Cuckoo in the Nest. Michelle Magorian

not that. I don’t want to mess it up at the strike.’

      It was while she was letting him out that she brought up something which was so obvious he wondered why he hadn’t thought of it himself.

      ‘Have you asked to play any parts there?’

      ‘No,’ he said surprised. ‘I’ve had no training.’

      ‘And you’ve done no amateur dramatics?’

      ‘Only at school.’

      ‘Any good?’

      Against his will he found himself smiling. ‘People seem to think so.’

      ‘You can mention that in a letter, can’t you? To the producer?

      ‘I suppose so.’

      ‘You’re small. There might be a young part going. You’re local. The producer can only say no.’

      Ralph stood on the doorstep feeling slightly dazed.

      ‘You’d better go, Hollis,’ she said at last.

      ‘What?’ he said, suddenly remembering where he was. ‘Oh. Yes, madam. Goodnight, madam.’ He was about to leave when he realised what she was doing. ‘Are you sure you should be encouraging me?’

      ‘Be a waste of time discouraging you, wouldn’t it?’

      ‘Yes,’ he said happily. ‘Yes it would.’

      ‘I’ll see you Monday then.’ And she closed the door.