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Justin sparked, aflame with another idea. “We will use the dramatic talents of the Treadwell, Hearst’s ability to cope with said talents, and my knowledge of musical theatre. All may attend my afternoon workshop, even the teachers. In fact, that would be wonderful; we would be so honoured.” He dropped his voice for just Will and me to hear. “Let’s see how Zolotov likes being paired with the heavy girl. Think Holly would be game?”
Chapter 21
Weallgatheredunderthe high roof of the great hall for the Musical Theatre Workshop. Aleks and Michelle did not take part, but sat at a table, ostensibly to write notes on the week’s classes. Mr. Timms sat there too, openly admitting it was to watch.
Holly was the only staff member to join in with us. “I’ve never seen you lot do yer stuff,” she said. “I’m thinking this’ll be fun.”
“We’ll have you up and dancing too, my lovely,” Justin told her. “Right. Treadwell. Hearst. Watch this video and learn it.” He handed me his phone.
“Glam rock?” I noted as the song started. “There isn’t a proper character to become in this.”
“We’ll do something dramatic and arty next time,” he promised. “But think of Holly. She’ll know this music. We can’t throw her straight into the hardcore stuff.”
I watched through the song with Will, but did not share his enthusiasm.
“Don’t get too excited, Hearst,” said Justin. “You’re not getting a snog this time.”
“It’s good, though,” said Will. “Malph and me have never sung together before.”
Disenchanted with the whole thing, I looked round our small group. One person was, notably, missing. “Have you thought about Simone?” I asked Justin. “We’re all here.” Even Sadie had stayed. “But she’s off somewhere on her own, excluded from the group, imagining us having great fun. That’s been me so many times in my life, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”
“I said everyone was welcome,” Justin huffed.
“I’m not saying sorry,” said Will. “Someone needed to tell her off.”
“Okay,” I said. “But at some point, we’re going to have to try and bring her back into the fold. There’s only seven of us. It’s not like there’s a hundred other people for her to mix with.”
Michelle stepped in again, speaking from the staff table. “Don’t worry about Simone. I’ll talk to her. Have your fun this afternoon.”
“Yes, let’s,” said Justin, exasperated. “Now, you two, I want a good clear demonstration of the song and the moves for everyone to get the idea. Okay? Places… and… action!”
It was another small break from being Amalphia, even though I only became a vague, sort-of-cheery character. I liked singing with Will, who remained very firmly Will. And the leg-kicking action of the song was quite fun and silly.
Holly clapped maniacally once we were finished, Mr. Timms, more sedately. I avoided looking at Aleks, and it wasn’t clear what Michelle thought.
Justin was, very obviously, annoyed. “Remember how you told us you’d never sung with Phi?” he said to Will. “Well, you still haven’t. You could have mentioned the fact that you can’t actually sing.”
“Hey,” I said. “He was good.”
“Still got a blind spot when it comes to him, don’t you, my sweet? Or some sort of selective deafness. Anyway, that’s your time in the limelight over. Go and sit over there. Go! Now, who fancies dressing up?”
A collection of sparkly scarves and other clothing had been found in the back of the theatre, and the others all dived into the box excitedly and were soon looking very much the part. Ruaridh’s pink top hat was particularly impressive.
Will and I sat a little further up the table from Aleks and Michelle while Holly, Sadie, Sun and Ruaridh got their glam on. And it just kept going. Justin had their every inflection studied and perfected. And they all took turns to sing the parts.
“Bit boring now,” Will whispered. “We could mess around to music in a studio upstairs. Not as good as clubbing, but it would be something.”
I nodded. “Wait till he’s engrossed with somebody, and we’ll sneak away.”
Justin faced Holly in flamboyant encouragement, and we sidled out of the room and ran up the stairs, giggling like naughty children. Music on shuffle, we danced around randomly for a while before becoming more focused. One song had Will drop to the floor and roll, then try it out again, and soon we were immersed in choreography and had succeeded in losing ourselves on a dance floor, after all.
“A-ha! The truants!” shouted Justin as he opened the door. “There was some confusion about exactly where you had gone. So this is what you’re up to. Let’s see, then.”
“It’s not finished,” I said, perturbed to see Aleks accompany Justin into the room. All at once the song lyrics seemed to be about him: games, losing someone, a tender kiss. It was somewhat mortifying. Justin, however, was not to be deterred, insisting we show them our work.
“Okay, but the big lift?” I said to Will. “Just lower me down after it.”
“All right,” he said. “We can practise the drop next door on those mats later.”
