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Sid scratched his head, ruffling his fluffy hair. ‘You don’t have to thank me, Lottie. I liked your nan. She was a like a mum to me too sometimes, wasn’t she?’
‘I suppose she was.’ Lottie bit her lip. ‘Do you miss her too?’
‘Yeah, I do. A lot. Elsie looked after me when Mum and Dad died.’ He cleared his throat and Lottie saw a stab of pain cross his features. Though Sid tried to be cheerful Lottie knew he still felt their loss deeply. He never spoke about his parents so Lottie never asked but he knew she was here if he ever needed to talk.
It was almost seven years since they’d been involved in a terrible car crash, and with the money they left him he’d bought his lovely flat on the seafront. He hadn’t been able to bear being in the family home all alone whereas Lottie couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. Up until then Sid had been full of ambition but after the accident those thoughts had faded. He’d eventually regained his cheerfulness but never ventured further than London when they’d had days out together. He was now perfectly content to just take each day as it came and stay put and Lottie had never felt the need to challenge him.
‘Thanks again for doing this,’ said Lottie, giving his hand a squeeze.
He gave her a smile that didn’t reach his eyes and she knew that flash of pain was lingering somewhere in his mind, but his voice was, as usual, cheerful when he said, ‘That’s alright, I like it. It’s fun. Who’s going to judge the auditions? Can I?’
‘No. Firstly you have terrible taste.’
‘I do not.’
She pointed to his Megadeath T-shirt and raised an eyebrow.
‘Fair enough.’
‘Anyway, you’re writing the articles. You need to be impartial. A bit anyway.’
‘Oh,’ Sid moaned. ‘I thought I could have a big buzzer to press if they were rubbish.’
Lottie gave him her ‘Don’t be silly,’ look. ‘I guess the mayor will want to be on the panel.’
‘And how about David? As the boss of the newspaper, we should probably ask him.’
‘Great idea.’ Lottie surveyed the dilapidation and she gave a sigh as her face crumpled.
Sid rested a hand on her shoulder. ‘Don’t worry, Lots. Everything will be okay.’
‘I hope so,’ she replied. ‘I really, really hope so.’
Chapter 7 (#ulink_ff77b71a-a5cc-59ad-b398-b4ff32c9a073)
Just over three weeks later, the day of the auditions dawned and Lottie awoke to the melodic sound of birds singing, and the sun shining through the window. For once she was excited about life again, and sprang out of bed, dancing as she dressed. It was the first time she’d woken up in the house and not felt the sudden dread of reality approaching or a heaviness in her heart as she realised she was alone.
Grabbing her jeans and slipping them on over her thighs, she didn’t care about the cellulite on the backs of her legs or her rounded stomach as she zipped them up. Most of the time Lottie was reasonably content with herself, or if not content, then not quite so preoccupied. The little extra weight she carried was nothing a couple of weeks of healthy eating and few trips to the gym wouldn’t cure, if she could be bothered. But when she was upset she focused on the bits she didn’t like as a way of not thinking about everything else. That today she didn’t care quite as much meant the darkness was lifting. She tied her long hair up in a ponytail and was just spraying some perfume when she heard the front door open and a voice call her name.
‘Lots, are you there?’
‘I’m just getting dressed, Sid,’ she yelled back down the stairs. ‘Be down in a minute.’
She opened the curtains and stared out over the town. Being on top of the hill allowed her a view of the skyline of Greenley. It wasn’t London, Miami, or New York, but it was home and the higgledy-piggledy rooftops, leading out to a calm, grey-blue sea, were a familiar and comforting sight. The kettle whistled and she knew Sid was making them tea.
‘Morning,’ said Lottie as she met him in the living room. He’d made himself comfortable on the sofa.
He blinked as he watched her. ‘Morning. You look nice.’
‘Do I?’ She stared down at her usual jeans, noticing they were slightly grubby in places and rubbed at the spots with a wet finger.
‘Yeah, you do.’ His forehead wrinkled slightly. ‘What’s different?’
‘Nothing.’ Sid stared at her, one eyebrow raised, and she held out her hands. ‘Honestly, nothing.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes.’ Lottie laughed. ‘I promise, I’m not trying to catch you out.’
He narrowed his eyes. ‘You look very chipper this morning, though.’
‘I’m excited! Aren’t you? It’s am dram day,’ she sang, making jazz hands.
‘Have you been drinking?’
‘Ha ha.’ Lottie grabbed her bag and coat. ‘Oh, I asked a guy called Conner to come and play people’s music. He said he has some device on his laptop that’ll take the vocal track off for the singers. He emailed to say he’s studying film and media at university and thinks it’d be good for him and his budding career. I told him he’s in.’
