Page 107 of Love like the (Real) Reel Thing
“Seems a bit fucking convenient that she’s asleep, Doctor,” one of the other men said.
There was a doctor? This was getting worse.
“She was vomiting for two days,” Adam said calmly. “I was called out to give her a shot to stop it now. But she’s exhausted and she needs to rest.”
“She can’t just sleep the whole day,” the man said. “The shoot’s already been delayed enough.”
“She’ll need another few hours.” Adam sounded firmer.
Under the covers, Jess dug her nails into her palms and resisted a sudden, nervous urge to laugh.
There was some sighing and muttering. Then Jess heard a third male voice that she presumed was the other producer.
“We’ll give her one more hour. Then we want to see her.”
She thought she could hear the faint creaking of floorboards as they left but she stayed where she was, hardly daring to move. After a few moments, there was the distinct sound of a door closing, and then someone came back into the room and sat on the bed. She turned and opened her eyes, releasing a breath when she saw it was Adam.
“You pretended to be a doctor?” She sat up and threw the covers off her.
“Only thing I could think of.” Adam ran a hand through his hair. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine. We need to find Afric.”
“Can I persuade you to see an actual doctor first?”
Jess smiled sweetly. “Nope.”
“Thought as much.” Adam rolled his eyes. “Okay, let’s find Afric. We only have an hour.”
CHAPTER 55
Jess took out her phone to scroll for Afric’s number. As if on cue, her phone rang. “It’s her!” She swiped quickly and put her on speaker.
“Jess?”
“Yes, I’m here.”
“I’ve been trying to reach you. I’m sorry I freaked out in the tunnel but I knew you’d get out okay.”
Jess rolled her eyes but said nothing.
“Anyway,” Afric continued, “I couldn’t risk calling Doug or any of the cast because the producers are there.”
“I know.” Jess’s tone was dry. “Where are you now?”
There was a loud sigh. “Still in the fucking wood. I can’t risk going anywhere else, can I?”
“No, not really,” Jess said, “not when you’re supposed to be in bed sick. Look, are you near the tunnel?”
“Forget it!” Afric’s voice hardened. “I’m not going back in there.”
“Afric? This is Adam Rourke.” He glanced at Jess. “I work for the Charleston Group. Can you wait beside the tunnel and I’llcome get you? I promise we’ll find you another way in. Just have your phone on.”
“Okay.” Afric sounded a bit uncertain. “I’ll wait.”
“I’m coming through the tunnel now – I won’t be long.”
Afric hung up and Jess looked at Adam. “We don’t have a plan to get her back inside.”
