Phoebe's Performance

Snow Storm

Chapter 36

The car journey between Heathrow and the city is supposed to take about one hour. I sit on my hands for hours because unfortunately Google didn't envisage road closures or storm related accidents. The road has closed because of ice. An oil tanker crash has blocked one whole entire side of the highway and traffic is moving at less than a snail's pace for apparently oil has spread all over the road and the cars are at a complete deadlock. I'm due on state in less than an hour. The car inches on the freeway. I can't jump out of the car because of the inclement weather.

Finally the traffic has started to move and we're getting toward the theatre. "Should I just catch the tube now?"

"You don't know if there will be delays on a line. It's a risk."

"There's only thirty minutes until the show starts," I say to Jack. "How long do you think we'll be...?"

"I don't know," he says. I wish there was a more concrete answer. I know he can't take out his crystal ball. He didn't know that there would have been an accident and we were unable to leave our car, that's delayed. I glance at the clock. It's six-thirty.

"Where the hell has the time gone?" I mutter mostly to myself. But I know where the time has gone. We've zigzagged through almost stagnant traffic and just as we were making traction –central London also has traffic. Am I ever going to get to town?

"I think I'm going to miss it," I say to Jack.

He shoots a look in my direction. "I'm trying Phoebe. I'm really trying."

"I know!" I say.

It suddenly feels too hot in the car and I lean over Carol and wind down the window, letting sub zero air rush in. Carol shivers but my head's so foggy and I can't seem to think straight.

"Mickey, I think I'm about to miss my performance. Look at this traffic. It's bumper to bumper. There's nothing we can do. It's still bloody snowing and I'm going to ruin my chances of performing for Maestro, for Otto and I'll ruin my career."

"You can't give up now," Mickey barks. "We're almost there."

"Veronica will probably play my part."

"First things first," Mickey starts. "Close the window because it's bloody freezing."

"Right. Okay."

The window goes instantly up.

"This is not the time to fall apart Phoebe. What shoes are you wearing?"

"High heels."

"They're not the greatest but they'll do."

"You think I should run?" I stare out at the window, the snow's still coming down but my mind starts to whir.

"You don't have many other options do you?"

I suddenly realise she's right. "I could do this. I really could do this."

"You've got two arms, and two legs," Carol says, bolstering my confidence up a bit.

"And I'll run." I nod, convincing myself. "It might be a bit cold but I'll run."

"You're not going to die of hyperthermia just because your toes start to feel a little bit of cold," Mickey says severely.

"I've got a big coat on so I'll be fine," I agree, darting looks between Sophie and Carol.

"What will you wear on stage?" Sophie asks.

"Just what I'm wearing. I don't have time."

"Do you know the way?" Sophie questions.