‘It’s a lovely spot,’ murmured Flo, then put her head down, clutching Mel’s hat tightly.
‘It certainly is,’ gushed Andy.
His approval seemed to resonate with Mel, who tipped his head to one side in consideration.
‘Hmm, let’s see the rest,’ he suggested, then looked directly at Jennifer, ‘after drinkypoos.’ He smiled, showing a set of pure white dentures.
Jennifer took a deep breath. Clearly she was to play waitress too.
‘Of course,’ she replied between gritted teeth.
After a full guided tour of the house and grounds were given, Felix directed them all into the library. Jennifer had set up a long table running down the middle of the room. She herself was sat next to Felix at the top of it, pen poised, ready to make notes. Felix had handouts which Jennifer had prepared to pass round. The first one contained suggestions for the leading role, Lady Scarlett. Felix had his heart set on Polly Andrews, a young up-and-coming actress who had impressed him with her rendition of Eliza Doolittle in the West End playPygmalion.On seeing her name, Mel raised an eyebrow.
‘Not my first choice, must admit.’
Felix’s heart sank. Trying desperately to sound impartial, he replied, ‘Who did you have in mind, Mel?’
‘I was thinking… Alicia Davenport!’ he proclaimed with his hands raised dramatically in the air.
The old queen, thought Felix, and remained as calm as he could muster.
‘Maybe a tad predictable? Bearing in mind she’s already played a lady sleuth in the past?’ he questioned as diplomatically as possible.
‘Oh.’ Mel frowned, obviously not expecting that response. Not to be outdone, he had another name to throw into the ring. ‘How about Selina McKenna?’ he suggested with a sly grin.
That was a curveball, thought Felix, considering Selina McKenna was originally a model and, fully known to Mel, a good friend of his ex-girlfriend Anika. Was the old ham deliberately provoking him?
There was a difficult pause round the table. Jennifer, knowing how challenging this could potentially be, gave a cough.
‘I believe she’s currently been taken ill, if that needs to be considered,’ she spoke quietly.
Felix turned to her in surprise. How did she know that?
‘Yes, it does,’ replied Flo. ‘If we’re to crack on with these scripts,’ she patted the huge pile of papers in front of her, ‘then we need our main role to start immediately.’
‘Here, here,’ agreed Andy, ever mindful of the time lost already due to the problem with the first location.
Felix seized the moment. ‘Polly showed her capability as Eliza Doolittle. She’ll pique people’s interest, not being a big name already. This drama would catapult her career and help promote our production at the same time,’ he reasoned.
‘Plus she’ll be eternally grateful for the part, as opposed to some demanding prima donna,’ Andy added. Flo was vigorously nodding in agreement.
Mel narrowed his eyes in contemplation. ‘OK then, let’s give her an audition,’ he said.
Felix inwardly sighed with relief. Mel might be a touch temperamental and a little stagey, but he was a team player, not stuck in his own opinions.
‘I’ll get on to her agent prompto,’ said Flo.
The rest of the meeting was held quite amicably, with everyone agreeing on the rest of the cast. When all was done Mel turned to Jennifer, but before he could open his mouth she pre-empted him.
‘Drinkypoos?’ she curtly asked, raising an eyebrow.
‘You’re an angel.’ He smiled, his dentures dazzling.
After a weekend full of entertaining, Felix waved his guests off and closed the front doors with relish. Thank goodness that was over with. Turning to an equally relieved Jennifer he looked quizzically at her.
‘Jennifer, how did you know about Selina McKenna being ill?’ he asked, head tilted to one side.
‘I didn’t,’ she stated flatly.
