The Little Theatre on the Seafront
Page 29
Standing under the spotlight was blinding and very hot. A stagehand moved the light so she was properly lit and she pushed her hair back from her face. Children, parents, grandparents, everyone had gathered and enjoyed the production. A sea of happy faces looked back at her.
She took a deep breath. ‘Thank you, everybody, for coming to the opening night of our Christmas pantomime. I hope that you’ve all enjoyed yourselves this evening.’
The audience clapped and whistled in response.
‘Firstly, I’d like to thank the Greenley Players for their hard work.’ She heard a muffled squawk from backstage. ‘And of course, I must thank Mr and Mrs Andrews for their kind contribution. I’m pleased to say that the sale of the theatre to that dishonourable skunk Jeremy Bell has now been stopped.’
In the spirit of the pantomime his name was met with hisses and loud boos.
Lottie smiled. ‘But most of all, I want to thank you for the support you’ve given the theatre.’ She felt a tightening in her throat and tears came to her eyes. She clasped her hands in front of her. ‘It’s thanks to your continued support, through good and bad times, that we were able to keep going. Your encouragement when things got rough, the time and money you’ve given are what’s enabled us to sit here tonight. And I know we have a way to go yet but we will get there, I know we will. Together.’
A tear ran down her cheek and as she paused to wipe it away, a voice from the crowd, that sounded remarkably like Sid’s, said, ‘Elsie would be proud.’ The words carried on the air and soon a new chant echoed around the room.
Lottie’s hands flew to her mouth to stifle the sobs as the crowd sang, ‘Elsie’ over and over again. Tears ran free down her cheeks and she laughed.
The Greenley Players emerged from behind the curtain and joined in the chant, embracing Lottie as they passed.
‘Three cheers for our darling, Lottie Webster,’ shouted Gregory. ‘Hip hip?’
‘Hooray!’
‘Hip hip?’
This time the crowd joined in. ‘Hooray!’
‘Hip hip?’
The final response was loudest of all. ‘Hooray!’
Lottie wiped her eyes, giggled, and waved before making her way backstage.
‘I can’t believe it,’ said Lottie. ‘I can’t believe it. Was that your doing?’ she asked Sid, who had raced round to meet her. She felt filled to the brim with joy and love.
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘Yes, you do, liar. Now I’m all blotchy from crying,’ said Lottie, taking the tissue Sid offered. He stepped forwards and cupped her face. Her heart raced and every nerve in her body tingled.
‘You always look beautiful, whether you’re blotchy and wearing a posh dress or that manky old jumper you bring out every winter.’
Lottie looked into the face she had seen a thousand times before, at his grinning, geeky smile, at his fluffy and dishevelled hair and she knew it was the right time. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and said, ‘Sidney Evans, I love you.’
The world was suddenly silent and still and all Lottie could hear was the beating of her heart. When she opened her eyes, Sid’s face was a mixture of fear and affection then he grinned. ‘I love you too, Lottie Webster.’
Lottie’s heart felt so light it might float away. ‘Really?’
‘Really.’
She lifted her face towards his. ‘I was hoping you’d say that.’
And he leaned in and kissed her.
Acknowledgements
I’m so excited to be writing my first Acknowledgement! I’m making extensive notes to make sure I don’t leave anyone out!
I owe a huge thank you to the HQ Digital team for giving me this chance and who have made this exciting journey so wonderful for me. Everyone has been just absolutely brilliant to work with and this book wouldn’t be anywhere near as good if it wasn’t for their help in shaping my story into the one you’ll actually be reading.
Of course I need to thank my online writing group, Scribophile, for helping me grow in confidence as a writer and learn so much.
And finally, I must thank all my friends and family who have been so incredibly supportive of this extraordinary adventure. My dear friends, Jan, Jen and Theresa, my mum, dad, brother and sister-in-law (who built my website!), and my in-laws, have been my biggest cheerleaders. But I owe a very special thank you to my husband Phil and our wonderful children, Ellie and Sam. I love you all so much.
To anyone reading this book, you’re absolute super stars for picking it up in the first place and I really hope you’ll enjoy it!
The next book from Katie Ginger is coming in 2019
Hello!
I’m waving wildly from my computer screen, and yes, I know I look a little bit crazy but don’t worry, I’ll stop in a minute, it’s just the excitement.
Thank you so much for reading The Little Theatre on the Seafront. I realise that your time is precious and the fact that you decided to spend it with me is honestly, one of the greatest gifts I could ever be given. I truly appreciate it. Did you like The Little Theatre? I’d really love to know what you thought and would be so grateful if you left a review.
This was my first book with HQ Digital but I’ve another coming out in 2019 if you fancied reading that as well? Until then, we can keep in touch on my social media channels. You can always find me on my website: www.keginger.com; or on Facebook at: www.Facebook.com/KatieGAuthor. I also waste an inordinate amount of time on Twitter so why not stop by for a chat? I’m @KatieGAuthor if you fancy a chinwag!
HQ Digital publish loads of awesome writers, so if you’re looking for something else in the meantime, have a shufti on their social media and see what you fancy!
Until we meet again, have a lovely time (you’re looking fab by the way!) and I can’t wait to see you again soon.
Katie
Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this book – we hope you enjoyed it! If you did, we’d be so appreciative if you left a review.
Here at HQ Digital we are dedicated to publishing fiction that will keep you turning the pages into the early hours. We publish a variety of genres, from heartwarming romance, to thrilling crime and sweeping historical fiction.
To find out more about our books, enter competitions and discover exclusive content, please join our community of readers by following us at:
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Are you a budding writer? We’re also looking for authors to join the HQ Digital family! Please submit your manuscript to:
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Hope to hear from you soon!
The next book from Katie Ginger is coming in 2019
If you enjoyed The Little Theatre on the Seafront then why not try another
delightfully uplifting romance from HQ Digital?
About the Publisher
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