Chapter 1.5 – Crossed Wires

The rest of the morning passed by in the blur.  Allie could not focus on her work and instead sat at her desk staring at the photographs of Tom on the wall day dreaming about him.

Just after lunchtime she decided to give up on work and instead got Millie to show her how to cook a magnificent meal for her dinner with Tom.  She sent Millie home early so she could get on with it and set about making Tom his favourite meal, salmon steaks and mash potatoes.

As the day drew on she ducked into one of the guest rooms and got herself ready.  She always had a spare set of clothes with her incase she needed to go to an event with Tommy, so she showered, changed clothes and let her hair down.  She knew Tommy liked it this way by the way he was looking at her the night before.  “Not bad,” she said after checking herself in the mirror.  “Not bad at all.”

She then set to work on creating a relaxed and romantic atmosphere.  She dragged one of the small patio tables to the pool side and covered it with a crisp white table cloth.  She then lit all the candles she could find and made a pathway along the patio to their table. 

As evening drew closer and the sun set she went back into the kitchen to put the final touches to the dinner. She added her special ingredient, asparagus spear that were meant to be an aphrodisiac, and laid everything on the table.

Tommy had been in his room all day reading and learning a new script so Allie knew that the dinner would be a welcome surprise to him.  She was so excited as she made her way to the stair case to call him down.  But just as she was about to descend, the door bell rung.  Who the hell can that be, she thought to herself opening the door.  On the other side stood Kim Raines, the number one movie actress in Bridgeport and Allie’s idol!

“Kim Raines, WOW, hello,” Allie squealed.  She’s even more beautiful in person, she thought to herself.

“I’m here to see Tommy,” Kim replied checking out her nails rather than address Allie.

“Of course,” Allie replied stepping out the way so Kim could come in.  She then called out for Tommy who appeared at the top of the stairs within seconds.

“Tommy baby,” Kim purred walking over to him and wrapping her arms around him.  Tommy was all dressed up and Allie suddenly realised that it might not be for her benefit.

“Hey Kim,” Tommy replied hugging her back.  “You ready for this?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” she replied pulling back.

Allie watched the whole horror of it in shock. He was going out Kim Raines!  But what about her?  What about their dinner? 

“Hey Allie, me and Kim are just going to this product launch party.”  Tommy walked over to Allie like there was nothing wrong. “We should not be home too late.  See you then yeah?”

“Err… yeah…..” Allie stuttered.  She could not find any words.

“Are you ok Allie,” Tom replied finally sensing something was wrong.

Time stood still.  Allie did not know what to do.  Should she tell him that he was out of order?  That she wanted to rip his and Kim’s faces off right now? That she blames herself for ever trusting?  Or should she save it for later when a patronizing actress was not around to laugh at her gullibility.  In the end she decided to go for the latter and take the high road.  She held her head up high and forced a grin across her face. “I’m fine,” she curtly replied through gritted teeth. “Everything’s fine.”

“Are you sure,” Tommy persisted.

“Of course, why wouldn’t it be,” Allie continued. “You guys have fun at your party.”

“Great so we are all fine,” Kim butted in. “Come on Tommy or we’ll be late.”  She grabbed his hand and they both waltzed off not knowing that the minute their backs were turned, there were tears streaming down Allie’s face.

Allie cleared the table she had just set, blew out the candles and threw all the food in the rubbish bin.  She then went home and cried herself to sleep.  How could I be so stupid to think someone like Tom Mason would go for someone like me, she wept to herself.

By the morning she felt a lot better.  She knew what she had to do.  Even if it meant she had to go back to the Diner she knew she could not stay working for Tommy. It was just too hard.  She was going to go to his house collect her stuff and leave.  As she picked up her keys to leave her apartment her phone rung.  It was her agent Stella.

“Hey Allie, I have some good news for you. A casting agent for a new TV show just called.  They want you for the main part.  You start next week!”

“Wha, what,” Allie gasped.  “What show, I haven’t auditioned for anything recently.”

“I know, but they must have seen your show reel or something.  They just called me and said that they have to have Allie Starr.  This is the big time kid.  You’re going to be huge.”

Allie made her way over to Tommy’s in a daze.  She should have been overjoyed but something was stopping her from jumping up and down.  As she entered the house it was filled with music. She stood in the door way and watched Tommy strumming away on the piano.  She had always known he could play, but this was something else.  It was beautiful. He did not notice her standing there and Allie was glad.  She would rather slip out quietly.  Leave him a note maybe.

She moved quiet as a mouse into the study and started to box up all her things.  Just as she finished, she heard footsteps behind her.  “What are you doing,” Tommy’s voiced echoed.

Allie slowly turned around.  She had not wanted to face him, his eyes still made her melt and now they were filled with panic and that still hurt her despite everything.  “I’m leaving,” she replied.

