‘So have I,’ I said, and wiped my face a little … unbelievably it was still wet from my tears. I grinned, ‘So, you spied on my performance?’
He laughed. ‘That I did, very raw and real. Grab your things and I’ll see you here in ten?’
‘Sure,’ I said and departed as he headed off stage to catch up with Tamara.
I tried to look cool and calm, but I was thinkingHoly fuck! I’ve just got a part in Edgar Linton’s new film. I didn’t know it was HIS film and I don’t know how big a part, but who cares! I’ve been auditioning in London for four weeks and I’ve just got a part, in his film.
Edgar Linton.
And now he wants a drink. I’m going for a drink with Edgar Linton.
The universe was telling me I did the right thing going out on my own, standing on my own two feet.
My first thought went to Heath. I couldn’t wait to tell him that I got the part –I’d wait for the paperwork first just in case.
I quickly put some powder on my face, especially around my dark eyes. My face was slightly flushed with excitement; a much better look than the face I had been carrying for the last fortnight. I applied a small bit of lipstick, ruffled my hair and gave up on that, and put the tiniest bit of perfume on so it wasn’t obvious that I had raced backstage and groomed, which I had because after all, I was playing a crack whore.
Oh my God, people will see me with Edgar Linton. This was beyond cool. I wonder how long it would take to get the contract for the role. It should be easier to get an agent now that I’ve got a part, kind of reverse strategy but whatever.
I did one final check-over and declared myself ready. Edgar saw me appear on the edge of the stage and finished up with Tamara. He gave me his hand as I came down the stage stairs – such a gentleman - and we headed to the exit.
‘Got a favourite place?’ he asked.
‘I’ve only really been to the places near the theatres where we would all gather after a performance. So no, no idea. You?’ I asked.
‘Several,’ he said, and took charge. I love a man who takes charge.
I expected him to find a hidden away place where no one would bother him or see us but no, he went to a very cool bar where he knew the owner and we were shown to a great table with views of the street and nearby Thames River.
‘Should we have champagne to celebrate your new film part?’ he teased.
I had this stupid grin on my face.
‘That would be brilliant, but I haven’t got a contract yet. I’m a stickler for seeing it in print,’ I said.
‘Ah, and clearly you are trusting.’
I gave him a smirk.
‘Fair enough. You’ve had your fingers burnt then?’ he asked, and ordered a ridiculously priced bottle of champagne.
‘I’ve only been burnt once, but once is enough.’ I told him about a play part that I’d been offered Friday and found out on Monday it had been given to someone else. I had celebrated all weekend prior – it was a hell of a letdown.
‘I can fix that,’ he said and reached into his jacket for a pen. He flipped over a coaster on our table and scribbled. ‘This is to confirm that Catherine Earnshaw has the part of Portia in the pending film,Between Night and Day.’ He signed his name, wrote the date and handed me the coaster.
I held it to my heart. ‘Thank you. You know I’m going to frame this coaster?’
Edgar laughed and then he narrowed his eyes at me. ‘Same name as Heath. Are you married?’
‘No,’ I assured him, rather too fast. Why did I do that?
‘He was adopted so he took my family name,’ I explained.
‘Ah,’ Edgar said like that meant something. He webbed his fingers and leant forward, his elbows on the table as he studied me.
‘That was very, very convincing this afternoon,’ he said. ‘I have to confess I didn’t notice your performance that night on stage when I met Heath.’
‘In Heath’s shadow? Well, we were all in Heath’s shadow,’ I said, with pride. ‘Plus, it was a tiny part.’ I didn’t tell Edgar that the strength of today’s performance was again due in part to Heath because I had been channelling my pain for him.