Chapter 31: Wed 20th Nov–The End of Tiger Training?

"You okay?" she asks.

I relay the events of the morning. "Patsy is going to freak."

"I don't know if she has seen it yet but perhaps you had better show it to her before someone else does."

I blow out the breath I've been holding. "I'll go and see her now. Is she in yet?"

"Yes I think she's in her office. Good luck."

Somehow I think this negative press is not going to fit into the category of 'All press is good press'.

I knock gently on her office door and hear Patsy's voice inviting me in.

"Hi Patsy, could I have a word?"

She looks up from her desk. "Yes of course. You okay, Wanda?"

"Not really," I say holding up the magazine.

"Come and sit down."

I take a seat on one of her ergonomically correct chairs and place the magazine in front of her. I check her face for a reaction as she begins to read the article. She finishes reading before looking up.

"Oh dear, this is not good, not good at all. Wanda, did she tell you she was going to print this?"

"Well, she did show me the picture a while back and ask for a comment but that was before Tiger Training." I wipe my hands on my training bottoms and blow out more excess air.

Patsy looks into the corner of the room whilst she thinks, then nods her head and turns towards me. "Right, we need damage control. When you do the interview with her, only talk about Tiger Training. I don't want you to comment on Madeline or her trip to the clinic."

I try to swallow but let out a cough instead. I look longingly at the glass of water on her desk but Patsy is still thinking.

"Wanda, we have had twenty-two calls already about Tiger Training; Interviews, appearances and new clients. I am going to set up a staff meeting at 5pm for all those who can attend as we need to organise who is going to being doing what. Plus our promotion company is already working on the Tiger Stick and promotional paraphernalia." She places her hand on her forehead and sighs. "We need to nip this in the bud or we stand to lose a fortune."

I'm actually feeling a little relieved that once again I'm not going to be fired.

"Do you think we need to run through what I should say in the interview?"

Patsy rubs her chin and stares into space. "No, but I will let Alison know what she is and isn't allowed to ask you questions about. I trust you not to say or do anything that will negatively impact the company."

"Based on what: my kicking a well-respected restaurateur in the head or giving Jessie Rayburn concussion?" I laugh and look back at Patsy who luckily laughs too.

"Yes you have been busy since you joined us haven't you?"

"You'd all be bored if I wasn't here."

"And solvent," she says with raised eyebrows.

I pull into the lot at Raleigh Studios, it's 5.30am and I have to prepare him for some of his fight scenes. Fight scene in Brigadoon; it cracks me up. Anyway, I park the car and make my way to Stage 6 where Ethan will be filming or rehearsing or something today.

The studio is huge: 14,000 square feet and there are already people buzzing around and shouting instructions at each other. I find Ethan with his head stuck in a script, his brow furrowed and his lips moving slightly as he reads. He is wearing training bottoms and a vest, which is showing off his broad shoulders nicely. My tummy flips as he looks up at me.

"Oh hello, Wanda, how are you?"

"Good thanks. What time did you have to get here?"

Ethan looks at his watch. "I've been here an hour already. They're going to take me through a couple of fight scenes this morning and we may be rehearsing a few scenes for lighting etc." He holds up the script as he says it.

"So you still want to train then if you are going to be doing fight scenes?"

"Yes, they don't give you a warm up or anything so I need to get my muscles ready."

"Right, well I think some Tiger Training would be the order of the day. It involves warming the muscles before putting them though a series of moves involving major and minor muscle groups and then we bring in some power and speed so it will be perfect for preparing your body for the workload ahead."

Ethan places his script on a nearby chair and rolls his head around. "Okay that sounds perfect. You really do know your stuff don't you?"

"Did you ever doubt it?"

He laughs and shakes his head as I press 'play' on my retro boom box.

"That was great, Wanda, I like this Tiger Training; it's a challenge and there's no time to get bored. Good stuff."

"Let's hope I've left you with enough energy for the rest of your day."

"Auch, you needn't worry about my stamina girl." He looks at me and winks.

My tummy flips again and I casually place my cold bottle of water against my cheek. I cannot decide if this is him flirting or not but what the hell.

I begin gathering up my things and as I'm leaning over to pick up my sports bag, I feel Ethan behind me. He bends over me and places a hand on each shoulder. I stiffen waiting for his next move. He lowers his head and whispers in my ear.

"Don't scream but I think Clint Eastwood is coming our way."

I straighten up so violently that the back of my head makes contact with Ethan's, already wonky, nose and he lets out a yelp before standing up and clutching his face.

"Oh my God, Ethan I'm so sorry, let me look at it."

Ethan holds one hand up to stop me coming any closer whilst nursing his nose with the other. "No ... I'm fine. I'm sure it's not broken. I hope it isn't," he mumbles through his hand.

I look over to where Clint Eastwood should have been but it was just some idiot in a poncho and a hat. He walks past us with just a cursory glance at Ethan before exiting through the main doors.

I feel terrible; I really am like a bull in a china shop as my mum says.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I ask Ethan as he places his bottle of water on his face. "I am a certified first aider you know."

Ethan looks at me eyes wide. "Wanda, I love you dearly but if I was bleeding to death I would rather crawl to the nearest hospital than have you attend to me."

I stand and look at him in silence. I can't believe he just said he loves me—Woohoo!

By the time I have answered a couple of text on my phone and downed a protein shake, Ethan is looking much better. His eyes are red from watering but his nose looks just as wonky as always. Who knows, if I had hit him harder I could have straightened it for him. I decide not to tell him this and begin to say my goodbyes when his phone buzzes on the chair behind me. I look down at it but the ID just indicates 'unknown' caller. Ethan picks it up and I smile and tilt my head towards the exit to let him know I'm off. He nods but looks distracted as he listens to the voice on the other end of his phone.

"Look, I think you must be mistaken mate, I have no idea who that is." Ethan drops his phone back onto the chair and runs his hands through his hair.

I can't help but wonder if the mysterious caller was Jimmy Hagen, his 'friend' from school.