Page 28 of Christmas off Script
Henry pulled a face. ‘No way. She’s got me stepping out of my comfort zone, not leaping out without a parachute.’
Leo smirked. ‘Who’s she found to play him then?’
‘I’ve no idea. She won’t even tellme. But it must be someone special as she’s about to burst with excitement.’
‘So this morning is the big reveal?’
‘Yep.’ Henry gazed over at Libby and Ella, smiling at his fiancée as if she was responsible for everything that was right with the world. ‘I love seeing her this happy. She’s in her element.’
‘It’s lucky that Mom’s doing reshoots and doesn’t have time to direct.’
‘Yeah. Although she told me she’s relieved. If you didn’t grow up with panto, then it’s always a bit weird. It’s a particularly British phenomenon and even after all these years, she doesn’t really get the appeal.’
‘Oh, yes, she does!’
Henry smirked. ‘Oh, no, she doesn’t!’ They grinned at each other, then Henry lowered his voice. ‘How’s Ella doing?’
Grey clouds scudded across Leo’s eternally blue sky. ‘As you would expect, but it’s better she’s staying here rather than still in their house.’
‘Hopefully we can be enough of a distraction for her.’ Henry frowned. ‘I know we didn’t like Oliver, but I never imagined he would treat her this way.’
Leo nodded, his hands clenching into fists.
‘Thank goodness she’s got you.’ Henry patted Leo’s shoulder. ‘You’re her best friend and older brother, all rolled into one.’
Henry was speaking the truth, but for some inexplicable reason, Leo tensed at his brother’s words.
‘I’m the perfect package,’ he replied, his voice sounding oddly hollow.
‘Yes, you are. If anyone can keep her spirits up, it’s you.’
Willow entered the ballroom, her blue hair in two pigtails, followed by Connor. ‘Morning everyone! Are we the only ones here so far?’
Libby gave them a wave from where she was sitting on the edge of the stage. ‘We’ve still got ten minutes till start time. Willow, do you want to look at Ella’s ideas? They’re stunning.’
‘Sure!’ Willow went over and Connor came to Leo and Henry’s side.
‘How’s Ella?’ he asked quietly.
‘No tears so far this morning,’ Leo replied. ‘So I’m taking that as a win.’
Connor’s concerned expression softened a little. ‘Well, we’re all here for her.’
Leo nodded, but his throat tightened with sudden irritation.Hewas Ella’s best friend. It washisjob to be there for her, not anyone else’s. He stopped short at the irrational thought.What is wrong with me today?
‘You okay?’ Connor asked.
He forced a smile. ‘Yeah! Of course! I—’
The ballroom door opened and two broad and bearded men entered. Finn had been best friends with Henry, Connor and Estelle since they were children, along with Jack, who was now married to Eveline, Foxbrooke’s vicar. Scott was a longtime friend of Finn’s, whom he’d met through work.
Scott and Finn were also half of the Beardy Boys, the arch rivals of the Noel it Alls.
Breaking away from his brothers and glad to escape his thoughts, Leo strode forward. ‘It’s the perpetual bridesmaids!’ He glanced over his shoulder at Ella. ‘Look who it is! Foxbrooke’s finest runners-up!’
The two men stared at Leo’s sweatshirt.
Scott, the more good-natured of the two, shook his head. ‘Tosspot.’
