‘I don’t mind moving stuff around the stage, you know, like props, be part of the crew.’
‘That’s really kind of you, Andy.’
‘Can I be part of the orchestra too?’ asked Kate. ‘I haven’t played the cello in an age. I’d have to brush up.’
‘Really – are you sure?’
‘Yes, positive. You don’t think I’m going to help you set up the theatre and not get a spot in the orchestra?’
‘You can have a part on stage in the production, you know.’
‘Oh, I couldn’t possibly do that, Bridie. I’m not an actress.’
‘You don’t know until you try.’ She could tell by the expression on her sister’s face that she was actually considering it.
‘I want a starring role in your play,’ Layla said, appearing behind her dad.
‘I thought you were waiting in the car with George and Charlie?’ said Andy.
Bridie hadn’t realised that Layla’s boyfriend Charlie was going with them on their day out too.
‘When can I help out at the theatre, Auntie Bridie? We don’t have to go to Southwold, do we, Dad? We could all come to the theatre instead.’
‘I’m not going until this evening.’ At least that was the plan. She was still waiting for Jack’s reply to confirm.
‘Can we come then?’
Kate said, ‘Layla, we’ll arrange another weekend, all right? I promise. But this weekend …’
Layla huffed and rolled her eyes. ‘I know, it’s family time. But Auntie Bridie is family.’
Kate put an arm around Bridie’s shoulders. ‘Of course she is.’
Bridie knew where this was leading – they’d want her to go to Southwold too. ‘Layla, your mum has spent the whole week with me here at the flat, but she’s missed you guys so much. She wants to spend the whole weekend with your dad, and you and George.’
‘And Charlie.’
Kate rolled her eyes. ‘Yes, and Charlie.’
‘You can come too,’ Layla said to Bridie. ‘Can she, Mum?’
‘Of course she can, but Bridie has a date with Oliver.’
Layla’s eyes went wide. ‘Mr Williams!’
‘Kate!’ Bridie exclaimed. ‘We’re just having coffee. It’s not a date!’
‘I bet Oliver wishes it was,’ Kate quipped.
‘Ahem,’ Andy coughed into his hand, looking embarrassed.
Bridie pushed Kate out of the door. ‘Go, have a lovely day.’
‘You too. Let me know how the meeting goes with Jack at the theatre this evening.’
‘I will.’ Bridie said, then thought,I won’t if it’s about that contract I signed.She glanced at her phone. Jack still hadn’t texted her back.
She waved them off, closed the door, and turned around to find someone had sneaked into the shop, probably when Andy was busy loading Kate’s bags into the boot of the car and Bridie had wandered upstairs to find Kate in the flat spending time on her hair and makeup, glamming herself up for her husband.
