CHAPTER THIRTEEN
It’s the following day, Sunday, and I arrive at the am dram meeting a little earlier than usual, intending to run through my lines before everyone else arrives.
When I pop my head round the door of the main room, I see that the chairs have been arranged in a circle for the start of our meeting but the room is empty. Clearly I’m the first to arrive.
I sit down and start reading my script.
Suddenly, in the silence of the hall, I catch a strange noise.
Laying the script in my lap, I cock my head, straining to hear it. And there it is again, louder this time. A sort of hoarse, gasping sound. It’s like I imagine someone having an asthma attack might sound like.
What if someone is in trouble?
Walking over to the door, I realise the sounds seem to be coming from the office, which is usually kept locked.
The noises are growing louder now. It sounds like someone is in genuine distress. I shout ‘hello?’ and try the door but it’s locked and whoever is behind it is now making so much racket, they won’t be able to hear me anyway.
The breathy, gasping sounds have now turned into animal-like grunts – and as the penny drops, heat rushes into my face. Someone – well, two people probably, on reflection – are clearly experiencing the very opposite of distress. It sounds like they’re having a very nice time indeed.
I step away with an embarrassed smile. And then, to my amazement, from behind the locked door someone starts humming a tune I vaguely recognise.
It’s on the tip of my tongue. Ooh, I hate that when you can’t quite . . . I click my fingers several times trying to think. And then it comes to me.
It’s the theme music from one of Dad’s favourite war movies, in which a new ‘bouncing bomb’ explodes the enemy’s dams.
The Dam Busters!
It’s a really patriotic, stirring tune and whoever’s humming it is putting his whole heart – and back - into it. It’s getting louder and more dramatic as he prepares to launch his load (A bomb, obviously.)
I flee the scene and run into the other room. Serves me right for coming early. (Unlike my friend in the office, who’s clearly putting in a sterling performance.)
I’m just wondering whether I should escape outside and pretend I’ve just arrived and haven’t heard a thing, when I hear a key in a lock and someone emerging from the office.
I hold my breath, pretending to be engrossed in the panto script.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see someone pause at the door. Then Cressida clears her throat and saunters boldly in. She eyes me without a flicker of embarrassment. ‘You’re here early,’ she remarks, walking into the kitchen and flicking the kettle switch.
‘Er, yes, just arrived,’ I lie.
I’m absolutely itching to know who Cressida’s been having naughties with. But whoever it is must be hiding out in the office. Perhaps she’s been shagging one of the Ugly Sisters? A sense of humour can be a great aphrodisiac. Or maybe she’s just made young Daniel’s dream come true?
The rest of the cast are now wandering in, in dribs and drabs. I study the guys’ faces one after the other – but they all look completely innocent. And then we’re all here and Ethan is giving me one of his secret smiles and suggesting we all warm up with a hot drink before we start the meeting.
Later, I’m sitting with Karen and we’re listening to Rosalind reeling off her lines – she’s almost word perfect now – when I hear Daniel shyly tell Cressida that I’m going to be standing in as Fairy Godmother.
Cressida’s eyes open wide and she snorts. ‘Wouldn’t she be more suited to play First Mouse?’ She grins slyly across at me and makes a high-pitched squeaking noise.
‘No, but you’d definitely be more suited to playing a bitchy Ugly Sister!’ comments Karen loudly, and a titter goes round the room.
I’m just about to act in my scene for the first time, and Cressida’s remarks are the opposite of encouraging.
Karen turns to me. ‘Okay, you’re on, Fen. Ethan’s calling you over. Now, go up there and show that cow, Cressida, exactly how good you are!’
I make a nervous face and Karen grins.
‘We’ll be cheering you on. Won’t we, Rosalind?’
‘Absolutely! Go get ‘em, love.’ She laughs. ‘Only don’t be too good or I might find myself without a part!’
So with their encouragement ringing in my ears, I walk onto the stage – and as I go, I visualise myself in my Wonder Woman stance on Brighton beach and immediately feel a little taller.
My heart is drumming loudly in my ears, but somehow I manage to pull it off, only stumbling over my lines once. At the end, everyone cheers like mad which is so unexpected and lovely, it brings a tear to my eye.
I actually did it!
I stood up in front of all of these people and I risked making a fool of myself – and it worked out fine! In fact, I wouldn’t even mind doing the whole thing over again. (Which is just as well because I’m going to have to – and in front of a much larger audience next week.)
I glance gratefully around the room and catch Ethan’s eye.
His broad smile as he claps me is the perfect icing on the cake . . .
On my way home later, I’m still racking my brains trying to work out who Cressida was up to no good with in the office. Mike the scenery guy is a bit of a flirt and is the closest in age to Dad and therefore could possibly be a Dam Busters fan.
But Mike is happily married. Or is he . . . ?