by Katie Ginger
‘Maybe I could get him an internship somewhere?’
‘Oh, that would be brilliant,’ said Cecil, clasping Nate’s arm. ‘You sweetie. He’d love that.’ As soon as this was all over, he’d sort that out for him.
They then moved on to the next scene which was Miranda and Prospero. Gregory and Sarah walked onto the stage. As she moved to the middle, Nate noticed how her eyes flitted to his and away again. He hoped he wasn’t making her feel uncomfortable and smiled to put her at ease which only seemed to make her more terrified. Her speech was still stilted and wooden and he noticed a slight tremble in the tips of her fingers.
‘Poor Sarah,’ whispered Cecil and Nate leaned in. ‘She’s actually getting worse. I don’t know why but she just can’t seem to get Miranda going. I thought she’d be great. We did Much Ado About Nothing last year and it was horrendous but—’
‘Oh, I’m sure it wasn’t.’
‘No, really. It was,’ said Cecil. ‘Even the birds didn’t bother watching. We were performing in the bandstand in the park and it was so bad people left halfway through.’
‘Why weren’t you here in the theatre?’
‘Because this was all a decrepit mess. It was our dear Lottie who got it back to this state. She’s a good girl. We were all terrible but by the time we did the pantomime last Christmas we were so much better. Sarah particularly was fabulous as Jasmine. She’s always got such terrible stage fright, but she seemed to really be coming out of her shell then. Oh, here we go. This should be good.’ Cecil nodded to the stage and Nate followed his gaze to see Mrs Andrews had come out from the wings in some kind of strange voluminous green hooded kaftan. She looked like Yoda. And with arms outstretched, she wafted towards Gregory and Sarah who were biting back a laugh. Mrs Andrews began her lines as Ariel. Cecil smiled and crossed his arms over his chest. ‘I think she’s taking this sprite thing a bit too far, if you ask me.’
‘Is it supposed to be a dress rehearsal?’ Nate asked. Cecil slowly shook his head and soon they too were suppressing their laughter.
‘Umm,’ said Conner. ‘Okay …’
‘I think she’s throwing herself into this because she’s having trouble with the builders. And that isn’t a euphemism. She’s having an enormous extension built on her already enormous house and it isn’t going very well. Even the Botox isn’t stopping the frown lines this time. And I haven’t seen Mrs Andrews’ face move in the last five years.’
‘Right, let’s pause there,’ said Conner, walking to the centre of the stage. He cast a bemused glance at Mrs Andrews before moving on. ‘Well done, everyone. Now the next part is the singing.’ Another groan echoed around the theatre and two middle-aged burly men stepped out from behind the scenery, wearing overalls splattered with paint. One had a huge bushy moustache and the other a wiry beard, but it was what they were carrying that had Nate stifling a giggle. The moustached man was holding a triangle and a teaspoon – they clearly hadn’t been able to find the wand to hit it with. The bearded man was holding a single maraca and grinning.
‘Oh, sweet Jesus,’ mumbled Cecil. ‘Close your ears, this is going to be nasty.’
Mrs Andrews started singing in an ear-piercing soprano note and Nate closed one eye, wincing. The bearded man was shaking the maraca with such vigour Nate wondered if he was going to shout, ‘Tequila’ at some point, and the poor fellow with the triangle was randomly whacking it whenever the mood took him. Music, it certainly wasn’t. Sarah and Gregory regarded them quizzically and Nate was surprised to see how Sarah was even more beautiful when she relaxed. Her cheeks were pushed up by the force of her smile and her eyes were shining. Gregory’s shoulders were shaking with laughter.
After the cacophony had died down, Cecil said, ‘Right, it’s my turn in a minute,’ and squeezed past to the end of the row.
‘Who are you playing?’ asked Nate.
‘Ferdinand. I get the fun of being in love with Sarah. And she’s a doll, so it’s always fun.’ A funny feeling squirmed in Nate’s chest. It was almost like jealousy. No, it couldn’t be. It was probably just his wish to be acting again pushing back up.
The rehearsal continued and they got through almost half the play. Things would get a little more difficult once they were negotiating props, but apart from Prospero’s staff there wasn’t much to worry about at present.
