Page 35 of Scary In Love
Every member of the team has gathered backstage before we open the doors for the last haunt of the season.
“You doing okay, boss?” Lulu asks. “You seem distracted.”
If I seem distracted, it’s because I am. There’s no time left to go back and check the rooms I’ve set up for Jenna, even though I know I have everything covered.
Clarissa wraps an arm around my shoulder and gives me a big squeeze. “I can’t believe it’s Halloween already,” she says, her real voice nowhere near as proper as her character’s. “I’m really going to miss playing Lady Miller.”
“You’ve done such a good job,” I croak, surprised by the lump in my throat. “Okay, okay. Huddle in, team.”
Their chatter dies off, and I run through the same briefing I have every other night, with the additional news of the money I’ve put behind the bar in theSun and Starsfor their wrap party.
The room fills with cheers and applause, and I’m sure there are happy faces beneath their gruesome make-up.
“Can we come back next year?” Sammy asks, and everyone pipes up with similar sentiments.
“How about you let me sleep for a week, then I’ll run the numbers and think about it. One last time, what’s our motto?”
“Scaring is caring!” they scream back at me, the loudest they’ve been.
We hug and shake hands, and when they file out I head for my spot at the top of the stairs.
On opening night, I did it out of curiosity. The second night, I did it in case Jenna came back. Now it’s part of my act, but it’s also a chance to take it all in and reflect on how far we’ve come.
Six months ago, my life was at a standstill. No purpose, no job, not a lot of hope. I have no idea what life will be like in another six months, but even if I can’t keep the house, this haunt will always be something I look back on with pride.
In rehearsals, I liked to be everywhere all at once, checking on the cast, making sure they were sticking to the story I’d created and giving it their all.
Truthfully, they could run this night without me. Whether they’re old timers or this is their first experience of scare acting, they’ve been an incredible team. Whatever the future holds, they’ll always be part of the Miller family history.
The first doorbell rings out through the halls. Beneath me, Ron gives his head a shake and shifts into Jessop mode, shuffling forward to open the door.
“Come on in then,” he grunts. “If ya dare.”
The group tiptoe in around him, shrieking when he slams it shut. I lean against the railing and dangle my axe over the edge, swinging it back and forth.
One more haunt, and then the real fun can begin.
21
Jenna
Itisbeyondridiculousto be sneaking out at my age, but how am I supposed to explain leaving the house this close to midnight in the sluttiest outfit I own?
“Oh, don’t mind me, Mum and Dad. I’m just off to get my guts rearranged in a haunted house with a guy who’s into kinky roleplay. Don’t wait up!”
Yeah, I don’t think so.
Halloween is the one day of the year I can fully embrace my desire to dress like a creepy witchy woman, and easily blend in with the crowds, but this is pushing the limits of public decency for both the living and the dead.
My underwear is minuscule, my cleavage would turn a priest, and my skirt is impossible to bend over in, even though that’s exactly why I chose it.
And, per Mason’s request, I’m wearing fishnet tights that offer zero warmth against the chill in the air.
I’d considered wearing just a bra underneath my jacket, but threw a pink cashmere sweater over the top at the last minute. Hopefully, Mason will enjoy peeling it off me later.
My skin is prickling with goosebumps, but that’s nothing new. I’ve been a bundle of excited, nervous energy all week, and counting down the hours until I finished work.
Our residents welcome any excuse for a celebration, so I set up the cinema room for an afternoon screening ofThe Exorcist, with spooky-themed cupcakes as a treat. Popcorn tossed with a few fake spiders would have been fun, but it’s not great for people who have difficulties eating or end up with bits stuck in their false teeth. And I can think of at least one resident who would have eaten the spider anyway.
