The Accidental Actress

By Kathleen Bell

Lilly has been in love with movie star William Locksley for years. She's seen all his movies, and now she's about to meet him on the set of his new movie, that she wrote.

After an accident, the female lead, Lindsey Elkston has to quit the film, and the director persuades Lilly to take her place.

But, will William turn out to be the man she thought he was, or will someone else steal her heart?

However, Lilly has a secret, which makes her new career, and her love life, a little daunting.

Lilly soon becomes friends with actor and assistant director, Tim Carmichael, and the make-up lady Jane, who help her deal with her secret, and advise her on her love life.

She soon thinks she's finally met the love of her life, but will she be proved wrong?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Nov 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9780244049430

Book preview

The Accidental Actress

The Accidental Actress

by

Kathleen Bell

ISBN 978-0-244-04943-0

Copyright© 2017 Kathleen Bell

Published by Kathleen Bell

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilisation of this work, in whole or in part, in any form is forbidden without written permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination, or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

www.kathleenbellauthor.com

Cover art by Kathleen Bell

Acknowledgements

Thank you to God for making this possible. A very big thank you to everyone who purchased and read this book, it means so much to me and I really hope you enjoyed reading it. And thank you to my husband for all his support.

Other Books by This Author

Another Dimension – Journey into the Unknown

Another Dimension – Friend or Foe

Chapter One

Twenty-one year old Lilly, sat in a large office with the producer and director. Her slim figure wriggled nervously in her seat while they fired questions at her and she answered them as best she could. Her hands were shaking and clammy and she had to keep taking sips of water from the glass they had given her, as her mouth was unbearably dry. Every so often she would fidget with her shoulder-length wavy brown hair, twisting it between her fingers.

She could hardly believe she was here. She had spent the last few months working on her screenplay and trying to pitch it. After what seemed like forever, her screenplay had finally been accepted, and now she was here to seal the deal and discuss the finer details.

So did you have anyone in mind for the lead roles when you wrote this script? asked the producer Hank Walker. A man in his late thirties with scruffy brown hair sticking out from under a baseball cap.

I was thinking along the lines of William Locksley and Lindsey Elkston, if you can get them. suggested Lilly, taking another sip of her water. She couldn't help notice that the director pulled a face when she mentioned William Locksley's name.

Those are great choices. They're very popular actors right now. replied Hank smiling. He wrote down the names on his clipboard.

Well Lilly, said the director, Jim Carmichael, who had short brown hair and was in his early forties, but still good-looking for his age. I think that's everything for now, it's been nice meeting you. He stood up and held out his hand to shake hers.

Lilly smiled at him, stood up, and quickly wiped her clammy hand on her skirt, before taking his hand and shaking it. You too.

If you like, added the director, You're welcome to come down to the set when we start filming. You can meet the cast and crew and see how we bring your screenplay to life.

Really? replied Lilly, bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet. I would absolutely love that! I can still hardly believe my story is going to be made into a film. I'm so excited!

I'll give you a call to let you know when we start and we can sort out the details then. said Hank smiling, also shaking her hand.

That's great. Thank you all so much. Good-bye.

Lilly turned and headed for the door with a huge grin on her face. As soon as she was out of the room and walking down the corridor, she couldn't help squealing, Yes. to herself and doing a little fist-pump.

* * *

Four months had passed since her meeting, Lilly was in her bedroom packing a suitcase while she dialled her mobile to talk to her friend. It wasn't long before Stacy answered.

Hello Lilly, how are you today?

Hi Stacy. I'm fine, how are you? Lilly replied, shoving a handful of knickers from her drawer into the suitcase on her bed.

I'm good thanks. So what's the latest news?

You know I had my screenplay accepted?

Yeah. replied Stacy.

Well I got a phone call this morning to say they start filming in two days, and I can go down to the set whenever I want to watch my film come to life. How cool is that? Lilly grabbed a handful of bras from the drawer and threw them on top of the knickers. She didn't really care if anything matched, after all, who was going to see them anyway?

Oh Lilly, that's great I'm so happy for you. replied Stacy. You've worked so hard.

But that's not the best bit. Lilly continued, pulling clothes from the wardrobe and throwing them on the bed.

It's not?

Nope. Guess who they cast as the male lead?

Tell me. begged Stacy, desperately wanting to know.

William Locksley. Lilly grinned, knowing that even though she couldn't see it, Stacy's face would be green with envy. Only the most gorgeous actor in the whole entire world. And I might get to meet him. How great is that?

"Lilly you are so lucky. I'm totally jealous. You never know, maybe he'll fall in love with you. It's about time you found yourself a man."

Lilly rolled her eyes. Yeah, like that's gonna happen. If only. Please, please, please, please, please. Well, I don't know about that, but it sure would be nice to meet him at least.

Stacy's doorbell rang. Sorry Lilly, that's the door, I gotta go. You have fun and let me know all the juicy details.

I will. Bye. Lilly hung up the phone, and began folding up the clothes on her bed and packing them.

* * *

The following day was spent travelling by train and taxi, but eventually Lilly was able to check into her hotel room and settle down for the night. She had made good use of her day though and had managed to do quite a bit of writing on her laptop whilst on the train.

