Summer Under a Starry French Sky
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Synopsis
Another gorgeously romantic novel from Sophie Claire, perfect for romance lovers everywhere!
Release date: July 2, 2026
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Print pages: 320
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Summer Under a Starry French Sky
Sophie Claire
1
Amber sat cross-legged on the bed, her laptop open in front of her, the email window glowing with promise. At the top was Alex Ricard’s private email address, and below it a blank page. She’d begun typing a message four times – and each time she’d deleted it. Now the cursor blinked at her resentfully as she rubbed her fist into the palm of her hand.
Her brain whispered: He’ll think you’re a gold-digger, just like Mary. He won’t be interested.
She blew out a breath and rolled up her sleeves to try again. Why, after all those years of trying to track him down, were the words so hard to find?
The sharp buzz of her phone interrupted and her agent’s name flashed up on the screen. ‘Nat, hi,’ she said, snatching it up.
‘Are you on your way home, honey?’ Natalie was based in Los Angeles, and Amber calculated it must be early morning there.
‘Got back yesterday. What’s up?’
‘I have another job for you.’
Amber grinned. ‘Already?’ This was great. Her career seemed to be flying. The superhero film she’d worked on two years ago had raised her profile beyond her wildest dreams.
Natalie went on, ‘It’s in the South of France. A time-travelling Lara Croft-style action movie called The Quest for the Eternal Stone, and you won’t believe who the female lead is.’
Amber’s interest was piqued. ‘Who?’
‘Have a guess.’
It must be a big name. Natalie had been in the business a long time and wasn’t easily impressed. ‘Angelina Jolie?’
‘Younger.’
‘Jennifer Lawrence?’
‘Bigger.’
Bigger than Jennifer Lawrence? ‘Tell me.’
‘Izzy Chakra.’
Amber gasped. ‘What?’
‘You heard right, honey.’ The smile in Natalie’s voice was clear. ‘You’ll be doubling for her. You’re the perfect height, build – even hair colour.’
Amber lit up with excitement and her hand automatically reached for her ponytail, drawing the long brown hair forward over her shoulder. Then her agent became serious. ‘Only problem is, they need you to start tomorrow. Which means you have to be on tonight’s flight out of London. They’re filming in a remote location, a disused quarry and a hilltop fortress. Now, I know you were expecting some time off after your last job, but this is a great opportunity with some really big names. The director is Maverino.’
Her heart thudded. ‘Maverino? That’s incredible!’ She reached into a drawer for her passport. ‘But why the short notice?’
‘Their back-up pulled out. She was spooked when the main stuntwoman got injured.’
Frowning, she weighed the passport in her hand. ‘Injured? What happened?’ Amber had sustained sprains before. Usually they could rearrange filming to accommodate a few days’ recovery time.
A beat passed before Natalie replied. ‘She’s – ah – in hospital.’
She was tiptoeing around the truth – which meant it was bad. ‘Who is it?’
‘Bibi.’
Amber swallowed. Bibi was one of the best in her field, experienced and professional. She tried to push away her misgivings. Accidents were always a risk in her line of work. ‘Did they have the right safety precautions in place?’
‘Absolutely. It was a freak accident. I’m not gonna lie, honey,’ Natalie went on, ‘this isn’t going to be a walk in the park. They’re talking high-risk stuff – cliff-top jumps, high-speed car chase, water, the list goes on – but it’s mostly parkour and combat, and that’s what you’re good at. Plus I negotiated you an excellent rate.’
‘No fire, though, right?’
‘No fire stunts,’ Natalie confirmed. There was a pause. ‘So, what do you say?’
Amber needed only a second to make up her mind. She snapped the laptop shut, leaving the unwritten email to Alex for another time. ‘Tell me what time the flight leaves and I’ll be on it.’
2
It was almost dawn by the time Amber arrived. She’d picked up a hire car at the airport and driven several hours into the hills. It didn’t look too far on the map but these country roads were tiny and winding, a steep drop on one side and thick forest on the other. Normally she’d delight in the challenge of driving fast, but even with a full moon it was dark, so she kept her speed sensibly under control. It simply wasn’t worth the risk of crashing when she was on the cusp of a job like this. Her biggest so far.
The moon vanished and the trees seemed even taller as the road dipped down into the valley. A fox flashed across the road. Her headlights swept over a building and she spotted crumbling brickwork, smashed windows and graffiti. Another on the left was smothered in creepers. There were no streetlamps. In fact, there were no lights of any kind. What was this place? Amber wasn’t the sensitive kind but her hands gripped the steering wheel tighter and she was grateful when the first tinge of dawn began to creep over the hills. The sky was turning grey as she parked near a cluster of caravans. The forest there was dense, the trees tall and spindly as they reached hungrily for the early-morning sunlight, their bark covered with green and white speckled lichen. Behind the trees an enormous cliff loomed. She shivered as she got out of the car. It was difficult to imagine the sun ever penetrated this place. It felt . . . creepy.
Pull yourself together, Amber. Since when do you believe in ghosts?
She followed the path up the hill, away from the caravans and past a rocky outcrop, towards a big clearing and the noise of a film crew. She heard shouts, instructions barked, and the occasional burst of laughter, then the tell-tale hush as filming began. She stopped and saw a cave with a group of people clustered around a campfire. They were wearing animal hides and their skin had been painted to give the weathered appearance of outdoor living. The male and female leads were locked in an intense conversation, cameras positioned close, microphones held over their heads. Amber felt a bullet of excitement. Izzy Chakra and José Fernandez, two of the biggest names in Hollywood and, as of late, a real-life couple.
She watched and listened as José spoke. Izzy murmured something in return that Amber didn’t catch, but she’d read the script on the plane and guessed this was one of the early scenes in which he was about to leave for a big hunt and the heroine would be left to deal with an angry bear.
‘And cut!’
The actors relaxed and a murmur of conversation started up as the crew stepped back.
