Chapter 10

So, we had our first viewing of the complete film as the orchestra played along with it. I don’t know about the others, as my eyes never left the screen, but I was entranced with the music adding a whole new level of atmosphere. We were professional enough not to make a sound until the recording engineer put his hand up, and then we all stood and applauded the orchestra. David, with Irene beside him, looked totally washed out, with this being the culmination of nearly a year for him.

We had a group hug and Kym remarked that she hardly ever watched Kurt’s films, but this one took the cake.

“Especially the scenes with me in it”

“But you’re not in the film, darling.”

“You wanna bet, hubby of mine. I knew where I was and I could see myself, plain as day. Isn’t that right, Julia?”

“That’s so, Kym. I saw you because I knew where you’d be. It will be one for your fans to pick up on a ‘Where’s Wally’ added to the film.”

While we were all together, David took us for lunch to discuss what we’d seen and go through our suggestions. We all had blank sheets and none of us would change a second of it. We all congratulated him on his next blockbuster, and he visibly relaxed, Irene smiling at us as she hugged him. The private screening for the cast and crew was set for two weeks’ time, at one of the nearby cinemas, in the morning, so as not to mess with their normal screenings. It wasn’t a premiere, so we were told to dress casually.

Over the weeks, I had only seen Roger spasmodically, as he had been busy, and I could feel a coolness in his attitude. We didn’t kiss like we did before. I discovered the reason behind that when we had the private viewing, and he turned up with the actress that he had helped in Paris, all that time ago. I took that as a definite ending of our relationship. I have to admit that when I cried, along with half the audience, I was doing it for myself. The film was as good the second time around, and Jim was bountiful in his praise of it, and everyone in it. I think he had just seen his next house, somewhere in the world.

The week after that, we had the much-vaunted flight to get over. The girls were keen to wear the uniform in front of the owner and were treating it as another piece of playacting. I wasn’t so sure but went along with the madness. When we were leaving the private screening, tickets were being handed out. I thought that I’d pick up a couple, for Mum and Bert, but then had a wicked thought and picked up a dozen.

There used to be a bunch of old schoolfriends that I’d have a drink with when we left school, and while I was working as Jamie, before the flying excess incident. I hadn’t seen them for close to six months. I had my driver drop me near the pub where we’d start the evening, my dress being casual enough not to make me stand out against other girls that would be there. I walked in to see them at the usual table, noticing that I hadn’t been replaced. Saturday was strictly men-only for the first part, with those with girlfriends leaving after the one drink to do their duty. Often, it would end with just Jeff and I, with me relating some of the funny things from the flights, having a couple more before heading off to get a kebab.

I walked up to the table, and sat down, much to their amazement.

“Good evening lads, you’re just like Jamie described. He says that he’s very sorry that he hasn’t seen you, lately, but he’s been very busy. I’m Julia Leigh, by the way.”

Jeff was the first to get his act together.

“Yeah, we’ve missed him, and his stories.”

Larry laughed.

“You mean that you’ve missed him, Jeff. I always thought that you two could have been bum buddies. Oops, miss, excuse the French.”

“No problems, Larry. Jamie is on a special flight next Saturday, and he asked me if I would see you and offer you some tickets. It’s a private screening of a new film and will leave Gatwick at about ten. It will land near Monaco, so you’ll need your passports if you want to have lunch. It will come back to Gatwick for about seven, which will give you time to get back here for your usual Saturday pint. Now, I have exactly ten tickets, so you can take your girlfriends. You can tell them that Kurt Andreessen and his wife Kym will be on board, along with Jack Fellows. I’m sure they’ll be out buying a special outfit before you get the words out of your mouths.”

Three of them took two tickets each, but Jeff only took one. Larry looked a bit sheepish and asked if he could take the three, so that he could take his mother and father. I smiled as I passed them over.

“That’s lovely, it will be a wonderful experience for them. I’ll have my mother there, along with her toyboy.”

We talked for a while and the others stood to go. They thanked me for the tickets, and I told them I’d see them on Saturday, and that I’d be working as cabin crew. Jeff finished his drink, looked me in the eyes and grinned.

“I guess you don’t drink Guiness anymore. White wine do?”

“What did I do?”

“You knew us all, and you called Larry by his name. I think that there’s an interesting story of how you’ve arrived at this table, looking like a film star. But, there again, you are one, aren’t you. I’ve been peeking at my sisters gossip magazines and you’ve had several pictures in it, looking like a million quid.”

“A dry white’s all right. I think that I can tell you all about it. I don’t think the others twigged.”

When he came back with the drinks, he indicated that we should move to the snug, where there was a spare booth. When we were sitting, he lifted his glass to me.

