face. The entrance hall was impressive – wide enough to drive a car through.
‘Thank you,’ I said, taking in the decor as I was shown in.
‘You’re not expected to speak to them,’ George rasped.
His demeanour had changed since we got inside; his back was rigid, his fingers clenching and unclenching. It seemed I was not the only one who was anxious. But he was friends with Sheridan, so what had he to be nervous about?
‘Now, George, don’t chide her for having manners.’ A woman’s voice echoed from the hallway and I turned to see Sheridan Sinclair.
She looked so glamorous compared to me, in her heels and wrap dress. It was then that I realised what George had meant about my hair. As I gazed upon her blonde locks I saw the likeness. Hers was neatly tied up while mine was loose, trailing down my back.
Holding out my hand, I offered the firm grip George had approved of. But where was Daniel?
I kept my gaze firmly on Sheridan’s face. I had read the recent press reports. I knew how hard it had been, living in her husband’s shadow. But she had been nominated for an Oscar. She deserved to be recognised in her own right.
‘I’m Roz,’ I said, stating the obvious. ‘It’s so good to meet you.’
But Sheridan ignored my hand and took me in a light embrace. She smelt amazing, like an exotic flower garden in a faraway land. She was as beautiful in real life as she was on screen. Her lips were full, no doubt from the fillers she was rumoured to receive, and wrinkles were few and far between. I realised I was staring, and a flush rose to my cheeks.
‘Sorry,’ I said. ‘I can’t believe it’s you.’
No explanation was needed. Everyone knew who Sheridan was. Many had grown up with her, watching her blossom from child star to adult actress. Even now, the reruns of It Takes All Sorts were streaming on Netflix. I’d watched them so many times, crying when her dog Bouncer died and melting at her first on-screen kiss. There was very little of Sheridan’s life that was not public knowledge, although lately, the press that had once loved her had turned bitter and cruel.
‘Daniel will be joining us later,’ she said. ‘I thought it best if we have a chat first. Have you had something to eat?’
‘No, I was a bit queasy,’ I said, still in awe of her presence. It was all so much to take in.
‘You must eat, no matter how bad you feel,’ she said, touching my arm. Her expression was stern, which took me aback. Her grip relaxed. ‘For the baby. It’s never too early to eat well.’
I gave her a tight smile, taking it as a good sign that she cared so much. It was a novelty. Apart from Dympna, who was a junk food queen, nobody ever cared what I ate. I followed Sheridan like a lamb looking for its mother, taking in the artwork on the walls as we went through to a dining room. I was fed an omelette with wholegrain bread, and a shot of vegetable juice that tasted so foul I almost spat it out. A bowl of fruit salad cleansed my palette and I sipped a glass of mineral water as Sheridan spoke. We chatted a little about my journey before turning our attention to the reason I was there.
‘You must have so many questions,’ Sheridan said, ‘but there’s something I want to address first.’ She leaned forward, not waiting for my response. I was all ears. ‘There have been some unsavoury articles about me in a certain gossip magazine.’ She sighed, meeting my gaze. ‘They could write about my happy marriage, my relationship with my beautiful son. But happy stories don’t sell. And their source has an axe to grind.’
‘I don’t believe what I read in the press. I know most of it’s not true . . .’
‘I’d be happier if I could explain,’ Sheridan interrupted. ‘Their source is an ex-employee of mine. I fired her after I found her out.’
‘I see,’ I said, crossing my legs beneath my chair. The truth felt awkward. It was none of my business and I felt like I was intruding.
‘I know it’s early days, but I want us to get off to a good start. You didn’t know who we were when you accepted us online. Now you know, have you had any second thoughts?’
‘No,’ I said, exhaling a sudden breath. ‘Sorry, I’m