‘Ah, you must be the replacement stunt double. Am I right?’
Amber turned. A guy with a clipboard and a chain of earrings smiled at her, and she recognised his accent as Californian. ‘How did you guess?’ she asked.
‘No one stumbles across this place. It’s in the middle of nowhere.’ His teeth gleamed white in the sunshine. ‘I’m Gary, assistant director. We’re sure pleased to see you. You didn’t have too much trouble getting here? I’ll show you your trailer later. Hope you weren’t expecting anything fancy. We’re miles away from the nearest hotel.’
Amber laughed. ‘Of course not. A trailer’s fine.’ She glanced at the director and wanted to pinch herself. She was going to be working for Maverino! ‘When am I on?’
‘Tomorrow. Don’t worry. Nothing too difficult to start with. The stunt coordinator, Frank, will brief you. You know Frank?’
‘Yeah.’ She grinned. ‘We’ve worked together before.’
‘Good. Well, just so you know, it’s all very choreographed. Maverino doesn’t like improv.’
Amber drew back her shoulders and smiled. ‘No problem. I’m a fast learner.’
She couldn’t wait to get started and show Maverino what she could do.
Next morning Amber was on set bright and early, stretching and warming up, ready to work. After the overnight journey followed by a training session, she’d slept well. Her trailer was set apart from the main caravan site in a clearing further up the hill, alongside one other that appeared to be empty. Although it was a walk down to the canteen trucks, she was grateful to be away from the noise, which could go on until late at night. She liked to party as much as anyone, but she couldn’t do her job safely if she wasn’t well rested and alert.
She was also happy that her trailer was in a sunny spot higher up the hill than the car park, away from the shade cast by the enormous cliff. The film site spanned a huge area, from the eerily shady base of the valley to the remnants of an old fort high in the distance. There was also a disused quarry where the stunt crew had set up a makeshift gym, as well as all the open areas where the filming would take place. She hadn’t been there before, but the pines and cypresses reminded her of Spain. The dry heat, too. Inhaling the sweet smell, she gazed up at the china-blue sky. The sun was bright, but not as ferocious in the South of France as it was in California, where most of her work took place, and felt warm on her shoulders. She was awestruck by the beauty of her surroundings. The red-tinged earth, the secretive forest, and the rhythmic chant of cicadas: everything about this place was intense and powerful.
She finished her stretches and set off, looking for Frank who’d brief her on today’s work. The sound crew were busy running checks, and cameras were being moved around the forest edge to where today’s scenes would take place. Out of the cluster of people, a small white dog appeared and trotted towards her. Amber stopped and crouched down. He gazed up at her with big brown eyes as she scratched his head. ‘Hello, gorgeous. Who do you belong to?’
She checked around her but couldn’t see anyone looking for their pet. ‘Is this your dog?’ she asked a runner.
He shook his head. ‘No one knows who he belongs to. But he’s a friendly little guy and he seems to know to keep out of the way when they’re shooting, so he doesn’t cause any problems.’
Amber smiled as the dog licked her hand. ‘Well, there’s no denying he’s very cute.’
‘Amber!’ Frank’s deep voice made her turn. ‘Good to see you.’
She stood up and let herself be enveloped in a hug. A former stunt double, it was clear he still worked out. The big man was all muscle.
His deep voice vibrated through her as he said, ‘I’m looking forward to working together. Couldn’t believe my luck that you were free. Your diary must be jam-packed since the Space Heroes movie.’
She stepped back. The genuine warmth in his eyes gave her a rush of delight. She winked. ‘Only for you, Frank. And only ’cause you’re paying me so well.’
He smiled and patted her shoulder. ‘I know I’ll get my money’s worth. No one works as hard as you. Now, we need to talk about—’
‘Who’s this?’ A man’s voice made them turn.
It was the director, Maverino. Amber glowed like a spotlight. She couldn’t believe she was meeting him for the first time.
Frank glanced at her. ‘This is Amber. She’s Izzy’s new stunt double.’
Maverino glared at him. ‘I told you I wanted a male stunt artist.’
Her boss’s jaw tightened. ‘We can’t have men taking jobs from women any more, Maverino. Not in the twenty-first century.’
‘We can if I say we can. They’re more reliable.’ He took a drag of his cigarette while his gaze swept Amber from head to foot.
She bristled.
‘That’s not true,’ Frank said. ‘Amber’s top class.’
There was a long pause while Maverino continued his assessment. The cigarette smoke made Amber feel queasy – or was that nerves?
‘I want a guy,’ he said finally. ‘Get me someone small, put a wig on him and let’s get on.’
Frank took a deep breath. ‘I’m not willing to do that and it would be extremely bad for the film’s – not to mention our – reputation if I did. A female part should always go to a female stunt artist.’
‘Chrissake, don’t spout that woke nonsense to me.’
Amber’s respect and reverence for the great director were rapidly shrinking.
‘Woke nonsense? How—’
But Frank cut her off. ‘Women can do everything men can do,’ he said, practically growling.
‘The last one couldn’t, could she? I don’t want any more accidents on this set.’
Frank tipped his head and took a deep breath. ‘I understand your concern, but that was a freak accident, a one-in-a-million thing. The safety equipment could have failed for any of my team, male or female. What we do is high risk and every now and then the odds fall against us. But we follow best practice, and I’ve hired the best people. Amber is one of those people. You’ll see.’
‘I’ll see, huh?’ Maverino inspected her.
Her chin went up as she returned his gaze with a hard stare of her own. Never meet your heroes, she thought drily.
‘Maverino, darling?’
The director spun round, and was suddenly all smiles as the lead actress sauntered towards him. ‘Izzy!’
‘Can we have a word?’
‘Of course. What is it?’ Instantly his tone softened and he ushered her away.
Frank and Amber watched them go. Then he squeezed her arm and said quietly, ‘Just get on with your stunt, kiddo. I have total faith in you.’
