Page 152 of Christmas off Script
‘Thank you all so much for coming,’ Scott continued. ‘And we hope you loved the show.’
‘We didn’t catch a prince tonight, but our search is far from through,’ Steve said.
‘So run for it when the curtain falls,’ Arthur added, ‘or we just might come for you!’
Leo squeezed Ella’s hand, then addressed the audience. ‘True love has conquered all, and Cinderella is now my wife.’
‘Our hearts are filled with joy,’ she continued, feeling every word as truth, ‘as we start our brand new life!’
‘And now we’d like to ask you all,’ Libby said, ‘for one more festive cheer…’
‘As we wish you Merry Christmas,’ everyone chorused, ‘and a very Happy New Year!’
As the audience applauded and cheered, Connor played the opening riff of ‘Everybody Needs Somebody to Love’ by the Blues Brothers. On stage, everyone danced a simple box set, their feet in time to the beat, as Libby stepped forward.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,’ she began. ‘We’re so glad to see so many of you fabulous people here tonight, and we would especially like to welcome all the representatives of Somerset’s farming community who have chosen to join us here in the Foxbrooke Manor ballroom at this time!’
There were whoops from the back.
‘We do sincerely hope that you all enjoyed our show,’ she continued. ‘And please remember, folks, that no matter what you do… who you are… whatever it takes for you to live, thrive, and survive, there’s still one thing that makes us all the same…’ She pointed at the audience. ‘You!’ She pointed at herself. ‘Me!’ Then she raised both her hands to encourage everyone to join in with the last word. ‘Everybody!’
The whole cast burst into the opening line of the song as the audience joined in and clapped along. ‘Everybody… needs somebody… to love…’
Ella sang at the top of her voice, every tiny hair on her body lifting with exhilaration. She finally understood the lure of the spotlight. The thrill of feeling the fear and doing it anyway. The rush that came from seeing all the happy faces in the audience. Feeling their enjoyment multiplying inside until it seemed you would burst with it.
A flash of golden hair snagged Ella’s attention. A few rows back, Lila was bopping along to the music, a huge grin on her face. Looking directly at Ella, she made a heart shape with her hands, then pointed her index fingers at her and screamed, ‘Love you!’
‘You too!’ Ella yelled back, relief flooding through her at the knowledge that she hadn’t lost Lila as a friend because she was now with her ex.
Glancing to her right where Zach was seated, she caught his eye. He gave her a wry shrug and a resigned smile, then mouthed, ‘It’s okay,’ and gave her a thumbs-up.
She smiled back at him and nodded, reassured that everything was going to be alright. Zach raised his eyebrows and inclined his head at the audience, and Ella faced them again, singing the last lines of the song at the top of her voice. ‘I need you! You! You!’
She pointed at the audience, then at Leo as he pointed back at her. ‘I need you! You! You!’
As the music came to a roaring end, Tommy and Ryan from the Beardy Boys let off confetti cannons from either side of the stage into the audience. The noise was deafening as people stamped their feet, hollered and wolf-whistled.
Ella glanced up to see the ornate chandelier shaking.
‘It’ll be fine!’ Leo yelled. ‘Henry’s in charge of health and safety, so we’re as safe as houses!’
Holding Leo’s hand on one side and Libby’s on the other, Ella bowed as the audience went crazy. Finn dropped the front curtain, then raised it again as the stamping of feet increased.
They did four more curtain calls, then the house lights went on.
‘Come along, Tittie!’ Arthur cried. ‘Time to meet our adoring public!’ He pushed through the curtains and called out, ‘Coo-ee! Who wants a selfie with the most fabulous Fanny in Foxbrooke?’
Steve dashed to follow him. ‘And the prettiest Tittie!’
Everyone broke out into laughter as the two of them disappeared.
‘Well done everyone!’ Libby cried. ‘You were incredible! Feel free to mingle with the audience, and we’ll have a celebratory party once the ugly sisters have finished with their fans!’
There was a movement at the side of the stage and Vivienne dashed forward, her eyes alight. ‘Outstanding!’ She embraced everyone she could reach. ‘Magnificent!’ Usually so poised, her enthusiasm was infectious as she threw out superlatives and hugs with unrestrained excitement.
When she reached Ella, she threw her arms around her. ‘Dazzling! You werebornfor the stage!’
Ella squeezed her back. ‘I get it now. I almost feel like one of you.’
