Emma Kirby had enjoyed acting from her first steps on stage at her primary school. She played in all the Christmas shows, and had acted Mary in her local Cathedral, when her class was chosen to perform on Christmas Eve.
But that was eight years ago, and now she was sixteen (nearly seventeen – as she said to her friends), and she was now at sixth form college where she was starting to study theatre more deeply.
And she had a real advantage now as she looked like Keira Knightly as that actress had in Bend it with Beckham. The same hair, the same small breasts, and the same long legs, which she all too often displayed through her designer slashed jeans which always displayed her blue or red thongs. But Emma seemed not to be aware of the virginal sex she oozed, which made the male students drool, and her male tutors wish they were younger. They also knew that her boyfriends were not around for long. She decided that no one was going to get in her way of her profession. Yet!
Her being chosen by her form tutor to audition at the local theatre for a part in a studio production was no surprise to her friends, but she was in the dark about the part and play as it was a new work which had won a grant.
Her tutor told her that she was chosen because they had asked for a natural, attractive girl to play a rebellious daughter in the play.
'Just go for it' he had said, reminding her that she was good at emotions which were not part of her make up.
So, three days later, she arrived at the theatre, and was met at the box office by a girl who appeared to be wearing the contents of a local Oxfam shop.
'Hello darling. You must be Emma'. she said taking Emma's outstretched hand and pulling her to the door to the back stage area.
'I'm Gabby. You will be seeing Dee for your audition'.
Emma looked blank.
'You know, Dee Harris'
Emma looked a bit blank.
'Oh you know. Deirdre Harris. The author. She wrote that best seller 'E male' said Gabby as they rushed around the dark backstage areas.
Emma knew the book, which was about a very open affair by two e mailers.
Gabby continued 'It's a very open play. Bit naughty. That worry you?'
'No' said Emma, but with some concerns.
They reached the door to the studio, and went in.
It was dark other than a couple of working lights which were focussed on a sofa which was shrouded in a dust cover.
A voice came out of the dark. Female and friendly.
'Hi Emma. Hey Gabby go and sort out the seating for the first night will you. I'll sort out the audition. And Jeff is here, so he will read his part'.
Gabby spoke in a whisper to Emma.
'Hell. You are the lucky one. I normally read at audition, but you get the best. Jeff Lezard. Lucky you.'
Emma gasped. Jeff Lezard, the 30 year old handsome English Actor who had won two awards for recent films.
