need you to agree right now.”
“Will I get paid?”
“Of course.”
“What if I’m no good?”
“Carol, stop it. This is not the time to talk about nerves. This is what you’re born to do. I’ve woken you up and you might as well get up and just do the commercial,” Sophie replied heartlessly. “You dyed my hair blonde and I trusted you. It’s time for you to trust me.”
“I know Sophie, but this is a little different. You’ve gone all demanding and crazy.”
Sophie threw a silk dressing gown at Carol. “Trust me. It’s time for you to be a star.”
Chapter 23