Take Two (A psychological thriller) Read Online Free Page A

and walked into the reception area.
    A uniformed security guard raised a cup of coffee in salute. ‘Good morning, Miss Castle.’
    ‘Good morning, Charlie. How’s the wife?’
    ‘Not happy at me doing nights,’ he said.
    ‘What time are you off?’
    He looked over at a digital clock on the wall. ‘Another two hours.’
    ‘At least you get to spend the day with her,’ said Carolyn.
    Charlie laughed. ‘She’s on days this week,’ he said. ‘It’ll probably be next week before I get to see her.’
    Carolyn smiled sympathetically, then pushed her way through the double doors to the production offices.  Jake Harrington was already at his desk, going through the day’s shoot with his cameraman, Frank McWilliams. Frank had a thick black beard that merged seamlessly into a mop of unruly hair. He grinned at Carolyn. ‘The early bird, huh?’
    ‘Please tell me the camera’s working today,’ she said.
    ‘All good,’ said Frank.
    ‘We’re set up to go as soon as you’re ready,’ said Harrington. ‘Kelly’s waiting for you in make-up.’
    ‘I’ll go right in,’ said Carolyn. ‘Can you do me a favour, Jake? Can I come with you to the awards thing tonight?’
    ‘Of course,’ said the director. ‘What’s happened to Eddie?’
    ‘He’s not feeling too well,’ Carolyn lied. ‘Tummy bug.’
    ‘Frank and I will be leaving at about six,’ said Harrington.
    ‘I call shotgun,’ said Frank.
    Carolyn laughed and walked along the corridor to the make-up department.  There were three chairs facing a mirror that ran the full length of the room.  Kelly was in her early twenties, and as always was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed despite the early hour.  Kelly generally worked the early shift and Tracey came in at midday. She had shoulder-length blonde hair tied back in a ponytail and wore faded denim dungarees with lots of pockets in which she had slotted her brushes and combs. The lights around the mirror were so bright that Carolyn had to shade her eyes with her hand as she sat down in the middle chair. Carolyn hated the mirror and the lights, the combination showed up every imperfection, every flaw.
    ‘How are you this morning?’ Kelly asked.
    ‘I’ll let you know in an hour or so,’ said Carolyn.
    ‘You’re not really a morning person, are you?’ Kelly said and laughed.
    ‘Never have been,’ said Carolyn.
    ‘I love mornings,’ said Kelly. ‘Up with the lark, I am. Early to bed, early to rise.’ She bent down and peered at Carolyn’s face, gently running a finger under her eyes. ‘You’ve got your panda look,’ she said. ‘Were you out late last night?’
    ‘Quiet night in,’ said Carolyn. She forced a smile, trying to hide her discomfort. She had barely slept and had tossed and turned all night, checking her phone a hundred times. In the middle of the night she’d actually called her mobile from her landline just to check it was working.
    ‘No worries, easy enough to cover up,’ said Kelly.
    She took out a brush and picked up a pot of foundation.
    Carolyn looked at Kelly in the mirror. ‘How does my hair look to you?’
    Kelly gave her a beaming smile. ‘Don’t worry, Jake’s already been in. I can take care of it.’
    ‘Take care of what?’
    ‘The thinning,’ she said. ‘A bit of spray and you’ll be good to go.’
    ‘It is thinning, then?’
    ‘It’s nothing to worry about,’ said Kelly, rubbing her brush on foundation. ‘It happens to everyone as they get older. And, trust me, there’s many worse than you.’
    ‘That’s good to hear,’ said Carolyn. She ran her hand through her hair and sighed.
    ‘So have you heard about Andrea?’ asked Kelly.
    ‘What?’
    ‘Her agent has just got her a huge pay rise. They’re going to make her part bigger.’
    ‘Come on, Kelly, how would you know that? No one talks about their salary in this business.’
    Kelly looked around as if she feared that someone might be eavesdropping, even though they were alone in the room.