Isaac nodded. ‘Yeah, the big party number, can’t believe you managed to get us in, Alex. Thanks so much, the cast are thrilled. Scared witless too,’ he joked, ‘but thrilled.’
Alex gave his leading man a supportive clap on the shoulder. ‘You’ll be great. Now, get backstage quick, before people start to panic.’
Isaac hurried off, going the wrong way at first, and then quickly correcting his direction with a panicked expression.
Alex smothered a laugh. He knew those jittery nerves well.
‘You really care about them, don’t you?’ Ellie was beaming up at him with obvious admiration.
‘I know what it’s like early on in your career. It’s a whirlwind, and you have no idea what you’re doing half the time. I had myparents’ support, but many young actors don’t have that. I’d like to think I can help them.’
Ellie nodded with approval. ‘I’m sure you are. Getting them here must be a huge help.’
‘Hopefully. It’s only a small slot, but Russell and I pulled every string we could think of to get them this gig. Not only will it boost sales, but it’ll get them well known in the industry for their next job. I’m trying to get Isaac a meeting with another producer I know.’
Ellie pressed a hand to her chest. ‘That’s really good of you. You should be proud.’
His chest expanded with a glowing warmth. He was proud of both himself and Russell – who he was getting along much better with these days. Probably because Alex had heard about the last-minute cancellation at the awards programme and had been the first on the phone to the organisers begging for the free slot.
‘Come on,’ said Alex, and he led Ellie into the huge glittering awards space. Rows of ruby seats were gathered around the shiny black presentation and performance stage. Their seats were positioned at the end of a row, a helpful tag on them proclaiming,Alex KingandAlex King’s Guest.
‘Sorry,’ he said. Ellie must think him so disorganised.
‘I’m happy to be here. Don’t apologise.’
They sat down amongst the stars and waited for the rest of the audience to arrive, which didn’t take long as a flurry of people began to pour in all at the same time. Ellie moved out of the way so that a famous actress, Dame Mary Woodhouse, could take her seat. She barely glanced at Alex, but to his delight she stopped to compliment Ellie on her dress. ‘Stunning, darling,’ she declared, with an upper-crust pout, and Ellie thanked her with a blush.
‘Wish I hadn’t picked something so bloody wide!’ huffed the actress, flapping frustratedly at her sweeping purple skirt. ‘I’mgoing to be up and down to the loo like a yo-yo – nervous bladder and all. So, apologies in advance.’
Alex tried to stifle a chuckle. He found the Brits so adorable with their variety of accents and phrases.
‘That’s no trouble,’ said Ellie hurriedly, more than a little star-struck, but then she appeared to gather her composure, and added cheerfully, ‘I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.’
‘Thank you, darling.’
The pair of them chatted for a little longer, Ellie explaining who they were and why they were here. She constantly referred to Alex’s ‘amazing productionThe Great Gatsby’, but the dame seemed more intrigued about where Ellie was from.
‘My family was born on that street!’ she declared with wide eyes.
‘Really? Oh, my nanna would be thrilled to hear that. She’s lived there since she was a little girl.’
They chatted a little more, and then, when the dame started speaking with another actor to the other side of her, Ellie turned to Alex and whispered, ‘Who’d have thought Dame Mary would be nervous. She’s an absolute icon. Goes to show, we’re all just human.’
Alex nodded and then took her hand in his and squeezed it, proud of her ability to triumph on any occasion. ‘It gets very intense. I get nervous and I’m not even up for anything.’
‘Not this year… But maybe next,’ she said with a playful grin before returning the squeeze.
He tried to imagine his life a year from now, potentially nominated for an award and waiting nervously to hear the announcement. Would he be alone?
The evening began. The awards were being presented by a well-known British comedian who gave a light-hearted spin to the proceedings. The awards were interspersed with outstanding performances by West End shows and musicals.
Ellie kept turning to him and saying, ‘I’ve got to see that one,’ after each performance.
‘Me too,’ he replied, and he hoped they would see them together, that they would remain friends even after their deal had ended. That she wouldn’t walk away and never want to see him again.
When his cast performed their number, he was so nervous he almost couldn’t bear to watch. However, he needn’t have worried; they were awesome, and when they took their bow he and Ellie leapt up to give a standing ovation, and even Dame Mary rose from her seat in support.
‘Bravo,’ she declared, and turned her manicured clap towards him. Which was more than a little flattering.
