SHOWTIME
As Gemma Arden entered the Helter Skelter Theatre, the familiar smell of the place enveloped her in a rush of happy memories.
The theatre had been in her family since she was a baby and to say it was in her blood was a massive understatement. It was her life.
‘Morning,’ Yvonne called out from the office. ‘Is it still icy? It was like a skating rink when I came in.’
‘Still is,’ Gemma said and she dropped a kiss on Yvonne’s head and squeezed her shoulder. Just like the theatre, Yvonne had always been a part of Gemma’s life and she’d come to think of her as a beloved aunt, even though she was no relation. ‘You’ve made an early start.’
‘I was checking the bookings,’ Yvonne said. ‘The panto is almost sold out.’
‘Great.’ Gemma hung up her coat and scarf. ‘I’ll go and get the bar ready before the coffee-and-cake brigade start banging on the door.’
Wally’s Bar was as much a part of the local scene as the theatre. Originally it only opened on performance nights, but since Gemma had started serving food during the day, it had become popular with the locals.
She was wiping down the bar when a middle-aged couple walked in and stopped for a moment to look around. Gemma smiled. Newcomers always paused to look at all the photos adorning the walls, checking to see which celebrities they recognised.
