Page 30 of Christmas off Script
She pulled a face. ‘And people are scared of being on our team because we’re so competitive.’
‘That’s not a bad thing! Did you know, the Chinese symbol for competitive is the same as the ones for “bloody fucking epic” and “the best in the world”?’
‘If only. We’re going to have to double down on our studying.’
‘Deal.’ Leo held up his hands and Ella high-fived him. ‘And now you’re staying at the manor, we’ll have way more time together to practise.’
She nodded. ‘We lost six years ago because Oliver messed with my head. This year I’m not going to let him, oranyoneelse, put me off my game.’
Fierce love and pride bloomed in Leo’s chest and he pulled Ella in for a hug. ‘You’re the best.’
She squeezed him tightly back. ‘We’rethe best.’
‘Okay everyone!’ Libby cried. ‘Let’s get started.’
Ella slowly disengaged from Leo’s arms, and they went to the circle of chairs and sat next to each other.
Two seats were still empty.
Arthur glanced at his watch. ‘Summer should be here by now.’
‘It’s okay,’ Libby said. ‘We can give her another five minutes.’
‘And where’s Prince Charming?’ Willow asked.
‘Maybe they’ve eloped!’ Arthur squeezed Dervla’s hand. ‘We might get grandchildren sooner than we thought!’
Finn shifted in his chair and re-crossed his arms. He was overly grumpy when it came to Summer, and Leo always thought he took his role of ‘older brother by proxy’ far too seriously.
Libby laughed. ‘Maybe? I think they know each other already.’
Now everyone followed Finn’s lead and leaned forward.
‘Who is it?’ Willow asked. ‘This has been the best-kept secret ever in our family!’
Libby blushed as she smiled. ‘He wants it to be a secret until today so he can meet you, orre-meet you, in person.’
Leo’s brain flicked through all the people he knew. Who on earth was it and why the big drama?
‘How did you find him?’ he asked.
‘He actually foundme,’ Libby replied. ‘I’d posted on the social media account for the improv company I own with Claire that I was directing the Foxbrooke panto and didn’t have a Prince Charming, and he sent me a DM. It was such a surprise, as he’s actually quite famous.’
‘What? More famous than me?’ Arthur asked indignantly.
Libby smiled. ‘You’reinfamous, Arthur. And nobody can take that glorious thunder away from you.’
Arthur appeared satisfied. ‘Ha! Good stuff.’
‘To be honest, we might as well start,’ Libby said. ‘Ella, can you read Summer’s lines until she gets here?’
‘Sure!’
‘Fantastic! Okay, so we’ve got four and a half weeks till opening night,’ Libby continued. ‘Ella’s already been painting the backdrops and Finn’s started constructing the flats. As soon as the Winter Ball is over, they can be brought in and rigged up. Willow and Ella have begun work on the costumes, and Connor and Willow have prepared the musical score. You’ve all had the final script now for a couple of weeks, so hopefully the lines will be familiar, even if you’re not yet off the page. We won’t bring in background artists for a few weeks, but they’ve been training at the dance school in Radstock, so they know what they’re doing. Ticket sales have been good, but I expect to sell out by the middle of next week once word gets out about Prince Charming—’
‘Oh, for the love ofgod, Libby my dear,’ Arthur exclaimed, bouncing in his chair. ‘Who the devilisthe chap?’
She grinned at him. ‘Patience is a virtue, Arthur.’
