Luke sighed. ‘When is this casting happening?’
Nick grinned. ‘Ah, cheers, mate.’ He slapped Luke on the back. ‘Tonight. Seven-thirty at the community centre.’
‘I might be a bit late,’ said Luke. ‘We’re going up to Grandpa Jack’s for dinner.’
Nick laughed. ‘Grandpa Jack’s? You mean Jack Tyler’s house? How does he feel about you calling him Grandpa Jack? I bet he loves it, doesn’t he?’
‘We only call him that behind his back,’ said Luke. ‘I mean, he is Alice and May’s grandpa. But yeah, he would hate it if he heard us call him that.’
‘Things are going well with him, are they?’
‘Yes,’ said Luke. ‘It’s taken a long time to build bridges, but he seems to love having Alice and May around, and the feeling is mutual. Beneath his grumpy surface, he’s actually a decent bloke.’
‘And how’s he finding his new cabin?’
‘Oh, he loves it.’
‘He’s still determined to hold on to that big old house?’
Luke screwed up his face. ‘He is. That big old house gives him a focus, something to do each day, whether restoring it is realistic or not. I help him out from time to time.’
‘You’re a good man, Luke Chambers.’
‘Cheers, mate.’
‘OK,’ said Nick, chucking the remains of his coffee onto the ground. ‘So I’ll see you later?’
‘Yeah. Me and whoever else I can persuade will be there as close to seven-thirty as we can. You won’t find yourself in an empty room.’
‘Appreciate it. See you then, mate. Bye.’
Chapter 31
‘This isn’t a great start.’ Kitty gazed around the empty hall. It was 7.45.
‘They’ll be here,’ said Nick.
Did Kitty detect a tiny note of worry in his voice? ‘I hope you’re right,’ she said. ‘I can’t believe even Margot has bailed on us.’
‘To be fair, she can’t help catching the flu.’
Before Kitty could reply, the hall door creaked open. Alice walked in, greeting them with a wave. ‘Sorry we’re so late. Jack wanted to show us the veg patch he and my dad have been working on.’
‘You’re here now.’ Kitty smiled as a group of villagers followed Alice into the hall. The play might happen after all. ‘Thank you for coming. We were worried no one would show.’
‘We’re here,’ said Luke. ‘Though I’m not sure how much use we’ll be.’
‘Speak for yourself,’ said Solly. ‘I’ve been known to tread the boards once or twice.’
Sylvie scoffed. ‘And how many times in the past fifty years, my dear?’
Solly sat in a chair and folded his arms across his chest. ‘You may mock, but I don’t see anyone else leaping out of their seats to get up and audition.’
As Kitty glanced around the group, she realised Solly was right. No one would look at her. May was furiously typing on her phone. ‘Homework,’ she said, when Kitty managed to catch her eye. Luke had his eyes downcast, studying something interesting on the floor.
‘My dad can’t come,’ said Alice. ‘He’s helping look after Margot.’
‘What about you, Sylvie?’ asked Kitty. ‘Do you fancy auditioning?’
