Body on the Stage Read Free Page B

gathered around a
tall red-haired woman who was handing out printed pages.
    “Here’s your diet sheet,” she
said to them. “Read it carefully and if you have any questions
later, make sure you call me. What you eat will be critical to get
you into the right shape for this show. Adam’s told me exactly what
he needs and that’s what we’re going to give him, right? It’ll be
no more fast food or weekend drinking sessions for the next three
months, OK?”
    Tony and Gazza edged past the
group with a shudder, with Dennis trying to lose himself behind
them. He was just about to head for the exit when Jessica breezed
through the door and smiled when she saw him.
    “Dennis! Just the man I was
looking for.”
    “Really? Why?”
    “You said you had computer
skills, didn’t you? At the auditions?”
    “Oh, yes, right. Sure, what do
you need?”
    She indicated the tall redhead.
“Cathy’s got a computer problem at the gym, and since she’s giving
us such a great deal on training the guys, I wondered if you could
possibly have a look at it for her? If it’s not too much trouble?
I’m sure she could trade you some gym time or nutrition advice in
return for your efforts.”
    Dennis bit back a disbelieving
laugh. Him, go near a gym?
    “I’ll be happy to look at her
computer,” he said, “but only if she promises not to pay me
back.”
    Jessica shrugged. “Whatever
works for you. Thanks – I appreciate it.” She patted him on the
arm. “Hey Cathy,” she called, “meet Dennis. He’s the computer guy I
told you about – says he’s happy to look at your PC. Sort out a
time with him, OK?” She pushed Dennis towards Cathy and disappeared
through the stage door.
    Tony and Gazza grinned.
“Careful, mate. She’ll have you running laps before you have her
laptop running!” Tony chuckled quietly. “I’ve heard that grown men
weep when she starts training them.”
    Cathy dismissed the five actors
and came over to Dennis. She was the same height as him, with
striking blue eyes that held his gaze.
    “That’s very good of you,
Dennis. Are you sure it’s OK? I know Jessica sometimes railroads
people into helping out when they might prefer not to.”
    “No, I don’t mind fixing your
computer,” he said, not voicing the thought it was actually going
near a gym that gave him the willies. “Where and when suits
you?”
    As she passed him a business
card he felt the warmth from her fingers. “The gym’s called
Intensity. That’s the address, just a few streets away. Could you
possibly come round today, if you’re not too busy?”
    He looked at his watch. “Are you
finished here? I think I am, so we can go now if you like.” Might
as well get it over and done with, while she still had the actors
on her mind and wouldn’t be so likely to think about trying to
convert a pasty white fat guy to her religion of fitness and food
fanaticism.
    “Brilliant!” she said, beaming.
“You’re a life-saver! How can I ever repay you?”
    He couldn’t help smiling at her
delighted expression.
    “Let’s see if I can fix the
problem first.” And please, please don’t try to repay me.
    Outside the theatre she unlocked
a shiny blue mountain bike leaning against the side wall. She waved
as Dennis walked past towards his car.
    “See you at Intensity in a few
minutes,” she said.
    He watched until her shapely
rounded backside disappeared as she propelled the bike at
increasing speed down the street.
    By the time he pulled up outside
Intensity, she was waving at him from an upstairs window. He
climbed the narrow metal-edged stairs slowly, not wanting to be
puffing when he reached the top, but he still had to pause to let
his breathing catch up before advancing towards the reception desk.
Cathy came out of a room nearby and put a friendly hand on his
arm.
    “This is so nice of you, I
really appreciate it. The main computer’s through here, in my
office. Please give it a stern talking to, because it’s ignoring