“To you, Jamie. You were always the quiet one with a fabulous job. And now you’re almost famous with a story that might last us longer than usual. Do you still like kebabs?”

“Jeff, you have no idea what foods I’ve had in the last six months. Some that are impossible to describe but tasted great. I spent nearly three months in Hawaii, shooting my debut movie, which will be shown on the plane next week, on the way to Monaco. This pub has a good menu which we never bothered with. How about I order us something and we can sit here to talk, rather than that old wall.”

“The old wall fell down, you have to stand to eat, now.”

“Even more reason to stay here. What do you like off the board, my treat.”

He chose what he wanted, and I went up to the counter to order, paying with my card. I also added another drink each, to come out with the meals. While we waited, we talked like old days, and I related the excess beer incident and how I ended up having to wear a dress for the rest of the flight. He was laughing and I realised that it was almost out of a comedy, like ‘Flying High’ meets ‘Some like it Hot’.

I had always enjoyed our talks, and tonight was no exception. We had empty glasses when two more came out with our meals. We didn’t talk much as we ate, and then we sat back after clearing our plates.

“That was great, Jamie. I never realised that they were so good.”

“Actually, Jeff; I’m now officially Julia Leigh, so you’d better stop calling me Jamie.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, how close are you to really being Julia.”

I laughed.

“Jeff, I still have everything that I had before, with some other bits stuck on. I’m planning some serious work before we start the next film. I’ve been well disguised by the best bits of latex that money can buy, but my hair’s my own.”

That cracked him up. When he settled down, he became maudlin.

“I guess that this is the only time that I’ll see you, like this. I’m sure that you’ll be hob-knobbing with the other stars in romantic places once this film is released.”

“It’s nothing like that, usually. I’ve sat having a meal with Jack Fellows and his wife, and the only difference between there and now was that we had better clothes on, and the meal cost a good fifty times more than this one did. As far as people are concerned, we are just that, people. Now, tell me. Why didn’t you want the second ticket?”

“It’s odd, Julia. I can’t seem to get a regular girlfriend, and they only last a couple of dates. Some have even told me that being out with me was like an evening with their girlfriends, only not as much fun.”

“That’s why we get on so well, together. We both have a strong feminine side, one which I didn’t know I had before I was wearing a dress. With you, you’re kind, warm-hearted and you think a lot about how you should react. With those girls, you couldn’t be a he-man, because that’s not who you are. I’ve realised that this is what I like about you.”

“You like me?”

“I’ve always liked you, Jeff. It’s just that now I’m sitting here in sexy underwear and make-up I see you through different eyes. How about I pick you up, tomorrow. I’ve still got my old car. We can go down to watch the water, I know a great seafood place in Whitstable where we can have lunch. It will be good for me to relax; I’ve got a busy week coming up.”

When we left the pub, we walked along the road as we always did, and it felt right. At the kebab stall I saw a bunch of guys standing around eating, then we walked on towards his place. At his door, he asked me how I was getting home, so I rang the cab service we used and told them the address. They said they would be with me in five minutes. That done, I licked my lips as I put the phone in my bag.

“Five minutes, Jeff. Do you mind keeping guard until he turns up?”

I could see him coming round to something he had never thought about. Here he was, standing outside his door with me, his friend for a long time, one that knew his secrets as much as he knew mine. He gulped as I took the initiative and kissed him, lightly. He put his arms around me, and we kissed, properly, until the cab driver beeped his horn. We broke away from each other and he held the door as I got in the back, telling him that I’ll be outside at ten.

At home, I was humming old pop songs as I undressed, cleansed, and went to bed. In the morning, I made sure that I dressed in my favourite blue Hawaii dress, with thicker nude tights, and had my Burberry coat to keep the cold out. As I warmed up the car, I tuned to a light music station, singing along with the songs as I drove to pick up Jeff. When I arrived, he beckoned for me to come in, where I met up with his mother.

I had known both parents when I was at school, but she had no idea who I was now. She told us to have fun, and it looked like she thought I was his girlfriend. Friend, yes, but girlfriend? We were at ease as I drove south, and then east. I had suggested that we have a look at Canterbury, as it could be a relaxing time. I had no idea of the throngs and the different languages spoken. We did get in and was strolling in the lowest level, when I saw a couple of people I knew.

I steered Jeff closer until a big guy told us to stay clear. His voice made Kym look over.

“Stand down, Brutus, that’s the leading lady of my next film.”

The guy then smiled and beckoned us through.

“Hello Kym. Brutus?”

“His name is Harrison, but I call him Brutus when he’s looking out for us. Who’s this young lad, then?”

