Page 64 of Kiss Me at Christmas
Ricco, skin glistening in the heat from the lights, stepped to the edge of the stage.
“We were thinking, maybe for the end of the play, that we could sing ‘Put a Little Love in Your Heart,’ and that the whole cast could join in?”
“Sing it to us, dear boy, you and the lovely Carly, sing on!” called Gideon. “And let us see how it will sound.”
It sounded every bit as good as the ones before, only this time the energy was super high, positivity pulsing around the stalls. It was the perfect end to the auditions, and as they poured out of the theater, calling their goodbyes along the dark snowy streets, everyone was filled with the sense that this could be the start of something exceptional.
Nineteen
Gideon had promised to beat the theater armed with the cast list by four thirty on Monday afternoon. The famous five and the Great Foss Players had gathered early accordingly and when he still hadn’t arrived by five o’clock, tensions began to fray.
“We can’t be expected to practice with only half a stage available,” Grace grumbled.
Leo flushed and bent lower over his backcloth, continuing to outline the Cratchits’ kitchen hearth in black paint while keeping stolidly silent.
“Where do you suggest he does them?” Billy challenged.
“I really don’t care where he does them so long as he’s not cluttering the stage,” she whipped back.
“Yeah, well, it’s not up to you, you’re only here because of us,” Billy snapped.
“Okay, okay, let’s not say things we may later regret,” Harriet interceded. “We have a whole theater in which to practice.”
“There is only dried milk in the dressing room,” complained Douglas. “It tastes bloody awful in tea.”
“Anyone who wants to donate a drinks fridge to the cause is welcome to,” said Harriet.
Geez, they’re worse than the kids!She could feel her own tension rising.
“Why can’tyoujust tell us who got which parts?” Isabel asked. “You were involved with the decisions.”
“I was, but Gideon was very clear that the revealing of the cast list is a rite of passage for actors, and he wanted to be the one to do it. I don’t want to steal his thunder or mess with any theatrical traditions that might bring bad luck to the production.”
“Any news on when the lift might be ready?” asked Mallory.
“I’ll check with Ken later. I’m sorry it’s such a pain for you.”
“At least I’ve got to know my way around, I suppose.” Mallory shrugged.
“Harriet, there is no toilet paper in the ladies’ toilets!” Destiny announced, hands on her ample hips.
“Okay, I’ll sort it.” Harriet tried to remember where she’d stashed the toilet rolls.
“And don’t put more of that dreadful economy stuff in there!” said Prescilla. “It’s worse than useless.”
Harriet bit her lip, thinking about the twenty economy toilet rolls she’d already purchased.
“Technically not my job to keep the toilet rolls topped up,” she said, forcing a smile.
“We’ve run out of sugar!” shouted Ahmed.
Give me strength!
Her phone pinged with a message.
Cornell:I need you to write me a report with regards to Alejandro’s situation for a meeting I have with his parents in the morning. On my desk by 9 a.m.
Sugar Honey Ice Tea!She’d be burning the midnight oil again tonight.
