Page 81 of Second Act at Appleton Green
Denise was wiping her eyes between clapping and Lily took the final bow with Henry Higgins and hugged him on stage. Finally she left the stage to where Nick was standing and she fell into his arms and kissed him.
‘They loved it,’ she said.
‘They loved you,’ he returned and spun her around.
‘Gran is here,’ she said. ‘I have to get changed and go and meet you at the dressing room and we can see her together,’ she said.
‘I’ll be out soon,’ Nick said and Lily rushed to the dressing room to undress and take off her makeup.
It was so exhilarating as people came and said well done to her and she returned the excited greetings and congratulations. Finally she was dressed and ready to see Gran.
Lily picked up her bag and gathered some of the flowers and cards from well-wishers, laughing and smiling as she made her way out of the dressing room and into the space at the back of the hall. There were so many people around and she looked for Nick in the crowd.
Gran would be so happy to see them both, she thought, as she walked towards the male dressing rooms, but as she came closer, she could see Nick stood in the poorly illuminated hall and he was not alone. Jessica was there, her face vulnerable in a way Lily had never seen before, tear-stained and passionately talking about something. Nick then answered her, as subdued, low, anxious tones, his hand then was on her arm and she fell forward into his arms and he held her as she cried.
Lily stopped; the flowers in her arms became unexpectedly heavy and she knew whatever she was seeing wasn’t for her. She couldn’t hear their words, but the intimacy made her stomach fall away. Jessica nodded at something Nick said, then stretched up to touch his face in a movement too familiar.
What the hell was happening? Lily’s brain ran wild as she watched them, knowing she should leave and not jump to conclusions but it was impossible. Was Nick just consoling an ex-Jessica, or was there more to it? Was Jessica back to her manipulative ways?
No one had ever made Lily feel quite so terrible as Jessica and she didn’t want to feel it again.
Don’t let her ruin this,she told herself and she stepped away quietly and through the back doors, around the side of the hall to meet Gran and her parents outside.
‘Lily,’ she heard from her mother as she came around the corner. ‘Congratulations, darling,’ Denise said. ‘You were marvellous – all of you but especially you.’
Lily hugged her mum and dad and then leaned down to Gran.
‘You being here is the best part of the night,’ she said to her and Gran beamed at her.
‘Darling girl, what a show, and what a voice you have. It’s just so beautiful, Lil. I’m so proud of you. I have missed hearing you sing. I can die happy now,’ Gran said and Lily laughed.
‘Well don’t die too soon. I still have five more shows to get through,’ she said as she looked around for Nick but also for Jessica.
‘Are you out for just the night or for good?’ she asked Gran.
‘Just the night.’ Gran made a face. ‘Maybe you can hide me in the cottage?’
Lily laughed. ‘I don’t think so, even if I do love you more than life itself. Dad and Mum would kill me.’
Gran peered over her shoulder. ‘Here he comes, our Freddy,’ she said. Lily stood up, feeling her body tense at his presence.
‘Hello, I waited for you,’ he said and put his arms around her shoulder.
She looked at him, ‘I came to see you, but you were busy,’ she said, looking him in the eye and lifting her chin.
Nick blinked a few times. ‘Yes, I need to talk to you.’
Lily raised her eyebrows at him. ‘I’m sure you do,’ she said and turned back to Gran.
‘Can I help you back to the hospital?’ she asked her.
But Gran shook her head. ‘No, you stay with Nick and celebrate. I have to get back or the nurses will send out a search party and give me cold tea and toast in the morning.’
‘We can’t have that,’ said Lily, catching her father’s eye who rolled his eyes at her.
‘Let me speak to Nick,’ Gran said and Lily turned to him.
‘She wants you,’ she said and she stood back and looked around for Jessica but she couldn’t see her anywhere.
