When the Curtain Falls
Page 26
‘You’re a lucky boy. I hope you know that.’ The old man patted Oscar’s arm with a chuckle.
‘Believe me,’ Oscar looked down at his Playbill where Olive’s face smiled back at him, ‘I know.’
Acknowledgements
My acknowledgements always seem to span more pages than my chapters do so I’ll try my hardest to keep this brief…
Firstly, a book isn’t the creation of one sole person. Lots of minds go into making an idea a reality, so a huge thank you to Hannah Ferguson, for deciding my writing was worth showing to publishers; Manpreet Grewal and Hannah Boursnell, for deciding my writing was worth publishing; Stephanie Melrose, for travelling across the country with me and having a million different coloured sharpies to hand, and Amy Donegan, Sara Talbot, Thalia Proctor, Viola Hayden and Marie Hrynczak for taking care of all the things about book publishing that I just don’t understand! And Bekki Guyatt and Helen Crawford-White, for making all my books look so beautiful. I love you all and please never think that your work goes unseen or unappreciated. I honestly couldn’t ask for a more brilliant team.
Secondly, to all at Curtis Brown who watch with fear in their eyes as I say yes to everything and are then there to feed me Colin the Caterpillar sweets whilst I lie haphazardly on a chaise longue, close to tears because I’m about to die from exhaustion (true story). You’re at every opening night, every closing night and most nights in between. You’re there for the ups and the downs, the sweets and the gin, the love and the laughs. Alastair, Helen, Fran, Jess, Emma, Emily and Flo – I can safely say I wouldn’t have got anywhere without each and every one of you. The official dream team.
Thirdly, to my mad family. Mum and Dad, Tom and I are the product of YOU. The books, the shows, the songs, none of it would exist if it weren’t for you. I hope you realise that. Tom, Gi, Buzz, Buddy and Bump AKA The Incredibles: you’re a constant font of support, wisdom, creativity and inspiration. I don’t know how you do it. And, of course, Nan and Grandad. Always brilliant, always funny, always there. Love you forever. ♥
Fourthly, to my other family. The thespians, the luvvies, the darlings. This whole book is based around what I know the theatre to be: warm and dazzling, which it wouldn’t be if it weren’t for the incredible people I’m surrounded by every day. So to the cast of every show I’ve ever been a part of, thank you for all the memories that will undoubtedly last a lifetime. If I’m being specific (and in no particular order…) Mollie Melia Redgrave, Celinde Schoenmaker, Alex Banks, Rob Houchen, Jonny Vickers, Anton Zetterholm, Natasha Veselinovic, Jo Goodwin, Sam Harrison, Matt Gillet, Emma Kingston, Darren Bell, Marc McBride, Alex Parker, Tom Barnes, James Knight and many, many more!
However, I must say a special thank you to Scott Paige and Oliver Ormson. Scott, I’ve never known friendship like yours. Even though each time you visit my loaf of bread goes missing, I wouldn’t wish it any other way. Absolutely no one on this little planet makes me laugh as big as you. Oliver… I don’t have the words. Nothing I could write would be enough to encompass how overwhelmingly much you mean to me. I love you both.
Finally, a HUGE thanks to you. If you’ve ever read a book of mine or come to see a show I’m in, thank you from the bottom my heart. ♥
xxx
Also available
Carrie Hope Fletcher’s
debut album
… a note from Carrie
When I was first approached to make an album,
my first thought was ‘who would want to listen to that?’
Yet here you are, reading these words! I hope you can hear
the amount of hard work, heart and humour that’s been
poured into the creation of each track by, not just me, but a
whole team of gorgeously lovely people! I’m so proud of it
and I hope you enjoy listening to it as much
as we all enjoyed making it.
Track List
1. JOURNEY TO THE PAST
2. WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A FRIEND
3. BURN
4. TIMES ARE HARD FOR DREAMERS
5. I DREAMED A DREAM
6. NO ONE ELSE
7. SUMMERTIME
8. THEY JUST KEEP MOVING THE LINE
9. SOMEWHERE THAT’S GREEN
10. LET IT GO
11. YOU MATTER TO ME
12. I WON’T SAY (I’M IN LOVE)
Available to buy
iTunes
Amazon
Google Play