scowled at him. ‘You didn’t call me talented in your article this morning. You said, and I quote: “A pathetic attempt at portraying a femme fatale from a clearly inexperienced actress.” Isn’t that what you said?’
‘It might have run something along those lines.’
‘What?’ She eyeballed him in fury. ‘You don’t even remember what you wrote about me?’
‘Look.’ He dragged a hand through his hair. ‘I had a deadline to meet and I’d been out and it was late…’
‘Are you telling me you were drunk when you wrote that column?’
‘Of course not.’ He glanced around to make sure no one had heard her fiery accusation. ‘Will you keep your voice down? I can do without bad publicity right now.’
Mia straightened to her full height which still left her at a distinct disadvantage to his six-feet-three. ‘Do you think I give a damn about your career when you’ve so cavalierly destroyed mine?’
He compressed his lips for a moment. ‘Look, I’ll strike a little deal with you.’ He took out a business card and handed it to her. ‘If you’re dropped from the play, give me a call and I’ll try and find some other work for you. OK?’
Mia tore the card into tiny pieces and, stepping on her tiptoes, reached to where his top button was undone and stuffed the pieces down his shirt. ‘Thanks but no thanks,’ she said crisply. ‘And I’m going to tell all my friends not to listen to your radio programme ever again. And let me tell you I have a lot of friends.’
Bryn watched her flounce back to the kitchen, where, after a short interchange with one of the other waitresses, she scooped up a shoulder bag and left via a rear entrance, her pony-tail still swinging in fury.
He looked down at the neck of his shirt where the sharp little edges were digging into his skin and smiled.
Yes, Great-Aunt Agnes would most definitely approve.
He reached for his mobile and pressed in a few numbers. ‘Annabelle, can you text me Theodore Frankston’s number and the name and number of Mia Forrester’s current agent?’
‘What are you up to, Bryn?’ Annabelle’s tone was full of suspicion.
He waited until he was outside the café before responding. ‘Listen, Annabelle, I’ve got a plan. You know how you said I needed to improve my image to encourage more female listeners? Well, this is a perfect way to do it.’
Annabelle gave a groan. ‘This isn’t another one of those publicity stunts that will make me cringe, is it? I really don’t think I can cope with the fallout if you get involved with yet another married woman.’
‘No, this isn’t anything like that. And by the way Summer Riley was divorced, or as good as.’
‘She was a slut, Bryn, and for the whole time you were involved with her your ratings slipped to an all-time low. Female listeners fell away in droves and we still haven’t got them all back.’
‘But that’s exactly my point,’ Bryn said. ‘If I play my cards right with this I could overhaul my image within a matter of days. Think about it. What could be better right now than me having a whirlwind romance with a struggling actress I’ve just savaged in the Press? Women will love it. It’s got that whole love-hate chemistry just like a Hollywood movie.’
‘I can’t believe I’m hearing this,’ Annabelle muttered.
‘No, listen, Annabelle,’ he insisted. ‘Women all over Sydney will tune in to hear how our relationship is going. It’s perfect!’
‘And how exactly are you going to convince Mia Forrester to have a relationship with you? Last time I looked you were wearing the cappuccino she tossed in your lap,’ Annabelle pointed out with more than a hint of dryness.
‘I have a strategy in mind that I think will do the trick. Text me those numbers as soon as you track them down. Ciao.’
A few minutes later Bryn phoned Theodore Frankston. It was a short conversation and very much to the point.
‘It was a rotten review,’ Theo growled when Bryn identified himself.
‘It was a rotten performance,’ Bryn returned. ‘That girl was totally wrong for the role. What were you thinking, Theo? You should get rid of her immediately before your reputation is damaged any further.’
‘And if I don’t?’
‘Then on air this afternoon I will warn my listeners to stay away from your play and stay at home and watch TV instead. Your little production company will lose all its sponsors before you can blink.’
‘She’s not going to like this,’ Theo grumbled. ‘I like the girl. She’s a bit raw but I think with a little more work she’ll improve.’
‘I like her too,’ Bryn said. ‘Leave her to me. I’ve got big plans for her.’
‘You’re an arrogant bastard,’ Theo said. ‘Has anyone told you that lately?’
‘As a matter of fact they have,’ Bryn said with a lazy smile. ‘And I liked it so much I can hardly wait until she tells me all over again.’
His phone call to Mia’s agent was even more productive. He’d met Roberta Askinthorpe at various social events and although they had flirted occasionally nothing serious had come of it, but he knew she would do anything he asked.
‘Long time no hear,’ Roberta cooed at him. ‘Are you ringing to apologise for that incendiary review you wrote about one of my favourite clients in this morning’s paper?’
‘Not exactly.’
Roberta laughed. ‘No, the Bryn Dwyer I know would never apologise for his actions. What was I thinking?’
‘I need you to do something for me, Roberta, but it has to remain a secret.’
‘Your wish is my command, you know that, Bryn, darling.’
‘I want you to temporarily take Mia Forrester off your books.’
‘Why do you want me to do that? She’s a real sweetie with bags of potential. I know Theodore’s play was a bit out there for her but Sabina was sick at the last minute. Anyway, every actor needs stretching occasionally.’
‘I have something else for her to do.’
‘But how will I explain it to her?’
‘Use my review as an excuse,’ he suggested. ‘It doesn’t have to be permanent. You can take her on again later. I just need her to be without work and representation so she will agree to work for me for the time being.’
‘I must say, this sounds very intriguing,’ Roberta said. ‘Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for the girl?’
Bryn laughed off the suggestion. ‘Come on, Roberta, you know me better than that. I’m not the falling-in-love type.’
‘Perhaps not, but
