Rosie, a character from Jealousy and Obsession
The smoky haze of the Killarney, Rosie Bryde, as she stepped onto the makeshift stage. and sang her last song of the pageant. Matt and Jake were on the edge of their seat; they knew this girl would walk away with the title of Miss Killarney.
She was a wisp of a girl with a freckled nose, earnest blue eyes, and a splash of pink in her cotton dress against the drab browns of the room. She barely cleared five feet, but her voice, a clear, lilting soprano, filled the space. She sang a traditional Irish ballad, her hands clasped loosely at her waist,
Matt Adams, a whirlwind of a man with a sharp suit and an even sharper mind, nudged Jake Summer, his more reserved business partner. “Did you hear that, Jake? Did you see her?”
With his perpetually calm demeanour, Jake nodded slowly, his eyes fixed on Rosie. He saw beyond the tentative smile and the slightly awkward stance. He saw vulnerability and a raw, potent emotion that could leap off any stage or screen. “She’s got something, Matt. Something.”
They were scouting for new talent in Killarney, a quest that had yielded little more than lukewarm pints and weary ears. But Rosie, Rosie was different. She wasn’t just a singer but an actress waiting to happen.
They spent the rest of the evening observing her, a mix of calculated assessment and genuine fascination. After her performance, they approached her, both brimming with a hesitant excitement they tried to mask. Startled by the attention of two well-dressed foreigners, Rosie blushed a shade of scarlet that nearly matched her fiery hair.
They made their way over to congratulate her. She was the sort of girl your mum would approve of; she was clean-cut and well-mannered, a natural beauty who didn’t need makeup. She was like a delicate flower, a breath of fresh air.
Rosie thanked them for their kind words, and Jake asked her what she would do in the future.
“I would love to act, but I don’t think I would be perfect”.
“What’s your Name?”
“Rosie”
“That’s a beautiful name. Look, Rosie. We have rented a hall for auditions for screen testing. You should come along,” Matt quickly mentions.
“No… came a deep, mean voice from nowhere as a tall, well-built man suddenly appeared from over her shoulder. “Don’t you come here, filling her head with these big notions?”
“You are Rosie’s father, I presume?”
“Yes….”
“Rosie has great potential”.
“Do you think so?” Rosie said excitedly
“Yes, you do”.
“Matt has an eye for talent” Jake explained.
“And what exactly do you both do?” Mr Bryde asks.
“Da….” Rosie says, a tad embarrassed.
“Watch that lip of yours, my girl”.
Jake informs him, “It’s okay. Matt is a film producer and partners in a modelling agency.”
“Da, please let me”.
“Ya mama won’t like it”.
“Mr Bryde, we will look after Rosie, and you or her mum can come with her”.
“Alright, we will come with Rosie tomorrow to see what it is all about”.
Matt and Jake smiled and shook Jimmy’s hand.
The next day, Rosie gave an award-winning performance to Matt and Jake, and since Matt was working on his own now, he signed her on the spot. She was going to reach the top he knew it. He arranged for Rosie to fly over to meet Bruce and find a place to live. Jimmy came with her. He wasn’t about to let his daughter fly off somewhere. Matt totally understood Jimmy.
They explained their rapid-fire London accents, a stark contrast to her lilting Irish brogue, about their film production company and their desire to turn her talent into a shining star. Rosie bewildered at first, listened with a growing hope flickering in her eyes. But her father, a stern man with hands hardened by years of working the land, was having none of it.
“My Rosie, a film star?” He scoffed, his brow furrowed like a ploughed field. “She’s got a good head on her shoulders. She’ll stay here and make a good wife for a fine fellow one day.
This was their first hurdle, and it was a brick wall. But Matt and Jake were nothing if not persistent. They spent days, in and out of the Bryde’s home arguing, pleading, charming, until her mother wore down Jimmy and, perhaps a little swayed by the promise of a better life for Rosie, finally conceded. He wouldn’t let her go alone, though. He’d be coming with them to London.
The journey to London felt like a dream to Rosie. The bustling streets, the towering buildings, the constant hum of a city – it was a world away from Ireland’s quiet, green fields. The film they had in mind, a romantic period piece, seemed tailored for her. Rosie threw herself into the acting classes, her natural talent blossoming under the guiding hands of Matt and Jake. She learned about camera angles, script analysis, and the subtle art of conveying emotions through a simple look.
Filming began, and Rosie thrived. She was both innocent and captivating on camera, and the crew was charmed by her quick wit and Irish warmth. Cissy Grant was one of the first to make her feel welcome and protect her from the pitfalls and predators of the film industry.
Matt and Jake, watching her on set, felt a surge of pride. They had found a star. But the world of cinema wasn’t a fairytale, and as Rosie’s first scenes took shape, cracks began to appear. In the name of Millicent Lee
Matt, whose enthusiasm had fuelled Rosie’s journey, found himself constantly smoothing feathers, mediating between the director and the increasingly bewildered young actress. With his quiet influence, Jake tried to shield her from the worst, offering a comforting word or a reassuring nod.
Even worse, Rosie’s father, though outwardly supportive, grew increasingly anxious as the filming wore on. The strange world of cameras and make-up was beyond his comprehension, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that his daughter was being exploited. The clash between his old-world values and the modern world of film created a simmering tension on set that everyone could feel.
The strain began to show. Rosie, once bright and bubbly, became withdrawn and quiet. She lost some spark that captivated Matt and Jake, and Killarney Doubts crept into her mind. Had she made the wrong decision? Was she good enough?
Matt had to act fast, not just to save his film but also to save Rosie’s spirit. Matt had warned Milly to back off Rosie. Cissy had also warned Milly.
This was only the beginning of her journey, and they needed to find a way to navigate the choppy waters of the industry without letting her drown.
They had believed in her potential, and they had to rekindle that belief within her. The road ahead was far from smooth, but they were determined to help Rosie Bryde become the star they knew she could be, one step at a time, even if that meant facing the harsh realities of the film world head-on. The dream had started, and they had to fight to protect it. But Disaster was to happen.
Jealousy and Obsession is out this year
By Deborah C Langley
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