The One You Fear by Paul Pilkington Page B

Notting Hill home: the place where, just four weeks ago, Emma had walked out on her dream of starring in the movie that he was casting. She hadn’t regretted it for a moment. And now, seeing this man, acting all friendly after everything he had done, cemented the belief that she had definitely made the right decision.
    She would rather walk away from the business than be associated with people like Guy Roberts – or Diana Saunders, for that matter.
    ‘Can we come in for a moment?’ she asked.
    Only then did Guy look at her companions, as if he’d just noticed them. ‘Certainly. Come on through.’
    They followed him past the framed movie posters, and into the lounge with the piano in the corner. Emma had already told Dan and Lizzy how amazing the house was, and it was as good as she remembered. The place was pristine and resembled an upmarket show home.
    ‘Take a seat,’ said Guy. ‘Can I get you some drinks?’
    Emma remained standing. ‘We’re okay, thanks.’
    He looked at Dan, and then Lizzy. ‘Are you sure?’
    Dan was stony-faced. ‘I’m fine, thank you.’
    ‘I’m okay too,’ Lizzy added.
    ‘Right, okay.’ For a second Guy seemed a little slighted at the rejection of his hospitality. ‘So, what can I do for you, Emma? I’m afraid if you’ve changed your mind about the movie role, we’ve already found a more than adequate replacement. You’ve heard of Jenna Dawson?’
    ‘I’ve heard of her, yes.’
    Jenna Dawson was an up-and-coming soap actress, about the same age as Emma. There were definite parallels in their careers. But it seemed that the big break that was once Emma’s was now hers.
    Guy smiled. ‘Then you’ll know that she’s a real talent. I think she’s got what it takes to go right to the top.’
    ‘I’m sure she’ll be perfect for the part.’ Emma interpreted Guy’s comment as a thinly veiled criticism. She was in little doubt that Guy Roberts would still be bitter about her pulling out of the movie, even though he had been the one to blame. But she couldn’t rise to the bait. They were here for a single reason – to find out who the stalker was. And as Guy was the only person who could tell them what they needed to know, it wouldn’t be sensible to be anything other than polite to him.
    ‘Oh, she will,’ he said. ‘She’s a true professional.’
    Emma continued to hold her tongue, but she could see Lizzy bristling with anger. ‘The reason we’re here is nothing to do with the movie,’ she explained. ‘We need your help.’
    Guy looked amused. ‘My help? Go on.’
    ‘Someone came to see you yesterday.’
    ‘A few people came to see me yesterday.’
    ‘A man, in his mid-twenties, tall, sandy brown hair – he came to see you yesterday afternoon. We’d like to know who he is.’
    Guy took a moment to reply. ‘Two questions – one, why do you want to know? And two, how do you know who has been visiting my home?’
    ‘Someone has been following me,’ Emma replied.
    ‘ Another stalker! Oh Emma, you do attract them, don’t you?’
    She ignored the jibe. ‘We know it is the person who came to see you. We know he visited you because a friend of ours was following him.’ She wasn’t going to give away David Sherborn’s involvement: he didn’t need or deserve to be part of this.
    ‘You don’t think I’m something to do with this, do you?’
    ‘We just want to know who this person is,’ Dan said.
    ‘I’ve not done anything wrong.’
    ‘As Dan said, we just want to know who he is,’ Emma said. ‘Please, tell us.’
    ‘Okay, I’ll tell you. His name is Scott Goulding.’
    Emma breathed an inward sigh of relief that he had given them a name. ‘Is he a friend of yours?’
    Guy snorted. ‘Hardly. He’s a real headache. The man thinks he’s acting’s next big thing, but I’m afraid he’s more than a little delusional. Since auditioning for me six months ago – and failing miserably – he refuses to take no for an answer. I’m this far,’ he