Chapter Twenty-One
There wasn't time in the brief break Carol allowed them between the rehearsal of Act One and Act Two for Gil to speak to Catherine, therefore he had no idea how she had actually reacted to his little admission. From the look on her face after he said it, it was clear that she had not expected it – hardly surprising really seeing as it had taken him so long to get round to telling her.
Ironically it had been when Catherine started talking to him again that Gil had finally realised what had upset her so much in the first place, and what she had meant when she told him his helplessness was only making things worse.
At first he had been relieved that things were back to normal; but it had soon become apparent that they weren't normal at all. She was speaking to him again, but she didn't seem herself. She was distant during their conversations, and he rarely saw her smile, let alone managed to make her laugh. He couldn't help but feel that she was only speaking to him to make him feel better, and that worried him more than when she had been giving him the silent treatment.
He took to giving her the space she seemed to need - having noticed that she tried her best not to be alone with him; and instead of pursuing conversations with her, observed her. He'd kicked himself when he realised what was going on. And once he'd cottoned on to one thing, everything else had slipped into place. He'd kicked himself again.
He was aware that the middle of their rehearsal was not the best time to initiate this line of conversation, but there was never time at work lately, and when they weren't working they were either rehearsing or sleeping. He saw an opportunity and he seized it. Performing the second act, with the suspense of how she was going to respond hanging over them, was not easy though: Particularly as they performed the ending.
They survived though, and as the cast dispersed to thanks and reassurances from Carol, Gil managed to pull Catherine to one side.
"Can we talk?" he asked her, hopeful.
She nodded once. "I think we should… Can I change first? You might be okay being seen in public in your dashing black and red suit of evil, but I'd rather not go out like this."
He laughed with her, glancing down at his forgotten costume, and acquiesced. "Of course. I'll meet you back here?"
"Sure. Give me about ten minutes."
Gil nodded and watched her walk away before he turned to head to the men's dressing room.