She nodded. She intended to do exactly that. But she felt a new kind of pressure now, knowing she had something to prove.
3
Amber had practised this dozens of times: a short run-up, scale the wall, jump onto one higher shelf, then another, pivot round a tall rock, sharp left turn, then jump down and finish. It wasn’t hard. She just needed strength and focus, then momentum carried her through the rest. But that had been in training with crash mats and ample space. She stared into the gloom of the unlit cave. There were no crash mats, and space was tight now the crew were there with all the equipment. And her skimpy costume meant there wasn’t even room for her usual padding.
Her fingers curled. You can do this, she told herself. She’d rehearsed it over and over during the last few days. It would be fine. Probably.
Was it because she’d spent two hours in Wardrobe and Make-up that she was feeling so twitchy? Or because of Maverino? She tried to muster the confidence she’d felt before he’d arrived. If she made the slightest error he’d have her ejected from the set and a male double brought in to replace her. That could destroy her fledgling career in this cut-throat industry. She wouldn’t let it happen.
‘You want more time to rehearse?’ Frank asked. The stunt coordinator eyed her assessingly. Behind him the crew began to return from their morning break and lights flooded the cave.
Amber tried to sound breezy. ‘No. I’m ready to shoot.’
She didn’t let herself think about how far the drop would be if she fell; she refused to look at the rocks that would snare her if she did. And she definitely didn’t think about the previous stunt double’s accident. Instead, she stretched and ran through the sequence in her mind. Adrenaline pumped through her, giving her the extra edge she needed.
‘Excellent work.’ Frank slapped Amber on the back as she walked off set.
Someone handed her a towel to wipe her face and she paused to gaze back at the cave. She’d nailed it. The bear would be added digitally, but she’d played her part perfectly, each jump, each landing accurately placed. Not a hitch. The director would be pleased. Because of the previous stunt double’s accident they were behind schedule, but no-hitch shoots like this would help them catch up.
Yet Maverino was frowning as he listened to a man in a well-worn leather jacket. ‘What do you mean?’ he asked.
‘Bears would not wander into a cave occupied by humans.’ The man was speaking English with a strong French accent, and a large rucksack at his feet suggested he’d just arrived.
Amber hadn’t seen him before but something about him made her look twice. He was casually dressed in jeans and a tatty old brown leather jacket, as if he had no interest in his appearance. The men Amber usually worked with took their appearance seriously. Some too seriously. This guy was no bodybuilder, but he had a strong jaw, dark curly hair, and beautiful round glasses. He pushed the fringe back from his face and the glossy curls sprang in all directions. His brow was furrowed with irritation.
‘Well, maybe the bear doesn’t know it’s occupied,’ Maverino grumbled. ‘We’ve got one woman by herself, Chrissake.’
‘There was a fire at the entrance to the cave.’ The newcomer nodded at the pile of wet wood; the fire had been extinguished with a bucket of water when they’d wrapped. His expression was almost a sneer. ‘Of course the bear knows it’s occupied. Hey, what’s he doing?’ He turned to the camera, which was pointed at him. ‘Are you filming me?’
‘He’s getting BTS footage,’ Maverino said.
‘BT– what?’
‘Behind the scenes.’ Maverino waved away the camera. ‘You can go now.’
The crew had also dissipated. It was almost lunchtime, and the sun was beating down. They’d be seeking out the shade of the canteen area down the hill. Amber swigged her water, taking her time, still watching, curious.
‘What was I saying?’ The man took off his jacket and wiped his brow. ‘Ah, yes – a fire would keep any animal away. Everybody knows this.’
Amber was intrigued. Who did the guy think he was? Did he realise how much work had gone into that scene? She began to stretch out her muscles to warm down, bending one knee and crouching low, then repeating with the other.
Maverino was losing patience. ‘Well, this is an injured bear. He’s aggressive. Territorial.’
‘It’s also doubtful these people would have left a fire burning in daylight when they weren’t cooking. Especially in summer. It’s a risk, and they treated the environment with respect – they used only what natural resources they needed. If they—’
‘I hear what you’re saying, Professor,’ the director cut in, ‘but we need the fire for atmosphere, okay?’
Professor? Amber’s interest was piqued. She reached over her shoulder to stretch her arm.
‘Well, I hope you’re going to put it out. And I’m an assistant professor, not . . .’
Maverino turned on his heel and stamped away.
‘Hey, I haven’t finished,’ the professor called, waving a sheet of notes.
‘In case you didn’t notice,’ Maverino shouted over his shoulder, ‘I have a film to direct.’
The professor sighed and turned around. Everyone else had scarpered too, except Amber, who tried to hide her smile.
‘You think this is funny?’ he asked.
She scooped up her t-shirt and pulled it on over her costume. ‘Well you were a little condescending. This is an action movie, remember? You can’t tell the director to cut the bear chase.’ Didn’t he know who Maverino was, how many blockbusters he’d directed?
‘Why did he hire me if he won’t listen to my advice?’ He glared after Maverino. ‘God knows I have more important work to do.’
‘Oh, yeah?’ she said, walking over to him. What’s your important work?’
He threw her a hard look. Now she was closer she saw that his eyes were a rich deep brown, almost black. ‘I’m genuinely interested to know,’ she insisted.
‘I’m an archaeologist. I teach at the ENS in Paris.’
‘The ENS?’
‘L’École Normale Supérieure. You must have heard of it.’
‘Nope. Never. Wait, let me guess – is it superior?’
He remained utterly serious. ‘It’s one of the best universities in France.’
‘Of course it is,’ she said. His expression was superior too. Because he was an archaeology professor he thought he was better than the rest of them? He was everything she despised: obnoxious, academic and privileged. She also noticed how pale he was compared to everyone else. If anyone in the cast hadn’t arrived with a Californian tan, Make-up sprayed one on straight away. And that was before everyone, even the cameramen, had benefited from the French summer sun.