‘What’s the verdict today, then?’ Kathryn asked Nate once the rehearsal had finished.
‘I thought you were all fantastic,’ he replied. Mrs Andrews beamed and removed the hood of her kaftan. He wasn’t sure, but had she just pouted at him? She came towards him shaking it off her shoulders and jutting out her chest.
‘So, Nate. How long are you staying here for?’ She slipped her arm through his, making him feel like he was caught in a spider’s web.
‘I, umm, I don’t really …’
Sarah had paired off with Gregory and Cecil, and Nate overheard her sadly saying how difficult she was finding the role of Miranda. He wanted to hear more but Mrs Andrews was talking nineteen to the dozen, clinging to his arm like a barnacle.
Nate caught Cecil’s eye and flashed him a ‘help me’ look.
Cecil got the message and, taking Nate’s other arm, guided him gently away. ‘I just need to borrow Nathaniel for a moment, Mrs Andrews, if you don’t mind.’
‘Well I—’
‘Thank you so much.’ Cecil steered Nate towards Sarah and Gregory. Mrs Andrews, her mouth set in an angry little line, turned on her heel and marched off. ‘Now,’ Cecil said to Sarah, ‘what were you saying, dear?’
A flash of bright red rose on her cheeks covering the bridge of her nose. ‘Just that I’m finding Miranda quite hard.’
‘I thought you did very well,’ Nate replied, trying to ease her mind, and she caught his eye which sent a pulse through him. He didn’t know why he was saying it, he knew it was important to be honest with actors and let them know when things weren’t going so well, but for some reason he didn’t want to hurt her feelings.
Surprisingly, Sarah smiled. ‘No, I’m really not getting it at the moment. I don’t know why.’
Nate had no idea why he said what he said next. His life was complicated enough at the moment but before he could stop himself, he heard words coming out of his mouth. ‘Well, why don’t I give you some coaching while I’m here?’
Sarah’s head shot up at the suggestion. Nate expected her to pull her gaze away but she didn’t. Her cool stare pierced right through to his core and he found he was the one looking away hoping her answer would be yes.
‘What a fabulous idea,’ said Cecil, excitedly.
Sarah fidgeted, putting her hands in her pockets and rocking from side to side. ‘I’m not sure. I couldn’t take up your time like that. It must be the last thing you want to think about right now.’
‘We haven’t got long until opening night, dearest,’ Gregory said gently. ‘It’s only about three weeks to go. I think it would be a good idea.’ His words seemed to really hit home and she nodded.
‘Okay, then. Thank you.’
Cecil clapped. ‘Fantastic. Why don’t you start tomorrow night?’
‘Tomorrow?’ Sarah’s face was a mixture of panic and shock that Nate also felt himself. What had he got himself into now?
‘Well, we don’t know how long we’ve got him for, do we, sweetie?’
Reluctantly, Sarah agreed. ‘Okay then.’
‘I promise it won’t be painful,’ Nate offered in an attempt to bring the smile back to her face. A weak one came and went just as quickly.
‘I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then,’ she said.
‘Yeah, see you tomorrow.’ It was strange how much he was looking forward to it.
Chapter 12
The next evening, Sarah knocked on Gregory’s door and stepped back, placing her hands in the pockets of her skirt. Why was it that skirts and dresses hardly ever had pockets? Trousers always did. Men’s shorts always did. Did designers not realise that women needed pockets too? S
miling at the thought, Sarah ran her hands through her hair. The natural kink she’d hated as a kid had been hard to tame, but now she’d stopped trying, it gave her hair a gentle curl that she liked. Not that she was thinking about looking nice for Nate. The bright blue Fifties-style skirt flowed out gently and teamed with a simple pale-blue T-shirt made Sarah feel stylish and confident. She needed to feel confident if she was to be in the same room as Nathaniel Hardy.
A slight breeze blew over her face and she adjusted her bag. Finn lived in this part of town. The posh part, as Sarah knew it. Glancing around, every house shouted ‘money’ from the large black front doors and sash windows. She wondered if she’d see him tonight. Maybe run into each other after this and go for a drink. Her date was tomorrow night and just thinking about it caused her stomach to flutter in anticipation. She’d really missed Finn this week. Missed the banter in the office, missed his smile and the general air of fun he brought with him. So far, Sarah had planned and dismissed several outfits for her date. And at work she couldn’t concentrate. She’d even misfiled someone’s medical records, her mind too filled with what they would talk about, and if it would end in a kiss. Mandy had pointed out her mistake and put the file in the right place, but not before teasing Sarah, causing her to deeply regret mentioning it.
