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SYNOPSIS: Set in the beautiful countryside of New South Wales. Judy is a no-nonsense, unconventional, and solitary soul. When opportunity knocks, she finds herself launched into a world full of unlikely choices - and discovers that love can come unexpectedly.
EXCERPT:
Paula hid a grin. Under her tutelage she just knew that Judy Crumb could become the Outback Australian version of Cinderella.
"Be assured, the dress we shall create for you will be as stunning as you are, and if you don't like it, we shall work until we create something you do like and as for payment, we would like to give you the gown for being so hospitable to us. What is your favourite colour?” Paula asked knowing Judy, if not on her hook was about to bite.
“I reckon the same colour as them mountains; when the sun’s rising above them. A deep grey/blue tinged with gold but you can never copy nature.”
Kara stood listening to the discourse, fascinated by Judy's hands. The palms were rough, but the backs were quite free from wrinkles. It did not make sense. They looked young hands, but the rest of her looked as though she had been born in a walnut factory.
"Your hands Judy. How do you keep them so soft?" Kara picked up one hand and examined it against hers. Judy's were by far silkier to the touch.
"Secret of Solitude dearie." She refused to shed further light on the anomaly.
Henry studied his watch. The meeting was due to start and Edward would be furious if he was late for their final discussion before the shoot the following morning. That begged the question if there was to be a shoot, because Edward had not had time to tell them what was happening with the contracts.
Henry bowed. "Got to leave you gals." He turned to Judy. "See you later. Would you care to come to the trailer for dinner tonight?"
"Why?" Judy's eyes darkened.
“For no other reason than you might like to meet the actor who is playing the part of Rory and of course the supporting cast?"
Kara broke in. "Please Judy. They'd love to meet you - I know they all adore your story and where it takes us into time past."
"What time? I like to eat early as I go to bed at seven thirty on the dot."
"Five o'clock?" Paula announced. "We always eat at five when we're on location." Kara and Henry silently approved her lie.
"All right - if you've got enough. I'll bring some milk. The girls get milked at four, so there'll be plenty."
"Great Judy, Please do that - fresh milk reminds me of my childhood." Kara added as she and Paula moved toward the door. "We'll pick you up." Paula announced expansively. "In one of the limousines." She added generously.
Judy roared with laughter. "Bloody idiot. Been in one of them things and it weren't that special. I'll bloody use Shanks' pony because it must be all of fifty yards from here to the bloody cafe."
The trio crossed the yard, all silent but deep in thought.
"That woman is for real huh?" Kara asked Henry at the door to her trailer. She had never seen anyone like it in her life.
"You bet she is. Didn't you hear about her altercation with Edward?" He opened the door then turned back, whetted by the gossip he was about to impart.
"No. What altercation?"
Kara listened as Henry recounted the incident of Judy's trip to Los Angeles, the few hours stay and her return to Australia the same day. He finished with an amused expression. "...And if you don't believe me, ask Belinda, because that wasn't all of it. Apparently, Belinda got it from Blake, Edward’s pilot, that Judy took her rifle and shot at the jet - and damaged it." Henry hurried off.
Kara and Paula could not believe anyone would have the audacity to do that to a Producer, let alone Edward Pentland! In the eyes of the movie world, he was ‘El Supremo’ and no one in their right mind took him on. Not that he had ever shown any temperamental behaviour, but there was always the chance that he might. Edward was generally respected, and as such, it would be suicide to cross him. He could ruin a career with the stroke of a pen or a telephone call. Everyone knew it; none dared put it to the test.