Olivia and the Movie Stars Read Online Free Page B

asked.
    “We have a suite at the Savoy Hotel,” said Cosmo. “It sucks.”
    “No, it doesn’t, Cosmo,” said Cosima sharply. “It’s totally neat.” She looked a little wistful. “But I wish we could live in a real apartment like this and be just like other kids.”
    Cosmo made a braying sound, like a donkey laughing. “But we’re not like other kids, Cosi. We’re the Wood twins and don’t you forget it.”
    “As if,” sighed Cosima.
    At that moment, Alicia and Sebastian came back. “Why don’t you show the twins round the Swan?” said Alicia. Cosmo looked totally underwhelmed at the idea but Alicia was insistent. She explained that the Swan was a bit of a warren and a tour would make everything much easier for them when they started the next day. The children set off, with Cosmo trailing behind still playing a game on his phone. The minders followed at a distance.
    * * * * *
    Alicia and Sebastian watched them go.
    “This isn’t going to be easy, Alicia,” said Sebastian.
    “No,” said Alicia. “In fact, it’s going to be much harder than I thought. I’m really worried about the twins, Seb. You saw them acting this afternoon. I know it’s still early days but they’re going to be so exposed on the West End stage. When I was doing the film with them in Hollywood I strongly advised Jasper Wood against doing Peter Pan but he still went ahead and signed the contract on their behalf. They may be rich and famous the world over but they’re still just a couple of twelve-year-old kids and I can’t bear to think of them being sacrificed on the altar of the Wood family ambitions.”
    “I can see why Jasper Wood was keen,” replied Sebastian. “I know he’s still a big star but his career is rumoured to be on the skids. His last couple of movies flopped and he hasn’t been on Broadway for years. Presumably he wants to make sure that his kids carry on the family name. But I’m curious. Why did you agree to this? Why get involved in something so risky?”
    “How could I say no?” said Alicia. “Ithink I genuinely helped them improve their performances in the film, and the editing will do the rest. Once Jasper had made up his mind that the twins were going to do Peter Pan , I felt I had to do anything I could to prevent a catastrophe. They’ve never even been on stage before, poor little mites.”
    “I don’t think that Cosmo qualifies as a poor little mite; more of a spoiled little brat,” said Sebastian drily.
    Alicia nodded. “I don’t think he’ll be half so cocky when he realises the challenge he’s up against. I just hope that the rest of the principals in the cast go all out to help them.”
    “Who’s playing Captain Hook?” asked Sebastian.
    “I imagine they’ll double Mr Darling and Captain Hook, but Jon wouldn’t tell me who the actor is. It’s top secret, so it must be a huge name. Even the twins don’t know who it is. There’s more security round this show than there is around the Crown Jewels. Everyone involved has had to sign confidentiality agreements, and I had to get special permission just to announce it at assembly this afternoon. I just hope Captain Hook is played by someone who’ll be generousand supportive towards the twins.” Alicia shook her head gravely. “I’m seriously worried their West End debut is going to backfire and that’ll end up reflecting badly on the Swan too. But there’s no going back now. We’ll just have to make the best of a bad situation and hope that the critics don’t eat them up and spit them out.” She looked at her watch. “I’d better call Tom and Georgia. Their taxi will be here any moment to take them to the Duke’s for The Sound of Music .” She cocked her head to one side, reminding Sebastian of a delicate bird. “Isn’t this lack of building-site noise bliss?”
     
    Everyone rushed off about their business and suddenly Olivia found herself alone with the twins and their minders while they waited for their limo to