Page 88 of Love At First Fright
One delightful reader had even brought her a framed print of some fan art they had made of David inJulia.It was funny, the way a book took on a life of its own after it was published and in the hands of readers. Perhaps on a subconscious level she’d envisioned the scientist character of David as queer, but itcertainly hadn’t been her main focus of his character. Yet, much like the Babadook, in the years thatJuliahad been out, David had become something of a queer horror icon in niche book circles. Something about having a homoerotic relationship with the voice of the unfathomable deep was queer-coded when she really thought about it, so perhaps it wasn’t too surprising.
“Hi, I’m a really big fan,” came a rumbling, familiar voice. Rosemary looked up and met Ellis’s gaze, his sunglasses tipped down his nose a little.
“Inconspicuous.” She chuckled. “I wasn’t sure if you’d be able to make it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he said, resting his hands on the table. “I just got stuck in traffic, but I think I got here when you were only a few minutes into the reading.” He bent closer. “It’s absolutely killing me that I can’t kiss you right now.”
That had her blushing. “Why don’t you do it then?”
Ellis shook his head. “I can’t, love. Trying to be inconspicuous, remember?”
“No one knows we’re together, and no one would suspect it’s you,” she countered, whispering.
“Maybe not, but I reckon people might decide they want a closer look at the guy who’s making out with the scream queen herself. Anyway, you’ve got a copy to sign for me.” He placed a copy ofJuliain front of her. “I’ve heard the author is rather talented.” He smirked.
“Oh really?”
“Mm. Pretty fucking hot, too. Or so I’ve heard.”
Heat tingled along Rosemary’s spine, chasing up her cheeks and neck. Her fingers itched to reach out and take Ellis’s hands in hers, resting as they were on the table before her.
“And who shall I make it out to?” She looked up at him from beneath her lashes, relishing the way his hands flexed.Ellis liked seeing her in her element, just as much as she liked seeing him in his, it turned out. His expression made it explicitly clear what he would be doing to her later.
“Mr. F—”
“Hey, you’re taking a long time, man, you know there are other people in this queue?” The guy behind Ellis barged in, rounding on Ellis.
“You look kind of fami— Wait, are you Ellis Finch? Oh my god! Hey, guys, it’s Ellis Finch, he’s here!”
Rosemary wasn’t prepared for what happened next. The rush of people was immediate, congregating in a mob-like fashion around Ellis. She heard various calls of “Can I have your autograph?” and “Take a selfie with me, Ellis!” and for a brief moment she lost him in the swell. Flashes of smartphone cameras popped from every side, and more and more people flooded into the room.
“Sorry, Mona, I think I’m going to have to go,” Rosemary said, and Mona nodded but seemed preoccupied with the way customers seemed to be vaulting over chairs in the event space to get closer to Ellis. This was insanity—it was just Ellis. Except, Ellis was one of the most famous actors in the world, a fact which Rosemary appeared to have forgotten. Now the need for his disguise made even more sense. This wasn’t the paparazzi, but it was just as intense. Rosemary slipped around the signing table, pulling her bag onto her shoulder, and did her best to weave into the mass of people. She didn’t bother calling out for Ellis, he wouldn’t be able to hear her anyway.
“Ellis, take a photo with me!” someone called, and Rosemary heard a “Not right now, sorry” response from Ellis, and then she saw him. A pair of women had looped their arms into his, effectively locking him in place unless he purposefully struggled free. Which he wouldn’t do, because he was too polite.
“Excuse me, you’re going to take your hands off him right now,” Rosemary said loudly, all anxiety about the heaving crowd vanishing in the face of Ellis’s struggle. She spoke with her firmest, sternest Southern drawl. It was the voice she’d heard her mama use countless times on her in childhood, and it did something to people. It made them pay attention and it brooked no disrespect. The frenzy stilled, and Rosemary locked eyes with a shaken Ellis, sunglasses vanished, cap askew. She recognised the look in his eyes; she’d seen it before when the photographers had swarmed onto set. This was a nightmare for him, but it was in her power to get him out of here now. She pulled his arm free from one of the women and said quietly, “Let’s go.”
Thankfully, the crowd parted for them; even though people continued to snap photos, they were given space to leave. Man, people really lost it when faced with a celebrity. She wondered why she hadn’t felt that way when she’d first encountered Ellis, though perhaps in some way she had. It had just been overshadowed by her grumpiness at their first few meetings.
Ali, scanning books at the counter on the ground floor, waved at Rosemary and thanked her for coming. Clearly the drama on the third floor hadn’t reached them down here yet.
“Thank you for the lovely event.” She smiled back and, arm looped with Ellis’s, they ducked out of The Reader’s Rest.
“Where’s the car?” she asked. Now they were out in the breeze and light November drizzle, Ellis became more himself, running a hand through his hair before putting the cap back on.
“Just on that side street,” he said, taking her hand and leading the way.
“That was fucking intense,” she said.
“Yeah.”
“Are you okay? Did anyone…do anything? Those women shouldn’t have put their hands on you.”
Ellis gave her a look. “I know. Thank you for defending me in there. I just sort of freeze up in moments like that.”
“I get it. Feels like a natural response. Is it always that bad when you’re out in public? I can see now why you didn’t want to stay living in London.”
“It’s not always like that. Red carpets are much more controlled, and most of the time people local to my house don’t really say anything. I see them looking, but people are generally respectful of my space. But sometimes, it just takes a couple of people and then it turns into…that.”
