Page 32 of Christmas off Script
Leo stuck a hand on his hip. ‘Oh, yes, I do!’
‘Oh, no you don’t!’ everyone around the circle chorused.
‘Oh, yes, I do!’
‘Oh, no you don’t!’
‘Oh, yes, I do with knobs on, pinch, punch, first of the month and no returns!’
‘Buttons walks to the edge of the stage,’ Libby said.
‘I love Cinderella more than anything. Even more than cheese. When I see her, my head spins and I get a funny feeling in my undercrackers. Will you help me win her heart, mums and dads, grannies and grandads, nanas and grandpas, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and boys and girls?’
‘Audience plant yells “yes”, and if anyone yells “no”, Buttons will make a joke about them definitely coming from Midsomer Norton,’ Libby continued. ‘Then Cinderella enters from upper stage left.’
‘Oh! It’s her! Right, wish me luck. It’s time for me to tell her how I really feel!’
‘Hello, Buttons! Hello, boys and girls!’ Ella said.
‘Hello, Cinderella!’ everyone chorused.
‘Isn’t it a beautiful day!’ Ella continued. ‘The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and I’m with my bestest friend. What have you been buying in Foxbrooke today, Buttons?’
Libby’s phone rang and she got to her feet. ‘Carry on. It’s probably Prince Charming.’ Dashing to the edge of the room, she took the call.
‘Well…’ Leo said.
‘Have you been buying presents for all the boys and girls in the audience?’
‘Er.’
‘Oh Buttons, you’re so kind! You’ve bought them chocolate buttons!’
‘No, Cinderella, I—’
‘Would you like any chocolate buttons, boys and girls?’
‘But—’
‘Yes!’ everyone cried.
‘Cinderella throws packets of chocolate buttons into the audience,’ Ella said. ‘Only stopping when she lifts out a carrot.’ She glanced up as a frowning Libby turned back to the group.
‘Everything okay?’ Henry asked as she retook her seat.
‘Um…’ Libby’s gaze was unfocussed, her skin pale. ‘That was Summer. She can’t do the panto anymore.’
Leo’s heart sank.
‘What? Why not?’ Henry asked.
‘She’s, erm, been given an opportunity she can’t afford to pass up and is flying out to Mexico this afternoon for a month.’
There was a pause as everyone digested her words. Leo knew just how much work Libby had already put into the pantomime, and how challenging it would be to find a good-enough replacement for Summer at such short notice.
‘Oh,’ Arthur said. ‘Well, at least she’ll be back in time for Christmas.’ He looked at his middle daughter. ‘Willow can take her place.’
‘No way!’ Willow exclaimed. ‘I can play the piano, but I can’t sing for toffee. We need someone who can act, sing, dance,andlooks the part.’
