This is chapter eleven. I planned this to be the final chapter, but... I kept writing and writing. There were so many words I decided to cut it in two. So, next chapter will be the last,... and there will be a short epilogue.
I hope everyone likes this one, and thanks for the ongoing support and lovely reviews! They make me want to write more and more and inspire me a lot!
The entire cast stood together in a circle and listened to Robert. He complimented everyone; it was going very well. Anna had found a place next to Ethel and Elsie. She felt safe with them now. Anna could see John looking puzzled at her, but she tried to ignore him. She whispered in Ethel's ear to tell her John had arrived. Ethel shot him a look.
Robert then spoke to the gathered crowd: "John's back, so we will rehearse with him from now on. We will start over from the beginning. Sorry for the extra work…"
Anna was becoming furious inside her mind and said: "I'm sorry too Robert and I don't want to make trouble, but I think it's not fair to Mr. Molesley. He has been here all week, he gave everything he had…. and he did well. I would like to continue with him for today. John can practice with Lavinia if she can spare the time."
Lavinia nodded to Robert. Anna knew she was dying to rehearse with John. Normally she didn't like that fact, but now she was happy with it.
"And maybe they can use the weekend to get up to the level that's needed…and to get to know each other. I won't have the time to be here. I have other plans on my last weekend off," she added in a sweet way, with an annoyed vibe in it.
After some discussion, it was decided they would do what Anna had suggested. She was glad some of the important cast members had backed her up. It was unheard of that John could just walk in after his absence and that they all had to suit his needs. Robert was visibly annoyed by this opinion, but if he wanted it his way, he should have demanded them playing together; he was the director. But he did not, so he eventually relented.
Everyone went back to the spot they were in before the break. Anna went back to the stage as soon as she could, but not before she noticed Charles Carson stopping John in his tracks. John wanted to approach Anna, but Carson stepped in front of him so he couldn't continue. He draped an arm around John and led him towards another direction- the one where Lavinia was waiting. John tried to look at Anna over his shoulder, but she was already gone.
Anna was glad about how she had handled it. She wanted to keep her dignity, and she believed she had. She didn't like to be so bitchy and cold to John, but it was the only way for now. Anna knew she was still too emotionally involved to act friendly. She didn't have the patience to listen to him yet. She wanted him to think about his actions and their consequences.
Anna was a bit shaken by her meeting with John and had to get back into the play. It took a few scenes before she was back to her old self.
Later that evening, Anna sat on her sofa, thinking about her day. She hadn't spoken to John any more. In their breaks, other people had made sure he couldn't get close to her. They were keeping him busy or making him take different break-times. He must have sensed Anna didn't want to speak to him, because at the end of the day, he didn't try to stop her when she left. Although it was true that she didn't want to speak to him, it still disappointed her that he didn't try harder. She now also regretted not going with some of the cast to grab a drink. "Sorry, I'm busy; have plans for my last weekend off for a long time," she recalled herself saying. 'Yeah right… an appointment with my sofa?' Anna thought to herself.
During the last hour, her phone had rung at least five times: Mary, Ethel, Matthew, Elsie and Robert. She hadn't picked up and Bates still hadn't called. He was the one who mattered, if she was honest.
She received a message, but it was only a notification of the voicemail Robert had left her. She listened to it, because he was her boss.
"Hi Anna. I noticed you were a bit… agitated, today. I loved your acting, nothing wrong with that… but I got a feeling something was wrong behind the stage. I think John noticed as well, because he asked me about it. You were a bit fierce about his absence… Well… please tell me if there is anything I can do! I hate a bad atmosphere back-stage and I'd like to solve this before the premiere. Have a nice weekend… bye! Robert."
Anna sighed. She didn't want to talk about it. She wanted to forget everything. She decided to call Mary.
"Mary, where are you?" Anna asked, hearing more noise than Mary's voice. "Stay at that pub! I'll make myself ready, and then we can go to a club. I want to dance!" Anna tried to shout louder than the music to Mary. It wasn't really her thing, but Anna needed a drink and a dance with a man who did like her!
About an hour later, Anna sat at the pub with Mary and Sybil, drinking cider.
