I can’t hear anyone on the other side yet. It’s hard not tothink about the man who will be behind the curtain. Or mirror. It’s all a bit Ozian, isn’t it?
I’m dressed as if I’m ready to play Dorothy, which I’d like to say was unintentional. Baby-blue babydoll dress over a white blouse, and a big blue ribbon in my half-up, half-down hair. My ruby (yes, to match Judy instead of the silver ones in the book) slippers don’t glitter, but they do have little patent leather hearts on the toe. They’re not easy to walk in, but I’m sitting down all day.
I take a cold bottle of water out of the fridge so I will have something to do with my hands that’s not digging my fingernails into my own skin. I set it down on the side table with my notebook and pen, and sit down carefully, spreading my skirt out so I won’t wrinkle the back much. I sit ankles crossed and tucked away, like a princess.
Above the mirror, a light I didn’t notice before shines yellow. Does that mean it’s starting? Is he here?
‘Hello?’ I call out, like I’m speaking into a cave, expecting my own voice echoed back.
‘Hello!’ The echo is amuchdeeper voice than mine.
My hands go straight to my lips, smothering a nervous giggle. ‘Hi! You’re there! Wow.’
‘I am! Hello!’ His voice is happy, excited like my own. ‘May I know who I’m speaking to?’
‘Carys,’ I say, trying to make my name clear. ‘And you? What’s your name?’
‘Lovely to meet you, Carys. I’m Patrick.’
We break into nervous laughter at the exact same time.
‘Gosh, it’s a bit strange, isn’t it,’ Patrick says, in what I’m pretty sure is a Yorkshire accent, though I’m not sure I can narrow it down.
‘It’s very strange talking to my own reflection, and then hearing you reply.’
‘I know, I can barely look at myself.’ He laughs heartily. ‘Oh dear, that probably doesn’t sound particularly good, does it?’
‘I’m sure you’re lovely to look at, but I understand what you mean. I feel like I need to double-check there’s nothing between my teeth.’
His next laugh is a scatter burst of joy. I really like his laugh. I wonder if it will sound the same in front of me as it does coming out of the hidden speakers.
‘Hey, I wonder if you can hear me?’ Scuffling sounds from the same direction as his voice, but then there’s a knock on the wall right in front of me.
My reflection jumps in shock. ‘It’s you!’ I spring up, and knock back, first cautiously on the mirror. The sound is tinny and thin, so I move to the wall next to it.
‘I heard you!’ I could swear I feel the rumble of his voice through my palm against the wall.
‘Wow. You really are in there,’ I whisper.
He knocks back in a tune.
‘Shave and a haircut, two bits!’ I sing the same tune back, with the answer added on. ‘Oh no, now I’m thinking of the really scary bit in the bar inWho Framed Roger Rabbit.’
‘No toon can resist!’ His impression of the villain Judge Doom is uncanny.
I burst into nervous laughter. ‘Oh God, please never do that again. I’ll die!’
‘I promise to keep my impersonations of vintage children’s media villains under wraps.’
‘You have more?’
‘I had a very wasted youth.’
I giggle. This is going surprisingly well for a first date. I’m not sure I’ve ever laughed so much on one before. ‘I know we’re not supposed to know how each other looks, but I can’t help picturing you with the top hat and a cape now.’
‘Are you sure you can’t see me?’ he teases, and I hear him move around. ‘Do you have spy-cameras in here, Carys?’
‘I’d never,’ I gasp flirtatiously. This is surprisingly fun.Heis fun, and I feel fun with him.