‘Hello, darling,’ said Gregory, pulling the door wide and letting her through. He had a full wine glass in one hand, waving it around flamboyantly as he spoke. Luckily, none spilled onto the beautiful tiles of the hallway floor. ‘All ready for some one-on-one time with our resident hunk?’ He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and Sarah rolled her eyes.
‘This is going to be agony,’ she replied. ‘It’d better work.’
‘Why is it going to be agony? Honestly, darling, he’s an absolute sweetheart. You just have to forget he looks like hot sex on a stick.’ He paused, thinking. ‘And that you’ve seen him pretend to have sex for that matter. Oh’ – he fanned himself with his spare hand – ‘I’m coming over all funny. Those smouldering take-me-to-bed eyes he did on that spy thing with the Ukrainian gypsy woman – if he’d have looked at me like that I’d have simply melted. Anyway …’ Sarah shook her head in mock reproach. ‘Cecil and I thought you might want to work in the living room. We’ll be in the kitchen or the garden if you need us. Do you want a drink or something? I’ve got a bottle open.’
‘Oh, God, yes, please.’ She was going to need a large one, or two, to get through this. The nerves in her stomach were bouncing around and she wished she’d eaten before coming over, only she couldn’t face it. Sarah followed Gregory through to the kitchen to see Nate and Cecil laughing and chatting like old friends. Nate was looking ridiculously handsome in a pair of old, battered jeans, the frayed ends catching under his well-worn trainers. Not the horrid skinny jeans that were the fashion at the moment, but normal jeans. His pale cream T-shirt revealed strong forearms that were crossed over his chest, and there was a hint of a tan line at the end of his sleeve. Nate looked up from under his eyelashes and Sarah felt a strange stirring in her heart. It was the smouldering look Gregory had been talking about at the door but more natural and unintended. It didn’t seem real that he was there in her friends’ kitchen. She’d been there so many times before but tonight the place felt different. The relaxed atmosphere she’d grown used to was gone and in its place was a hum of anticipation.
Nate gave her a wide, welcoming smile, his eyes crinkling. His hair was slightly fluffy and Sarah repressed the urge to run her hands through it. Stop it, she told herself. He’s not one of his characters now. He’s an actual proper person and you can’t go around rummaging through people’s hair in real life. And remember, he cheated on his wife so he’s not a very nice man anyway. Finn was a nice man and with any luck she could rummage through his hair tomorrow night. Again, the thought of her date overwhelmed all other feelings. ‘Hi,’ Nate said, lifting up his hand in greeting.
‘Here you go.’ Gregory shoved a scarily full glass of white wine towards her.
‘Hi,’ she replied to Nate before taking her wine and leaning back against the counter. There wasn’t really enough space for the four of them in the small kitchen, but Sarah didn’t know what to do with herself. It was like some awful double date. Although she had to stop herself using words like ‘date’ when she was around Nate Hardy – it did something she didn’t like to her body and would definitely put her off her lines. She normally only got that tingly sensation around Finn but her upcoming date was ever present in her mind so it was probably caused by that. What was even more off-putting was that Cecil was grinning at Gregory like they were up to something. No one had started a conversation yet and as Nate seemed to be finding his shoes endlessly fascinating, Sarah took a large swig of her wine. At least you could rely on Gregory and Cecil to buy the good stuff. They didn’t hold with cheap wine and the taste of it was amazing, the light, crisp, fruity flavours refreshing in the evening heat.
Just as an uncomfortable silence was forming, Nate said, ‘Shall we get started?’ in his smooth, slightly gravelly voice and Sarah began to think again how this was all a really terrible idea. How on earth was she going to do anything with those sexy blue eyes staring at her? The thought that he might judge her and she’d come up short made her wince. Sarah reminded herself how she’d got over her fear of the whole town judging her last year at the showcase when they were trying to prove how talented they were. But her nerves were always so crippling. At the showcase she’d thrown up in a bin backstage. If she could get over herself and perform then, she could do this now, she had to. If something didn’t click soon, she’d bring the whole performance down. Realising she hadn’t answered, and that Nate was watching her with slightly raised eyebrows, she nodded.
