Sequel (Advent Calendar 2016)

THE 16TH OF DECEMBER

The 16th of December

...

"I hope you've packed lots of warm clothes for tomorrow, Rob!"

Rob smiles at the make-up artist, but it quickly turns to a frown as he tries to work out what they mean. Warm clothes? Packing? Aren't they filming internal shots for the next few days?

"Sorry, what?"

"I've heard it gets really cold up there in December, we wouldn't want our main character getting ill!"

As Rob continues to frown, the make-up artist puts the finishing touches to his make-up for the day and says, "You don't remember that filming is moving to Canada tomorrow?"

His eyes widen. "Shit," he mutters. "That's tomorrow?!" He asks, turning his face slightly towards her.

"Yeah, flight leaves tomorrow at 7. I'm warning you now, it gets very cold, so make sure you take enough clothes, I went there on holiday and..."

As the make-up artist continues to chat, Rob struggles to pay attention, his mind thinking about so many other things. He's been so busy thinking of other things that he hasn't thought about Canada. And when Steph, Kris or someone else has reminded him now and then, he's seen it as being far away in the future. He knew they were leaving on the 17th, he just hasn't really been keeping track on the dates.

When he realises there's only eight days till Christmas, his eyes widen, as he also realises that he hasn't bought one single present yet. Thank goodness for online shopping and next-day delivery.

..

"Okay Rob, you're done for today, but I'll see you tonight, right?"

"Yeah, I'll be there.At 9, right?"

Steph nods, smiling as she winks friendly at him. She gives him a single wave before turning to Lucy. "Could you go and find Kristen please? We're going to shoot your scenes next."

As Lucy leaves to find Kristen, Rob walks back to his trailer, desperate to get his make-up off as soon as possible. As he reaches his door, he can hear Lucy talking to somebody a few trailers down from his, so he very quickly enters his trailer and shuts the door so he can't hear their conversation.

Although she's normally the first person buying a coffee in the morning, Kristen was a no-show this morning. As Rob recalls their argument yesterday, he lays back on his bed and groans, knowing that he's the reason she didn't want to show her face and has been in her trailer all morning.

To distract himself from his thoughts, he opens up his laptop and goes online to do some shopping. As he tries to think of what to buy, his mind goes blank.

Picking up his phone quickly, he smiles for the first time that day when he hears a familiar voice.

"Hey, mum", Rob laughs down the phone, "You okay?"

He listens to the update from his mum as he continues to look for things to buy online. A scarf for Lizzie? Perfume for his mum? The present possibilities were endless and it made Rob's head hurt a little.

"Is filming going okay? You don't normally phone when you're filming, son, is something wrong?"

Oh, nothing, apart from sleeping with the ex-girlfriend turned co-star who now doesn't want to admit that it was more than just sex.

"Nothing, Mum, I've finished for the day, that's all. I wanted to hear a friendly voice."

"Don't tell Lizzie and Vic, but you were always my favourite."