Page 49 of Before We Were Famous

Edgar laughed. ‘Gee, I thought I said it four times, my mistake.’ He kissed my hand again. ‘You look beautiful. I love your hair out and that pale blue dress is stunning. Very Hollywood.’

I smiled, thanked him, and was secretly thrilled. Thank you, Nelly … she could have a fallback career dressing the cast if she got bored directing actors. Speaking of beautiful, Edgar looked gorgeous. I inhaled his scent and admired his dark suit and white tie look. So handsome against his blonde features.

I cleared my throat. ‘I’m not nervous about the crowd, I’m used to crowds, especially in live theatre,’ I said. ‘I’m nervous about the reviews after the screening.’

I then realised what I said and quickly corrected myself.

‘Your film will be brilliant but what if I ruin it? What if they say ‘Earnshaw was the weakest link’and that I dragged your film down?’ I took a deep breath and noticed Edgar was completely calm.

‘Trust me, no one will say that. I’ve seen the final cut; I’ve seen your work.’ He took my jaw in his hand and looked me in the eye. ‘Cathy, it was very, very good.’

I nodded and breathed out. ‘Thank you.’

He leant in and gave me a very smudge-free kiss, and then he shrugged. ‘But you know at the end of the day, it’s just a film. Films will come and go, it’s not the end of the world.’

I looked at him shocked, how could he of all people say that?

‘Yeah, well I know we’re not curing cancer here,’ I said, ‘but crap reviews might mean I never get offered another good role, and it might mean less funding for future films for you.’

He shrugged again. ‘It’ll be fine. I anticipate a few highs and lows along the way. You knowPsychonever won an award.’

‘Get out, no way,’ I dismissed the idea.

‘True story,’ he said. ‘Neither didThe Shining, Shawshank Redemption, Rear Window… the list goes on. And, believe it or not, Orson Welles won awards but never for directing.’

‘No!’

‘True story,’ Edgar said.

‘Well that’s perspective,’ I agreed and smiled. Edgar squeezed my hand gently, and then our driver pulled over, and we were there.

I stopped him before he got out.

‘I just want to say good luck tonight, and thank you.’

He smiled.

‘No Edgar, I really mean it,’ I said, taking his face in my hands and making him look me in the eyes this time. ‘Thank you. Thank you for the role, for your love, and for making me feel beautiful and strong and talented. No matter what happens going forward, please know that you saved me, thank you.’

He swallowed, struggled to find words, and then embraced me.

I hugged him and then pulled away. Blinking back tears, I took a deep breath and shivered with excitement.

‘Look at that,’ I said and pointed. I could see the stages set up and the fans, plus the press with their cameras. There were so many flashes and people – so exciting. The driver opened Edgar’s car door first and Edgar exited and came around to my side. He took my hand and helped me from the car. Luckily my dress was quite fitted so I didn’t have a train to trip over. Like I needed that stress.

The press had seen his arrival and the flashes were going off like crazy. Fans were calling out to both of us, and I put my hand through his offered crooked arm and we made our way to the red carpet. Ahead of us were the lead actors Holly and Travis, both with their partners. Nelly would already be inside; the crew walked the carpet before us. I glanced around and couldn’t see Isabella, but there were several big names in the game including models and stars from Edgar’s other film that were here for the film’s launch as guests and were posing for pictures on the red carpet or signing autographs.

There was a special ‘pose area’ set aside for the media to get individual star photos. I dreaded heading over there, but I knew I would have to – I don’t mind photos of me walking down the red carpet, but I’m not great at posing. I keep hearing Mum telling me to put my shoulders back, Nelly telling me to suck it in and Dad telling me to smile and not pout because I’m a very lucky young woman …aagh!

‘Catherine, over here, please,’ a voice called, and I recognised Marc fromEntertainment Weekly. Edgar released me while he went and did an interview withThe Breakfast Showentertainment editor.

Fans were calling my name – how cool was that? I waved and vowed to get over there shortly to bomb their selfies, which made them laugh.

‘Hi Marc,’ I said, ‘I hope you like the film.’

‘I saw an advanced preview at the media screening and I thought it was great Catherine,’ he gushed.

I put my hand on my heart and breathed out. ‘Thank goodness.’

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