The Moon and Stars by Jenna Warren

Author:Jenna Warren
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fairlight Books
Published: 2022-07-20T12:45:30+00:00

Opus

It was opening night of The Importance of Being Earnest. I had a horrible feeling that tonight would decide the fate of the Moon and Stars Theatre. After the performance, we would know if we had a success on our hands that could help secure the venue’s future, or a flop that would hasten its demise. I didn’t think I could bear to watch.

Angela and I had given a concert in Cardiff the previous night. I’d caught an early train back to London and had barely found time to eat a slice of toast before changing into my smartest suit and hurrying to the theatre.

The entrance was plastered with copies of the poster, which resembled a vintage railway advertisement. As I approached, I saw the sign saying Tickets available had been put on display near the doors. My heart sank.

I walked through the foyer and into the auditorium, where I was immediately confronted by Jess.

She looked angry. Jess never looked angry.

‘What’s wrong?’ I asked.

‘Where have you been? I’ve been trying to ring you all afternoon.’

‘I was away last night. I’ve only just got back.’

‘You could’ve answered your bloody phone.’

‘Sorry – I had other things on my mind.’

She shook her head. ‘You had other things on your mind? Matthew, what’s wrong with you lately?’

‘Please calm down, Jess.’

She put her hands on her hips. ‘Don’t tell me to calm down! This is a disaster.’

‘What’s happened?’

‘We’re less than a quarter full, that’s what’s happened.’

I stared at her. ‘No – that’s not possible.’

‘Well, apparently it is.’ Jess’s voice quivered. She sank into a blue velvet seat. ‘I don’t understand. We did everything we could. I sent the press release; you invited the VIPs.’

I was silent.

Oh, no.

Jess looked up at me and narrowed her eyes. ‘Matthew, you did invite the VIPs, didn’t you?’

I twisted my hands together. ‘I… think I forgot.’

‘You forgot? How could you forget?’

I drew back a step. Jess had never spoken to me like this before.

‘I don’t know. I’ve had a lot on my mind.’

‘God, Matthew, what have you done?’ Jess closed her eyes. ‘The theatre’s going to close. We’ll all lose our jobs.’

‘I’m sorry—’

‘I don’t think sorry quite covers it, do you? We were already struggling, and now this.’

‘It’ll be all right,’ I said, my voice trembling. ‘You invited the critics, didn’t you? We’ll get some reviews. That’ll bring people in.’

‘I bloody hope so,’ said Jess. ‘What are we going to tell Charlotte?’

‘It’s okay. I’ll talk to her.’

I found Charlotte onstage, behind the closed curtains, giving a pep talk to her fellow actors. She was in her element, practically glowing with excitement.

‘Matty!’ She swooped towards me, and I found myself encircled in a suffocating hug. She released me and looked me up and down. ‘You’re looking very swish tonight.’

‘Thank you.’ My throat was dry. I swallowed. ‘Charlotte—’

‘How are we? Are we good? How are the ticket sales? Is it very full? I’m so nervous!’ She tugged at her pearl necklace.

And I realised I couldn’t tell her. ‘I’m fine. We’re good. Ticket sales are… okay.

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