Page 150 of Christmas off Script
Arthur flung it offstage, and there was the sound effect of a glass smashing. ‘Without a glass slipper, you can’t prove she’s anyone other than a common-as-muck kitchen maid,’ he sneered.
‘It doesn’t matter.’ Leo gazed at Ella. ‘This is the woman I want to marry.’
Ella’s pulse rocketed. Those weren’t the lines he was meant to say.
There was an awkward pause, then Libby jumped in. ‘But Cinderella, didn’t you show me a matching glass slipper when you got back from the ball last night?’
‘Er… yes, I did,’ Ella replied, her gaze still fixed on Leo.
‘Maybe you should get it?’ Libby continued.
‘We don’t need it,’ Leo said. ‘All I need is Ella.’
Oh, my god.
‘Okey-dokey,’ Libby said. ‘I’ll fetch it.’ She dashed behind a flat and immediately returned. ‘Found it!’
Leo didn’t appear to notice, gazing at Ella as if they were the only people left in the world. ‘I love you,’ he said. ‘I know it might be too soon to say the words, but I need you to know.’
‘Shall we see if it fits?’ Scott asked.
‘Excellent idea,’ Libby replied.
‘You’re my best friend. My soulmate. The other half of me,’ Leo continued. ‘There’s no me without you.’
Ella felt Libby lift her foot and Scott place the slipper on it. ‘A perfect fit!’ he cried.
Libby pulled the shoe off and tossed it behind her. ‘Hurrah!’
‘Every part of me loves every part of you,’ Leo said. ‘All I want is for you to be happy. And if that’s not with me, then I’ll accept it. I just—’
‘I love you too,’ Ella interrupted. ‘I don’t want anyone else but you.’
His eyes widened. ‘You…?’
‘I love you more than anything,’ she replied, giddy excitement bubbling up inside her. ‘Even more than Christmas.’
A brief, shocked silence ensued, then Leo’s arms were around her, his lips on hers. Ella let herself drown in his kiss, pleasure flooding through her with wave upon wave of emotion. He loved her. He wanted her. After all these years, he was finally hers.
She was suddenly aware that her feet were no longer on the ground. Lifting her head from Leo’s, they stared at each other in bewilderment as Arthur, Steve, and Scott carried them into the wings, then ran back onstage.
‘Oh Fanny! We’ve lost our chance with the prince!’ Steve cried.
‘Well, I spy Dandini,’ Arthur replied. ‘Come here, gorgeous! I know you prefer Fanny to Tittie!’
As they chased Scott around the stage, Ella gazed at Leo, his smile mirroring her own.
‘I love you more than anything,’ he said.
‘More than winning the Christmas quiz?’
‘I’d happily lose every year if it meant I could have you.’
‘Are you sure?’
He nodded. ‘I was in love with you when we were at school.’
‘What?’