‘What, into the Greenley Players?’ Sid sat forwards.
‘Yes,’ Lottie said slowly. ‘He wants to direct and do behind the scenes type stuff.’
‘Does the mayor know?’
Lottie shook her head. ‘No. Not yet.’
Sid sat back again, an incredulous look on his face.
‘What?’ asked Lottie. ‘I’m the chairman. I can do that if I want.’
‘It’s nice to see you taking charge,’ he said, smiling. ‘Have you got the list of auditionees? Or should I call them victims?’
‘I’ve got everything together already. Ta da!’ Lottie picked up a folder and waved it in the air. ‘But we need to get going. I’ve got some setting up to do before the rest of the panel get there.’
‘Right-o.’ Sid swallowed his tea and grabbed his leather jacket.
Lottie took a few quick mouthfuls of hers, leaving her cup half empty. She drew level with Sid at the end of the sofa, gave him a mischievous look. He read her mind, and they both raced to the front door. Lottie won.
‘Are you sure you’re alright?’ Sid asked, as he drove them to the theatre. ‘You seem a bit … odd.’
‘Odd?’ Lottie faked offence. ‘That’s charming. I’m fine, honestly, I’m just in a good mood.’
The outside of the theatre looked a mess. They’d need to come up with a way of fixing it at some point, but for now she had to concentrate on today. Lottie pushed the revolving door and they went inside. The musty damp air hit her nostrils and she grimaced.
Sid turned on the main lights then headed off to a small box at the side of the room that held the lighting and sound equipment. ‘Let there be light,’ he shouted and with the flick of a switch, the stage was illuminated. The lights flickered for a few seconds before fully committing to staying on and Lottie gave a silent prayer they’d last the whole day. She dropped her folder onto one of the seats before climbing up onto the stage to grab a broom and begin sweeping.
Sid came down and sat on the front row then checked his watch. ‘It’s eight-thirty, what time are the rest of the panel getting here?’
‘Nine o’clock,’ answered Lottie, sweeping with vigour. ‘The first audition is at nine-thirty.’
‘Anyone we know on the list?’
‘A few. You’ll have to wait and see.’ She’d kept the list top secret because she wanted to see his reaction when some of them turned up.
‘Spoilsport.’
Lottie stuck out her tongue, feeling playful. ‘Don’t just sit there, lazy bum, come and grab another broom. This place is filthy.’ She watched him open his mouth to moan. ‘No moans and groans. You’re my best friend, you have to help. I reckon if this place had a good airing it would make a big difference.’
‘You sound like your nan.’ Sid huffed and stood up to join Lottie. He found another broom and began sweeping at the back of the stage.
‘Thank you,’ Lottie replied, then stifled a laugh. ‘What are you doing now, you idiot?’
‘Dancing, of course,’ said Sid, wiggling his hips before leaping over the handle. ‘Come on.’
A grin grew on Lottie’s face and she began dancing too as they swept the stage. They were both giving a vague interpretation of a tango with their respective broomstick partners when the rest of the panel walked in.
Mayor Cunningham arrived first and coughed as his lungs filled with the damp air. ‘Goodness me. Are we going to be in here all day? It stinks.’
Lottie stopped herself from rolling her eyes and walked down to meet him. ‘I know it’s not ideal, but we need the acoustics of a proper stage and there wasn’t anywhere else. It’s probably worse because we just swept.’
‘Very well,’ replied Mayor Cunningham. ‘I don’t suppose there’s any tea or coffee is there?’
‘Damn, I didn’t think of that,’ replied Lottie.
‘Really, Miss Webster, if you’re to be our chairman, you must plan these things more thoroughly.’
‘No worries,’ said Sid, jumping down off the stage, moving to Lottie’s side. ‘I’ll nip out and get us all coffees and some bottles of water for the auditions.’
‘Oh, Sid, thank you,’ said Lottie, touching his arm. She’d always loved the feel of his old leather jacket. He’d worn it for as long as she could remember and it was part of him.
‘I’ll have a black filter coffee,’ ordered the mayor.
Lottie flashed her eyes, knowing Sid would be thinking the same as her. ‘Sid, can I have a—’
‘I know what you have, Lots,’ he replied and gave her a cheeky wink.
The revolving door squeaked and David, their editor, walked in. He was a great boss and a really nice man, but since his divorce seemed to be having some sort of midlife crisis. He’d recently acquired a tattoo in a language he didn’t speak and had turned up today in a suit jacket and open-necked shirt revealing the greying hairs on his chest. Lottie wanted to go and do the buttons up but resisted. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be noticeable when he was sitting down. ‘Morning, everyone,’ called David. ‘I found this young man outside. Does he belong to you, Lottie?’
