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!

Actually, he seemed mostly to be struggling with keeping his eyes off Reg’s son—I’d remembered, he was called Gawain—who hung around the hall at every spare moment, the pair of them making lascivious eyes at each other. Despite wearing a pink wig, thick padding, and a huge false mole on the end of his nose, Marco was still a rather gorgeous young man. And Gawain was captivated: I’d already disturbed them twice behind the back drape, making out noisily and dangerously, considering the curtain pole was only fastened up with a lick, a promise, and a couple of cable ties.


“I’m so excited to be in a production that has a full equality spectrum,” Marco said more breathlessly.


Chapter 5