Synopsis – Where the Light is Hottest
Natasha Jones has everything – a successful acting career, an Oscar, a wonderful husband and beautiful kids. But what does she have to go through to get there? From humble beginnings in a small town, Natasha’s path to stardom is paved with setbacks, heartaches and moments of doubt.
In the glittering world of fame and fortune, where dreams are spun from starlight and ambition fuels the relentless pursuit of success, one woman’s journey stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Beneath the facade of glamour lies a story of unwavering determination and unyielding courage.
Where the Light is the Hottest is a gripping tale of ambition, perseverance and the enduring power of hope. Through Natasha’s journey, we are reminded that the road to success is rarely smooth, but for those who dare to chase their dreams, the rewards are beyond measure.
Author Bio
Catherine Yardley is the author of Ember and Where The Light is Hottest. She’s also the editor-in-chief of Frost Magazine and a freelance writer who’s featured in The Bookseller, Mslexia, Metro, Huffpost, Writing Magazine and Writers’ and Artists’ amongst others. She lives in London with her husband and children.
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Website: https://catherinebalavageyardley.com/
Book Excerpt – Where the Light is Hottest
Where The Light is Hottest is a dual-timeline novel which follows Natasha Jones from small town Scotland to big time Hollywood. I worked in the film industry as an actor, producer, casting director and director so I know my stuff. This scene is when Natasha first meets Claudia. The two become friends. I love the female friendship in the book because I feel it is true to life. It is messy, complex and full of love. I also love how Natasha and Claudia come form completely different backgrounds.
Chapter 4
Then
I finish my monologue and bow my head. I wait for a beat – I know I have nailed this. I lift my head and Mrs Chisholm has actual tears in her eyes. She applauds and then puts her hands to her chest.
‘Do you see, class? That is acting. So truthful, so perfect.’
I can’t stop the huge smile that spreads across my face.
I look at my classmates as they applaud, few of them seem happy that I am being praised. I guess I should have expected this. It is a cut-throat environment. The nice ones stab you in the front. My eyes rest on Claudia. She does not even try and smile. Claudia is from ‘a good family.’ No, scrub that, a famous family. All of her family are in the business apart from her father, who owns a multi-billion-pound hedge fund. She lives in Notting Hill. Of course, she lives in Notting Hill. She is blonde, blue-eyed and is a size eight at most. When she talks, she sounds like she has marbles in her mouth. Bitch, I think, and immediately feel guilty. She is probably lovely and I am just projecting my insecurities onto her, and hearing that voice in my head that whispers people like me do not get to become actors.
The loudest applause comes from Michael, who I have a massive crush on. He is from South London and is gorgeous. He has the biggest smile and sweetest eyes I have ever seen. He’s beautiful.
I take a cheesy, shallow bow and head back to my seat.
Mrs Chisholm is notoriously hard to please. Maybe, I will make it in this business after all.
I walk to one of my many jobs after a day of studies. I make sandwiches and sell them at a deli just off Oxford Circus. Thanks to its location a lot of actors and directors come in. I smile at everyone and dream of a Lana Turner-style big break.
I have a weekend job showing people how to work computer software too. I either work or study, there is nothing else. It can be exhausting but I don’t mind. I am studying acting and living in London. It is everything I ever dreamed of.
I say hello to the deli owner and wash my hands, put on my apron, and spend the next few hours serving customers. I get lost in my work. It can be calming, making sandwich after sandwich.
I hear the bell and look up. It’s Claudia. Great.
‘Hello, Natasha,’ Claudia says. She looked surprised to see me.
‘Hi Claudia. How are you?’
‘Good. You work here?’
‘Yes. One of many jobs.’
‘That’s cool. I love this place. It’s so tucked away and the food is great.’
‘Thanks.’ I smile at her. Maybe she is not the ice queen I assumed she was. ‘What can I get you?’
‘Halloumi, mint and cucumber.’
‘Cool.’
I make Claudia her sandwich. It is a good choice. I never tried halloumi until I moved to London. It is delicious. Meaty without the meat.
‘What time do you get off?’
I look at the clock.
‘In half an hour.’
‘Cool.’
Claudia looks shy. I can tell she is thinking about something.
‘Want to hang out?’
I look up, surprised.
‘I mean, only if you want.’
‘Sure, I would like that.’
‘Great. I’ll eat my sandwich here and wait for you.’
I smile, excited that Claudia wants to hang out with me. She is so cool, whereas I wouldn’t be thought of as a cool girl.
I come out after my shift and Claudia stands up. We head out of the door together and I feel inadequate. Claudia is wearing head-to-toe designer clothes and has a Mulberry bag. I am wearing trousers that are a cheap, shiny material and a T-shirt from Primark. I am sure I can hear the static coming from my trousers as I walk.
‘How are you enjoying drama school?’ I ask Claudia.
‘Gosh, it’s great. I mean, hard. They break you down to build you back up, right?’
I think about that. ‘Yeah, I guess they do. It is hard but I love it. I want to dive deep into acting and never come back up.’
Claudia looks at me from the corner of her eye and smiles warily.
‘You’re good. Probably the best in the class. I think you’re the one that is going to make it.’
An uneasiness hits me.
‘Aren’t we all going to make it?’
Claudia looks amused. Well, more amused than normal. Which says something.
‘Oh, you are such a sweet girl. Most of us will not make it. Ninety per cent of us will fail – if not, more. The odds are not in our favour. You, Natasha, you have that “it” thing. The je ne sais quoi. Even with your regional accent.’
‘It’s a Scottish accent.’
Claudia gives me a funny look but does not say anything.
‘It’s a country, not a region.’
Claudia still looks at me. An impenetrable sphinx.
We walk the next few minutes in silence.
‘Why don’t we go for tea at Fortnum’s? My treat.’
I am excited despite myself. I love Fortnum and Mason. I walk past it every chance I get and I have wasted plenty of hours in there just window shopping. ‘Thank you. I would like that.’
We take in the London sights as we walk down Oxford Street and then Regent Street. There are masses of people and we weave our way in and out of them. There are so many shops that I still feel in awe. This must be one of the shopping capitals of the world. You can almost hear the cash machines ringing. I love to walk, but I am surprised that Claudia has not suggested the tube or a taxi. I have not met many people who walk as much as I do.
