Page 55 of Christmas at the Movies
OMG … OMG … OMG …
‘… He let me read his script,’ continued Mum. ‘I suggested some revisions and he loved my ideas. In fact’ – she paused for dramatic effect – ‘he’s asked me to do a rewrite on the movie he’s shooting here!’
Everyone looked at Mum in silence, trying to process her unexpected news.
Nick was the first to speak.
‘Congratulations, Mum,’ he said, giving her a hug.
‘Wow …’ said Dad. ‘That’s … amazing.’
‘I know, right? But you haven’t heard the best bit yet,’ said Mum, grinning.
Here we go,thought Holly.Thiswas where her mum was going to make this her best birthday ever.
‘I’m getting twenty grand,’ said Mum. ‘That’s enough to replace the sound system!’
Who cared about the stupid sound system!
‘What about me?’ demanded Holly. ‘Did you tell him about me?’
‘Yes, I mentioned I had a daughter.’
‘And …’
Mum looked confused. There was a bit of chocolate icing on her lip. ‘And … what?’
‘Did you ask him if I could be in the movie?’ asked Holly impatiently.Why was Mum acting so stupid?
‘Well … no,’ said Mum. ‘That didn’t seem appropriate.’
Holly glared at her mother. This wasunbelievable. Shehad spenthourson her own with an Oscar-winning director and hadn’t asked him if Holly could be an extra?What the actual hell?
‘You hypocrite,’ said Holly.
‘Holly,’ warned Dad. ‘Don’t speak to your mother that way.’
‘But it’s true! She stopped me from auditioning for the movie, but the second there was a chance for her to be involved, she grabbed it. It’s not fair!’
‘The two things are totally unrelated,’ said Mum.
Holly snorted. ‘Yeah, right.’
‘It was a joint decision,’ Dad reminded her.
But Holly wasn’t listening. ‘I can’t believe you’d do this to me.’
‘You’re being ridiculous, Holly,’ said Mum. ‘None of this was planned. And I certainly didn’t mean to upset you.’
‘I’m going to ask Auntie Pari what she thinks,’ threatened Holly. ‘I bet she’ll think you’re really selfish for not getting me a part.’
‘About that …’ said Mum, looking uncomfortable. ‘Holly, I’m sorry but we’ll have to postpone our trip to London. It’s a really tight deadline. I need to get started on the script right away. There’s more snow forecast for tonight, so I was going to suggest postponing anyway – in case the trains home get cancelled.’
Oh, wow. Another betrayal. Holly instantly revoked her decision to be nicer to her mother. ‘That’s fine. It’s not like it’s an important birthday or anything,’ she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. ‘Just my sixteenth.’
‘I’m really sorry, honey,’ said Mum, her eyes pleading with Holly for understanding. ‘But this is a big opportunity for me, and the pay is excellent. The money is a lifeline for the cinema. I’ll make it up to you – I promise.’
‘But it’s my birthday TODAY!’ shouted Holly. She knew she was acting like a baby, and she didn’t care. She wanted to pick up the rest of the cake and fling it against the wall. ‘I’ve been looking forward to this trip for ages!’
