Page 48 of Before We Were Famous

Our Entertainment Editor, Marc Ferguson’s review will be online after the preview.

Between Night and Daywill be released in cinemas nationally from Sunday.

*****

It was so exciting! I was no stranger to opening nights, Nelly, Heath, Lockwood and I had experienced these on stage over a dozen times. They were exciting and the media photocalls beforehand created a buzz of interest as well, but for a film release, it was completely different – a much bigger and glamorous event with fans coming out to see the actors and director and a real red carpet! Having met some of the production, marketing and publicity teams, I learnt how much work went into these opening nights. I was relieved I just had to get glamorous and frock up!

Unfortunately, I didn’t get that girl shopping chromosome and after an hour of shopping and a coffee, I was glazed over. Nelly was truly disappointed in me.

‘It’s your birthright. How can you not enjoy shopping?’ she asked, as we sipped our cappuccinos.

I sighed.‘It’s so boring and after a while, like ten minutes, everything looks the same. It’s torture.’

‘Next, you’ll be telling me you hate going to the hairdresser,’ she said, pushing a strand of her dark hair behind her shoulder.

I didn’t answer.

‘No, Cathy, no. Really?’

I grimaced.‘I don’t like the small talk you have to make. And I’ve never walked out of a salon and thought, wow, I look great.’

Nelly shook her head. ‘I’m at a loss. I am a professional shopper and I love going to the hairdresser. Being spoilt, having my hair washed, leaving with styled hair better than I could ever do it – it’s dreamy,’ she sighed.

We both took a forkful of the Hummingbird Cake we were sharing.

‘At least you’ve got a dress and it looks gorgeous,’ I said.

‘Yes, but I’m in the gallery, you’re in the VIP seats with Edgar. You have to look good; you’ll be walking in on his arm and people will want autographs and the press will be taking photos …’

I cut her off because she was stressing me out. ‘It’s not the BAFTAs, it’s only our film premiere! I’ll find something,’ I assured her.

She looked at me suspiciously.

‘In the next hour,’ I assured her, ‘you watch.’

Nelly nodded. ‘You’ve got that right. I’m taking charge,’ she said.

I smiled. ‘Good.’

‘You planned that, didn’t you?’ she asked, her eyes narrowing.

‘Me, never,’ I said, innocently, ‘but a blue dress would be nice.’

Chapter 26– The Premiere

I must have been holding Edgar’s hand too tightly as we sat in the back of the chauffeur-driven car on the way to the premiere because he kissed my hand and then groaned.

‘Ouch! I may need that hand again to sign contracts,’ he said and smiled at me. ‘Nervons?’

I gave a small, unconvincing laugh and loosened my grip a little. ‘No, yes, you bet.’

‘You’ll be fine, just walk down the red carpet, wave, smile, stand where the photographers tell you to stand, smile, nod, and look your natural, beautiful self.’

‘Got it,’ I said. ‘What if I get asked a question?’

‘Just go for the cliché stuff – it was a great experience, a great cast, a fantastic director,’ he joked. ‘You’ll do fine,’ he assured me. ‘Did I tell you that you look stunning?’

‘No!’ I said, most indignantly and gave him a sly smile.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com