I get through the security gate and make my way to visitors parking. Madeline will be rehearsing in Stage 5 and I notice there are shops here; I may get time to look around and shop today and I must get Rolo to come with me on the official tour. Making my way past the Wallis building and something called the Vant Room, I scan the area for film stars. This place is vast, there must be a star or two here somewhere. Perhaps when I have been on the tour I will figure out the best places to spot them. I have a flash image of myself in khaki shorts, boots and binoculars hiding in a nearby bush staying quiet for long enough to have a sighting of this rare species.
Madeline is in her trailer going over her lines with her assistant, Rose. She looks up when I walk through the door. "Hello Madeline, alright to come in?"
"Wanda, my sweet, of course and thank you for coming today. I fear I may be taking up most of your day as I'm not sure when I will be called or how long it will take. I hope you didn't have to cancel too many clients."
"It's fine, I can't wait to see what happens and how it all works." I don't want Madeline to know that she and Ethan are my only clients. She may not be impressed with Patsy for giving her someone so inexperienced.
"Well stick with Rose she will tell you where you can and cannot go."
"Don't suppose Brad Pitt is filming here this week?" I ask with a wink.
"No I'm afraid not. Besides he's ugly in real life," Madeline says without humour.
"No way! Really?"
Madeline laughs and both her and Rose shake their heads at me.
"No not really, he's adorable. Now get yourself a coffee or something as I need to finish reading through my lines."
After about an hour of drinking coffee and listening to Madeline rehearse, I decide to take a walk but not before being given instructions on where I can and cannot go by Rose.
I look up in awe at the building where history has been made with classic films like The Count of Monte Cristo, Escape to Victory and Titanic. I'm about to turn towards Stage 12 when I literally bump into Rachel Tallyman, the thirty-something star of the show Hot Girls. We bump heads and briefly hug to stop ourselves from falling over.
"Oh I'm so sorry," I say trying to move away but find that I'm attached to her ample bosom. I look down and realise my button is anchored to her cardigan.
"That's okay," she says, releasing my button and looking forlorn at her, now ruined, open knit cardigan.
"I ... erm, I can buy you another one," I tell her apologetically.
Rachel looks down at me, lips pursed whilst trying desperately to weave a pulled strand back into the knit. "It was a gift from Missoni, the knitwear designers," she says, "I don't think you would be able to replace it."
"Oh my God, I can't believe I'm such a klutz." I instantly grab at the stray thread and try to re-weave it back through before realising I'm fondling her breasts! I whip my hands away and luckily she laughs.
"You're British aren't you?"
"Yes," I reply, wondering if she thinks all British women fondle other women's breasts. "My mum always says I'm like a bull in a china shop."
"I like that saying," she says bobbing her head and smiling. "By the way, I think your mum is right."
"Listen I'm so, so sorry, but it was lovely to meet you. Probably not quite so much fun for you but if there's anything I can do."
"No it's fine. It was nice to meet you too ..."
"Wanda." I hold out my hand. She takes it and shakes. Her hands feel like silk. "That's a cool name. See you around, Wanda."
I practically run back to the trailer and can't wait to tell Madeline what just happened but she isn't there. I call out but there's no one around. Oh bugger, I wonder if I was too long chatting with my new BFF.
I decide to make my way over to Stage 5 in the hope that she is already there. I would call her mobile but if she is rehearsing she won't have it on. The building is grey brick with a sign outside, which tells people what is being filmed or rehearsed here. I notice the sign says Crowning Glory so I slowly open the large door. The space is vast but as I scour the area for Madeline, I notice Rose rushing towards me.
"Madeline is this way," she says tilting her head and turning back in the direction she came. Madeline is inside a trailer fiddling with a dress.
"There you are, Wanda. I have one more very short scene, and then I'm free to train."
"Okay. You sound very chirpy; I take it the shoot is going well."
"It's going great and I just found out from Francine's ex, that Aaron didn't take her to Rome. Apparently, my daughter told him it would upset me and he said he hadn't thought about it like that and would never hurt me so he told Francine he had to work. Yeah! Score one for the ex wife," she says licking her finger and striking the air.
"That's great. I'm really happy for you. Do you think you'll ever get back together?"
"Who knows my sweet but it's looking more likely than it was yesterday. Now tell me did you see anyone famous?" she asks with a smile.
"I bumped into Rachel Tallyman ... like literally bumped into her managing to ruin her Missoni cardigan in the process."
Madeline stops fiddling with her dress and stares at me."What on earth happened?"
I tell her the whole embarrassing saga and she tries her best not to laugh.
"She was really good about it actually. I feel terrible."
"I wouldn't worry too much; Rachel is pretty chilled as actors go. I've worked with her briefly and we had a riot on the interview circuit."
"That's a relief, and talking of interviews you know you're on the Jessie Rayburn show ..."
Maddy nods waiting for me to complete my sentence.
"... I was wondering how one gets a ticket for those things, only I would love to go."
"One would need a ticket from her best client. Or rather her best client's assistant," she says looking at Rose.
"I'll see what I can do. Give me five minutes."
"Excellent. Thank you, Rose."
Rose nods as she taps on her phone.
They are right when they say it's not what you know but who you know. I can't wait to see Madeline being interviewed. It will be my first trip to a show since arriving in the land of television and film. I wonder if she'll mention me if they bring up the arrest incident. What am I thinking? They're not interested in me.