After the scene was blocked and Jasper called a break, Nick came to her side as she made a cup of herbal tea for herself.
‘How did the pantry restock go at Gran’s?’ he asked.
‘Fine. She claimed she wasn’t interested but seemed to have a lot to say about the placement of items,’ Lily said with a laugh. ‘You know what she’s like.’
He nodded. ‘I do and I bet she had a lot to say. I’m back on Monday to see if we can take the dressing off her nose now, so I can have a look and pass judgement on your work with her.’
Lily chuckled and then blew on her tea to cool it down.
‘I have been meaning to say that I’ve noticed a tremor in her hands. I mean more than usual.’
Nick frowned. ‘Okay, I’ll take a look but she’s getting on in age, you know; tremors are a part of it all.’
‘Lily, what a pretty dress. I had wallpaper like that as child.’
Lily looked at Jess from over the top of her mug that she was about to sip from.
‘Did that comment make you feel better?’ she asked.
‘Pardon?’ Jess blinked her eyes innocently.
‘I thought you spoke to her about this,’ she said to Nick.
‘Spoke to me about what? You’re so sensitive, Lily. It was a compliment on the dress; you have chosen to take it another way.’
‘I’m not sensitive, and I’m not stupid. I really don’t know why you’re like this, Jessica. It’s just so uncomfortable for everyone.’
Jessica rolled her eyes and walked away as Jasper clapped his hand loudly.
‘Scene Two, the pub – and we will sing through “With a Little Bit of Luck”,’ he called.
Lily went up on stage with Mr Doolittle and the rest of the chorus. As they started to block, she saw Jess staring at her, a small smile on her lips as though she were waiting for Lily to trip. It only steeled Lily further and she did everything Jasper asked and reminded Mr Doolittle of his blocking also.
‘Lily, you are a lifesaver and such a professional,’ said Sean, the accountant playing her father.
Lily smiled. ‘My pleasure. We don’t want anyone to be left behind,’ she said and she meant it, and she saw Jessica shoot a death stare at her.
Nick came up on stage after the song and shook his head at Lily.
‘You’re marvellous up there. You have real stage presence,’ he said and she smiled at him.
‘Thank you and so do you. All the girls will be in love with you as Freddy.’ She smiled and he gave her a shy smile in return.
‘Oh I don’t think about that sort of thing,’ he said and he scuffed his shoe on the floor.
Looking behind him she saw Jess observing them from across the room.
‘I think Jess still has feeling towards you,’ she remarked softly. ‘You really do need to sort it out.’
‘I don’t care what Jess thinks, to be honest,’ he said and he smiled at her again. ‘She doesn’t want me, she just doesn’t want anyone else to want me.’
Lily felt herself blush. Was he saying he thought she wanted him or was he sending her a message about himself?
He paused. ‘I know we see each other here and at the cottage, but I would like to see you outside of your gran’s and rehearsals. Do you think you’d like to have dinner with me?’
Lily paused. Dinner. With Brad Pitt, the nurse?
But if it went weird then they had to do the show together and it was already awkward enough with Jessica.
