‘Slightly odd demand for a criminal to make, isn’t it?’ said Doug, split-leaping across the room into the centre of the assembled group, his thin blond hair bouncing about his face.
‘Sit down, Doug, you’re making me dizzy!’ laughed Olive, reaching for his hand. Doug took it, but instead of sitting down next to Olive, he pulledher to her feet, held her close to him and started to waltz.
The pair turned together in the centre of the circle the cast had created, before Doug spun Olive past Oscar and out into the empty room behind the group. His white tank top showed off his strong, muscular arms and had Olive not had eyes for Oscar, being literally swept off her feet like this might have otherwise made her swoon.However, having been friends with him since drama school, Olive considered Doug to be the brother she’d never had.
‘I can see you looking at him,’ Doug whispered in her ear as he held her close and rocked her back and forth as they slowly turned in a tight circle.
‘Who?’ Olive whispered back, feebly, and she felt Doug sigh against her. ‘Everyone looks at Oscar,’ she continued, thankfulthat her head was resting against his shoulder and he couldn’t see her blushing face. She glanced towards the group, but Oscar wasn’t looking their way.
‘Not the way you do,’ Doug said. ‘You look at him as though you don’t expect or want anything from him.’
‘That’s because I don’t.’
‘Exactly. Do you realise how rare that must be for him?’
‘I guess…’
‘You alsodon’t look at him like you want to eat him alive.’ He pulled back, so he could gesture behind him. Olive waited until they’d turned so that she was facing the group and saw that Tamara was baring her teeth again with a little more tenacity.
‘You’ve got a chance, y’know,’ Doug said, resting his head against her hair.
‘I’m not sure I want it. It feels a bit… cliché.’
‘What doyou mean?’ Doug tried to pull away to see her face, but she held him tightly in place.
‘He’s the man everyone falls for. I mean… has anyone actually ever told him “no”?’
Doug laughed. ‘Probably not. I know it’s infuriating but the thing is… he seems like a good guy. I think he’s oblivious to his own… overall attractiveness. Which annoyingly makes him more attractive.’ Olive feltDoug shake his head.
‘Do you think so?’
‘Do I think he’s attractive? Honey, I’m straight and even I want a slice of that pie.’
Olive tutted in Doug’s ear. ‘I mean do you think he’s oblivious to just how good-looking he is?’ She glanced over at the group again. Tamara had now taken Olive’s empty spot on the floor next to Oscar and was laughing too hard at something he said.She used this as an excuse to touch his bicep, leaving her hand there and rubbing her thumb in circles across his skin. Olive, suddenly wishing she hadn’t vacated her seat to dance with Doug, also realised she’d been staring for too long, which was only confirmed by Tamara whipping her head around and making direct eye contact with her. Olive shut her eyes and buried her head back in the curve ofDoug’s neck.
‘You know he’s noticed you too?’ Doug whispered.
‘I should hope so! I play his lover,’ she laughed.
‘You know what I mean. He looks at you the same way.’
‘I know, I know. I just feel a bit silly, like we’re back in school. And I don’t want to be lumped in with the hordes of other girls that throw themselves at him daily.’
‘You mean like Jane andTamara?’ Doug whispered, cupping his hand against her ear. Olive gasped dramatically and batted him back with her palm, still slowly turning about the room.
‘Well… you said it. Not me!’ She felt a little weight lift from her soul knowing that it wasn’t just her who thought the other women’s behaviour a little forthright. Whilst she felt childish, Jane and Tamara had made themselves lookit and she vowed never to stoop as low to fight for Oscar’s affections. ‘I think I’d rather sit this one out,’ she sighed.
‘Well, that’s your call but just so you know, he doesn’t look at them like he looks at you.’ Doug kissed her cheek with a smack. ‘And every time I’ve turned you away from the group, he’s glanced over here to check we’re not snogging. So, that’s something, eh?’ Again,she batted him away playfully, feeling her cheeks flush once more but a sense of triumph fill her heart.
‘Okay, gang! Back in!’ called Michael, with his mouth still full of sandwich. With only a hint of reluctance, the cast got to their feet. All except Tamara.
‘Oscar!’ she called from the floor, holding out her arms and wiggling her long, delicate fingers. Oscar took them and gentlypulled her up. ‘You’re coming for a drink tonight, aren’t you?’ she said, placing her hands on his chest.
‘I think so,’ he answered, stepping backwards and almost bumping into Olive who had wandered over to get her script even though she already knew all her lines off by heart. ‘Depends if this one is.’ He draped his arm around Olive’s shoulders.
‘Me?’ Olive smiled.
‘Her?’Tamara said, her sweet character momentarily slipping. ‘You’re more than welcome, Olive. I just don’t know if it’s your thing.’
