Page 27 of The Typo

I was so wrapped up in my concern about the Cameron situation that it hadn’t even occurred to me to worry about what my boss wanted.

‘I was asking you for an explanation,’ Ian said, his voice stern.

My gaze automatically drifted across to the door to the Cellar Bar and then over to Colin who was lounging against the box office counter. He winked at me, although whether it was his standard Colin lasciviousness or smugness that he’d got me into trouble, I couldn’t tell. I decided silence was my best defence.

Ian sighed and jabbed his finger at the brochures on display.

‘These are from last season. What are they still doing out here? Marketing shows which aren’t even on is hardly an effective strategy.’

I experienced a rush of relief, quickly followed by a surge of indignation. Why was everything wrong in this place automatically assumed to be my fault? But I decided it was better to suck it up rather than dob in a colleague, so I endured my telling off, and as soon as I was able, I escaped back to my office and checked my emails.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: 3 Feb, 15:05

Subject: Re:

Hey Amy,

No bother, let me know when you’re free.

C x

He had signed off with a kiss. Had he meant to do that? It was the first time he’d used his initial at the end of an email, rather than putting Cameron, so maybe that was the reason. It was bound to be something as prosaic as that. It was hardly likely that he’d seen three seconds of nostril footage and then fallen head over heels in love with me. Not that signing off with a single kiss was in any way an indication of ardour. And we were just friends, nothing more. Once again I was getting carried away and overanalysing. On balance, it was more likely that he hadn’t even realised he’d done it. At least my message had got through to him, and he’d not been put off by however much of the office scene he’d witnessed.

I wanted to rearrange our chat, but it didn’t seem like a good idea to schedule it for work hours. Calculating when an evening performance would normally finish, and therefore when a supposed performer would be available for a call, I started typing.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: 3 Feb, 15:11

Subject: Re: Re:

Hi Cameron,

I’m so sorry about that, and I really hope that whatever horrible faces I pulled at the screen when I got summoned away didn’t make you change your mind about our chat! As I mentioned in my SHOUTY CAPS LOCK email, I had to dash off for a last-minute audition rehearsal as the accompanist had had a cancellation and said he could fit me in for an extra run through. He’s much in demand and rather terrifying when he chooses to be, so it wasn’t an invitation I could say no to, much as I would have loved to have been chatting with you instead. Anyway, I should be back home by midnight (otherwise I’ll turn into a pumpkin, hehe) which according to my calculations is 9pm your time, so if you’ve not got any plans this evening, would then work for you? I’ve put a new Zoom link below, just in case, and I’ll keep my fingers crossed!

All the best,

Amy x

My lies were getting bigger with each email, but I was committed now.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Date: 3 Feb, 15:13

Subject: Re: Re: Re:

Midnight your time sounds perfect. Looking forward to hearing all about your big audition. See you later!

At least this way all my hard work sprucing up my house hadn’t gone to waste.

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