Why did I even invite him up here? I’m sure a little rain was never going to hurt him. The first time we met he walked three miles in the drizzle.
At least we’re in the sitting part of the room and there’s a wardrobe screening off the other side where my bed is.
I usher him to the sofa, the deep red velvet sofa Wyn and I carried across from the north wing. It’s one of those vintage things with high sides and back which tie together with rope. It creates a cocoon, like a box with one side missing. After handing him a steaming mug, I stay standing, not knowing where to sit. The chair would make it look like I’m avoiding him and sitting on the sofa enclosed in that cocoon would feel a bit…well…yeah, the wrong idea.
Raff solves the problem but wedging himself into the corner and turning slightly, one bent leg up on the cushion. I take the opposite corner and turn to face him. Yes, this looks comfortable, casual and not too…friendly.
Then he ruins it by asking, “Are you going to tell me how I upset you?”
Why can’t he talk about the weather like normal people?
He waits.
“It’s silly really.” I give him a corner of the truth. “It’s just that I was looking forward to playing the demon in the bottle. I had this idea to play it like Joanna Lumley inAb Fab.”
His mouth twitches with a suppressed laugh. “What? A chain-smoking alcoholic with attitude.”
“Exactly.”
He’s surprisingly clever.
“I thought when the genie first appears, I could make it look like I’d been interrupted at some show biz party.”
His eyes gleam with amusement. “Go on, show me.”
“Now?”
“Why not?”
Why not, indeed. I won't have the chance to play it on stage so at least let me give it a go now.
Leaning forward to put my mug of tea on the floor, I stand up.
Annoyed posh voice. “What do you want? Can’t you see I’m busy?” I mime drinking champagne then pretend I’d seen someone and head away “Darling, there you are.” Then pretending I was pulled back by Aladdin. “What?” I put maximum derision in my voice. “Look, little man. You don’t understand there’s a time and place for everything and my cocktail party isn’t the right time to fix your life.”
Raff is laughing now. “You really sound like the Joanna Lumley character.”
Encouraged by his appreciation, I offer another idea. “Or I could play the Genie as Prunella Scales inFaulty Towers.”
“Actually.” He leans forward completely into the game. “Play it like the Spanish waiter. What was his name?”
“Manuel? Yes, why didn’t I think of that?” – I put on a Spanish accent – “Qué? Three wishes?” I pretend to be confused. “I know nothing!”
“You should absolutely do this inSleeping Beauty.” He laughs. “Wake up after a hundred years having turned into Manuel.”
If only. If only.
“No,” I huff, sitting down again. “All Sleeping Beauty has to do is look beautiful and lie down. Not much acting there.”
He catches the change in my mood and we sit in a small silence. Then he says, soberly, “that’s what I said. I congratulated you on a losing the funny genie and getting a sleeping part.”
If only he knew. I toy with the fringing on the arm of the sofa. “It’s not justonesleeping part, all my parts are like that.Aladdinwas the exception. Last year I was inRomeo and Juliet. Who do you think I played?”
He waits for me to answer, but I can tell he’s impressed with the mention of a Shakespear play. Ha bloody ha.
“I played Rosaline.”
He frowns, eyes flicking sideways. What actors do when they want to show they’re thinking. Nice to see it in real life.
