Page 4 of Broken Beyond Repair

Yes, she replied.

Alison’s name flashed up on her phone as it vibrated in her hand.

“How are you doing?” Alison asked upon her answering it.

“Awful. I haven’t been able to sleep with the pain,” Beatrice replied, popping a couple of pills from their packet as she spoke.

“The production company are in touch with the hospital. They’ve covered all the costs of your treatment and sent their apologies. They have some other scenes to shoot without you, and then they’ll shut down for the summer.”

“If they have apologies, they can send them themselves. Can you arrange a PA for when I return to the UK? I don’t trust Fleur to set it up; her focus is elsewhere.”

“I’ll see what my assistant Tom can rustle up,” Alison said. “I’ve spoken to Mrs Clarkson; she sends her best wishes. She’s on holiday until the end of next week. She did offer to come back early to open the house for you, but as she’s visiting her daughter, who gave birth to a baby this morning, I said you would cope.”

“You did, did you? Then you better find me a PA that can cook and clean! And please ensure she’s finished puberty.”

A shrill laugh came back down the line, leaving Beatrice baffled as to what the joke was as she hung up.

CHAPTER2

The echoes of a throaty exhaust bounced off the surrounding hedgerows of the narrow lane. The local wildlife dove for cover as the wheels of a pale blue VW camper van clipped the verges at its top speed of 50 mph.

Sydney glanced at her watch. “Shit. Come on, old girl. Nearly there.”

They approached a blind corner, and Gertie choked as Sydney changed her down a gear. She knew Gertie, her camper van, well enough to rely on engine braking rather than her next-to-useless drum brakes to slow her.

“Don’t go flaky on me again,” she pleaded.

Arching her body to see around the corner, she tooted Gertie’s comical horn that sounded like something from a Fisher Price toy.

Clear.

Just as she accelerated into the bend, a horse and rider appeared head-on.

Sydney’s foot slammed onto the brake. She gripped the skinny steering wheel, almost leaving her seat as she leveraged her weight onto the pedal. Gertie eventually caught up to her request and rolled to a stop.

How had she missed that?

The equestrian glared at her and shook her head. Sydney gave her a courteous flash of her hand as she passed and then swivelled it to give her the middle finger.

Fighting her way back to first gear, Sydney let out a long breath. Gertie spluttered into life and continued lolloping along the lane, blowing smoke from her arse as she trundled into the village.

Sydney spotted the church on top of a steep hill.

Seriously!

“Sorry, Gertie,” Sydney apologised. “Up we go.”

Gertie complained under the strain of the incline as she heaved herself and Sydney towards the church.

“Shit, nowhere to park…” Sydney said as she surveyed the small car park. “Ah, that will do. Let’s squeeze you in there.”

Jumping from the driver’s seat, Sydney smoothed down her tan chinos and floral top, and slipped her navy blazer on. The creases she could do nothing about; that was camper life.

She reached back in and grabbed her phone from the seat, extracting her long, brown hair from beneath her collar. A message popped up on her phone as she ran up the path to the church.

You’re late! J x

Blame Gertie!she texted James.I’m outside.