What Lies Beneath the Mask Page 13

  “Sure, what do you want me to do?”

  “I need you to check the guys have got their suits and masks on properly, you know what they’re like.” To save time we’d set up mass changing in the green room behind the stage and it was chaos in there so I set up position by the door. Thankfully when it came to the shows themselves everyone would have more time to change during the interval so we could avoid this chaos. I called on George and Dave first, they would be on stage immediately, and was glad to find that I only had to make minor adjustments to make sure they looked right. After that came the rest of them. Other than André and Firmin, the other characters all started in the same position as the chorus, which made it easier to check. I’m not all that sure where half the guys learned to dress themselves but some of the costumes were a complete disaster, from badly tied bow ties to shoes on the wrong feet. Henry and Jack were last and I found myself fussing over Jack’s already perfect bow tie for no reason, admiring how he looked in the formal tail coat. Looking at him almost made me feel disappointed that I wasn’t going on stage with him.

  “You ready?” I asked.

  “Definitely. We’ve got this.” He reassured me with a smile. “Besides, between Hayley’s costumes and your choreography no one is going to care what we sing.”

  “He’s not wrong Belle.” Henry added. His costume was a bit of a mess, but we had longer to sort that out so I left it for a moment.

  “Well my choreography isn’t worth anything without the people to dance it.” I was embarrassed to be the centre of attention even if it was only that of two people. Jack cupped my face in his hands.

  “Annabelle, this scene is amazing because of you.”

  “And Hayley.”

  “Yes, and Hayley. But you need to accept that you are what makes this show.” He leant down and kissed me softly and my eyes fluttered closed.

  “Oh God. I have to kiss him soon.” Merry’s voice came from behind Henry and I felt jealousy clawing in my gut.

  “Kissing her is far worse.” Henry muttered darkly from beside us and both Jack and I started laughing.

  “Stop it guys, we need complete focus.” I became serious again. “Now break a leg.” I straightened Henry’s cape quickly and went to take my place in front of the stage.

  Chapter 47

  “So Mr. Jeffreys, why have you picked this scene for us today?” The interviewer was a smartly dressed woman with slicked back dark hair. We’d been introduced, but I was terrible with names and couldn’t remember it to save my life. John puffed his chest out reminding me somewhat of a peacock.

  “Masquerade is not only the opening scene for the second half, but it includes all of the major characters at some stage, meaning we can truly showcase the talent we have in this production.” I had to admit that he had a point there, though the Twisted Every Way sequence would have showcased them all more.

  “But Masquerade isn’t all about the singing we understand.” The interviewer prompted.

  “Not at all! The cast have worked very hard to master the challenging choreography and staging that our assistant director, Belle Phillips, created. Not to mention the wonderful costumes that are designed and made in house by Hayley McCarthy.”

  “So what you’re saying, Mr. Jeffreys, is that we’re in for a real treat right now?”

  “Absolutely! I believe that we have created something truly beautiful and I can’t wait to share it with you.”

  “Thank you Mr. Jeffreys.” The interviewer turned to the cameras. “Please enjoy this performance of Masquerade from The Phantom of the Opera.” I crossed my fingers as George and Dave walked onto the stage, if this went badly then it could end up ruining for our chances in the competition. Having finished getting everyone into costume, Hayley had come to join us with an equally worried look on her face. Not only were her costumes now on live TV, if one ended up ripped or otherwise damaged it could mean hours of extra work for her.

  The music played seamlessly and I silently commended René on the talent of his orchestra, without a doubt they were helping bring the scene to life in a way we hadn’t actually experienced before. I gasped as Merry wobbled in Jack’s hold, but he seemed to catch her before it was noticed by anyone else. As the two of them stopped dancing and leant in for their kiss, I had to look away. I really had to get this jealousy under control, but I hated the idea of another woman being anywhere near Jack, even if it was just as part of an act. I knew that Jack would never do anything with another girl unless he was acting, but I’d never really had to deal with jealousy before. With Toby, I had other things to worry about, though looking back it’s likely that he wasn’t faithful to me, but I was naïve and wouldn’t even entertain the idea of another woman in his life. A crash from the stage broke through my thoughts and I looked up to see Henry had made his entrance as the Phantom. Even though the brief fling between us had amounted to nothing, I couldn’t help but appreciate the figure he cut in the costume Hayley had created for him. She’d made Henry and Jack almost identical costumes, just in reverse colours and I imagined that she was probably trying to make a point about how Christine was stuck between the two men. René’s orchestra was playing the music perfectly still, no doubt he’d threatened their instruments if they didn’t perform well, or something like that, I’d heard that he could be as tough as John. The live music was really adding to the atmosphere, more so than the recordings we’d been using to practice with up until now.

  The scene was over far more quickly than I’d anticipated, and from the spontaneous applause that came from our crew members and the camera team, I guessed that it had looked good to the outside. Something told me that John would still have notes for improvements though, especially for me and the rest of the back of house team.

  “Well I must say that that was spectacular!” Our slick haired presenter was back with a wide smile on her face. “What else do you have in store for us Mr Jeffreys?”

