‘Well, you do her legacy proud,’ Sive told him.
‘Thanks.’ Rocco gave her a grateful smile.
‘And it’s certainly paid off for us. Here’s to Nonna Gianna,’ Mimi said, raising her glass and they all joined in the toast.
‘I can’t take all the credit,’ Rocco said. ‘Sam helped.’
‘I chopped the herbs,’ Sam said proudly. ‘And I cut the bread.’
‘Good job!’ Sive said to him. ‘Those slices are exemplary.’
It wasn’t long before the chat inevitably turned to the impending theatre festival.
‘It’ll be odd not having a show in the festival this year,’ Sive said.
‘Or being in one,’ Mimi added.
‘But the beauty of it is we can be punters. We’ll be able to go and see the shows for once.’
‘I’m looking forward to that,’ Mimi said. ‘It’s a great programme.’
‘Me too,’ Sam said. ‘I’m just sorry I won’t get a chance to see that production ofThe Plough and the Starsat the Abbey. I’ve heard it’s brilliant. But it’s ending next week.’
‘Oh, that’s a shame,’ Sive said. ‘I haven’t seen it yet either – too busy – but I’m hoping to get to see it before it closes.’
‘I’m sure Cara could manage without you for one night,’ Mimi said to Sam. He was slated to continue working in his capacity as assistant stage manager until rehearsals forA Christmas Carolbegan. ‘She’s already found a replacement for you, hasn’t she?’ Mimi said.
‘Yeah – a temporary one. He’s been in for a bit of training, but he’s not due to start work officially until Monday week. I’d feel bad about leaving Cara in the lurch.’
‘She’d hardly be in the lurch,’ Mimi said. ‘She’s hasn’t evenhadan assistant long enough to get used to it.’
That may be true, but they all knew that unofficially Sam had been Cara’s right-hand man since he’d started at Halfpenny Lane.
‘You’re not irreplaceable, you know,’ Mimi said. ‘Take a night off and go see a play. It’s an important part of your education as an actor, apart from anything else.’
‘That’s true,’ Aoife said. ‘Weekly theatre visits are compulsory on the Gaiety acting course.’
‘Well, I get to watch you two all the time,’ Sam said, nodding to Mimi and Rocco.
‘Watching the same play over and over doesn’t count. You should see as wide a variety of stuff as possible.’
‘And you’re backstage in the prompt corner or in the control booth with Cara, watching on a screen,’ Aoife said. ‘It’s not the same experience.’
‘We could go together,’ Sive suggested.
‘Really?’ Sam beamed. ‘That’d be great.’ All his objections to taking a night off seemed to have suddenly melted away.
‘I’ll see if I can get us tickets, will I?’
‘Yes, please.’
‘Are you looking forward to starting at the Gaiety?’ Rocco asked Aoife. She was due to start at the acting school in a couple of weeks.
‘Yes, I’m so excited,’ Aoife said, her face lighting up. ‘But I’m nervous too.’
‘Don’t be. You’ll be brilliant,’ Rocco said. ‘You’re already way ahead of the game.’
‘And you’ll have the time of your life,’ Mimi added.
