Mr Blythe & I | LZ ✓

t h i r t y - f i v e

"I need to go." I whispered calmly to Maria through the phone, despite my nerves performing somersaults deep within my stomach. My best friend appeared far from impressed by my lack of emotion, yet allowed me to hang up for a reason she had yet to discover:

I was about to confront my parents about Moira Walley-Beckett's audition offer.

No body knew - well, with the exception of Lucas. He had told me that he was going to be by my side throughout all of this, and words could not describe how much I longed for him to hold my hand as I trudged down the stairs to greet my parents. I wouldn't have been so nervous then.

"Hey, mum." I smiled, receiving the usual kiss on the forehead. "Dad's in the kitchen, but I wanted to wait for you so that I could have that talk I was telling you about."

"You're not pregnant or anything, are you?" She light-heartedly teased, smirking a little at the look of horror written across my face.

"Far from it!" I spat, and hurriedly followed her into the kitchen to see my dad already sat at the dining table - the place where all of our family discussions had been carried out throughout the years.

The last time we had all been gathered here, I was begging my parents to let me go on a school trip to Paris for the final week of term - though, I wasn't successful.

"What is it you wanted to tell us?" Mum quizzed, taking a seat beside my confused-looking dad.

"She's not pregnant or anything, right?" He glanced at my mother for reassurance, to which she simply chuckled in response.

"Don't pay any attention to your old man, Christina. His ears aren't as great as they used to be."

I smiled gratefully and stood in front of the table, almost as if I was preparing myself for a 30 minute presentation on why I consider recycling to be important.

"I'm not sure where to start..." I began. "But, are you both familiar with the TV series 'Anne With An E'?"

"Your favourite show, yes." Dad nodded, catching both mum and I by surprise. "I may be old but I'm not out of touch yet."

"Right, well... I have been offered the chance to audition for the role of Diana's cousin." I impatiently yelled, barely gasping for air by the end of my sentence.

"Really?" Mum swallowed, her eyes noticeably beginning to swim with tears. I embarrassedly looked down towards my toes, cursing myself for having hoped my parents would approve of my opportunity.

"That's wonderful news." Dad exclaimed, picking himself up from his chair and placing a caring hand upon my shoulder. "I don't know how you did it, but I'm proud."

"Thanks dad." I sighed deeply, a tone of admiration engulfing each breath.

"And so am I." Mum interjected. "However, the show is filmed in Canada... It's too far away."

"But-"

"Don't be silly, Catherine." Dad interrupted. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her. We can't be the ones to ruin it."

Mum seemed to be trapped within a trail of thought, whilst dad and I exchanged a few knowing looks.

"The flights will be too expensive." She argued, her expressions showing that of stubbornness.

"That's the thing." I laughed nervously. "They offered to pay, so everything's free. All I've got to do is show up and audition. Besides, even if I don't get the role, we would've still had a great family trip to Canada, right?"

"I couldn't agree more." Dad nodded once again, and turned to face his wife expectantly.

The silence was deafening, yet I already knew her final decision.