“Kym, this is Jeff. We’ve known each other since school. Jeff, by the look on your face, I think you know who this is.”

He gulped and the held his hand out, tentatively.

“Miss Kym, I found out, last night, that Julia was in the movie industry, but I never thought I’d be meeting the mad murderer from ‘Blood on the Rocks’. I dreamed about you, that night, and fell out of bed.”

She took his hand and pulled him into a hug.

“Welcome to the madhouse, Jeff. Any friend of Julia is a friend of mine. Especially one who has known her for so long. Kurt’s around, somewhere. I’m looking for backdrops for the film after Tallahassee.”

I thought about the final scene of the next film, and then started laughing.

“Kym, that’s terrible. Nuns, for god’s sake!”

“Why not? They go from aristocratic society ladies to members of the Sisters of the Great Angel. You haven’t heard that, Jeff. It’s something that Julia and I will be working on, in a couple of years’ time.”

Kurt came around the corner.

“I thought it was Julia I heard laughing. Hello there.”

He gave me a hug, and then turned to Jeff.

“Hello, young man, I’m Kurt. You’ve met my wife already. It’s that pasty look on your face, she does have that effect on unsuspecting fans.”

“Hello, -um- Kurt. I’m Jeff and I’m with Julia.”

“How is it that Julia knows so many good-looking guys. Don’t you think this lad would be great as an extra, darling. He’s ordinary enough to be made into any number of bit parts.”

“If he’s got some time to spare, hubby dear, I already thought that he would be ideal for one of the bodies, I thought the one found in Whataburger.”

I laughed.

“Enough, already. You’re not nicking my pal on a whim. He may not want to join the merry band of idiots.”

“He knows you, Julia. He’s already part of the band. We just need to give him an instrument to play.”

“Just take it easy, Kym. You don’t want to frighten him off. What are you doing when you leave here?”

“Roger told us about a fish place that his father runs, we thought we might give it a go.”

“That’s where we were going for lunch, Roger took me there, once. Luigi is a lovely man and a great fish chef.”

“We’ll meet you there then. Say about one? I still have a lot I want to look at, here. I’m looking forward to all your gossip on the young Julia, Jeff.”

I gave them both a hug, and they gave Jeff a hug. Then I took Jeff’s hand and pulled him away so they could finish the job that they had set themselves. He was quiet for a while, and then started talking normally.

“Did you know they’d be here?”

“No, it’s pure coincidence. Now, I want to see the shrine to Thomas, and we’ll go to Whitstable and watch the water until it’s lunch time.”

At Whitstable, I parked the car and we sat in a shelter, looking at the Thames Estuary. It wasn’t the hottest day, so he had his overcoat, and I was in my Burberry, so there wasn’t a lot of intimacy as we sat, his arm around my shoulders.

“Julia, who else will I meet, next week?”

“Well, there’ll be me, Belle, Moyra, and Wanda working as cabin crew, along with another four real stewardesses. Cynthia used to be cabin crew, but she plays the part of the co-pilot, so will likely be spending some time alongside Kurt, who plays the Captain, and my love interest. There’s my agent and some of his staff. Then there’ll be the owner of the airline and some of his people. The media will be there for the free drinks, then there will be families and friends. You’ll meet Kurt and Kym, Jack Fellows, and his wife, then there’s likely to be a lot of other actors you’ve seen on the screen. We must have had a dozen or more with us in Hawaii. We’ll try to get you sat with the other guys. I’ll be up front for a bit, then down the back before we land.”

“Who’s this Roger?”

“Roger is a very nice guy who helped me a lot in my early days. We thought that there may be something between us. What happened was what I still retain came between us. He needed a real girl, so found one. We never got beyond a little kissing as I held back. He’s the manager of the London office of the agency, so will still be part of my future, but as a friend.”

“Like me?”

“You’re more than a friend, Jeff. We’ve been mates for a long time and I’m comfortable with you, almost like a married couple, already. We remember things that are pre-Julia. It’s similar with me and the other girls that gave me the make-over so I could continue the flight. This afternoon I’ll take you to say hello to Mum, and Bert, her bingo caller partner. I still have to give them their tickets.”

“What about your father, he was flying with the airline?”

“Not anymore. He had done some pretty bad things while he was in the RAF and is presently in a Military prison. Don’t spread that around, it was all sorted out behind closed doors.”

“It’s weird, this. Yesterday I was just hanging out, today I’m having lunch with two of the biggest stars in the business,”

I gave him a playful punch on the arm.

“Hey, what about me. Stay in my good books and I’ll let you walk me down the red carpet at the Oscars.”

He smiled, then pulled me close to give me a kiss. It felt good, I felt that I was actually wanted by him. Just about every kiss I’d had up to now had been nice, even sexy, but there had been no true intimacy in them. As we kissed, I realised what love feels like.

