Page 151 of Christmas off Script
‘But I stepped aside for Zach.’
‘Why?’
Leo shrugged. ‘I thought I was doing the right thing. He told me you liked him.’
‘I was in love with you, too. I only noticed Zach when you encouraged me to date him.’
He pulled a face. ‘I was such a numpty.’
‘No, you weren’t. You were being a good friend. The best friend. And we’ve got our happy ending now.’
‘Come along, lovebirds,’ Dervla chided as she came off stage. ‘Time to get ready for the grand finale!’
Libby was leading the audience in a song, giving everyone else time to change into their final outfits.
Ella and Leo dashed to the dressing room, putting on their new costumes, then going to help Arthur and Steve. Arthur was dressed as a glitter ball, and Steve was a working traffic light.
‘I’m glad you two have finally sorted things out,’ Arthur said to Leo and Ella as they fastened the tapes of his costume and clipped a cycling helmet covered in mirrored squares onto his head. ‘Very romantic. I would have shed a tear if I hadn’t been trying to save the panto.’
‘Well, youarethe star of the show,’ Ella replied with a grin.
‘Exactly! That’s what I’ve been saying all along! Next year I think we should do “Widow Twankey, with special guest: Aladdin”. You can be Princess Jasmine, Ella. If you’re not up the duff, that is.’
‘Dad!’ Leo growled.
‘What? If Libby and Estelle won’t give me grandchildren, then you two will have to step up.’
Ella giggled. ‘It’s pretty early days in our relationship, Arthur. We’ve only been officially together for about five minutes.’
‘What rot. Discounting the sexy times, you’ve been closer than most couples for the past twenty-odd years!’
Henry appeared by their side. ‘Dad, leave them alone and get on stage, or you’ll end up at the back.’
‘What?’ Arthur cried in horror, then turned to Steve, who was rummaging around in a bag. ‘Tittie! Stop fannying about! Let’s go!’
Steve shuffled forward with the bag in his hand. ‘I need you to turn me on.’
‘Isn’t that your wife’s job?’
‘The lights!’
‘Oh! Yes! Right you are.’
Arthur flicked the switch in the middle of Steve’s back and the traffic lights started flashing as if they were trying to cause a car crash.
Arthur chuckled. ‘Ha! Bally brilliant! Okey-dokey, let’s wrap this thing up. Come on everybody!’
Ella took Leo’s hand and they hurried into the wings as the people playing the villagers and courtiers ran forward to take their bow. Next, Scott wheeled Zach onto the stage. They were followed by Dervla and Libby. Arthur and Steve were due next, but the two of them were huddled together behind a flat like naughty schoolboys about to play a prank.
‘Dad!’ Leo hissed. ‘Steve!’
Arthur turned around and Leo groaned. If their costumes weren’t ridiculous enough, the two of them had gaffer-taped party poppers to the front of their outfits.
The ugly sisters strutted onto the stage to the biggest cheer of the night, letting off the party poppers as people shrieked with laughter.
Now it was Ella and Leo’s turn to shine. As they ran forward together, the audience went wild. Holding Leo’s hand, Ella was overflowing with joy and happiness. She’d done it. She’d conquered her fears, stepped out of the shadows and played the role of Cinderella to a capacity audience. Her dad was home and changed for the better. And on top of all that, she’d won Leo’s heart.
Dervla raised her wand and everyone fell quiet. ‘So now our tale is at an end, we really have to go.’
