Page 84 of Christmas off Script
‘Her Royal Highness, Princess Incognito!’ Connor cried.
‘Ooh, look what the cat just dragged in, Fanny!’ Steve said as Ella walked forward.
Arthur reared back as he gazed at Ella. ‘Who does she think she is? Waltzing into my party like that?’
‘It’s a ball, Fanny.’
‘Waltzing into my ball—’
‘You’ve only got one, Fanny?’
Arthur struck a pose and winked at the audience. ‘Quality, not quantity, darling. Anyway! We need to keep her away from the prince!’
‘Too right. Dressed like that, she could get any Tom, Dick, or Harry.’
Well, she’s welcome to Tom and Harry, just as long as she stays clear of my Di—‘
‘Fanny! We’re too late!’
Ella met Leo in the centre of the stage, her heart fluttering as she gazed at him.
He stared blankly at her, spots of colour appearing on his cheekbones.
The silence extended.
‘The girl from the forest!’ Arthur stage-whispered to him.
Leo started. ‘Ell—the girl from the forest.’
‘Dandini. You’ve lost your beard.’
‘Er, yes. I only wear it on Tuesdays and Thursdays,’ he replied quickly, as if worried he might forget more of his lines. ‘I can’t believe you’re here.’
‘I can’t either.’
He held out his arm. ‘Pinch me. I need to make sure I’m not dreaming.’
‘I can’t do that.’
‘Kiss me then—I mean, er, you don’t have to—’
Raising her head, Ella leaned forward to kiss him, but he immediately reared back. Losing her balance, she fell forward. Leo stumbled as he took her weight, and they both fell to the stage in a heap.
‘Good grief!’ Arthur grumbled. ‘What’s the matter with you, Leo?’
‘Sorry,’ he muttered, his gaze fixed on the floor as he helped Ella to her feet.
‘Shall we try that again?’ Libby said. ‘Let’s go back to “pinch me”. And Leo, just relax. You’re doing fine.’
Ella nervously played with the circle of foil on her finger, as if it would magically make Leo’s feelings for her match hers for him.
Leo looked utterly miserable. He rubbed his frown lines then extended his arm robotically towards her. ‘Pinch me. I need to make sure I’m not dreaming.’
‘I can’t do that.’
He stood stock still. ‘Kiss me then.’
She paused, the tip of her thumb picking at the fake ring he’d given her. Was it coming loose?
