Page 46 of The Notecard
He looks nervous. We’re leaving in an hour. Hugh isn’t on until about ten o’clock, but we’re going to get there for about eight to watch the other performers, and so Hugh can prepare himself. According to Keri, if he can get a regular spot at this comedy club, it could really help his career. I think Hugh has everything it takes. He’s funny, handsome, charismatic, and it probably helps he’s posh because he already has a hook. He’s like a slightly straighter version of Jack Whitehall.
‘Just popping to the loo,’ says Hugh.
I turn to Keri.
‘You alright? You seem more nervous than Hugh?’
‘I’m just so nervous for him, and nervous for me, and just nervous. I can’t help it. I get like this. When I was twelve, I was in the school nativity play. I was Mary. Gareth Sherbourne was Joseph. I was all up for it, did the rehearsals and everything, but when it came to the night, I literally couldn’t do it. They had to give me a brown bag to breathe into. I was sick with nerves, Meg. I threw up all over Miss Jeffers. In the end, Vicky Simmons got to go on instead. She killed it and got the part full-time. It was the end of my acting career.’
‘But you know it’s Hugh performing and not you?’
‘I do, but that’s the thing. I feel like it is me. It’s the weirdest thing.’
My phone buzzes. I have a FaceTime request from Laura. Oh God. I’ve been dreading this. She’s on her pre-wedding honeymoon with Simon. They’re in New York. I answer.
‘Megs!’ shouts Laura. ‘We’re in Central Park!’
‘It looks lovely.’
‘Look at this, Megs, just like in the movies,’ says Laura.
Laura turns her phone around and starts showing me Central Park. I have been to New York. I went there with James a few years ago. I have been to Central Park and Laura knows it.
‘Just like I remember it.’
‘It’s wonderful, Megs. We had breakfast at a proper New York deli this morning. Sesame seed bagels with cream cheese and they put so much cream cheese on, don’t they, Simon?’
Laura points her phone at Simon.
‘They do,’ says Simon. ‘Hi, Meg.’
‘Hi, Simon.’
Laura turns her phone back to her again.
‘With proper New York coffee, but they pronounce it cawfee. Cawfee. Say it, Simon.’
She turns her phone on Simon again.
‘Do I have to do it again?’ says Simon.
‘Just do it, Simon,’ demands Laura.
‘Cawfee,’ says Simon deadpan, and Laura laughs like it’s the most hilarious thing in the world. This obviously isn’t the first time that Simon’s had to do this.
‘We’re off to see the Empire State Building this afternoon. Then we’re going to a Broadway show tonight, Megs. We’re having the best time.’
‘Good, that’s great. I’m so happy for you.’
‘Did I tell you we flew first class?’
She did. Five times when she Facetimed yesterday.
‘You mentioned it.’
‘But after the surprise. Did I tell you how Simon surprised me with this?’
‘You did.’
