AllFreeNovel
Share Us
18
Jack
I locked the front door behind me, crouching down to check the weather out of the stairwell window. It was grey and cloudy again, which wasn’t unusual for late February, and at least it wasn’t raining.
As I started down the stairs, I heard voices on the landing below.
‘I’ll pick it up on my way home from work,’ I heard someone saying.
I thought it sounded like Rebecca.
‘Although it won’t be until seven-ish. Is that OK? It’s not too late?’
‘Whatever time you get home is fine. Don’t be going out of your way for me, all right?’ boomed Clive’s voice. ‘Promise me?’
I checked my watch, suddenly in a panic. No, I was all right, it was just gone 7.30 like I’d thought. It’s just that I wasn’t expecting to see so many people up and about this early. Saying that, I wasn’t usually out of the flat at this time, myself – maybe it was always like this.
‘Morning,’ I said as I reached the bottom of the steps.
Rebecca turned around to look at me. She was wearing a satin shirt tucked into skinny trousers. The top few buttons had been left open, revealing quite a lot of skin given the weather; a smart red coat was slung over her arm. She had sparkly earrings on, little drops.
‘You look nice,’ I said.
‘I’ve got a meeting at work,’ she replied, looking a bit flustered. ‘I don’t usually get this dressed up.’
I laughed. ‘You’ve got the power suit on.’
She smiled. ‘Yeah, exactly.’
I looked down at my own clothes – black jeans and a grey sweatshirt – and wondered whether I should have made more of an effort, too. I wanted the casting director to notice me, didn’t I, and so perhaps I should have thought a bit more about how to make an impact from the off? It was too late now; I’d just have to wow him with my acting skills instead.
‘Where are you off to so early, young man?’ asked Clive.
‘I’ve got an acting class,’ I said, my eyes flicking to Rebecca, who raised her eyebrows.
‘Where’s that, then?’ she asked.
‘The Actors Centre. It’s in Covent Garden.’
She nodded. ‘I think I’ve been past it. Near Seven Dials, isn’t it?’
I got a little buzz from the fact she’d noticed it; I wasn’t quite sure why.
‘That’s it,’ I said. ‘It’s with some American guy who casts one of the big soaps over there.’
‘Oh, right. What, would you move out there, then?’ asked Rebecca, twiddling her earring between her finger and thumb.
I shrugged. ‘I mean, I’d love to.’
‘Don’t you go leaving us already,’ said Clive. ‘You’ve only just got here!’
‘I can pretty much guarantee I won’t be going any time soon, Clive,’ I replied, glancing at Rebecca. ‘Anyway, I should go. Enjoy your meeting.’
Which was probably the wrong thing to say, because what could possibly be enjoyable about a work meeting?
I squeezed past her, carrying on down the stairs.
‘Break a leg at your acting class,’ shouted Clive, probably waking up half the neighbours, but it made me smile.