‘I knew this would be a waste of my time,’ he muttered, scowling as he looked around him.
She laughed. ‘Why did you take the job, then?’ Clearly work wasn’t as precious to him as it was to her. And he didn’t have to contend with a sexist director breathing down his back. This was a prestigious movie to work on. Most people felt privileged to have the opportunity.
‘I didn’t have a choice. I was . . .’ he searched for the word ‘. . . nominated by my boss. I’m missing a dig in South America for this.’ He swiped away a fly.
She shrugged on her backpack. ‘Well, since you’re here, why not be more realistic in your advice? Keep in mind what kind of film we’re making. I mean, Jurassic Park wouldn’t have been a box-office hit if they’d kept it totally realistic, would it? This is an action movie. Think Indiana Jones-style adventure film. Realism isn’t going to be forefront in the audience’s mind. They want entertainment.’
And now she’d said ‘Indiana Jones’, she realised that the professor’s brown leather jacket reminded her of him.
He peered at her more closely, taking in her outfit and make-up. ‘Are you an actress?
‘Stunt artist.’
Usually people were impressed by that. Or, at least, curious to learn more. He merely nodded. ‘You’re British?’
‘I am.’ She didn’t need to ask if he was French. It was obvious from his accent. And his thick, expressive eyebrows, which were deeply furrowed as he looked around then asked, ‘Where’s the accommodation? Do they bus us to a hotel?’
She laughed. ‘If you’re expecting a hotel you’re going to be disappointed. We’re staying in trailers. Over there.’ She pointed towards the forest further down the hillside. ‘If you’re lucky, you’ll have your own.’
‘Oh. I see.’ He picked up his rucksack, dropping his phone in the process. As he bent to retrieve it, he cursed under his breath and wiped the dust off it.
Amber bit back a smile. ‘See you later, Prof.’
‘I hope not,’ he said, over his shoulder. ‘I’ll be leaving as soon as I can.’
4
Nico put down his rucksack and glanced around his trailer. He couldn’t believe how many people were there to work on one film – a deeply inaccurate film at that. Further down the hill an entire campsite was filled with trailers and tents. Every car park and clearing in the forest had been occupied too. There must be hundreds of people, and they’d created a community, with, at its heart, the catering vans, but also offices, a wardrobe department, a medical tent – everything. He felt like a fish out of water surrounded by all these polished, preened people doing Hollywood things: reciting lines, building sets, lugging cameras about and taking apart pieces of equipment.
Glad to be alone, he lifted the blind, hoping to let a breeze in, and flicked on the fan. It wasn’t bad. Positioned in a tiny clearing, the trailer was quiet except for the relentless chorus of cicadas. The tall trees of the forest provided some shade, and only one other caravan stood nearby so, provided his neighbour wasn’t rowdy, he’d have peace and privacy. That was more than he was used to on archaeological digs where he’d often had to share a tent or dormitory.
Still, the accommodation was of small comfort. His jaw tightened. He’d only discovered he was being sent here three weeks ago, and until yesterday he’d truly believed he’d persuade his boss to find someone else. But he’d failed.
He should have known he would. He wasn’t a persuasive person. He wasn’t a people person at all, if he was being honest. But he was a respected archaeologist – which was why he was so insulted that, of all the members of his faculty, he had been chosen for this. It was demeaning.
He reached for his phone and stepped outside. The warm air was heavily scented with pine, and the soil had the distinctive red tinge the area was known for. He inhaled deeply. Although he resented the assignment, it was good to be back in Provence. The smells, the sounds, the sun all transported him back to his childhood, and his mother’s face flashed in his mind. Her loving eyes, her warm smile. He couldn’t quite steel himself against the flood of emotion the memory unleashed.
Drawing back his shoulders, he lifted his phone and dialled. He noticed the door of the other trailer was open and watched a grasshopper bound away as he began to pace impatiently.
His boss answered almost immediately. ‘Nico, I wasn’t expecting to hear from you. You’ve arrived?’
‘Vincent, I’m wasting my time here,’ he said, cutting to the chase. ‘The director doesn’t want to hear what I have to say. This is a pointless exercise. A complete waste of my time.’
Vincent sighed. A moment passed before he replied, ‘It’s not pointless, Nico. It’s anything but that. If that film takes off, the publicity will be invaluable for us.’
‘It’ll never take off. The story is ridiculous and the director’s a pompous ass who doesn’t listen. I mean, they had humans and a bear fighting over a cave, for goodness’ sake. Palaeolithic history is not my speciality, but we both know this is a pretty fundamental error.’ He closed his eyes, remembering.
‘That’s exactly why they need you, Nico. For your knowledge and expertise.’
He gritted his teeth. ‘But when I advised the director it couldn’t happen, he wouldn’t listen.’
He heard the rustle of pages and wondered if his boss was reading while he was talking to him. ‘Well, you did what you could,’ Vincent said mildly. ‘Remember, this is Hollywood we’re talking about, not an academic paper. Mr Maverino probably wants general advice rather than in-depth knowledge.’
‘Exactly. Which is why a student should be doing this, not me.’
The flicking of pages stopped. ‘I want you to do it,’ Vincent said firmly.
Nico pinched the bridge of his nose. Why, though? Why not Hélène – or any of the other members of his department?
His boss went on, ‘You have such a broad historical knowledge that you’ll be able to advise not just on the human elements but on everything else too.’
‘They want a historical adviser. I’m not a historian. I’m an archaeologist.’
‘The film is set during prehistoric times. You have the most relevant experience of ancient civilisations.’
‘It’s not all prehistoric. Some of it’s Roman or more recent history. They time-travel,’ he said, rolling his eyes. It really was such a ridiculous film.
‘And José Fernandez’s character is an archaeologist. Nico, you are the best person in the department for this, and you know who to call if there are gaps in your knowledge. Our colleagues in the history faculty are all aware of this project, too. You have their contact details. I want the best of my staff to represent our department – a big name in the archaeology world.’
