Last Christmas, Francis had a promising acting career and a budding romance with Duncan. This Christmas, it seems he's lost it all. When his mum persuades him to help her with the annual village production, he's drawn back into the wacky world of amateur pantomime. This year's production has all kind of new twists, the village players are eccentric although enthusiastic, and Francis isn't sure he ever saw himself as a director. And what his mother also didn't tell him was, he'd be working with Duncan by his side. But if he can cope with charity shop costumes, squabbling characters, cross-dressing, and all the corny jokes, can he also believe in the show's magical triumph of Good over Bad, and win a second chance with Duncan? After all, in pantomime, everyone gets their wish granted in the end.

He's Behind You!

“There are a lot of changes this year,” I said quietly to Mum as we waited for the applicant for Buttons to appear. “Not just the extra roles, but your… um… casting decisions?”


She shrugged and took a generous handful of biscuits from the packet. “That’s pantomime, dear heart. I thought this year we would rotate the parts. Give everyone the chance to play the role they want, not constrained by visual suitability.”


It was a lovely idea. It was a bonkers one, too, but I appreciated the sentiment. And from what I could see, so did the villagers. Everyone who’d auditioned so far was still hanging around the hall, chatting softly, cheering on their friends, welcoming children and family members who wandered in and out. More than a few pets, too.


Chapter 3