Hearts on Air
Page 65

The next day was our final day in Paris. The plan was for the group to shoot in at least three different locations in each city, so they’d have enough footage for fifteen episodes in the end—fifteen stunts. Today was probably the most ambitious yet. We were at a large complex with a highly modern architectural design called the Pompidou Centre. Neil told me there was a museum and a library inside, but the filming would be outside.
From the front, it looked like a giant metal rectangle, with criss-crossing scaffolding and different coloured tubing running through it. Slantways down the centre was a zigzag-shaped stairway, enclosed in glass so you could see the people on the escalators inside. The plan was for the group to start at the top of the glass enclosure and freerun to the bottom, while visitors to the centre continued about their business inside.
After assisting Neil to cordon off some of the areas for the film crew, I took a little wander around some of the exhibitions. When I was making my way back out, I spotted Callum and Leanne standing close to one of the exits. They seemed to be having some sort of intense discussion, and weirdly, Leanne appeared to be trying to calm Callum down. He was worked up and upset over something, his shoulders slumped as he raked a hand through his hair.
I approached them and asked tentatively, “Is everything okay?”
Leanne glanced up, surprised to see me, and plastered on a fake smile. “Hi, Reya. Yeah, everything’s fine. This place is amazing, isn’t it?” she said. It was said in an effort to distract me. Callum looked off to the side, not acknowledging my presence, but I couldn’t tell if it was out of rudeness or embarrassment. I’d definitely caught them both off guard. Plus, it just seemed weird that Callum was the one upset while Leanne tried to console him.
I continued outside and spotted the crew filming Trev as he climbed to the top of a ten-foot-high box next to two giant extractor vents opposite the centre. The vents rose out of the ground like the monster sticking its head out of Loch Ness. A gang of passers-by stopped to watch, some recording on their smartphones. I admired his athletic form as he braced himself, bent into a half crouch, then vaulted to the ground.
Unlike yesterday, his landing was measured and effortless, and the gathered crowd started to clap and cheer. He grinned at his audience, his eyes alight with adrenaline, and did a funny curtsey. Several teenage girls giggled and whispered to one another, which was the typical Trev effect. He had a way of rendering the opposite sex—and certain members of the same sex—into swooning groupies with so much as a suave little smile.
Neil handed him a bottle of water and he twisted the cap off before swallowing a long gulp. Barry was off to the side, talking with a crewman, his expression somewhat sour. I guessed he and Trev still hadn’t kissed and made up.
Trev’s attention fell on me as I approached. “Hey. That was amazing,” I gushed. After last night’s meal, there was a newfound comfort between us. I felt like we understood each other better and I didn’t have to be on my guard all the time.
His mouth formed a smirk as he winked. “I aim to please.”
I stepped up beside him and lowered my voice. “This might be nothing, but I just saw Leanne and Callum over in the centre and Callum looked upset. Did something happen?”
Trev swallowed another mouthful of water, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Nah, nothing happened. Just let them work it out between themselves.”
“Okay,” I said, sensing there was something else at play, but of course it was none of my business.
“I like this top,” said Trev, grinning and reaching out to finger the fringing at the hem of my T-shirt. “Very funky.”
“Thanks. I’ll get you one for Christmas.”
“I have been told that tassels bring out the colour of my eyes.”
“Well, duh.” I laughed.
“Trevor, when you’re done flirting I need you over here,” Barry called grumpily.
I raised my brows and spoke quietly. “Are you two still on the outs?”
Trev blew out a breath. “I shouldn’t have taken that jump. Besides, I’m pretty sure his bald patch is a direct result of our insurance premiums.”
A frown marked my brow. “Yeah, I get that, but he shouldn’t have spoken to you like he did.”
“Don’t worry. I’m made of sterner stuff than what you think, Reyrey,” he said, and gave his chest a hard thump before he went to Barry.
I put in the lunch order while the group prepared to film the main stunt. Spotting Callum go by, I thought he still looked a little agitated but not as upset as before.
Small black figures dotted the roof. A number of the crew were in place, while others were situated on the ground to capture shots from both angles. The group gathered at the top of the transparent glass tube, curious heads of the public glancing up and wondering what was going on. I pinpointed Trev in his beige camo shorts and black T-shirt, dark protective bands on his elbows and wrists. His hands were probably still sore from yesterday, but he didn’t show any outward signs of discomfort.
James headed up the group, with Paul behind him, then Leanne, Callum and lastly, Trev. The sun shone bright, the clouds few against the azure Paris sky. I was still admiring the pretty colour when I heard a number of people make noises all around me. My attention went back to the building, where James now raced down the curved glass that surrounded the escalators. As soon as he reached the quarter-way point, Leanne followed, with Paul starting after her.
I noticed Callum was a little late to start, his movements less practiced than usual. He still managed to run down the stairway well enough, and then finally, it was Trev’s turn. My heart beat twice as fast the entire time he was on that glass. Neil, who was standing next to me, swore loudly, and my attention left Trev to see that Callum had slipped and fallen right as he reached the bottom. Trev, who had already built up too much speed, didn’t have enough time to stop before he crashed into him.
Twenty.
I panicked and ran to the building before I could completely digest what just happened. The staff medics were already there, tending to both Callum and Trev. Leanne stood with her hands over her mouth, while Paul and James wore similar expressions of worry and concern.
Blood rushed through my veins, my heart pounding as I hurried to Leanne. “What happened? Are they okay?” I asked shakily.