Page 10 of Love ad Lib
‘Now,’ Claire continued. ‘The person who listened has a minute to tell the rest of the group their partner’s life story. Libby, you go first and tell everyone all about Henry.’
His stomach turned and his mouth ran dry. He stared at Libby in horror.
She took his hand and squeezed, then dropped it and faced the group.
‘Hello everyone, I want to introduce you to Henry,’ she began. ‘He was born the perfect number of years ago. He grew up in Somerset, which is the home of cider, the Glastonbury festival, Morris dancing, Jane Austen, the Roman Baths, Cheddar gorge, Cheddar cheese, England’s smallest city, and the Wookey Hole caves. He has never been to the Glastonbury festival, but he does enjoy the odd pint of scrumpy and mature cheddar with his ploughman’s on a hot summer day…’
Henry started breathing again, relief and gratitude moving in waves through him.
‘... and that brings us to Henry’s school life—’
‘Time’s up!’ Claire said. ‘Carl, you go next. Tell us all about Gaz.’
‘Thank you,’ Henry murmured to Libby as Carl started talking. She smiled at him and gave his hand another squeeze.
When they’d gone around the group, it was time for Libby to tell him about her.
‘You must have got this bit sussed,’ he said.
She grinned. ‘There’s not a lot you can say in a minute, but I’m good at talking fast.’
‘Okay, go!’ said Claire.
‘Hello Henry, my name is Libby Fletcher and I’m twenty-eight. I was born in Hollywood.’ She paused and grinned at his response. ‘Hollywood,Birmingham. It’s about eight miles south of the city centre. Growing up in Hollywood I had two career choices: acting or being a professional chef at an Indian restaurant. My father wasnaantoo happy when I did a drama degree at university, however Icurryfavour with him when I pop-padumhome as I never pass-andaup the opportunity to make his favourite dish, whichkormashim right down.’
Henry snorted with laughter.
‘I alsoraitamy own jokes,’ Libby continued, winking. ‘So, where was I? Oh yes. After uni, I started a small theatre group with friends. We were wildly unsuccessful and critically ignored, but had lots of fun taking plays into schools and begging tourists to watch our show at the Edinburgh Fringe. I met my work wife, Claire, at an improv night a few years ago, and it was love at first laugh. We run a regular improvisational comedy show in Covent Garden and during the day, workshops like this one for your company. In my personal life, I have a wonderful—’
‘Time’s up!’ Claire called out. ‘Henry, start us off and tell us about Libby in three, two, one, go!’
His mouth opened but nothing came out.Think!‘Er, this is Libby and she’s the nicest person I’ve ever met.’ He felt heat spreading up his neck again. ‘Erm, she really likes curry and went to drama school. I mean she likes cooking curry for her dad, and er, she studied drama at university. Oh, and she went to Edinburgh for the fringe festival. Now she works with Claire running workshops and a comedy night in Covent Garden. Um, oh! And she’s originally from Hollywood.’ He couldn’t think of anything else to say.
‘That’s fantastic, Henry! Great job! Next up, Gaz, tell us all about Carl.’
Henry learnt moreabout his colleagues in two hours than he had in all his time at Conqueror to date, and his cheeks were hurting from laughing so much.
‘Thank you all so much for taking part in the workshop today,’ said Claire. ‘Libby and I have a regular improv night every Tuesday above the Spread Eagle pub in Covent Garden.’ She handed out business cards. ‘Joining in is entirely optional, however having a good time is mandatory.’
Henry looked at the card in his hand.
‘Do you think you might come along?’ Libby asked him.
A tiny spark of excitement lit up the inside of his chest before he put it out.
‘Thank you for the offer. But I don’t think it’s really me.’
Her smile didn’t waver. ‘Well, if you ever change your mind, you know where to find us. Lovely to meet you, Henry.’
‘You too, Libby.’ He smiled back, feeling a small ray of her sunshine still left inside him.
2
‘You sure you don’t want to come back to mine for a bit?’ Claire asked Libby as they exited the Conqueror offices. ‘I’ve got a crib that needs assembling, and I can’t be arsed to work it out on my own.’
‘Won’t Ritchie have a go later?’
Her friend pulled a face. ‘He thinks instruction manuals are for people with no imagination. I’m not letting him anywhere near it.’
