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“No…?” Lucy squinted at her friend.
“I was going to, but the signing got busy—”
Reaching the top step, Mark beamed. “Thirteen’s transferring to Broadway next year.”
“Wh-What?!” Freddie popped the flash on his camera.
“You’re headed back to New York?” Lucy stopped dead, yanking Harry back by the hand. Her gasp turned into an exuberant grin.
“Yeah!” Alex laughed. “Laurel messaged me earlier…she’s been working on a transfer since the run ended in June. It might happen around Halloween next year—if she gets the cast she wants.”
“Ooh, the casting game starts now!” Freddie furrowed his brow, concentrating.
“Congrats, Lex.” Harry hugged her. “Well deserved.”
“So, whatcha reckon? Julie Walters for Joan? Or Dame Judi?” Freddie stashed his camera in his bag. “Ben Whishaw for the male lead…?”
Alex shook her head. “Honestly, I have no clue. Before they even think of casting, I have to figure out my schedule, see if there’s a break during Shockwave rehearsals to fly over…”
Mark nodded proudly.
“Laurel wants me to meet some producing partners—”
“Well, honey, you better not be too busy schmoozing with theatre royalty to hang with me!” Freddie sighed.
Alex smiled. “Will next Monday or Tuesday night do?”
“Monday? Quiz night at the Cat and Mutton, then?” Freddie’s face lit up.
“It’s a date.” Alex and her friends walked towards the store’s entrance.
Freddie hung back. “Well, Simon’s buying up the shop, so I better help him with his haul, get in his good books so I unbox it for my YouTube peeps—ha!”
“Okay, have fun, Freds. Tell Si goodnight.” Mark followed a waving Alex, Harry, and Lucy outside. A small cluster of fans clutching the Time Out magazine waited for him, including Daisy. Alex left him to it, joining her friends by the curb.
“Hey!” Mark smiled. “Sorry, I can’t sign tonight, but how ’bout a quick selfie?” He posed politely, the bag of books in his hands.
The fans were understanding and let Mark return to his friends…all except Daisy, who wanted more than selfie #336. The girl couldn’t spot a hint if it was piano-sized and fell on her.
“Mark, can you FaceTime with my cousin?”
“Ah, sorry, Daze. I can’t. I’ve gotta go, but have a good night, okay?”
Daisy lingered, watching Mark return to Alex’s side. She finally gave up and lumbered away.
“So…” Harry waited until Daisy was out of earshot. “I guess we won’t see you until next weekend?”
“Yep. Up to Aberdeen on Monday, back down on Thursday as Shockwave rehearsals start Friday…” Mark winked at his girlfriend as he stashed her books in the under-seat storage on his scooter. “Lex and I have a shopping date for three Christmas trees that night.”
“Three?” asked Lucy. “Freddie’s more of a bridezilla than Naomi ever was!”
Alex shrugged. “He just wants his Christmas theme done right. He’s entitled—”
“Yeah, entitled is the word.” Mark chuckled. “Just wait until my best man speech…”
Alex handed him a helmet. “I still have to write mine. I’m excited to be Si’s best woman, and I’m really looking forward to the reception—our place is going to be so Christmassy.” She looked at Harry. “Listen to me, our place. I still can’t believe you sold it to us.”
“Ahh, you’ve always loved that flat more than me…” Harry waved at his Uber SUV pulling up to the curb. “…even when Tom stole your bedroom and left you with that titchy box room!”
Alex giggled. “That closet’s home to suitcases and Mark’s footy gear, now.”
Mark grimaced at Alex. “Wow, yeah. I keep forgetting you used to sleep in there.”
“Well, don’t forget this, sieve brain…” Lucy gently flicked Mark on the forehead as Harry opened the SUV’s door for her. “A week Saturday, seven P.M., Southwark Playhouse.”
“Tom’s first preview?” Mark nodded. “Wouldn’t miss it.”
Lucy leaned out the vehicle’s window. “Lex, call me tomorrow—lunchtime? I’ll need to vent after my presentation.”
“I will—good luck!” Alex watched her friends drive down Shaftsbury Avenue.
“So…” Mark tossed his helmet back and forth in his hands. “It’s only quarter past seven, how ’bout we check out the Christmas lights? We might not get another chance with rehearsals, and the wedding, Mum and Gracie’s visit. I can have us home by half nine…still plenty of time for writing and line-learning?”
“A Vespa adventure? Hell yeah! It’s been a while…” Alex smiled, hugging her helmet.