‘Why wasn’t I consulted at. . .
Amber sat cross-legged on the bed, her laptop open in front of her, the email window glowing with promise. At the top was Alex Ricard’s private email address, and below it a blank page. She’d begun typing a message four times – and each time she’d deleted it. Now the cursor blinked at her resentfully as she rubbed her fist into the palm of her hand.
Her brain whispered: He’ll think you’re a gold-digger, just like Mary. He won’t be interested.
She blew out a breath and rolled up her sleeves to try again. Why, after all those years of trying to track him down, were the words so hard to find?
The sharp buzz of her phone interrupted and her agent’s name flashed up on the screen. ‘Nat, hi,’ she said, snatching it up.
‘Are you on your way home, honey?’ Natalie was based in Los Angeles, and Amber calculated it must be early morning there.
‘Got back yesterday. What’s up?’
‘I have another job for you.’
Amber grinned. ‘Already?’ This was great. Her career seemed to be flying. The superhero film she’d worked on two years ago had raised her profile beyond her wildest dreams.
Natalie went on, ‘It’s in the South of France. A time-travelling Lara Croft-style action movie called The Quest for the Eternal Stone, and you won’t believe who the female lead is.’
Amber’s interest was piqued. ‘Who?’
‘Have a guess.’
It must be a big name. Natalie had been in the business a long time and wasn’t easily impressed. ‘Angelina Jolie?’
‘Younger.’
‘Jennifer Lawrence?’
‘Bigger.’
Bigger than Jennifer Lawrence? ‘Tell me.’
‘Izzy Chakra.’
Amber gasped. ‘What?’
‘You heard right, honey.’ The smile in Natalie’s voice was clear. ‘You’ll be doubling for her. You’re the perfect height, build – even hair colour.’
Amber lit up with excitement and her hand automatically reached for her ponytail, drawing the long brown hair forward over her shoulder. Then her agent became serious. ‘Only problem is, they need you to start tomorrow. Which means you have to be on tonight’s flight out of London. They’re filming in a remote location, a disused quarry and a hilltop fortress. Now, I know you were expecting some time off after your last job, but this is a great opportunity with some really big names. The director is Maverino.’
Her heart thudded. ‘Maverino? That’s incredible!’ She reached into a drawer for her passport. ‘But why the short notice?’
‘Their back-up pulled out. She was spooked when the main stuntwoman got injured.’
Frowning, she weighed the passport in her hand. ‘Injured? What happened?’ Amber had sustained sprains before. Usually they could rearrange filming to accommodate a few days’ recovery time.
A beat passed before Natalie replied. ‘She’s – ah – in hospital.’
She was tiptoeing around the truth – which meant it was bad. ‘Who is it?’
‘Bibi.’
Amber swallowed. Bibi was one of the best in her field, experienced and professional. She tried to push away her misgivings. Accidents were always a risk in her line of work. ‘Did they have the right safety precautions in place?’
‘Absolutely. It was a freak accident. I’m not gonna lie, honey,’ Natalie went on, ‘this isn’t going to be a walk in the park. They’re talking high-risk stuff – cliff-top jumps, high-speed car chase, water, the list goes on – but it’s mostly parkour and combat, and that’s what you’re good at. Plus I negotiated you an excellent rate.’
‘No fire, though, right?’
‘No fire stunts,’ Natalie confirmed. There was a pause. ‘So, what do you say?’
Amber needed only a second to make up her mind. She snapped the laptop shut, leaving the unwritten email to Alex for another time. ‘Tell me what time the flight leaves and I’ll be on it.’
2
It was almost dawn by the time Amber arrived. She’d picked up a hire car at the airport and driven several hours into the hills. It didn’t look too far on the map but these country roads were tiny and winding, a steep drop on one side and thick forest on the other. Normally she’d delight in the challenge of driving fast, but even with a full moon it was dark, so she kept her speed sensibly under control. It simply wasn’t worth the risk of crashing when she was on the cusp of a job like this. Her biggest so far.
The moon vanished and the trees seemed even taller as the road dipped down into the valley. A fox flashed across the road. Her headlights swept over a building and she spotted crumbling brickwork, smashed windows and graffiti. Another on the left was smothered in creepers. There were no streetlamps. In fact, there were no lights of any kind. What was this place? Amber wasn’t the sensitive kind but her hands gripped the steering wheel tighter and she was grateful when the first tinge of dawn began to creep over the hills. The sky was turning grey as she parked near a cluster of caravans. The forest there was dense, the trees tall and spindly as they reached hungrily for the early-morning sunlight, their bark covered with green and white speckled lichen. Behind the trees an enormous cliff loomed. She shivered as she got out of the car. It was difficult to imagine the sun ever penetrated this place. It felt . . . creepy.
Pull yourself together, Amber. Since when do you believe in ghosts?
She followed the path up the hill, away from the caravans and past a rocky outcrop, towards a big clearing and the noise of a film crew. She heard shouts, instructions barked, and the occasional burst of laughter, then the tell-tale hush as filming began. She stopped and saw a cave with a group of people clustered around a campfire. They were wearing animal hides and their skin had been painted to give the weathered appearance of outdoor living. The male and female leads were locked in an intense conversation, cameras positioned close, microphones held over their heads. Amber felt a bullet of excitement. Izzy Chakra and José Fernandez, two of the biggest names in Hollywood and, as of late, a real-life couple.
She watched and listened as José spoke. Izzy murmured something in return that Amber didn’t catch, but she’d read the script on the plane and guessed this was one of the early scenes in which he was about to leave for a big hunt and the heroine would be left to deal with an angry bear.
‘And cut!’
The actors relaxed and a murmur of conversation started up as the crew stepped back.
‘Ah, you must be the replacement stunt double. Am I right?’
