“Yes. I’m sure you’ve noticed the way Keely has taken a slightly darker approach to this book than to others.”
I nodded. I had, indeed, noticed.
“If you’ve read the book, you know Fanny did not have it easy as a child. Many today would call it abuse or neglect leading to trauma. She was clearly bullied.”
“I agree.”
“This final scene is meant to really frame Fanny’s strength of character; how she overcame her childhood trauma.”
“And this will be best captured outdoors?”
She nodded heavily as she casually draped the cape over my shoulders. “It’s to be a cloudy and damp day. The weather will perfectly match Fanny’s mood. If we’re lucky, we’ll get just a bit of rain. Failing that, Keely is prepared to artificially fill the void.” She adjusted the cape. “How does that feel?”
“Heavy.”
“But not enough to hinder your steps, right?”
I walked around suddenly feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders, much as Fanny might have felt.
“It’s perfect,” I whispered, amazed by how a simple piece of cloth could bring out such emotion.
“Good.” She pulled the cape off and handed me the thick woolen dress. “Could you go and try this on?”
I took the dress and walked behind the partition set up in the corner to offer a modicum of privacy. The dress fit but was scratchy and so uncomfortable. I stepped out from behind the partition and Abbie instantly smiled when she saw my feeble attempts at relieving the itch.
“We tried to soften up the fabric. It’s been washed three times, but there’s something about this dress that tells the audience of the cold and damp, and of Fanny’s pessimistic outlook on her future.”
“It’s heavy, but it moves with surprising ease,” I said, twirling from side to side.
“Of course you’ll have a petticoat to help diminish the itchiness.” She turned my back to her and gripped the excess fabric at the waist. “It’s a little loose at the waist, but we can just pin that back. The length is perfect.” She turned me around again to face her. “That’s all. You can change now.”
I returned to the partition, got back into my street clothes, thanked her and headed out. For all the times I’d envied women who’d lived in the past and the beautiful gowns they got to wear, I was now thoroughly happy to have modern clothing that was comfortable and easy to wear.
As I headed to the dining room to pick up a snack, Ricky came up beside me.
“Where have you been all morning?”
He picked up a pear while I grabbed an apple.
“Up in my room reading my lines for my final scene.”I headed to the doors leading to the garden.
“Ah, yes. You are quite the diligent actress, aren’t you. I admire your dedication to your role.”
“You’re in a good mood,” I said, sensing he was mocking me somewhat.
“Why shouldn’t I be? I love movie wraps. The bittersweet endings to these movie shoots tugs at your heartstrings. You get to know some fabulous people, and for a time they’re like family, then you part and start all over again with another cast and crew.”
Once outside, I stopped to look at him.
He smiled and ran his thumb over the crease between my eyes. “Erase that worry, Darling. I’m fine. I’ll always remember you and will always be fond of you, but my heart will mend.”
I returned his smile and walked on.
“And speaking of matters of the heart,” he said as he walked beside me. “Susie is on cloud nine. I’ve never seen her so happy.”
“Yes, I can imagine.” Why did he have to bring the conversation back to Susie and Matthew again?
“Marrying into the Barry family is a big deal, a big change.”