Gregory began to usher them out of the kitchen. ‘Right, you two into the living room. We’ll be out here if you need us.’ She couldn’t think why she might need them, but you never knew. If that tingling didn’t stop soon, she might need to make a quick escape to the garden and cool down. They went into the living room, Nate pulled the door closed behind them and Sarah sat down, placing her wine on the coffee table. She took her script from her bag and a pen, ready to make notes.
‘So,’ said Nate, perching on the edge of the chair opposite her and leaning slightly forwards. ‘I’ve heard great things about you, Sarah – about your acting, I mean. From what I’ve seen you’re getting to grips with the play, but why do you think you’re struggling with Miranda?’
‘I don’t know,’ Sarah replied. ‘I just don’t seem to be clicking with her, if that makes sense?’ He nodded. ‘I’m remembering the lines, but I don’t really know how she feels, so when I say the words, they’re just words.’
‘Do you understand her meaning when she’s speaking?’ he asked, his hands gently clasped together. He was still wearing his wedding ring and Sarah shuffled uncomfortably. She didn’t approve of cheating. Not a surprise really, after her dad. There was no excuse for it as far as she was concerned. Marriages might fail – that was life. But regardless, you didn’t go hopping into bed with someone else until you’d both officially separated. Vince had cheated and it had broken her. ‘Sarah?’
‘Sorry?’ Her head shot up but he must have noticed her eyes flit back down to his wedding ring because he moved his hands so one covered the other, hiding it. Perhaps that was why she’d been struggling with Miranda. Did it somehow remind her of being with Vince? Miranda fell in love in the play. Was Sarah’s own heart still too sore? No, that didn’t sit quite right. She had feelings for Finn, after all. It must be something else.
‘Do you like Miranda?’
The question threw her. ‘What do you mean?’
Nate shrugged. ‘Do you like her? What do you think of her?’
Sarah thought for a moment, twisting the pen in her fingers, unsure why this was relevant. She’d assumed he was going to tell her how to recite the lines and that was it. Advise her on where to place the intonation, where to pause. Sarah repressed a huf
f, not seeing the point of all this personal analysis. ‘She’s nice enough.’ What a stupid and dull response, she thought. ‘She’s a bit naive maybe but she’s lived on an island her whole life. She’s—’
There was a kerfuffle in the hallway, followed by the screeching of Mr Bennett. A whispered voice said, ‘Shoo! Mr Bennett, you silly cat.’ And Nate stood up and went to the door. Sarah chewed her lip, half smiling but with an idea of what had happened. When Nate opened the door Gregory and Cecil were heaped on the floor having fallen over one another, and an indignant Mr Bennett sat by the shoe rack, cleaning a paw. ‘Everything all right?’ Nate asked, as they tried to straighten up without falling over the hall table.
‘Oh, yes,’ Gregory began. ‘We were just trying to … umm—’
‘Stop the cat from scratching at the door,’ Cecil finished. ‘We didn’t want him disturbing you.’
Nate glanced backwards at Sarah, then nodded at Gregory and Cecil. ‘That was very kind of you, thanks.’ He closed the door on the smiling pair and resumed his seat. ‘Sorry, you were saying about Miranda.’
Sarah re-focused. ‘She’s quite sweet and it’s nice that she falls in love.’ Her voice trailed away as she ran out of things to say. When nothing else came to her, she shrugged.
‘And what don’t you like about her?’ Nate asked. Another question Sarah didn’t really see the point of. All she wanted was to know how to say Miranda’s bloody lines. Why couldn’t Nate just tell her how to do that?
‘Why does it matter?’ she asked. ‘Sorry, but I don’t really understand why you’re asking me all this.’
Nate smiled. ‘I know it might seem a bit over the top but it’s important to understand everything about your character so you can tap into their emotions. I’ve seen you, Sarah, you’re a good actress, all the movement stuff will come once you’ve unlocked Miranda’s feelings and motivations. There must be something you don’t like about her. What are her faults?’