She took a bath and put on her nightie. Then began laying out her clothes for the morning, a pair of skinny blue jeans and a pink t-shirt.

Right, I think that's everything. Now to get an early night, I don't want to meet William with dark circles and bags under my eyes. Lilly mumbled to herself as she climbed into bed.

Unfortunately things didn't go according to plan. Lilly had spent most of the night tossing and turning, glancing at the clock every now and again. One o'clock, half past two, three o'clock. Eventually around half past three, she finally fell asleep.

But her peaceful slumber didn't last long. At six thirty, her alarm went off, waking Lilly with a start. She felt terrible, she had a headache and her eyes hurt when she opened them.

She dragged herself out of bed and made her way to the bathroom, opening her eyes just enough to see where she was going. She ran the tap and splashed some cold water on her face to try and wake up. Then she looked in the mirror and her eyes widened, as she noticed a large spot on her chin.

Lilly gasped in horror. No, oh no, please not today. What am I gonna do? I can't meet William looking like this!

Disheartened, she began getting dressed and jumped when her mobile phone rang. Pulling on her t-shirt, she picked it up and answered it.

A sexy male voice caressed her ears. Lilly Kendal?

Yes? replied Lilly, her heart skipping a beat.

Hi, it's Timothy Carmichael from the film company, I'm here to collect you. I'm down in reception.

Uh, okay, wait there and I'll be down in five minutes.

Will do.

Lilly put down the phone and hurriedly pulled her hair into a half-ponytail. She tried desperately to cover her spot with a concealer stick, but to no avail, if anything it just looked worse. She didn't really wear make-up very often, so she wasn't an expert at putting it on, and she only owned a few basic items. She only really wore it for special occasions, and today was definitely a special occasion. She grabbed her handbag and hurried out of the room, making her way down the hall to the lift.

As she got out of the lift and walked over to reception to meet Timothy, her breath hitched in her throat. She hadn't expected someone so good-looking. He was in his early twenties with dark blonde hair and broad shoulders, her hand rose to her chin in a pathetic response to hide her spot.

Oh why did he have to be cute? she mumbled under her breath, her heart beating a little faster now.

He looked up, raising his eyebrows with interest and stood up straighter, as she headed towards him. He went to greet her. Hi, you must be Lilly Kendal. he said smiling.

Yes. she smiled back, keeping her hand over her chin.

I'm Timothy Carmichael, but you can call me Tim. I'm the director's nephew, you know Jim Carmichael. He asked me to give you a lift down to the set.

Nice to meet you. Lilly replied, taking her hand away from her face to shake his hand.

He couldn't help staring at her chin for a moment. Well, we'd best be getting down to the spot, I mean set. he corrected himself quickly, wincing at his comment.

Lilly's heart sank and her stomach knotted, as they made their way out of the hotel. Is it that noticeable?

Is what noticeable? he replied innocently, pretending not to have seen anything and not daring to look at her now.

The spot on my chin.

They stopped walking for a moment. Tim looked at her closely. Wow, it's humongous! I don't think I've ever seen one that big before. he replied as seriously as he could whilst smirking.

Lilly gasped and gave him a hurt look, then hit his arm playfully. Are you always so complimentary to women? You're single aren't you?

Well, yeah but …

Uh huh. replied Lilly smirking.

Once outside, Tim opened the car door for her and she got in. They were soon driving along the street.

So is William Locksley gonna be there today? Lilly asked, her face shining.

Yeah, you like him huh? He clenched his jaw. Of course she liked William, what woman didn't?

Yeah, he's gorgeous. replied Lilly eagerly. I've seen all his films, I bet he's wonderful in real life too. she said sighing.

Tim looked ahead with a knowing look on his face. Oh, he's something all right.

"Do you like him?"

Uh, he's not really my type.

That's not what I meant and you know it. she said smiling.

Personally, I prefer Lindsey Elkston, now she's hot!

* * *

Tim pulled the car up at a farm and they got out. Lilly looked around the set. They were filming on location on a real working farm. She smelt the animals before she saw them, the smell of manure making her wrinkle her nose. A loud moo drew her attention to the cows in one of the fields, then a baa made her notice the sheep in another. Chickens were clucking, and pecking and scratching near the barn. Various cast and crew were wandering around near the farmhouse.

Another field was being used as a car park, and several trailers had been put there, to be used as dressing rooms, for hair and make-up, and costume storage, and such. Beside the trailers was a large marquee style tent and a catering truck.

"This is what's known in the business as base camp. Tim explained as they headed over to the director. It's where the cast and crew hang out in between scenes. If people are either in their trailer or the food tent, it makes it easier to find them when they are needed. Though they are supposed to let us know if they are going to be anywhere else."

Do they have to wait around a lot? Lilly asked.

It's the main thing they do.

Wow, I didn't realise.

Is everyone ready? the director asked no-one in particular as he looked around the set. Can we get make-up over here, William's face is shiny.

"The make-up lady, Jane, a young woman in her mid twenties, brushed her tight dark brown curls over her coffee coloured shoulder, and hurried over to powder William's face.

I'm so excited! Lilly told Tim, as they made their way over to the director.

Lilly! said Jim seeing her. "Glad you could make it. So nice to see you again. We're just about to start blocking the scene before we film. That way we can make sure all our cameras are in position ready