Page 21 of The Location Shoot
“Well done,” Albie said, squeezing her hands.
“That was so lovely,” Charlotte said.
“That was one of the most beautiful scenes I’ve ever witnessed,” Finn added. “Your faces spoke volumes.”
“I was just playing off of Willow’s gorgeous performance,” Albie said.
Jean hustled over. “You nailed it. At the end, when you put your head on his shoulder . . .”
“I know it wasn’t in the script. I can do it differently next time,” Willow said sheepishly.
“Non, ma chérie. It was perfect,” Jean assured her. “We’re going to run it again to capture it from another angle.”
As soon as Jean dashed off, Albie leaned close to Willow and Ella heard him whisper, “When I said there is nothing illegitimate about you, I wasn’t only thinking of your character. Willow, there isnothingillegitimate about you. You have earned your spot here. Don’t forget that.”
Willow smiled brightly.
“Places, everyone,” Jean yelled. “Rolling . . . Action!”
AS THE DINNER DISHES WERE CLEAREDthat night, the waiter turned to Ella and asked, “Shall we bring dessert now?”
“Please do,” she replied. She turned to Albie. “So, were you going to tell us it’s your birthday?”
“Oh, bugger,” Albie groaned. “Isn’t it enough that we’ve been celebrating my character’s birthday for weeks?”
“No, it most certainly is not,” Ella replied.
“Happy birthday, old friend,” Jean said.
“Happy birthday,” they all echoed, surprise on their faces.
“How old?” Jean asked.
“Seventy-four,” Albie replied. He turned to Ella. “You never forget a bloody thing, do you?”
She smiled. “Life should be celebrated. After all, isn’t that what you’re all here making a film about? You’re an extraordinary artist and a dear friend; naturally we want to mark the occasion of your birthday.”
“I would tell you that I’m just an old bag of bones and to save your energy, but I know it would be pointless,” Albie replied.
“That it would be,” Ella agreed. “Besides, you can’t fool us. Many men would willingly trade years of their life for the chance to live one day as Albie Hughes. I suspect it’s a fair trade.” She leaned closer to him, lowered her voice, andsaid, “You have more zest for life than many men half your age. You always have. Even if you are a stubborn old goat.”
Everyone laughed.
“All right, if you’re all so desperate for cake, I’ll play along. I guess you only live once,” Albie said.
Ella shook her head. “No, my dear friend. You only die once. You live every day, every moment.”
Albie let out a puff and smiled. “You are a good friend, Ella. Wise beyond your years.”
The waiter came in carrying a tray with a homemade blueberry tart with a single candle. Ella began singing “Happy Birthday,” and everyone joined in. Albie’s face turned red. He stared at the candle, lost in thought.
“You sure you have enough oxygen left in those prehistoric lungs to blow that out?” Ella joked.
Albie laughed, inhaled deeply, and blew out the candle. Everyone applauded. The waiter took the tart back to the kitchen to prepare servings.
“I hope you made a good wish,” Ella said.
“Indeed, I did. I can’t believe you had them make a blueberry tart.”