Amber turned. A guy with a clipboard and a chain of earrings smiled at her, and she recognised his accent as Californian. ‘How did you guess?’ she asked.
‘No one stumbles across this place. It’s in the middle of nowhere.’ His teeth gleamed white in the sunshine. ‘I’m Gary, assistant director. We’re sure pleased to see you. You didn’t have too much trouble getting here? I’ll show you your trailer later. Hope you weren’t expecting anything fancy. We’re miles away from the nearest hotel.’
Amber laughed. ‘Of course not. A trailer’s fine.’ She glanced at the director and wanted to pinch herself. She was going to be working for Maverino! ‘When am I on?’
‘Tomorrow. Don’t worry. Nothing too difficult to start with. The stunt coordinator, Frank, will brief you. You know Frank?’
‘Yeah.’ She grinned. ‘We’ve worked together before.’
‘Good. Well, just so you know, it’s all very choreographed. Maverino doesn’t like improv.’
Amber drew back her shoulders and smiled. ‘No problem. I’m a fast learner.’
She couldn’t wait to get started and show Maverino what she could do.
Next morning Amber was on set bright and early, stretching and warming up, ready to work. After the overnight journey followed by a training session, she’d slept well. Her trailer was set apart from the main caravan site in a clearing further up the hill, alongside one other that appeared to be empty. Although it was a walk down to the canteen trucks, she was grateful to be away from the noise, which could go on until late at night. She liked to party as much as anyone, but she couldn’t do her job safely if she wasn’t well rested and alert.
She was also happy that her trailer was in a sunny spot higher up the hill than the car park, away from the shade cast by the enormous cliff. The film site spanned a huge area, from the eerily shady base of the valley to the remnants of an old fort high in the distance. There was also a disused quarry where the stunt crew had set up a makeshift gym, as well as all the open areas where the filming would take place. She hadn’t been there before, but the pines and cypresses reminded her of Spain. The dry heat, too. Inhaling the sweet smell, she gazed up at the china-blue sky. The sun was bright, but not as ferocious in the South of France as it was in California, where most of her work took place, and felt warm on her shoulders. She was awestruck by the beauty of her surroundings. The red-tinged earth, the secretive forest, and the rhythmic chant of cicadas: everything about this place was intense and powerful.
She finished her stretches and set off, looking for Frank who’d brief her on today’s work. The sound crew were busy running checks, and cameras were being moved around the forest edge to where today’s scenes would take place. Out of the cluster of people, a small white dog appeared and trotted towards her. Amber stopped and crouched down. He gazed up at her with big brown eyes as she scratched his head. ‘Hello, gorgeous. Who do you belong to?’
She checked around her but couldn’t see anyone looking for their pet. ‘Is this your dog?’ she asked a runner.
He shook his head. ‘No one knows who he belongs to. But he’s a friendly little guy and he seems to know to keep out of the way when they’re shooting, so he doesn’t cause any problems.’
Amber smiled as the dog licked her hand. ‘Well, there’s no denying he’s very cute.’
‘Amber!’ Frank’s deep voice made her turn. ‘Good to see you.’
She stood up and let herself be enveloped in a hug. A former stunt double, it was clear he still worked out. The big man was all muscle.
His deep voice vibrated through her as he said, ‘I’m looking forward to working together. Couldn’t believe my luck that you were free. Your diary must be jam-packed since the Space Heroes movie.’
She stepped back. The genuine warmth in his eyes gave her a rush of delight. She winked. ‘Only for you, Frank. And only ’cause you’re paying me so well.’
He smiled and patted her shoulder. ‘I know I’ll get my money’s worth. No one works as hard as you. Now, we need to talk about—’
‘Who’s this?’ A man’s voice made them turn.
It was the director, Maverino. Amber glowed like a spotlight. She couldn’t believe she was meeting him for the first time.
Frank glanced at her. ‘This is Amber. She’s Izzy’s new stunt double.’
Maverino glared at him. ‘I told you I wanted a male stunt artist.’
Her boss’s jaw tightened. ‘We can’t have men taking jobs from women any more, Maverino. Not in the twenty-first century.’
‘We can if I say we can. They’re more reliable.’ He took a drag of his cigarette while his gaze swept Amber from head to foot.
She bristled.
‘That’s not true,’ Frank said. ‘Amber’s top class.’
There was a long pause while Maverino continued his assessment. The cigarette smoke made Amber feel queasy – or was that nerves?
‘I want a guy,’ he said finally. ‘Get me someone small, put a wig on him and let’s get on.’
Frank took a deep breath. ‘I’m not willing to do that and it would be extremely bad for the film’s – not to mention our – reputation if I did. A female part should always go to a female stunt artist.’
‘Chrissake, don’t spout that woke nonsense to me.’
Amber’s respect and reverence for the great director were rapidly shrinking.
‘Woke nonsense? How—’
But Frank cut her off. ‘Women can do everything men can do,’ he said, practically growling.
‘The last one couldn’t, could she? I don’t want any more accidents on this set.’
Frank tipped his head and took a deep breath. ‘I understand your concern, but that was a freak accident, a one-in-a-million thing. The safety equipment could have failed for any of my team, male or female. What we do is high risk and every now and then the odds fall against us. But we follow best practice, and I’ve hired the best people. Amber is one of those people. You’ll see.’
‘I’ll see, huh?’ Maverino inspected her.
Her chin went up as she returned his gaze with a hard stare of her own. Never meet your heroes, she thought drily.
‘Maverino, darling?’
The director spun round, and was suddenly all smiles as the lead actress sauntered towards him. ‘Izzy!’
‘Can we have a word?’
‘Of course. What is it?’ Instantly his tone softened and he ushered her away.
Frank and Amber watched them go. Then he squeezed her arm and said quietly, ‘Just get on with your stunt, kiddo. I have total faith in you.’
She nodded. She intended to do exactly that. But she felt a new kind of pressure now, knowing she had something to prove.