  “I’m sorry Linda, but you’ll have to wait for opening night to find that out!” Ah, that was her name. I should probably write it down in case she’s the presenter we get on opening night.

  “Can you not even give us a little tease?” She pressed in a flirty tone that made me feel a little bit sick.

  “Well you’ve seen the talent of our cast, and our costume designer, but there are some even more extravagant sets and staging to come!”

  “You mean the chandelier crash?” Linda was almost jumping up and down in excitement whereas John seemed to have a sly smirk on his face. I’d have to agree with him though, if Linda thought the chandelier drop was our most extravagant scene, then she was in for a surprise.

  “Actually, we’re yet to test the chandelier.” My mouth fell open in shock. I didn’t want to believe that he’d just revealed that on TV. The chandelier was one of the things I was most nervous about.

  “So it could go completely wrong on Opening Night?” Linda asked him, eager with the idea of the drama that would cause.

  “It would only make it more realistic!” John grinned as I cringed. Yes, I suppose the possibility of injuring cast or orchestra members would add a sense of realism to the Phantom’s act of destruction. Of course, it would also end in hospital visits and leave us out of the competition, but that was probably a small price to pay for John.

  “Well it certainly adds an element of risk to your performance!”

  “In all seriousness though, Linda, I have complete faith in my assistant director, Belle. If she says the chandelier drop will work, then I completely agree.” Oh great. Now he was placing the success or failure of the chandelier solely on me.

  “Well I for one am really excited for two weeks’ time! But for now, back to the studio where I believe we will be going to Birmingham next for their rendition of Just Blew in From the Windy City from Calamity Jane!”

  “And cut!” David called, confirming my earlier observation that he was in charge of the shoot today. “I think we’ve got what it takes to win!”

  “We?
” I asked him, amused that he’d somehow become as ingrained in the show as the rest of us.

  “Sorry, I’ve just been following you guys around so much it feels like I’m part of the team.” He looked abashed and I took pity on him.

  “You are part of the team David.” I looped an arm around his shoulders, surprising myself with the familiar gesture.

  “Thanks Belle.”

  “Anytime.” I grinned.

  Chapter 48

  I blew over the top of my chai tea latte, hoping to cool it enough to drink. Normally I’m just a straight tea or coffee drinker, but today I’d met Jack’s sister, Jill, for a drink and wanted something that little more fancy. I touched my phone’s screen to check the time again and sighed. We were supposed to have met up 10 minutes ago but Jill still wasn’t here. I was about to give up and get my drink put into a to go cup, when she bustled in. She was wearing a no-nonsense skirt suit, with an electric blue shirt. The blonde hair she shared with Jack was pulled into a low bun, but there was smile on her face made all the clearer by the pop of red lipstick she’d used.

  “So sorry Belle, had a client that just would not stop talking.” She dumped her handbag on the seat opposite me and grabbed her purse from it. “One sec.” She went up and placed her order with the bored looking teenager behind the counter, returning moments later with a steaming cup of coffee. “Right I’m all yours!” We hadn’t spent that much time together since we met, but we’d been texting on and off, striking up some kind of friendship.

  “Was everything alright with your client?” I risked taking a sip of my drink and found that it was just the right temperature now.

  “Oh yes.” She beamed. “It was the one I told you about. I showed him the portfolio and the photos you gave me and he’s very interested.”

  “Oh I didn’t realise you’d shown him already.” Nerves fluttered in my stomach. If her meeting had gone well, then my dream of becoming a concept artist could actually become a reality.

  “You have nothing to worry about Belle! You have real talent, and if this guy doesn’t see that then it’s only a matter of time before someone will.”

  “Thanks.” I wasn’t really sure what to say; I still wasn’t very good at accepting compliments.

  “But let’s put a pin in that for now, we’ll know more about it when he gets back to me.” She smiled reassuringly at me and I gave a weak one back. “So tomorrow’s the big night?”

  “Yep.” I almost couldn’t believe that opening night was so close.

  “Nervous?”

  “Majorly. There’s just so much that could go wrong!” Like the chandelier, which I still hadn’t tested. We’d had our dress rehearsal yesterday and there’d only been a few minor slips, nothing to worry about. I hoped.

  “Not from what Jack says.” She reassured me.

  “Oh so he’s talking to you?” I blurted out. Jill just laughed.

  “He’s being silent then?”

  “How do you know!” As far as I was aware Jack hadn’t seen his sister since last weekend.

  “He used to do this all the time as a teenager. If he had a big show coming up, he wouldn’t speak the entire day before. Used to drive Mum wild.” Her eyes sparkled with happiness and I assumed she was thinking about good memories. I giggled slightly, that did seem like a very Jack thing to do.

  “Any other strange habits I should know about?” I prodded her and she laughed again.

  “Hmmm, I take it you know how he doesn’t like people to see his art until it’s finished?” I nodded, that was something we both shared as artists. “Well there’s the fact that he hates to watch films that don’t have happy endings.”

  “The romantic in him?” I asked, genuinely curious about this one. Jill shrugged.

