Plain Jane in the Spotlight Read Free

streaming down her cheeks.
    He didn’t waste time arguing, just took out a clean handkerchief and dabbed her face gently.
    ‘People kiss each other all the time,’ he said. ‘It doesn’t mean anything, not in this place. Kissing is just like saying hello.’
    She knew that what she’d seen was far more than that, but he was trying to be kind, and she forced herself to be calm.
    ‘Yes—yes—thank you. I’ll stop bothering you now—’
    ‘You’re not bothering me. I just don’t like to see you upset. Do you know him?’
    ‘I thought I did—I mean, yes—no—’
    He nodded, as though fully comprehending her confusion.
    ‘I can’t say I like him much myself,’ he admitted. ‘Are you one of his fans? You sound English. Did you follow him here?’
    ‘No!’ she said fiercely. ‘Of course I didn’t. What a thing to say!’
    ‘Sorry, sorry. No offence. So you haven’t lost your heart to him?’
    ‘No!’ she said violently. ‘That would be just silly—mooning over a pretty face just because he’s an actor.’
    ‘It has been known,’ he murmured wryly. ‘But if you haven’t, that’s good. This is no place for people with hearts. What’s your name?’
    ‘Charlene Wilkins. Who are you?’
    She sensed, rather than saw, a tremor of surprise go through him. ‘What did you say?’
    ‘I just asked your name. Have I seen you before somewhere?’
    ‘Evidently not. My name’s Travis Falcon. I work here.’
    ‘Oh, yes—you’re in the show, aren’t you?’
    His lips twitched with something that might have been amusement. ‘That’s one way of putting it. Now, let’s get out of here. We’ve got time for a coffee before I start work.’
    ‘No, I’m fine…fine—honestly—’
    It was a lie. Appalled, she could feel herself on the verge of hysterics as the truth crashed in on her.
    ‘Come on,’ he said firmly. ‘I’m not leaving you on your own in a strange place. Not given the state you’re in.’
    But to be alone was what she needed in case the screams rising within her broke out. When he reached for her she flailed madly to fend him off, and the next moment she heard a loud crack as her hand made contact with his face.
    The sound was shocking and the way he rubbed his cheek told its own story. Charlene backed away, hands over her mouth, eyes wide with horror. But, incredibly, he wasn’t offended.
    ‘Hey, it’s not that bad,’ Travis said. ‘No big deal.’
    ‘It is. Oh, heavens, I hit you really hard. I didn’t mean to— I’m sorry—’
    ‘You will be if you don’t let me buy you a coffee. Come on, no more arguments or I’ll get tough.’
    His tone was light but he held her arm in a no-nonsense grip. Nor could she have defied him now. All the strength seemed to have drained out of her. The next thing she knew, she was sitting at a table in the corner of the studio canteen.
    ‘I’m going to the counter,’ he said. ‘Don’t even think of escaping while I’m gone, or I’ll get mad.’ He gave her a kindly smile. ‘I can be very nasty when I’m mad.’
    He left her and she sat there, without the strength to move. She felt herself sagging everywhere—body, mind and heart. How had she been such a fool as to let it come to this? Plain, sensible Charlene, famed for her common sense! And she’d gone down like a row of ninepins.
    Travis Falcon. Now she recalled that he was the star of the show. He didn’t act like a star, proud and pompous. He hadn’t been offended when she’d failed to recognise him, or even when she’d accidentally struck him. More like a nice guy than a star.
    She dived into her bag and pulled out the newspaper with the picture of the man in the nightclub. As she opened it another picture fell out. It had been taken on a stage and showed a young man and a girl in nineteenth-century costumes, fervently clinging to each other. She took it with her everywhere.
    ‘Here we are.’ Travis’s voice made her jump as he appeared with coffee and rolls. ‘It’s