3
Amber had practised this dozens of times: a short run-up, scale the wall, jump onto one higher shelf, then another, pivot round a tall rock, sharp left turn, then jump down and finish. It wasn’t hard. She just needed strength and focus, then momentum carried her through the rest. But that had been in training with crash mats and ample space. She stared into the gloom of the unlit cave. There were no crash mats, and space was tight now the crew were there with all the equipment. And her skimpy costume meant there wasn’t even room for her usual padding.
Her fingers curled. You can do this, she told herself. She’d rehearsed it over and over during the last few days. It would be fine. Probably.
Was it because she’d spent two hours in Wardrobe and Make-up that she was feeling so twitchy? Or because of Maverino? She tried to muster the confidence she’d felt before he’d arrived. If she made the slightest error he’d have her ejected from the set and a male double brought in to replace her. That could destroy her fledgling career in this cut-throat industry. She wouldn’t let it happen.
‘You want more time to rehearse?’ Frank asked. The stunt coordinator eyed her assessingly. Behind him the crew began to return from their morning break and lights flooded the cave.
Amber tried to sound breezy. ‘No. I’m ready to shoot.’
She didn’t let herself think about how far the drop would be if she fell; she refused to look at the rocks that would snare her if she did. And she definitely didn’t think about the previous stunt double’s accident. Instead, she stretched and ran through the sequence in her mind. Adrenaline pumped through her, giving her the extra edge she needed.
‘Excellent work.’ Frank slapped Amber on the back as she walked off set.
Someone handed her a towel to wipe her face and she paused to gaze back at the cave. She’d nailed it. The bear would be added digitally, but she’d played her part perfectly, each jump, each landing accurately placed. Not a hitch. The director would be pleased. Because of the previous stunt double’s accident they were behind schedule, but no-hitch shoots like this would help them catch up.
Yet Maverino was frowning as he listened to a man in a well-worn leather jacket. ‘What do you mean?’ he asked.
‘Bears would not wander into a cave occupied by humans.’ The man was speaking English with a strong French accent, and a large rucksack at his feet suggested he’d just arrived.
Amber hadn’t seen him before but something about him made her look twice. He was casually dressed in jeans and a tatty old brown leather jacket, as if he had no interest in his appearance. The men Amber usually worked with took their appearance seriously. Some too seriously. This guy was no bodybuilder, but he had a strong jaw, dark curly hair, and beautiful round glasses. He pushed the fringe back from his face and the glossy curls sprang in all directions. His brow was furrowed with irritation.
‘Well, maybe the bear doesn’t know it’s occupied,’ Maverino grumbled. ‘We’ve got one woman by herself, Chrissake.’
‘There was a fire at the entrance to the cave.’ The newcomer nodded at the pile of wet wood; the fire had been extinguished with a bucket of water when they’d wrapped. His expression was almost a sneer. ‘Of course the bear knows it’s occupied. Hey, what’s he doing?’ He turned to the camera, which was pointed at him. ‘Are you filming me?’
‘He’s getting BTS footage,’ Maverino said.
‘BT– what?’
‘Behind the scenes.’ Maverino waved away the camera. ‘You can go now.’
The crew had also dissipated. It was almost lunchtime, and the sun was beating down. They’d be seeking out the shade of the canteen area down the hill. Amber swigged her water, taking her time, still watching, curious.
‘What was I saying?’ The man took off his jacket and wiped his brow. ‘Ah, yes – a fire would keep any animal away. Everybody knows this.’
Amber was intrigued. Who did the guy think he was? Did he realise how much work had gone into that scene? She began to stretch out her muscles to warm down, bending one knee and crouching low, then repeating with the other.
Maverino was losing patience. ‘Well, this is an injured bear. He’s aggressive. Territorial.’
‘It’s also doubtful these people would have left a fire burning in daylight when they weren’t cooking. Especially in summer. It’s a risk, and they treated the environment with respect – they used only what natural resources they needed. If they—’
‘I hear what you’re saying, Professor,’ the director cut in, ‘but we need the fire for atmosphere, okay?’
Professor? Amber’s interest was piqued. She reached over her shoulder to stretch her arm.
‘Well, I hope you’re going to put it out. And I’m an assistant professor, not . . .’
Maverino turned on his heel and stamped away.
‘Hey, I haven’t finished,’ the professor called, waving a sheet of notes.
‘In case you didn’t notice,’ Maverino shouted over his shoulder, ‘I have a film to direct.’
The professor sighed and turned around. Everyone else had scarpered too, except Amber, who tried to hide her smile.
‘You think this is funny?’ he asked.
She scooped up her t-shirt and pulled it on over her costume. ‘Well you were a little condescending. This is an action movie, remember? You can’t tell the director to cut the bear chase.’ Didn’t he know who Maverino was, how many blockbusters he’d directed?
‘Why did he hire me if he won’t listen to my advice?’ He glared after Maverino. ‘God knows I have more important work to do.’
‘Oh, yeah?’ she said, walking over to him. What’s your important work?’
He threw her a hard look. Now she was closer she saw that his eyes were a rich deep brown, almost black. ‘I’m genuinely interested to know,’ she insisted.
‘I’m an archaeologist. I teach at the ENS in Paris.’
‘The ENS?’
‘L’École Normale Supérieure. You must have heard of it.’
‘Nope. Never. Wait, let me guess – is it superior?’
He remained utterly serious. ‘It’s one of the best universities in France.’
‘Of course it is,’ she said. His expression was superior too. Because he was an archaeology professor he thought he was better than the rest of them? He was everything she despised: obnoxious, academic and privileged. She also noticed how pale he was compared to everyone else. If anyone in the cast hadn’t arrived with a Californian tan, Make-up sprayed one on straight away. And that was before everyone, even the cameramen, had benefited from the French summer sun.
‘I knew this would be a waste of my time,’ he muttered, scowling as he looked around him.