  “I’ve no idea. As far as I know he hasn’t actually had a girlfriend before you, and you’re certainly the only one that he’s introduced to us.” I stared at her in horror.

  “He was a player?”

  “Good grief no!” She sounded shocked that I’d even suggested it. “There’s been girls, obviously, but he always told me he hadn’t found the right one so there was no point faking it with someone.” I was at a complete loss for words. Jack had made it clear to me what he felt, and that he thought we’d be together a long time, but that wasn’t quite being told that he thinks I’m the one.

  “Are you dating anyone?” I asked finally, wanting time to process what she’d told me before we talked about Jack again. Jill looked a little uncomfortable and glanced around as if to check if anyone was listening. She leant forward beckoning me to do the same.

  “I’m seeing one of my clients,” she whispered. My eyebrows shot up in surprise.

  “For how long?” I whispered back.

  “A couple of months.” Her voice returned to a normal level and she leaned back in her chair again. I followed suit.

  “But you haven’t told anyone.” Jill shook her head.

  “If anyone found out I could be out of a job.” I drew my hand over my mouth in the universal zipping gesture.

  “Your secret is safe with me.”

  “Even from Jack?” She chewed on her lower lip nervously.

  “Especially from Jack!” She laughed and I joined in.

  “I was right about you Belle.” I cocked my head not sure what she meant. “We’re going to be good friends for a long time.”

  “I hope so.” I hadn’t realised how good it would feel to start a friendship with another girl that wasn’t Hayley. Not that I wanted to replace Hayley in any way, but she was almost like a fixture in my life now; no matter what happened she’d be there and there wasn’t anything either of us could do to change that.

  “And one day, I hope we’ll be sisters.” She looked at me knowingly.

  “I hope so too.” I whispered softly, my heart swelling with the idea of becoming a sister to Jill and what that meant for me and Jack.

  Chapter 49

  “Belle would you please come back to bed.” Jack said softly as he lounged on my bed. I turned quickly to face him.

  “I thought you weren’t talking today.”

  “Who told you that?” He looked confused.

  “Jill did, but it was fairly obvious anyway.” Why was it that men thought women were unobservant?

  “Well some things are more important than saving my voice. Like why you’re trying to wear through your floor.”

  “I’m just worried about tomorrow.”

  “Belle, tomorrow will go fine. You’re staging is solid, and you worked the poor stagehands to exhaustion practicing how things would go. You have nothing to worry about.”

  “What about the chandelier?” He sighed and propped himself up on his side, the covers falling off his bare chest, distracting me for a moment.

  “Will work or not work. But even if the chandelier doesn’t work we’re going to have an amazing show.”

  “But it’s such a major part of the story.” I resumed pacing.

  “You have enough effects in the show to be forgiven a faulty chandelier. A chandelier that will probably work flawlessly anyway, I might add.”

  “I know. I just have a tendency to worry.” Jack laughed at that.

  “I’d noticed. Now please come back to bed.” He lifted the covers and encouraged me to climb in next to him. Defeated, I did just that and he pulled me into his arms, resting my cheek on his chest he kissed the top of my head softly.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry for who you are Annabelle.” His voice was soft and soothing.

  “But it would be better if I didn’t worry so much.” I answered feeling a little bit dejected.

  “Nope. I love you just as you are. Now sleep. Tomorrow’s a big day.”

  “Love you too.” I mumbled against his chest as the urge to sleep stole over me.

  Chapter 50

  Everyone was running around as if the world was about to end, not that it was actually any different from any other opening night, even if the
stakes were higher this time. David was back to running the show with his camera crew and I felt better that someone I trusted was in charge of them; he’d make sure anything we didn’t want seen would stay under wraps.

  “Belle help me move these.” Hayley gestured to the wheeled costume racks behind her which were bursting with colour and fabrics. Each of the main characters had their own rail, while the more minor parts shared one between two. It was the chorus I felt a little sorry for. Their rails were organised by scene rather than by person, so they had to search for their costume amongst the others. I grabbed the rack belonging to Merry and followed Hayley down the hall to the green room. We were lucky that it was a large room or we’d never have fit all the costumes and props that were needed in it. Makeshift changing areas had been set up at opposite ends of the room; one for the guys and one of the girls; though knowing some of the cast members I’m sure they’d just strip down in the middle of the room without a care for who was watching. One of the stagehands, Stacey, was the green room supervisor for tonight, while Hayley would be stationed outside the door with a minion to ensure that everyone was wearing her costumes right. Luckily most of the cast had worked with her before so knew to not leave the room until they were spot on perfect anyway.

  “All I’m saying is that I should have my own dressing space.” Merry sounded as if she was about to go into all out-diva mode, maybe she should have been cast as Carlotta instead of Christine.

  “You know as well as I do that we don’t have the space for individual dressing space.” Henry sounded exasperated and I wondered how he’d ended up having to deal with Merry.

  “I’m the star of this show. I should be getting special treatment.” I rolled my eyes at Hayley, who was struggling not to laugh.

  “Where would you like your costumes Merry?” I asked sweetly as I brought the rack of costumes through the door. Behind me Hayley snorted, and even Henry gave a weak smile.