on stools, several strategically placed ladders, all hoping for a better view of the stars as they arrived.
Leo took her hand as several flashlights went off.
‘Who do they think we are?’ Anna whispered to Leo.
‘Someone very famous obviously – you’re looking so glamorous tonight,’ Leo said, pulling her towards him and kissing her to the delight of the crowd.
Rick was waiting for them on the red carpet, standing slightly to one side of the stairs. ‘Anna, you look stunning. Nice to see you Leo. Helen and Rupert should be here in a moment,’ he said. ‘Then it will be our turn to walk the walk and face the paparazzi.’
‘The atmosphere is amazing,’ Anna said, looking around.
To her left a couple of television reporters were facing cameramen and talking rapidly into microphones detailing the scene before them, announcing the names of the famous stars as they arrived and describing the sumptuous gowns and jewellery.
Further up the steps Anna caught a glimpse of Bruno being approached by another reporter with a cameraman in tow. She’d forgotten Bruno was a big name down here and his thoughts on the festival would obviously be sought after by the media.
The gentle pressure of Leo’s hand in hers, brought her attention back to their own group and she smiled apologetically at Leo.
‘Sorry,’ she whispered. ‘That’s Bruno up there.’ Leo followed her gaze.
‘I wonder what he’s talking about to the TV reporter,’ Anna said. ‘Ah, here’s Rupert and Helen,’ she added, as a silver limousine drew up.
Watching the two young stars of Future Promises arrive on the red carpet, Anna felt a surge of affection for both of them. A couple of people in the crowd realising who they were, called out their names, ‘Rupert, Helen love, can we have your autographs?’
Smiling happily the two went over and graciously signed the offered magazines, books and cards.
Finally they all linked arms and began to make their way up the paparazzi lined flight of steps through a barrage of flash-light. As they drew level with Bruno on the last of the red carpeted stairs and went to enter the Palais itself, Anna couldn’t help overhearing the interviewer say.
‘Finally Bruno, can you give us any information about this latest development in the Philippe Cambone saga? I know you two were very close. Were you aware of this secret family he had in the States?’
Anna gasped involuntarily as she heard the question and would have fallen if Leo’s grip on her arm hadn’t tightened and saved her as she stumbled, trying unsuccessfully to hear Bruno’s reply. Leo looked at her concerned.
‘Anna, are you okay? They’re waiting to show us to our seats.’
‘I’m fine,’ Anna said, gripping Leo’s hand tightly. ‘Lead on.’
Chapter Twenty
It was gone nine o’clock when Anna woke the next morning. She lay there for a few moments reliving the exciting events of the previous night. So many people, so many congratulations, so much champagne.
The general consensus was that Future Promises was about to be a big hit at the box office and earn world wide recognition for its young stars. Consequently Helen and Rupert had been the toast of Cannes last night. Anna, delighted for them, had enjoyed basking in the reflected glory.
The theme of the after-screening party – ‘Future Promises – What’s Yours?’ – had proved to be a major hit. The venue, draped and decorated like a mystical sheikh’s tent, with zodiac signs, huge silver moons and stars hanging from the pleated ceiling and large golden suns shining from the walls, had been a perfect setting for a fun evening of make believe and fortune telling.
There was a wheel of fortune, origami fortune tellers, fortune sticks, Chinese fortune cookies, astrology readings and even a Romany gypsy complete with bunches of lavender and a crystal ball in a curtained booth for those that fancied a personal consultation.
Partygoers eagerly entered into the spirit of things
Leo took her hand as several flashlights went off.
‘Who do they think we are?’ Anna whispered to Leo.
‘Someone very famous obviously – you’re looking so glamorous tonight,’ Leo said, pulling her towards him and kissing her to the delight of the crowd.
Rick was waiting for them on the red carpet, standing slightly to one side of the stairs. ‘Anna, you look stunning. Nice to see you Leo. Helen and Rupert should be here in a moment,’ he said. ‘Then it will be our turn to walk the walk and face the paparazzi.’
‘The atmosphere is amazing,’ Anna said, looking around.
To her left a couple of television reporters were facing cameramen and talking rapidly into microphones detailing the scene before them, announcing the names of the famous stars as they arrived and describing the sumptuous gowns and jewellery.
Further up the steps Anna caught a glimpse of Bruno being approached by another reporter with a cameraman in tow. She’d forgotten Bruno was a big name down here and his thoughts on the festival would obviously be sought after by the media.
The gentle pressure of Leo’s hand in hers, brought her attention back to their own group and she smiled apologetically at Leo.
‘Sorry,’ she whispered. ‘That’s Bruno up there.’ Leo followed her gaze.
‘I wonder what he’s talking about to the TV reporter,’ Anna said. ‘Ah, here’s Rupert and Helen,’ she added, as a silver limousine drew up.
Watching the two young stars of Future Promises arrive on the red carpet, Anna felt a surge of affection for both of them. A couple of people in the crowd realising who they were, called out their names, ‘Rupert, Helen love, can we have your autographs?’
Smiling happily the two went over and graciously signed the offered magazines, books and cards.
Finally they all linked arms and began to make their way up the paparazzi lined flight of steps through a barrage of flash-light. As they drew level with Bruno on the last of the red carpeted stairs and went to enter the Palais itself, Anna couldn’t help overhearing the interviewer say.
‘Finally Bruno, can you give us any information about this latest development in the Philippe Cambone saga? I know you two were very close. Were you aware of this secret family he had in the States?’
Anna gasped involuntarily as she heard the question and would have fallen if Leo’s grip on her arm hadn’t tightened and saved her as she stumbled, trying unsuccessfully to hear Bruno’s reply. Leo looked at her concerned.
‘Anna, are you okay? They’re waiting to show us to our seats.’
‘I’m fine,’ Anna said, gripping Leo’s hand tightly. ‘Lead on.’
Chapter Twenty
It was gone nine o’clock when Anna woke the next morning. She lay there for a few moments reliving the exciting events of the previous night. So many people, so many congratulations, so much champagne.
The general consensus was that Future Promises was about to be a big hit at the box office and earn world wide recognition for its young stars. Consequently Helen and Rupert had been the toast of Cannes last night. Anna, delighted for them, had enjoyed basking in the reflected glory.
The theme of the after-screening party – ‘Future Promises – What’s Yours?’ – had proved to be a major hit. The venue, draped and decorated like a mystical sheikh’s tent, with zodiac signs, huge silver moons and stars hanging from the pleated ceiling and large golden suns shining from the walls, had been a perfect setting for a fun evening of make believe and fortune telling.
There was a wheel of fortune, origami fortune tellers, fortune sticks, Chinese fortune cookies, astrology readings and even a Romany gypsy complete with bunches of lavender and a crystal ball in a curtained booth for those that fancied a personal consultation.
Partygoers eagerly entered into the spirit of things
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