Limelight

Meeting the George the Giant

Everyone piled out of the restaurant and onto the pavement. The atmosphere was louder than it had been inside, those who could drink having consumed a few glasses of that had been circulating around the table. It had gotten late and the chill night air blew across Adeline's exposed forearms, her flesh rising in goosebumps. She hadn't prepared for the chill and had left her coat back at the hotel. She rubbed her skin, trying to warm herself discreetly.

“The wind is coming off the ocean. It makes it cold around here at night.” The velvety voice from behind her said, the words uttered quietly. She knew that voice. She turned around and smiled gently at the shock artist who had raised the hood of his jacket, shielding himself from the breeze.

“I always learn things the hard way. Now I'll always know to wear more layers when I'm out at night.”

Morgue said nothing in reply but watched her with his intense blue eyes for a second before they darted to the floor. Adeline didn't blame him, everything about the man screamed that he wasn't a people person. When she first watched him she'd wondered how such an introvert could be so brave and brash on the stage. She smiled, looking him over. He certainly was a one of a kind performer.

“Right all, time to get some sleep. We have an important guest coming in the morning. There'll be lots of things to do, so get some rest.” Todd called through the noise. “Adeline, I'll see you guys at our house in the morning. I'll send you the address, you won't miss it.”

Adeline nodded, and went to turn away, following her friends in the direction of their hotel.

“Sleep well.” Morgue murmured as she stepped away from him, looking up at her through his white curtain of hair.

She smiled and wiggled her fingers in a small wave. “You too, Morgue. See you tomorrow.”

****

Adeline had barely changed into her pyjamas and settled on her bed with a book when there was a knocking on her door. She raised an eyebrow and lowered her book, looking at the closed door for a moment.

“Ads, I need to talk to you.”

Mia, she should have known. Mia had always been a chatty girl and normally did enough talking for the both of them when they met new people. She'd always assumed Mia was like that because she'd chosen a job that needed her to be silent for almost 75 percent of her working day.

“I know you're awake. You don't fool me, Newman!”

Adeline rolled her eyes and tossed back the covers, shuffling over to the door and letting her friend in. Mia was dressed in her pyjamas too, with outrageously fluffy slippers on. Adeline snorted, she swore that girl was really a ten year old trapped inside the body of a 23 year old.