Page 29 of Courting Trouble

‘It was the script,’ Rena said simply. ‘There was… a section. About Tamsin’s relationships. With women.’

A pause.

‘She was bisexual,’ Rena added. ‘But she didn’t talk about that publicly. Not once.’

Cassie caught the smallest movement from Delilah, a shift, like her spine had straightened an inch.

‘The script felt invasive,’ Rena said. ‘Like someone going through her top drawer without asking. So I pulled the rights. I won’t let her be misrepresented, not even by people with good intentions.’

Another pause.

Delilah’s voice, when it came, was low but sure.

‘I understand,’ she said. ‘And I appreciate you telling me.’

Cassie half expected her to leave it there. But she didn’t.

‘I’m bisexual,’ Delilah said.

Cassie turned, startled. Delilah didn’t look at her. She was focused entirely on Rena.

‘And I want you to know… if I play Tamsin, I will treat that part of her with respect. Not just as an actress, but as someone whogetsit.’

Rena’s gaze was still.

Delilah went on, her voice warmer now, more personal.

‘If Tamsin didn’t talk about that, maybe she did that because the world didn’t let her. But I think it matters now more than ever. Not to sensationalise it or make it the whole story. Just… to let it be part of her. So no one else feels like they have to bury who they are to be accepted.’

She stopped there, and Cassie flicked a look at Rena. It was truly hard to say how she’d taken that.

Rena looked down. Her fingers worried the hem of her sleeve for a second. Then she nodded slowly.

‘OK, well, that’s… given me something to think about. Which I will now do,’ Rena said with a nod to the door.

‘Of course,’ Delilah said quickly. ‘Of course.’

They shuffled out.

Back in the car, Cassie started the engine but didn’t drive.

Delilah stared out the window, her expression unreadable.

Cassie said, ‘You didn’t have to say all that. The personal stuff…’

‘I did, actually. Because it’s how I feel. It’s why I wanted this so badly. Well, that and a serious profile bump.’

Cassie smiled. And she wondered if she should say something else. About her own sexuality. But what did it really matter?

Of course, the real reason she didn’t, the thought she couldn’t allow herself to have very loudly, was that she was scared of where the admission could lead, in this very car. Scared to death.

‘Hey, are you busy tomorrow?’ Delilah asked.

Cassie was surprised. ‘Why?’

‘I’d like some tennis training, if you’re up for it?’

Cassie laughed. ‘Jesus, the confidence.’