"You look hot today!" Sybil noticed. "Good choice of clothes Anna," she winked at her.
Anna had chosen her highest black heels, skinny jeans, a tight top that complimented her small breasts, and a leather jacket. Her blond hair lay loose on her shoulders in soft curls. Black coloring on her eyes completed her look. She was sure no one would recognize her like this.
"I'm ready to dance. I need some distraction and fun," Anna stated. She had told Sybil what had happened, so she was up to date with the situation. The old English pub was crowded. It was becoming hard to talk. Some guys were watching them, Anna noticed. Mary had always liked the attention and was used to it. Anna felt slightly uncomfortable, although it was the reason why she had dressed-up. Sybil wasn't thinking about it at all. She was waiting for Tom.
It was about half an hour and a cider or two later, that Tom walked in. Behind him entered Robert, Lavinia... and John. A shock went through Anna's body. This was exactly what she had wanted to avoid. She again turned her back to him and she shared a look with Mary.
"Let us just say hi, and then leave, OK?" Mary suggested. "They have already seen us, so we can't get away now."
"Let me just go to the bathroom for a minute, you can talk to them. After that, we can leave, right?" Anna asked Mary, almost panicking.
"Sure," Mary answered, and walked up to the others.
Anna walked down the stairs to the ladies room, when she felt she was being followed. Her high heels slowed her down, but she entered and closed the room as fast as she could. What she had expected happened. Only half a minute later there was a knock on the door.
"Anna? Can I talk to you?" she heard John's voice through the door.
"No," she just answered coldly.
She could hear him sigh and it made her furious. Did she have to feel sorry for him now?
"If you're mad at me because I left last Saturday… I want to offer my sincerest apologies. I wanted to call you, but I had so many things on my mind," he started talking anyway.
"'Many things' you say? You don't mean just one?" Anna replied in a mocking tone.
"I'm not sure what you mean, Anna?" John said after a while.
Anna huffed. She stood with her back against the door now; one ear resting against the cold wood. There was a long silence. Anna wasn't sure what he was expecting. She wanted him to confess and to realize how he had hurt her. Did she really have to tell him what she had seen? All images ran through her mind again. That beautiful, long, dark haired woman….pushing her body against him; his arm around her shoulder. Her laugh. The fact she was his ex. The images made her dizzy.
"Anna?" John asked to be sure she was still there.
"Yes?" she softly answered.
He hesitated. "I've missed you. This week," he mumbled in a low voice. She almost couldn't hear it. "You're not like anyone I ever met before. I wish I could have been with you."
A shiver ran through Anna's stomach. She had to take a deep breath to stay on her feet.
"But you weren't," she managed to say.
"No… I had to sort some things out. The business in the North had to do with it, but I'm here for you now…. If you still want me?" he said in a sweet way.
"So girls are business to you?" she replied harshly with a question of her own.
It was clear he hadn't expected that. She had hit a sensitive issue now. This was the moment she had to push him for answers.
When there was no reply, she said: "I mean Vera."
"Yesss, I thought so," he mumbled, his tone a bit colder.
"If you're not going to tell me anything, let me please leave this room. It's not very comfortable," Anna said after another silence.
"Vera is history….for a long time now, but sometimes I have to take care of her. There's no one else to do it, you see… and I've hurt her," John tried to explain
It wasn't clear for Anna. To hear him say that name almost made her scream.
How generous he was, taking care of her! Anna shook her head. She didn't want to hear it.
"You've hurt me too and now, please… let m... – me… get out of here," Anna stumbled over her words, trying to breathe.
"You can leave that room any time Anna. It's up to you. But I'm not leaving on my account any more," he told her plainly.
Anna unlocked the door. "Can you go upstairs, please?" she asked shyly through the door. She didn't want to face him.
"No. I want to see you." He sounded a bit desperate.
"I don't want you to touch me. I want to go out with Mary. I'd like to have a nice evening," she said more confident than she felt. She longed for his touch, but couldn't allow herself to fall for him again. He had broken her to pieces.
"I don't want to stand in the way to your happiness," he replied.
