The call with Cameron started off like every parody of a bad Zoom meeting. At first, I thought everything was going my way. Ian cut our catch-up short, giving me crucial extra time to refresh my lippy and drink some water to try to counteract the dryness in my mouth. The three coffees I’d consumed earlier in the day had done their job of making me feel practically invincible, and if my hands were trembling slightly from the caffeine overdose, I figured I’d be able to move the camera so that they’d be out of shot.
I settled down at my desk, and smiled reassuringly at my reflection in the computer monitor. Strained features glared back at me. I tried again, but I looked more like I was baring my teeth rather than expressing happiness.
‘For goodness’ sake Amy, calm the heck down. You’re being ridiculous,’ I said out loud, which also worked well as a way of warming up my voice ahead of the call. ‘Here goes nothing.’
I moved my mouse to click on the link which Cameron had sent me. But then a message flashed up on the screen. Five minutes to go and my computer had decided to install critical updates. I tried to select the defer option, but an angry chord played out of the speakers, along with an error message informing me that I’d done that too many times and it was no longer an option. Typical. I sat back and willed the update to be a quick one. The computer started whirring and grumbling in a manner which suggested it was about to self-destruct rather than install new software. Thirty seconds to go until the appointed hour, but the multi-coloured circle of doom was still spinning on the screen, even though I pressed every button I thought might help me.
There was nothing for it. I’d have to abandon the computer and use my phone instead. I lost another vital couple of minutes waiting for the app to reinstall on my mobile. Eventually, I managed to click on the link and was greeted by a message saying I needed to wait for the host to let me into the meeting. Hopefully Cameron hadn’t given up on me. While I waited for him to appear, I tried to work out the most flattering angle to hold my phone. My preference was to keep it slightly above my face, reducing the likelihood of an accidental up-nose shot. But I soon realised that my arm strength was not what it used to be, and combined with the coffee shakes, it was probably best to try another position if I didn’t want to make Cameron feel seasick all over again.
Instead, I propped the phone up on a pile of old programmes and hoped for the best. It looked a bit precarious, but it was the best I could do. It was only later that I remembered that I should have used the ring light and tripod set up which we had backstage for the artistes to use for their social media.
By this point, I was so nervous I’d forgotten how to sit naturally and kept shuffling around on my chair. I stared at the holding message on the screen, my tongue sticking to the roof of my mouth as my apprehension grew. I couldn’t believe that I was actually about to meet Cameron, even if it was across a video call. How would it feel to put a face to the name, something I’d failed to manage despite extensive internet research? He’d spoken the truth when he said that he had a low profile online.
And then suddenly the holding message disappeared, and an image started to load, so slowly that I wondered if the distortion of the pixels on the screen were as a result of me staring at it for too long. I got the briefest glimpse of a pair of kind brown eyes before Ian suddenly barged into the office, without even knocking.
‘Amy, one more thing about the marketing plan,’ he said.
I let out an involuntary yelp of surprise and knocked my phone to the floor. Scrabbling around, I jabbed frantically at the screen in my desperation to switch on mute and somehow managed to end the call, then plonked myself back down at my desk, heart pounding as I affected a nonchalant air.
‘Everything alright, Amy?’ Ian frowned at my chaotic behaviour.
‘Never better,’ I said, my jaw clenched. I had a horrible feeling that I might have briefly treated Cameron to the worst possible gurning expression as I clicked out of the call. And what if he’d heard the boss talking about the marketing plan? Wouldn’t he have thought that a bit odd?
‘In which case would you mind popping down to the box office with me?’ said Ian.
‘Sure, be with you in five,’ I said. I really needed to hop back on the call quickly and try to explain away the reason for my speedy departure.
‘Now, if you please.’ The boss had got his no-nonsense voice on.
‘No problem,’ I replied, although I was pretty certain that the expression on my face contradicted my words. What must Cameron be thinking?
I thanked my lucky stars that the staircase was too narrow for us to walk down to the box office side by side. I used the opportunity to tap out a quick message to Cameron, hoping he’d think to check his emails.
From: a.cameron@myemail.com
To: cameron.a@myemail.com
Date: 3 Feb, 15:04
Subject:
Arghhh sorrrry, got called to urgent rEHEARSAL FOR BIG AUDITION CAN WE TRY AGAIN LATER?
AMY X
Now I looked like I was shouting at him, but I didn’t have time to delete the inadvertent caps lock, so I hit send and hoped for the best.
‘Amy, are you actually listening to me?’
Ian had stopped so suddenly that I slammed straight into his back.
‘Ooof, sorry,’ I said. ‘What was that?’
I was so wrapped up in my concern about the Cameron situation that it hadn’t even occurred to me to worry about what my boss wanted.
‘I was asking you for an explanation,’ Ian said, his voice stern.
My gaze automatically drifted across to the door to the Cellar Bar and then over to Colin who was lounging against the box office counter. He winked at me, although whether it was his standard Colin lasciviousness or smugness that he’d got me into trouble, I couldn’t tell. I decided silence was my best defence.
Ian sighed and jabbed his finger at the brochures on display.
‘These are from last season. What are they still doing out here? Marketing shows which aren’t even on is hardly an effective strategy.’
I experienced a rush of relief, quickly followed by a surge of indignation. Why was everything wrong in this place automatically assumed to be my fault? But I decided it was better to suck it up rather than dob in a colleague, so I endured my telling off, and as soon as I was able, I escaped back to my office and checked my emails.
From: cameron.a@myemail.com
To: a.cameron@myemail.com
Date: 3 Feb, 15:05
Subject: Re:
Hey Amy,
No bother, let me know when you’re free.
C x
He had signed off with a kiss. Had he meant to do that? It was the first time he’d used his initial at the end of an email, rather than putting Cameron, so maybe that was the reason. It was bound to be something as prosaic as that. It was hardly likely that he’d seen three seconds of nostril footage and then fallen head over heels in love with me. Not that signing off with a single kiss was in any way an indication of ardour. And we were just friends, nothing more. Once again I was getting carried away and overanalysing. On balance, it was more likely that he hadn’t even realised he’d done it. At least my message had got through to him, and he’d not been put off by however much of the office scene he’d witnessed.
I wanted to rearrange our chat, but it didn’t seem like a good idea to schedule it for work hours. Calculating when an evening performance would normally finish, and therefore when a supposed performer would be available for a call, I started typing.
From: a.cameron@myemail.com
To: cameron.a@myemail.com
Date: 3 Feb, 15:11
Subject: Re: Re:
Hi Cameron,
I’m so sorry about that, and I really hope that whatever horrible faces I pulled at the screen when I got summoned away didn’t make you change your mind about our chat! As I mentioned in my SHOUTY CAPS LOCK email, I had to dash off for a last-minute audition rehearsal as the accompanist had had a cancellation and said he could fit me in for an extra run through. He’s much in demand and rather terrifying when he chooses to be, so it wasn’t an invitation I could say no to, much as I would have loved to have been chatting with you instead. Anyway, I should be back home by midnight (otherwise I’ll turn into a pumpkin, hehe) which according to my calculations is 9pm your time, so if you’ve not got any plans this evening, would then work for you? I’ve put a new Zoom link below, just in case, and I’ll keep my fingers crossed!
All the best,
Amy x
My lies were getting bigger with each email, but I was committed now.
From: cameron.a@myemail.com
To: a.cameron@myemail.com
Date: 3 Feb, 15:13
Subject: Re: Re: Re:
Midnight your time sounds perfect. Looking forward to hearing all about your big audition. See you later!
At least this way all my hard work sprucing up my house hadn’t gone to waste.