Page 96 of Christmas at the Movies
Costume sorted, Holly was dispatched to the hair and make-up team.
A young woman with a shaved head beckoned her over. She wore all black and had a belt around her waist, containing brushes and styling tools, like a make-up ninja. She reminded Holly of one of her brother’s manga characters.
‘Hey, I’m Zoe,’ she said as Holly sat down in the chair in front of her. She tied a cape around Holly to protect her costume. Using a tiny spatula, Zoe expertly blended a few different shades of foundation on a mixing palette and began painting them on Holly’s face. ‘You’ve got lovely skin.’
‘Thanks. I bet Mia Winslow does too,’ said Holly. The up-and-coming film star had just been named the face of a big cosmetics brand.
Zoe brushed setting powder over the foundation. ‘I wouldn’t know. The stars get their hair and make-up done in their trailers. They don’t mix with nobodies like us.’
‘Oh.’ Holly sighed, disappointed that she wouldn’t be meeting the stars.
‘Anyway, I’m glad I don’t have to do Mia’s make-up,’ whispered Zoe as she applied Holly’s mascara. ‘It’s been a complete nightmare on this shoot – she keeps crying and having to have her make-up redone.’
Holly had practised crying on cue in case she ever needed to do any sad scenes. Her drama teacher had told her to think about something really sad, so Holly thought about losing her grandpa. She’d only been little when he died, but she could still remember him. He used to sing her lullabies and take her to feed the ducks. She still had a little wooden duck he’d carved for her.
Zoe put Holly’s hair up in a bun, leaving some tendrils softly framing her face.
‘All background artists are needed at Location 1 now,’ said a production assistant, speaking through a megaphone.
‘You’d better go,’ said Zoe, taking off Holly’s make-up cape.
Coaches were lined up at the kerb outside the cinema, waiting to take crew and background artists to the location. Holly’s heart leapt as she boarded the bus – there was Aaron, with a cardboard tray of hot drinks balancing on his lap. Best of all, there was a free seat next to him.
‘Is it OK if I sit here?’ she asked him.
‘Course,’ said Aaron.
Mum went to the back to sit with Ian and Hermione.
Holly slid in next to Aaron. She was conscious that their thighs were practically touching.
‘I almost didn’t recognise you,’ he said. ‘Your hair, um, looks nice up like that.’
‘Thanks.’ Holly touched her bun self-consciously.
They sat in awkward silence for a few minutes, as the coach set off.
‘So, what does a runner do, exactly?’ Holly asked. Aaron had been working on the film for a few days already.
‘Well, stuff like this.’ Aaron gestured to the hot drinks. ‘Fetching things for the crew. I’ve mostly been helping out Kirsty, the second assistant director.’
‘Secondassistant director? How many assistant directors are there?’
‘Three. The first assistant director organises the shoot schedule and liaises with the producers, and the second assistant director supervises the actual filming.’ Aaron grinned. ‘I haven’t figured out what the third one does yet.’
‘So what does Noa do?’ asked Holly.
‘The whole thing is his vision. He, ah, definitely knows what he wants …’
Before Holly could ask Aaron to elaborate, the coach went round a sharp bend. ‘Whoa!’ She started to slide off the seat.
As Aaron put his arm around Holly to steady her, one of the drinks on his lap pitched forward, spilling onto the floor. Luckily, it missed Holly’s costume.
‘Oh, crap!’ Aaron said as green liquid pooled by their feet. ‘That matcha was for Noa.’
‘It was an accident,’ said Holly. ‘I’m sure he’ll understand.’
She leant her head against Aaron’s arm, which he hadn’t removed. Holly closed her eyes and inhaled the smell of him – the fresh, clean scent of washing powder and Lynx deodorant, undercut by the slightest hint of sweat. He smelled of … boy.