Suddenly Anna opened the door and John couldn't have been any closer. Apparently, he had been leaning against the door as well. Anna looked up at him. His beautiful eyes were shining with unshed tears. He looked as shaken as she was. His hair was messy, but it looked good on him. She saw him take a deep breath, but before he could say anything, she rushed past him. Her arm brushed against his warm hand. She could smell his scent and it made her almost turn around, but she was strong, and walked on. She ran upstairs.
"That took a while. Are you alright?" Mary asked as soon as she came upstairs.
"Let's go!" was all Anna could say out of breath, as she rushed to the exit.
Mary followed her, with no more questions.
Monday was the premiere. Anna sat in her backstage room, preparing herself.
It was hectic in the hallways. Everyone was exchanging presents and best wishes.
Anna's desk was filled with cards, stuffed animals and little lucky charms.
Sybil had just been there to check up on her. Her dress fit perfectly. Anna's cheeks glowed, but she felt terrible inside. Before her lay a plastic red rose, with a card. She fiddled with it in her fingers.
It said:
Dearest Anna,
I would give you a room full of roses to wish you luck and to show you how proud I am to be on stage with you tonight. Unfortunately, it is unlucky for an actress to receive a bouquet of flowers before a performance. That's why I hope you forgive me for giving your present after our premiere. I know you will do wonderful!
Break a leg!
Yours,
John
The rose smelt like him. He must have had it in his jacket for a while, before he left it in her room. She hadn't seen him yet. She hadn't seen him after she left him in the pub. She took her cell phone out of the drawer again and looked at his last messages.
Saturday evening 23.01
- Anna, please take care of yourself. Let me know if you want to talk. Have a nice evening. John. Ps: you looked stunning.
Sunday morning 01.16
- I can't get you out of my head. I don't want to push you, but can't we meet tomorrow? John
Sunday morning 02.25
- Say something, please.
It made Anna's heart beat faster, even though at the same time, she still hated him. Somehow, she was glad he was back in her life, but she hadn't responded to him.
She looked at herself in the mirror. Her feelings didn't show on her face. Before her sat a numb faery, with a story that wasn't such a fairy tale. She swallowed when she heard Robert shout in the hallway: "Everyone in the main room in ten minutes!"
Anna was ready and walked out to the others. She chatted a bit with Mary and Elsie, who were – just like her -, slightly nervous. She didn't hear anything Robert said, until the last wishes of good luck.
Anna walked towards the stage door. The official advertisement was hanging:
The Faery's kiss
Premiere on October 29th
Staring John Bates, Anna Smith, and others
A Modern Romantic Comedy Stageplay in the Old Folktale Tradition and based on Celtic Lore. When Thomas (Bates) searches for his family roots he discovers that he's inherited a small seacoast cottage that is rumored by the townsfolk to be haunted. Upon taking possession of the house, he finds that it is not inhabited by ghosts but discovers the place is inhabited nightly by Fay (Smith) - a normal looking woman who claims to be a Faery! Not the pixie sprite of storybooks - she is a powerful, mischievous and sexy woman who initially does not want him there. While Thomas is trying to fit in with the townspeople of a new country, Fay continually interferes with his efforts by often remaining invisible to everyone else and keeps his head in a spin with delightful mischief played upon his visitors... including a seductress and her unscrupulous lawyer.
The tale has all the traditional elements of Celtic folktales: love, magic, elements of the bittersweet, mystery, humour and good triumphing over bad - all the things that have made Irish storytelling so famous for a millennium! With many plot twists the story has a surprising and unforgettable ending.
Fairytales can happen even to grownups!
She was in this play, but she felt so invisible and empty. Robert must have seen her face because he told her: "Think about things in your life that can help you get in the emotion of the character. Be happy, fall in love, and break your heart. Find yourself in Fay." He tried to motivate her. How close he was to what was happening in her life. It would be hard to play happy and in love, but she was certain to get it right. She had to!
The lights in the theater went off. The audience went silent.
The first sounds started playing; rushing of the wind, leaves blown around.
This helped to get Anna relaxed. She knew what she had to do; she was becoming Fay.