(a/n - thanks to my new reviewers, I know that this ship is clearly not a popular one, but please bear with me, since this is probably my KUA OTP and I would appreciate your reviews. Thank you!)
Chapter 5
When I went to work the next morning, I was still on cloud nine. And I still got my morning coffee! The note read 'Morning Liz, Glad to see you're looking as fine as ever this morning. Perhaps catch you later, if there's time? Emmett x' I grinned when I read this, and looked up to see his dashing smile disappearing into the hall.
When the actors and other members of the crew arrived, I signed them all in, and got many compliments regarding how cheerful I was. I thanked then politely but didn't tell them the true nature of my joy. Imagine their reactions if they realised that their director was dating the secretary; there couldn't be a bigger cliché could there? We were well into rehearsals now, and it was all go for everyone. The actors were constantly either running lines or practicing dances or singing songs. The stagehands were always painting props and fixing costumes and clearing stages. The lighting crew were all blocking scenes and adjusting filters and making sequences. I, myself was rushed off my feet calling companies and booking tickets and registering people. But the busiest person of all was Emmett. He, as the director and musical organiser had so much to do! Changing scores, giving orders, calling cues, adjusting scripts, adding dances. And he did it all so effortlessly, he seemingly didn't mind all of the work. Whenever I had to pass on a message to a person ('is there are chorus member called Charlie? Your father has sent you your lunch which you forgot', 'who's playing Dorothy? Please come for a promotional photoshoot', 'Stacy from behind the scenes? Your sister can't come as she's in Leicester') I caught a glimpse of his fine figure dashing around the hall. He was worrying, I could tell, beneath his seemingly calm exterior. I would bring that up later, if we were able to catch a moment after all of the hectic rehearsals.
Eventually, after what at the same time felt like both five minutes and five years, the whole company were leaving, and I was signing everybody out. Once all were out of the building, I turned to the hall doors to see him exiting, looking a little weary but smiling as soon as he saw me. He came over to me and hugged me, kissing my cheek lightly. I internally shivered at the gesture. Never had I met such a wonderfully romantic man.
"Well, Liz, I hope you're coping well. It just gets busier and busier from here," he smiled his lopsided smile at me, the one which always makes me go weak at the knees. Luckily, his arms were still around me so I wasn't going to fall flat on my face before him. I turned to face him.
"I am getting on just fine, thank you, Emmett. How dare you suggest anything otherwise!" I whacked his arm playfully. He kissed my cheek once more. "
I didn't doubt you for one second, Liz, you're a wonderful woman," he replied. And I internally melted once more. Never before in my life had I ever been called a wonderful woman. And yet, coming from his lips, it just felt so right. I glanced at the clock behind him, and shrieked slightly.
"Oh, golly, we've ran over! It is almost 5:30! And I am meant to be at Hyacinth's candlelight supper for 6:30 to tell her all about my husband's latest exploits, since I've been at the head offices with a friend who's returned for a while all day today!" I gasped while fumbling for my keys in my handbag. His arms dropped from around my waist.
"Liz? Husband? Offices? What are you talking about? Liz?" His eyes looked so utterly lost and helpless that I almost melted against him again, but the threat of Hyacinth discovering my secret was too large. I found my keys, and dashed out of the door.
"Sorry, Emmett. It's very complicated. I shall tell you another time, I promise!" I gushed hurriedly, before running back, pecking him on the lips, then climbing in my car and leaving. I caught a glimpse of him stood on the steps of the hall through my rear view mirror as I drove away, looking a mixture of helpless, confused and crushed. I sighed to myself. This honestly was going to be more complicated than it seemed. Why had I got myself into this originally?
I reached home for 6:10, and managed to make it into the house without Hyacinth noticing me. I had twenty minutes to make myself presentable and to prepare myself for the questions she would undoubtedly ask regarding my husband and his company. I changed into my tan two piece, hoping that it would be enough to please her, and I began to concoct a story. It would have to be good, since Hyacinth was already annoyed that I hadn't been able to assess her table that day. I made a mental note to comment upon it as soon as I entered. I also knew that Sheridan would have called, quite probably, since before a candlelight supper, Hyacinth was at her most agreeable, which made getting money from her easier. I made mental notes of all of this, and yet, at the same time, I kept thinking of poor Emmett, standing by the hall, wearily staring after my car. I never had mentioned how well the show was coming along. I sighed, and looked at the clock. 6:27. Time to head to Hyacinth's, then.