Page 109 of The Match Faker

‘Yeah. Now the cast are kicking off and she doesn’t know how to get them under control. Mel’s at a meeting in Paris until later this afternoon, so Andrea’s asked me to come. I don’t know what I can do, but she’s been working on it for months to raise money to stop the community centre from closing and now she’s worried they’ll have to cancel, so I have to try and help.’

‘What’s the play?’

‘Beauty and the Beast. She needs someone to play the Beast and can’t find anyone to do it at such short notice.’

‘So basically she needs someone who’s butt ugly and knows how to act? I’d be perfect for that!’ I smirked.

‘Now’s not the time for your jokes, man,’ Nate warned.

‘I’m serious! I’ll do it. I played that role ages ago at drama club and I probably still remember the lines. Well, some of them anyway. But you said it’s tonight, right? I could learn it by then.’

‘For real?’

‘Yeah. I’m not doing anything today and you’re like family, bro. And Andrea’s basically your kid, so course I’ll help.’

‘If you could, that’d be a big deal for her. And for me. I’d really appreciate it. But you know it’s just at a community centre, right? The set’s gonna be pretty basic. And you’ll be acting with non-pros. It’ll be a lot different to what you’re used to.’

‘I know. Don’t worry. As long as there’s someone there to pick out the yellow M&Ms from my diamond-encrusted bowl and a bottle of Dom Pérignon chilling in my dressing room, it’ll be all good.’ I grinned. Nate’s face fell. ‘I’m joking! Like I said, I’m happy to help. Are they doing the musical version?’

‘Nah. There’s no songs. Like I said, it’s probably not the kind of production you’re used to.’

‘It’s fine. Without the songs it’ll be easier as I’ll only have the lines to learn. Tell Andrea the show will go on! Give me ten minutes to shower and I’ll come with you.’

Fifteen minutes later we were in the car on the way to the community centre. Nate had forwarded me the script Andrea sent and I’d already started reading it.

As I went over the pages, everything came flooding back. It was similar to what I’d learnt years ago. Beauty and the Beast was one of the first lead roles I’d got at drama club.

I remembered it clearly because it was one of the few performances Dad had bothered to come and watch. I was so happy he was finally taking an interest in something I was passionate about. Until I realised it was because he was banging my drama teacher behind Mum’s back.

Didn’t know why I was so surprised. Dad had a habit of fucking women that weren’t his wife.

About a year later, Mum found out he’d been screwing our neighbour too. That was the last straw. She said she couldn’t take any more of his shit and announced she was taking me to Spain for a fresh start. It all happened so quickly. I had to leave the home, everything and everyone I knew behind.

My chest tightened. Thinking about that wasn’t helpful. I pushed the memories out of my head and focused on the page. I had a job to do. Nate and Andrea needed me. I wasn’t gonna let them down.

It took about forty minutes to arrive. Nate was right. The community centre wasn’t like the multimillion-dollar studios I was used to. The small one-storey building needed a fresh lick of paint and there were tiles missing from the roof, but it didn’t matter.

We stepped inside. There was a group talking loudly on the stage. A girl with long brown hair waved a script around and begged everyone to calm down.

‘There’s no way someone will be able to learn Sam’s lines in less than a day!’ a young woman spat.

‘I’ve already told you!’ the girl with the script shouted back. ‘He’s a professional!’

‘Bull! Why would a pro want to work on an amateur play at short notice, for free?’

‘Because he wants to help,’ I called out, striding towards the stage.

The hall fell silent and the young woman who was shouting at the girl I now guessed was Andrea froze. Everyone’s mouths dropped open.

‘That’s…! You’re…! No way! Can’t be!’ the mouthy woman said.

‘I told you he was a professional!’ Andrea said smugly before mouthing thank you. I smiled in acknowledgement.

‘Come on, ladies and gents.’ I stood in front of them. ‘Let’s get to work.’

We rehearsed for three hours straight before breaking for lunch. Andrea was a good kid and once they’d got warmed up, the cast were cool too.

At first they were nervous (especially when Nate warned them not to take photos or tell anyone, especially the press, that I was here), but when they realised I didn’t want any special treatment, they relaxed.

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