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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.
    â€˜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.
    â€˜My room’s turned into a swimming pool!’ Beth squealed. Gemma noticed the woman had still managed to brush her hair and apply a coat of mascara and lipstick in her panic.
    â€˜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 makeup in such circumstances.
    â€˜Everyone all right?’ Oli asked, coming down from the floor above them. ‘There’s a burst pipe. Everywhere’s drenched.’
    â€˜Oh, this is dreadful!’ Beth said.
    â€˜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.
    â€˜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 packed, grabbing her things as quickly as she could and meeting everyone out on the landing a few minutes later.
    â€˜What the hell are we going to do?’ Les Miserable said, scratching his head and making his hair stick up even more than usual. ‘Where are we going to sleep?’
    â€˜I don’t know,’ Teresa said. ‘They must have more rooms available here.’
    Les shook his head. ‘Fully booked.’
    â€˜What are we going to do?’ wailed Beth. ‘I need my beauty sleep. I can’t work without a good night’s rest.’
    Gemma tuned out as she watched Oli shaking the excess water from his hair. His T-shirt was soaked too. Gemma turned away. Now was not the time to be thinking about heroes in wet shirts.
    The hotel manager appeared, his arms waving around like the blades of a windmill.
    â€˜I am so sorry, ladies and gentlemen. Is everybody okay?’
    â€˜ I’m not okay!’ Beth announced, stepping forward and looking pristine.
    â€˜Oh, my dear!’ the manager said. ‘I will never forgive myself if my favourite actress were hurt whilst in my establishment. Where are you hurt, my dear?’
    Beth looked shifty for a moment, rearranging her dressing gown. ‘My toes got a bit wet, but my suitcase is ruined. Everything will need replacing.’
    â€˜Oh, don’t fuss,’ Sophie admonished.
    Teresa stepped forward to take charge. ‘Are there any other rooms we can use?’
    The manager pulled a face. ‘I’m afraid we are completely booked.’
    â€˜Oh, this is ridiculous,’ Beth said. ‘Do you expect me to hang around all night on a draughty wet landing in only a thin, lacy negligee?’ she said, batting her eyelashes in Oli’s direction. Oli grinned and Les Miserable did too, except it was more of a leer, and Beth thought it prudent to cover up at least half of her cleavage.
    â€˜I’ll tell you what we can do,’ the manager said. ‘We have lots of spare