A young man with dyed black hair gelled forward over his face and a piercing through his bottom lip shuffled in. He gave Lottie a quick smile then kept his eyes on the floor.
Lottie took a few steps towards him. ‘Hi, you must be Conner. Thank you so much for coming.’
‘S’alright,’ he replied, removing his laptop and a small portable amp from his backpack. ‘Shall I set up over there?’
‘Yes please,’ said Lottie. ‘There must be a power point somewhere.’
‘I can find one.’ Conner wandered off with his laptop under his arm.
‘I’m just getting coffees,’ said Sid to David. ‘One for you?’
‘Oh, yes please. That’ll go down a treat.’ He smoothed down his thinning hair.
Sid looked over to Conner. ‘How about you, Conner? Do you want anything, mate?’
Conner looked up from under his long fringe. He seemed surprised at being included. Lottie wondered how he could ever see where he was going with his fringe all over his face then chastised herself for sounding like her nan again. She was getting old. ‘Umm, can I have a Coke, please? I can give you the money.’
‘That’s alright, mate. I can spare it. Be back soon.’
Lottie smiled at Sid. Conner was relaxing already and she was sure some of it was because of Sid. A hint of a smile had passed over Conner’s face when he talked to him. She turned her attention to David and the mayor. ‘I thought we should sit a couple of rows back from the front. We don’t want to end up with sore necks at the end of the day.’
‘Good idea,’ replied David. ‘Lead the way.’
Lottie indicated the third row back. ‘Here we are then. Sid will be back soon with the coffees. Conner, is there anything I can help with?’
He shook his head and Lottie noticed his fringe was gelled so firmly it didn’t move. ‘I’m pretty much done. I’ve found all the music on the list you gave me.’
‘Great, thanks.’
‘Who’s that boy?’ asked Mayor Cunningham.
‘He’s the first member of the Greenley Players,’ announced Lottie.
The mayor eyed her, his face growing redder. ‘You’ve appointed someone without speaking to anyone first?’
Lottie felt a shiver of nerves at his tone then pulled her shoulders back. ‘Yes. Yes, I did. He doesn’t need to audition as he wants to direct and do more on that side of things.’
‘But don’t you think you should have spoken to us all first?’
‘Well, no,’ said Lottie. ‘We’re going to need people on both sides of the stage, so to speak. So I didn’t see the point.’
‘Well I disagree,’ Mayor Cunningham replied huffily before plopping down on his seat. ‘It’s almost nine-fifteen. Your young man better hurry up.’
Lottie rolled her eyes and hoped he would keep his temper under control for the auditions. She had a feeling they’d need all the help they could get today.
Twenty minutes later Sid returned with a dozen bottles of water, plastic cups, a Coke and four coffees precariously balanced in a cardboard holder not quite up to the task. He handed out the drinks, placed the water and cups by the stage and took his place behind the mayor and David.
The first auditionee arrived looking terrified and Lottie went to meet them with a beaming smile. The young man with shoulder-length blond hair looked like a surfer, and climbed up onto the stage carrying a guitar case.
Lottie returned to her seat but couldn’t stop jiggling her legs.
He opened the case and readied himself to play. After clearing his throat, he began to sing. At least, that’s what he was supposed to be doing. Lottie’s face froze as he played the guitar badly and shouted out the lyrics to a song he’d clearly written himself about his dead dog. She waited for him to finish and cleared her throat. ‘Thank you, we’ll let you know.’
The mayor gave Lottie a smug smile. ‘Let’s hope the next one’s better,’ she said, giving a cheery one in return. But the rest of the auditions followed suit. The acting was on a par with the worst primary school nativity play and the singing would have made Simon Cowell’s eardrums run out of his head screaming and stab themselves on the first sharp object they could find. Someone even did some interpretive dance, though what they were interpreting, Lottie couldn’t quite figure out.
At about eleven o’clock and twenty people in, Deborah McCray arrived in a flamboyant red dress with a green scarf draped across her shoulders. Sid leaned in to Lottie and whispered, ‘Isn’t she the mad artist from Primrose Cottage? The one who paints those awful watercolours?’
Lottie gave a single nod, not wanting to draw Mrs McCray’s attention, and whispered, ‘Yeah. Do you remember that picture of someone’s kid in her gallery window? It was the creepiest thing I’ve ever seen.’
‘It still haunts my dreams,’ Sid replied and they both chuckled as Lottie stood up to meet her.