“But why,” Tommy yelped confusion written across his face.  “I thought we had something.  I thought….”  He trailed off.

I can’t believe he still does not get it, Allie thought to herself.  “Because this is never going to work Tom.  You and me.  You cannot give me what I want, what I need.  It’s just too hard.”

“What are you talking about Allie?  Please tell me what I have done?”

“Do I have to spell it out to you Tom?  Yesterday you told me you cared about me.  I made us dinner.  And then you went out with another girl!”

“No no, you have got it wrong.  Kim and I did not go on a date.  Kim is a lesbian and her publicist is trying to hide it from the public.  I went out with her as a favour last night so the rumours would be dispelled nothing else. It was all a publicity stunt. I promise you!”

Allie did not know what to believe.  Was Tommy just a very good actor?  “That still does not excuse you standing me up for dinner last night,” she continued.  “I slaved away all day on that meal and then it just ended up in the bin!”

“I’m sorry Allie. I am so so sorry.  But when we arranged dinner yesterday I did not mean for that evening and I am sorry that you thought I did.  But me going out with Kim last night has been arranged for months.  Just check my diary if you don’t believe me.  I thought your knew that’s why I did not say anything.”

Allie’s body went cold.  She moved over to her computer and bought up Tommy’s diary.  There it was in all its glory, the “publicity date” with Kim.  Why had she not seen it yesterday?  Probably because she was so caught up in her dinner with Tommy that she had not concentrated on anything.  She suddenly felt very foolish.

“Please Allie.  You can call Kim and her publicist and check if you don’t believe me.”

“Don’t worry Tom, I believe you.”

“But you’re still leaving?”

“Yes,” she replied not able to look him in the eye.

“But why?  I thought we had cleared this up.”  He tried to take Allie’s hand but she pushed him away.  She could not risk skin to skin contact or she would never be able to see this through

“Because Tom this will happen again and I can’t live like this.  I’m sorry.”

“Please don’t do this Allie.  I need you.”

“I’m sorry Tom,” Allie whispered and then walked past him and out of the door.  Tears were streaming down her face as she did it but she knew what she was doing was for the best.

A few weeks later Allie stood in her empty apartment looking around for the last time.

Since landing her new job as lead actress, she was now able to afford a new apartment and had chosen one in an up and coming neighbourhood round the corner from the Studios.  She had packed up everything she owned and moved out leaving one thing behind, her poster of Tom Mason.

Her new apartment was three times the size of her old one.  She now had her own separate bedroom and she had gotten the Studios to decorate it for her just the way she wanted. Shopping for new things had even almost taken her mind off Tom. Though not completely.

She still tortured herself by watching one of his movies every evening and reading anything and everything about him in the papers.

Tom had not given up on her so easily.  For the first few weeks he had bombarded her with calls and emails that went unanswered.  He still called but they were a lot less frequent these days.  Allie still did not allow herself to answer them reminding herself over and over again that this was for the best.  Tom was just a very good actor; he never really cared for her.

Millie still worked for Tom and tried to fill Allie in on what he was up to.  When every time she bought up his name, Allie would shoot her down blocking her ears. Millie had given up weeks ago.

One afternoon, six months after Allie had had her last missed call or email from Tom, her best friend Kitty came round for coffee.  The two girls had stayed in touch and become very close.  Kitty still worked as a PA and had given up on her dreams of becoming an actress. She had realised that it was all just a pipedream that maybe she had never really wanted.

“So how’s the new job going then Miss Superstar?”

“I love it Kitty.  The director is a bit of an eccentric, but we have come to a great understanding.  For the first time I feel I am finally somebody.  Do you know what I mean?”

“I am so happy for you Allie, no one deserves it more than you.  Well done to Tom for getting the job for you then eh?”

Allie’s heart stopped dead.  “What do you mean Kitty?  Tom did not get the job for me!”

Kitty’s eyes grew wide.  “Don’t you know Allie?  Has no one told you?”

“Told me what?  Kitty what’s going on?”

“Gee Allie.  I’m sorry I thought you knew.  Everyone knows.”

“Tell me,” Allie shrieked going out of her mind.

“OK OK.  Apparently it was Tom who gave the director your show reel months ago.  At first the director refused to even watch it as well you know, you were kind of a no-body back then. But then Tom told him he would refuse to be in his next blockbuster unless he did.  So the director did, loved you, BAM you got the job!”

Allie stared at her friend for a long time.  “Is it true?  Really Kitty?  Did Tom really do that for me?”

“Allie believe it.  Everyone knows he put his neck on the line for you.  I can’t believe you didn’t. I would have thought someone would have told you.”

But no one had.  What have I done, Allie thought to herself!