Ivy scooted around the table with her carrots and started chopping next to her sister. ‘So . . .’ she began, feeling a little nervous.
‘So?’ Olivia replied, pausing mid-slice.
‘I’ve wanted to talk to you about something, but the past week has been so manic.’ Ivy knew she should just come out with it, but she didn’t know if it would upset her sister.
‘OK,’ Olivia said, returning to her chopping.
‘You know Eternal Sunset?’ Ivy said.
Olivia beamed. ‘I am so, so excited. I have always loved those books and can’t believe I might have a chance to play Carmina!’
Ivy knew this meant the world to Olivia. ‘And then you know that there has to be a Belinda as well.’
‘Of course! Amy is trying to find out who it is.’ Olivia sliced away. ‘Although it will be weird to have a sister that isn’t you.’
Ivy cleared her throat.
‘Wait a minute,’ Olivia said. ‘What’s going on?’
Ivy smiled sheepishly. ‘It’s me.’
‘You!’ The knife clattered on to the plastic chopping board.
‘Harker totally loves you and thinks it’s a genius plan to surprise the whole world with me as your twin when he announces the movie,’ Ivy rushed out.
Olivia squealed and gave Ivy a huge hug. ‘We get to be twins on screen! Oh, it will be so much better having you and Jackson by my side. This is amazing.’
‘But, Olivia,’ Ivy protested. ‘I can’t act. I’m as wooden as a stake.’
‘Um . . .’ Olivia winced. Ivy didn’t even mind that she wasn’t disagreeing; she knew it was true.
‘I’m happy behind the camera,’ Ivy said, ‘but I’ll be the worst Belinda possible if Harker goes through with this.’
‘So, why haven’t you told Harker this?’ Olivia asked, confusion filling her big green eyes.
‘I tried, but he wouldn’t listen.’ Ivy sighed. ‘The truth is, if I’m not in the movie, then you won’t be either. Harker insists it’s the two of us or nothing.’
Olivia sucked in her breath. ‘So you’re doing this just for me.’
‘And there’s another catch,’ Ivy went on. ‘If the bunny press catch wind that you and I are twins and ruin Harker’s big announcement, he says he’ll call the whole thing off.’
Olivia stared at Ivy, her eyes brimming. ‘We don’t have to go through with this, you know. I don’t want to force you into doing something you’d hate.’
‘I want you to have your shot,’ Ivy said, determined, ‘but I also don’t want to humiliate myself or you if Harker sees me acting.’
All the sparkle had gone from her sister’s eyes.
‘We just need a plan.’ Ivy looked down at her decapitated carrots. ‘A way to show Harker that you are perfect for the movie, but I’m not. Then he might see sense and let me off the hook.’
Jackson came over, and planted a kiss on the top of Olivia’s head. ‘What are you two talking about?’
But before they could reply, Brendan shouted angrily. ‘Hey!’
He was looking over towards the fence beyond the main drive.
‘What was that?’ Ivy muttered.
‘Get out of here!’ Jackson shouted.
Mr Daniels and Ivy’s dad raced to the edge of the property, with Aunt Rebecca chasing after them. A man on a motorcycle with a black helmet, red streaked jacket and long-lens camera revved his engine loudly, making the ducks squawk and scatter. Then he peeled away in a cloud of dust.
‘Hey! Stop!’ shouted Rebecca, but of course he didn’t.
‘Oh no,’ whispered Ivy. Their peaceful family barbecue had been invaded. ‘Do you think he got a picture of us together?’ If he did, the whole movie thing could be ruined.
‘Or of me and Jackson,’ Olivia said, biting her lip.
‘This feels awful,’ Ivy said. ‘Like I’ve been robbed or something.’
As the adults came back, Jackson said, ‘Photographers. They’re worse than bloodsucking vampires.’
‘He must have followed our car here,’ Brendan guessed.
Bethany had her hands on her hips. ‘Meanie! He scared off the ducks.’
Brendan gave Bethany a hug. ‘Don’t worry. We’ll tempt them back with more bread.’
‘I’m really sorry,’ Jackson said.
‘If this keeps up, we’re going to have to do something about it,’ Mr Vega replied, frowning.
‘There are things you can do,’ Lillian replied. ‘They are only allowed to photograph public figures, and Jackson’s the only one here who falls into that category. If they print photos of private citizens, you can take legal action.’
Ivy sighed. Hollywood was taking over her life.
The next day, Olivia was perched on a beige sofa with bright lights shining down on her. Franklin Grove Middle School had allowed a TV company to set up a makeshift studio in a classroom over the weekend, in order to interview their student.
‘As a one-off favour,’ the head teacher had said.
The TV crew had totally transformed the room.
The desks had been moved to the back and a fake wall with wallpaper had been pushed in front of the white board. It looked just like a real living room.
‘I don’t think I have to remind you how important this interview could be,’ said Amy Teller, her mobile phone clutched in her hand like a lifeline. She was sitting in the opposite seat, where the host would be in less than ten minutes. ‘You cannot let on about Ivy, in any way.’