She laughed. ‘Why did you take the job, then?’ Clearly work wasn’t as precious to him as it was to her. And he didn’t have to contend with a sexist director breathing down his back. This was a prestigious movie to work on. Most people felt privileged to have the opportunity.
‘I didn’t have a choice. I was . . .’ he searched for the word ‘. . . nominated by my boss. I’m missing a dig in South America for this.’ He swiped away a fly.
She shrugged on her backpack. ‘Well, since you’re here, why not be more realistic in your advice? Keep in mind what kind of film we’re making. I mean, Jurassic Park wouldn’t have been a box-office hit if they’d kept it totally realistic, would it? This is an action movie. Think Indiana Jones-style adventure film. Realism isn’t going to be forefront in the audience’s mind. They want entertainment.’
And now she’d said ‘Indiana Jones’, she realised that the professor’s brown leather jacket reminded her of him.
He peered at her more closely, taking in her outfit and make-up. ‘Are you an actress?
‘Stunt artist.’
Usually people were impressed by that. Or, at least, curious to learn more. He merely nodded. ‘You’re British?’
‘I am.’ She didn’t need to ask if he was French. It was obvious from his accent. And his thick, expressive eyebrows, which were deeply furrowed as he looked around then asked, ‘Where’s the accommodation? Do they bus us to a hotel?’
She laughed. ‘If you’re expecting a hotel you’re going to be disappointed. We’re staying in trailers. Over there.’ She pointed towards the forest further down the hillside. ‘If you’re lucky, you’ll have your own.’
‘Oh. I see.’ He picked up his rucksack, dropping his phone in the process. As he bent to retrieve it, he cursed under his breath and wiped the dust off it.
Amber bit back a smile. ‘See you later, Prof.’
‘I hope not,’ he said, over his shoulder. ‘I’ll be leaving as soon as I can.’
4
Nico put down his rucksack and glanced around his trailer. He couldn’t believe how many people were there to work on one film – a deeply inaccurate film at that. Further down the hill an entire campsite was filled with trailers and tents. Every car park and clearing in the forest had been occupied too. There must be hundreds of people, and they’d created a community, with, at its heart, the catering vans, but also offices, a wardrobe department, a medical tent – everything. He felt like a fish out of water surrounded by all these polished, preened people doing Hollywood things: reciting lines, building sets, lugging cameras about and taking apart pieces of equipment.
Glad to be alone, he lifted the blind, hoping to let a breeze in, and flicked on the fan. It wasn’t bad. Positioned in a tiny clearing, the trailer was quiet except for the relentless chorus of cicadas. The tall trees of the forest provided some shade, and only one other caravan stood nearby so, provided his neighbour wasn’t rowdy, he’d have peace and privacy. That was more than he was used to on archaeological digs where he’d often had to share a tent or dormitory.
Still, the accommodation was of small comfort. His jaw tightened. He’d only discovered he was being sent here three weeks ago, and until yesterday he’d truly believed he’d persuade his boss to find someone else. But he’d failed.
He should have known he would. He wasn’t a persuasive person. He wasn’t a people person at all, if he was being honest. But he was a respected archaeologist – which was why he was so insulted that, of all the members of his faculty, he had been chosen for this. It was demeaning.
He reached for his phone and stepped outside. The warm air was heavily scented with pine, and the soil had the distinctive red tinge the area was known for. He inhaled deeply. Although he resented the assignment, it was good to be back in Provence. The smells, the sounds, the sun all transported him back to his childhood, and his mother’s face flashed in his mind. Her loving eyes, her warm smile. He couldn’t quite steel himself against the flood of emotion the memory unleashed.
Drawing back his shoulders, he lifted his phone and dialled. He noticed the door of the other trailer was open and watched a grasshopper bound away as he began to pace impatiently.
His boss answered almost immediately. ‘Nico, I wasn’t expecting to hear from you. You’ve arrived?’
‘Vincent, I’m wasting my time here,’ he said, cutting to the chase. ‘The director doesn’t want to hear what I have to say. This is a pointless exercise. A complete waste of my time.’
Vincent sighed. A moment passed before he replied, ‘It’s not pointless, Nico. It’s anything but that. If that film takes off, the publicity will be invaluable for us.’
‘It’ll never take off. The story is ridiculous and the director’s a pompous ass who doesn’t listen. I mean, they had humans and a bear fighting over a cave, for goodness’ sake. Palaeolithic history is not my speciality, but we both know this is a pretty fundamental error.’ He closed his eyes, remembering.
‘That’s exactly why they need you, Nico. For your knowledge and expertise.’
He gritted his teeth. ‘But when I advised the director it couldn’t happen, he wouldn’t listen.’
He heard the rustle of pages and wondered if his boss was reading while he was talking to him. ‘Well, you did what you could,’ Vincent said mildly. ‘Remember, this is Hollywood we’re talking about, not an academic paper. Mr Maverino probably wants general advice rather than in-depth knowledge.’
‘Exactly. Which is why a student should be doing this, not me.’
The flicking of pages stopped. ‘I want you to do it,’ Vincent said firmly.
Nico pinched the bridge of his nose. Why, though? Why not Hélène – or any of the other members of his department?
His boss went on, ‘You have such a broad historical knowledge that you’ll be able to advise not just on the human elements but on everything else too.’
‘They want a historical adviser. I’m not a historian. I’m an archaeologist.’
‘The film is set during prehistoric times. You have the most relevant experience of ancient civilisations.’
‘It’s not all prehistoric. Some of it’s Roman or more recent history. They time-travel,’ he said, rolling his eyes. It really was such a ridiculous film.
‘And José Fernandez’s character is an archaeologist. Nico, you are the best person in the department for this, and you know who to call if there are gaps in your knowledge. Our colleagues in the history faculty are all aware of this project, too. You have their contact details. I want the best of my staff to represent our department – a big name in the archaeology world.’
‘Why wasn’t I consulted at. . .
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