Page 133 of Christmas off Script
‘Ella will be as right as rain in a moment, but needs space to breathe and a bit of quiet,’ Libby said. ‘Can you all go back to the dressing room, please?’
Leo made a move to stand, but Ella grabbed his arm.
‘You can stay,’ Libby said to him, then shifted, so she was directly in front of her. ‘I know it feels like you can’t, but I need you to close your mouth and breathe through your nose. In for two and out for four. Can you try and do that with me?’
Ella gave a shaky nod. Her skin was tingling and stinging, as if she’d been rolled up in an electric fence. Panic screamed inside her, seizing her muscles.
‘You’re doing great.’ Libby’s voice was calm and soothing. ‘In for two, and out for four. Slow each breath. Feel the sensations leaving your body with every exhale. That’s it. Well done. In for two, and out for four. With every breath, you’re more relaxed. You’re doing great.’
As Libby’s voice continued, the stress inside Ella began to ease, the pain slowly leaching out. Then, with a shuddering sob, she crumpled against Leo, utterly spent.
As his arms cradled her, she rested her head against his chest, listening to the rapid thump of his heart.
‘What the fuck was that?’ he asked Libby.
‘Ella got through tonight thanks to extremely high levels of stress hormones,’ she replied. ‘Now her body knows she’s safe, she’s crashing. She needs to rest as much as possible.’
‘Summer’s back,’ Leo said. ‘Can’t she take over?’
Ella shook her head. ‘I’ll be fine,’ she croaked.
‘This doesn’t look fine to me.’
‘You can’t kiss your sister,’ she continued, trying to make her voice strong.
‘What?’
‘You’re Prince Charming now,’ Libby said. ‘Do you really want Summer to play Cinderella?’
Leo took a breath as if to speak, but didn’t.
‘Ella,’ Libby said gently. ‘It’s totally up to you. We can ask Summer to play Buttons, and I can step into your role if you like?’
An image of Henry Foxbrooke watching his fiancée kissing his younger brother popped into Ella’s mind and she snorted.
‘Ella?’ Leo asked.
‘Sorry,’ she said as she giggled. ‘I was just imagining Henry’s face if you kissed Libby.’
Libby’s face contorted as she tried not to laugh. ‘I’m sure he would understand.’
Leo huffed. ‘He’d have apoplexy.’
‘I’ll be fine to keep going,’ Ella said, feeling anything but.
‘Well, if you change your mind, just let me know,’ Libby replied. ‘And make sure you take it easy over the next few days. You’ll need more strength than you think to get through the rest of the performances, although hopefully it should get easier.’
She nodded.
‘Now, I suggest you go straight to bed. You don’t need to change down here. I can tell everyone you’re okay.’
‘Thank you.’
Leo helped her to her feet and held onto her as her legs tingled with pins and needles. They went to the back of the stage and down the stairs, then headed out of the ballroom. Ella’s feet moved slowly, every part of her dog-tired and wanting to collapse. Finally reaching her bedroom, Leo paused outside, and a bolt of dread shot straight to her stomach.
‘I think it’s for the best that I sleep in my own room until the panto’s over,’ he said, not meeting her eyes.
So this is it. The beginning of the end. Her throat was too full of tears to let any words out.
