CHAPTER 30 (the final chapter!)... is live
The story does not continue...
All previous chapters - CHAPTER 1 - CHAPTER 2 - CHAPTER 3 - CHAPTER 4 - CHAPTER 5 - CHAPTER 6 - Chapter 7 - CHAPTER 8 - CHAPTER 9 - CHAPTER 10 - CHAPTER 11 - CHAPTER 12 - CHAPTER 13 - CHAPTER 14 - CHAPTER 15 - CHAPTER 16 - CHAPTER 17 - CHAPTER 18 - CHAPTER 19 - CHAPTER 20 - CHAPTER 21 - CHAPTER 22 - CHAPTER 23 - CHAPTER 24 - CHAPTER 25 - CHAPTER 26 - CHAPTER 27 - CHAPTER 28 - CHAPTER 29
Previously on “The bomb in the shed…”; Arthur uses Elizabeth’s kills switch to destroy Bella, but it triggers a countdown to detonation instead. He manages overcome Elizabeth and call for the missile strike, but gets caught in the blast.
And here we go with CHAPTER 30…
Chapter 30
Camilla was guided by an usher to her seat near the front of the cinema. Next to her was an empty seat with a card… reserved for Professor Arthur Price. It was a lovely touch. Most of the guests were already seated while she’d spent the last twenty minutes walking the red carpet. What an experience, camera flashes still there if she closed her eyes. All that attention was for the stars of the film of course, not for her. But just being there was an experience she wouldn’t forget. The premiere was the centre piece of a big marketing push for the first of the Jacqueline Devereaux series. Netflix had committed to a marketing spend almost the size of the production budget, and there was talk of making a big push for awards season and the Oscars.
Amira, Camilla’s agent, was next to Camilla on the other side, wearing a big wide smile that looked like it could split her head in two. Sandra Bellingham was next along looking serene as usual, as if attending film premieres was something she did every day. But even she was succumbing to the moment, a slight upturn in her mouth barely visible, but it was there.
Someone tapped Camilla on the shoulder and whispered in her ear. “Don’t be nervous, the film fabulous.” It was Anna, her cheerleader from Netflix, also beaming from ear to ear. Smiles were contagious tonight.
“I never had a doubt,” replied Camilla. “Thanks so much for accommodating those rather unusual requests by the way, I know it must have seemed a bit odd.”
“Happy to help.”
“Well done, Mum. We’re so proud.”
It was Alex. She was in the row in front with Jacob, who seemed to be a permanent fixture these days. Camilla couldn’t remember a boyfriend who’d lasted this long. David was next to them with Angela. He was wearing a suit and was looking good. Had he lost weight? It was so nice to see him looking healthy. Gemma was at home with a babysitter leaving Angela looking relaxed for a change. It was so good to have the whole family there. Everyone except Arthur of course.
The lights dimmed and a spotlight picked out a small stage at the front of the curtained screen. The quiet buzz of the crowd died down to an expectant silence. A woman in a smart suit walked out and smiled. “Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to tonight’s screening. Before we start I have someone who wants to say a few words. It’s my pleasure to introduce Arthur Price, Visiting Professor of Parapsychology at Edinburgh University.”
There was a short polite round of applause and Arthur joined her the stage.
In the glare of the spotlight it was hard not to notice how strong and fit he looked now. Fitter than he’d been for years. He looked nervous, which was hardly surprising, standing up there speaking in front of a room full of people. But he was doing it. Just like he said he would. Arthur thanked the woman as she left him alone in the glare of the light. He took some prompt cards from his suit pocket, arranged them carefully in his hand and cleared his throat.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the world premiere of the first of hopefully many Jacqueline Devereaux films. It’s important to thank all the talented people who worked on its creation, but I will leave this to the end and entrust the task to someone more qualified than me…”
He placed the card to the back of the pack, paused, then continued.
“… But there is one person who I would like to thank personally before you see this film. Someone without whom it would never have been made. She created Jacqueline Devereaux, a cast of colourful characters and over the last twenty years has penned dozens of stories that have delighted people around the world…
… My wife, Millie Price…”
Arthur pause. He switched cards and continued.
“…To my shame I hadn’t read a single one of my wife’s books until recently. Now I have read them all, and I understand why they bring so much joy to so many people.”
Arthur looked up and into the crowd for the first time. He wouldn’t be able to see any individual faces in the darkness, but it felt as though he was looking right at Camilla as he spoke.
“Millie Price, you are by far the cleverest, most creative and talented person I know. What you have chosen to commit your life to is the most noble of causes I can think of. And I am so very, very proud of you.”
The spotlight swung away from Arthur to shine its bright light down on Camilla. The room erupted with applause. She could feel herself tearing up but tried to hold it in. The room was not filled with her usual fans: it was A-listers and film industry players. People she could never imagine meeting, let alone receiving acclaim from. The attention was overwhelming.
As the applause died, the spotlight swung back to Arthur. He returned to his cards. And smiled. “Please, sit back and enjoy the film.”
The spotlight flicked off, leaving the room in darkness. The curtain parted. Camilla sensed rather than saw Arthur take his seat beside her. He reached for her hand. She grabbed it gladly and held on tight.
Words appeared on the dark screen.
‘This film is dedicated to Elizabeth McNamara who died in a tragic accident in the New Mexico dessert in 2003. Her discoveries form the basis of the bi-stable fusion technology that is set to revolutionise renewable clean energy and change the lives of everyone around the world. Like many successful women she had to tackle prejudice and discrimination in her personal and professional life and her scientific achievements were not recognised within her lifetime. Elizabeth, we thank you for all the great things you achieved in your life, from the first to the very last. Millie Price and Bear.’
Camilla squeezed Arthur’s hand a little harder as the words faded from the screen and the film began.
THE END
That’s it for Chapter 30, and the end of the novel. I hope you enjoyed it. I guess now might be a good time to give your in box a bit of a rest.
I’d love to hear your thoughts…
Anything you like about the story, characters, plot and writing. Any questions…
Want to share the love?…
If you know anyone else who might like the book, share via this link…
Or send them this link to Chapter 1 - https://justbeyondordinary.substack.com/p/chapter-1-is-live
Thanks!
Thanks Will. That’s great to hear
Thanks Rich, that’s great to hear. There is another one in the works as it happens…