We sat some more and contemplated what had just happened. Then we got up and walked to the restaurant. We were the first there, and Luigi welcomed me with a hug and double cheek kiss.

“Julia, so lovely to see you again. Roger brought some bimbo in, and I thought that you wouldn’t be back.”

“Wild horses wouldn’t keep me away from the best fish in the country. This is Jeff, a friend since schooldays. Can you give us a table for six, please, we’ll be joined by a couple of friends and their minders.”

“Minders, are they from the madhouse?”

“Movie madhouse. You’ll know them when you see them.”

He guided us to a big table by the window, took our coats and asked us what we would like to drink. We ordered and Jeff still looked worried.

“Don’t look worried, Jeff. You saw, this morning, that they’re nice people.”

“It’s not that, so much. I’m trying to get my head around the fact that I now realise I had a crush on you since school, but never showed it for fear of being outed. Can you forgive me?”

“Nothing to forgive. We’ve been friends and there had to have been something deeper, the way we got on together. Now, you’re a boy, and I’m almost a girl, so there’s no thought of being gay in my mind. I’ve spoken to my agent, who can organise anything, and he’s got me into hospital in the period between the premiere and starting the next film. He told me that I would have the money to fund the operation as a private patient.”

“That would have to be expensive.”

“Jeff, my monthly salary is enough to call myself well-off. I’m on a percentage of the gross, so, if this film makes an expected fifty million at the box office, I will earn about one point five, less what I owe on my account at the agency.”

“How long will that take?”

“That’s what it’s likely to earn in the first weekend. After that, who knows. I’ll get some out of any DVD sales, merchandise, and anything else they sell regarding the film. The thing is that my salary is paid by David, the director, for this film only. I’ll still have to be employed for future movies. Kym has a guy who does most of her films, so he’ll have to agree with her that I’m going to be in her next two projects. Who knows, you may be on the set with me if you get to play some bit parts and a body.”

There was a commotion at the door, and we looked up to see Luigi greeting Kym and Kurt. Harrison was looking around the room in case there was any dangerous people eating oysters, saw us and pointed our way. Luigi brought them to our table. Kym and Kurt sat close to us, Harrison, and the driver at the other end.

Luigi took the drinks order, offered the menu, with a flourish, then smiled.

“My no-good son never brought a star here until he brought Julia, and now she has brought you wonderful people to my humble restaurant. If you would consent to a picture, to go on my wall, anything you order is on the house.”

Kym and Kurt agreed that it was a nice idea and ordered three of the platters for two. I’d seen someone order that, when I was here with Roger, and it was a humungous plate of different seafoods, with two bowls of the sweet potato chips. Kurt opened the discussion.

“So, Jeff, what do you do for a crust. Nothing you can’t leave to join our band of layabouts, I hope?”

“I’m just a worker in the supermarket, Kurt. I pack shelves and move boxes around, and, if I’m really lucky, I get to carry bags out to cars for nice ladies who may give me a smile.”

“You sound like our kind of guy. What do you think, darling? Do we invite him into the madhouse?”

Kym looked at me, and I winked, so that Jeff couldn’t see it.

“I think he’ll be perfect, hubby. We can put him on the payroll, starting today. I’ll speak to Stan to get it moving when we’re next with him. What do you say, Jeff. Stay at the supermarket or join us in the meat market that’s the movie business. Who knows, you may end up with a lot of those nice ladies throwing themselves at your feet.”

“If you want me to work with you, I’m your man!”

“Right. Now, Julia, we haven’t discussed payment, before. My director will be on the flight, on Saturday. He just needs to see you and the girls act before he gives us the green light. If he does say it’s a go, he’ll organise the money for the film. I’ve shown him the screenplay of the first one and told him my ideas of the second. You, and the girls are certain starters. Jeff is, as well, watching him has given me an idea about one of the policemen, a constable, of course. We work in a different way to David, in that my producer can get the funds to pay us a lump sum for our inclusion, rather than the salary you’ve been getting.”

“I was telling Jeff about that arrangement before you arrived. How does that differ?”

“Well, you did well by getting a percentage for this film. We just got an up-front payment. With the next film you won’t get a percentage, but, if it’s a hit, your up-front payment for the following one goes up. From there on, what you earn is entirely dependent on how good you are.”

“I’m asking this for Jeff. If he’s playing a small speaking part, is he salary or a single payment?”

“For the part that I have in mind, he’ll be all expenses paid on the set, and he’ll start off with a quarter of a million, US, in his pocket. He has to pass the screen test first, though.”

Marianne Gregory © 2024