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“Felt every feeling imaginable toward her?” Julia asked. “Then I guess she’s really your mother.”
Marcia Conrad appeared in the foyer of the Nantucket Community Music Center at twelve-fifty-seven. According to several blogs and articles Ella had read about Marcia, Marcia ascribed to the sentiment that “to be early means to be on time.” From the little window between the office and the main foyer, Ella peered out to see a remarkably “money-ed” woman with blond blown-out curls, iconic Louboutin heels, a dress that showed off her impressive fifty-something cleavage, and a cinched waist. She greeted Stephanie at the front desk with a plastic smile.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Conrad!” Stephanie said joyously. “Thank you for your commitment to our little island.”
Marcia Conrad spoke quietly, maintaining piercing eye contact. She then bent down and began to read the questionnaire that the Copperfield Sisters had provided, with questions about what Nantucket meant to her, what her connection to Nantucket was, and how she felt her film represented Nantucket as a whole. Ella had asked Stephanie to explain that the questionnaire would be featured in an upcoming Nantucket literary magazine, which had a special focus on film. According to Jeremy’s friend, the handwriting analyst, it was best to have a lot to work with; the more Marcia wrote, the better.
“I’d be glad to fill this out,” Marcia murmured, shifting her weight on her heels as she flourished a pen across the questionnaire.
In the little office, Alana, Ella, and Julia remained breathless. For the first time since they’d concocted their scheme, she asked herself:What if the handwriting wasn’t a match? What if the journal was just a coincidence? Or what if the journal belonged to someone else entirely?
Suddenly, the front door of the Nantucket Community Music Center opened to reveal none other than Will, who sauntered in off the street just as any handsome rock star would. Marcia turned swiftly and shrieked girlishly with surprise. Ella’s jaw dropped as she stirred in a mix of jealousy and humor. After all, Will had known that Marcia would arrive just about now.
Obviously, Will wanted to mess with Marcia just a little bit.
“Will? My goodness! I had no idea that you were performing at the Nantucket Jubilee.” Marcia tucked a blond strand behind her ear and flirted easily, like a high schooler.
Will’s smile took Ella’s breath away. Was it really possible that he was hers again?
“Marcia Conrad! I didn’t know you’d be here, either. I guess I should pay better attention to my emails,” Will teased.
“I use my assistant for that,” Marcia quipped.
Will laughed joyously. Ella had to hand it to him; he was a pretty good actor.
“You’ll have to come to my premier,” Marcia continued. “Your song is featured multiple times throughout the film. I think you’ll really love the way it’s used.”
Will’s eyes widened. “With your artistic talent, I have no doubt.”
Marcia giggled again. “Maybe we can meet for the after-party tonight.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Will affirmed.
Marcia waved her pen knowingly, then said, “I’ll see you later, then,” before returning her attention to the questionnaire. Will stepped through the foyer and walked directly through the door, behind which Ella remained hidden. When he was latched away with the three Copperfield Sisters, Ella burst into giggles that she struggled to keep quiet.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she whispered. “You just wanted to keep her on her toes, didn’t you?”
Will shrugged. “I just want her to be extra high up before she falls.”
A few minutes later, after Marcia clicked her pen closed and returned to her limousine outside, Stephanie burst through the door of the little office, waving the questionnaire frantically.
“I got it!” she cried, grateful to be in on the Copperfield Sisters’ scheme. “Let the games begin!”
ChapterTwenty-One
The entirety of Nantucket’s Main Street bustled with crowds, buzzed with local music and conversation, and came alive with the smells of countless food trucks and stalls— fish and chips, tacos, empanadas, and fried chicken, to name a few. Danny had reserved a table for the three of them directly next to the fish and chips stand on Main Street, where Main looped off to form Centre. As Ella and Will approached, hand-in-hand, Ella’s heart pitter-pattered with excitement for this brand-new life they’d built together. Even now, the handwriting analyst studied Marcia’s handwriting. Even now, they were closer than they’d ever been to righting every wrong.
Once Ella and Will reached the table at the fish and chips stand, Laura burst out from behind Danny and erupted with laughter. “Surprise!” she cried as she scrambled around the picnic table and threw her arms around her mother and father. Danny hugged them both, too, as they explained that they’d come up with the idea only a few days ago.
“Danny said that you’ve been working so hard on the Nantucket Jubilee,” Laura said, glowing with joy. “I knew I had to see what this was all about.”
“What do you think so far?” Ella asked.
Laura’s eyes widened. “It’s incredible. The entire island feels so alive.”
Laura returned to the picnic table and began to speak excitedly to Danny about something at Columbia. Will and Ella exchanged smiles as Will said, “I guess since we’re the parents, it’s up to us to buy the grub?”
“Parenting is expensive,” Ella joked as they stepped toward the line at the fish and chips stand, studying the menu. “I guess we’d better get four servings.”
