Olivia's Curtain Call Read Online Free

astonishing turn as the back end of a pantomime horse. I’m sure that’s really going to persuade the producers that I’m a shoo-in for Juliet.”
    Alicia tried not to let Olivia see her exasperation. “Jon wouldn’t even suggest it if he didn’t think you were a real talent and a genuine possibility, Livy. And I wouldn’t, either. I wouldn’t dream of exposing you in that way. It would be terribly cruel. But Jon thinks you could do it, and do it well, and so do I. And so does Sebastian.” Olivia raised her eyebrows at that. She had great respect for the Swan’s acting teacher.
    “But you’ve got to want to do it, Livy,” continued Alicia, “because there are thousands of girls out there who would die for a chance like this. And of course it is only a chance. Jon may decide after the auditions that you’re too much of a risk, or one of the star names may turn out to be brilliant. And even if Jon does decide that he really wants you, his choice may be vetoed by the producers. So you are no shoo-in, my dear.Just a girl with a chance. A big chance.”
    “So I might put myself through the auditions for nothing?” asked Olivia.
    Alicia nodded. “Happens all the time. It’s part of being an actor, putting yourself through the audition process day after day and week after week without any return. Endlessly hearing that dreaded phrase ‘We’ll be in touch’, and feeling the door slam in your face. It goes with the job.”
    “Yes,” nodded Olivia. “I guess it does, and if you want to be an actor you have to learn to live with it, even though it’s really tough.”
    Olivia stood up. Alicia tried not to show her frustration. The battle was obviously lost. The prospect of having to audition had frightened Olivia away. Alicia had clung to the hope that Olivia’s passionate love of Shakespeare might win her over. She was so certain that Olivia would make a glorious Juliet, so wanted her granddaughter to recognise the talent that was so obvious to everyone else. She couldn’t stop herself from bursting out, “Oh, Livy, I wish you wouldn’t just dismiss the idea. At least think about it. Please.”
    Olivia looked puzzled. “But, Gran, I already have. I’ll do it. I’ll give it a try. You’vepersuaded me that it’s worth a go.”
    Alicia sank back into her chair in surprise. “Oh, Livy, I’m so thrilled,” she said, her eyes suspiciously damp. “I’ll ring Jon and tell him immediately.”
    Olivia gave her a big hug. “Don’t get too excited, Gran. I’ll probably make a complete idiot of myself.” She grinned. “Anyway, I’m only doing this because if Shakespeare knew about Amber Lavelle, he’d be spinning in his grave.”

Chapter Four
    Georgia and Katie were waiting outside Alicia’s office when Olivia came out. They looked expectantly at her, as if she might shed some light on why they had been asked to see the headmistress. But Olivia just shrugged apologetically. Alicia had asked her to be discreet about the fact that she was up for Juliet, and that made her think that her gran had something else in mind for Georgia and Katie. By discreet, Olivia knew that meant she didn’t have to keep it top secret, but she wasn’t to go spreading the word around. She would tell her dad, Jack, when he phoned. And Eel, of course. Maybe Tom too, and swear him to secrecy. She knew she could always trust Tom.
    “I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you thatit’s a job opportunity and a good one,” she said.
    She walked down the corridor. A gaggle of people was gathered around the notice board. When Eel saw Olivia she ran excitedly towards her. “They’re looking for more Matildas for the West End show! Emmy and I want to go up for it.”
    Olivia grinned. She reckoned that her cheeky little sister was perfect for Matilda. She just hoped that those doing the casting would see it too. After Eel’s brief experience of playing Gretl in
The Sound of Music
, and her decision to stay at the Swan rather than take