Fran glances around, as if she wants to see if people are watching, which is something Christina definitely doesn’t want.
Duncan catches Christina’s eye and she tries to not look panicked, but there’s often a point in these interactions when the fan starts acting like they’re going to move into her house and it’s very hard to extricate herself without sounding rude. And if the actor or actress sounds rude, the fan not only stops being a fan but tells everyone she knows about it, which then somehow gets back to the publicist of whichever production the actor or actress is working on or promoting, who in turn tears strips off them.
Duncan smiles and nods once, as if he understands, but he can’t. No one can unless they’ve gone through it, because it’s so odd, being famous.
‘Would you like an autograph?’ he says to Fran, and Christina feels a flash of annoyance – who is he to offer this? Then she realises that by suggesting it he’s given her a way out. Once the autograph is signed, the interaction can be over.
‘Ohmygod,really? Mario! Mario! Do you have that notebook?’ Fran is flapping her hand again, then she takes off to her table.
‘Is that okay?’ Duncan says quietly to Christina, who finds herself feeling quite calm. Is it because he’s taking charge? She’s enjoying that. For once, she doesn’t have to look after everything herself.
Fran is back, waving a notebook.
‘Great work, Fran,’ Duncan says, taking it from her and extracting a pen from his inside jacket pocket.
He holds out pen and notebook to Christina, who smiles and takes them.
‘Shall I make it out to you?’ she asks Fran, who is almost bouncing on the spot.
‘Yes, please!’ Fran squeaks. ‘I’ve seenallyour movies, Christina.Allof them. I hope you’re making another one. But you can’t be if you’re in Sydney? Are you going back soon? I hope so. You’reamazing.’
‘She’s here on some R and R,’ Duncan says as Christina writesTo dearest Fran – so lovely to meet you! Christina xo.
‘Of course she is! R and R! Great!’
By the time Christina hands back the notebook, Fran is hyperventilating.
‘My friends arenevergoing to believe this,’ she says, then grabs Christina in a hug before Duncan pats her on the shoulder.
‘Great to meet you, Fran,’ he says. ‘I think Mario’s looking a little lonely.’
‘Ohmygod, yes! Sorry! It’s Mario’s birthday. Did I say that?’
Duncan smiles. ‘You did.’
‘I’d better go.’ She stares at Christina one last time. ‘Thank you!’
Duncan watches her leave then takes his seat again. ‘Are you okay?’ he asks Christina, who nods.
‘She’s fine. Harmless. Just a little excitable.’
‘I suppose you’re used to it.’
‘Um … I don’t think you ever get used to it.’ Christina takes a sip of her drink. ‘It’s a weird thing to try to get used to.’
‘Yes, of course.’ He holds her gaze for a few seconds. ‘Now, let’s have a look at this menu.’
They order a main course, and later a dessert – an indulgence Christina rarely allows herself – and the evening passes easily and quickly. Fran and husband wave their goodbyes as they leave, and Christina returns them, smiling. Always smiling for the fans.
When Duncan drops her home he walks her to her door, and she feels a nervous first-date anticipation that she hasn’t felt in avery long time. It’s the will-he-or-won’t-he moment, and Christina knows that if she’s feeling like this she definitely wants him to kiss her. Which is not what she expected from the evening.
‘So,’ Duncan says, taking her hand. ‘I had a wonderful time.’
‘I did too. Thank you for dinner.’
‘You’re welcome. And I’d like to do it again soon, if you’d like to as well.’
She knows she wants to. She also knows she’s meant to play hard to get – but who knows where her life will go, what she will do? In ten years’ time she may regret that she didn’t agree to another dinner.