Read Online Just Between Us by Cathy Kelly - Free Book Online Page B

shocked.
    ‘Yes, you and Isadora’ he said. ‘We can’t have everyone on the stage, but you’ve both got to go up, you’ve both worked so hard this year.’
    Isadora was off like a shot while Tara stumbled over to Aaron. He put an arm around her waist. ‘This is your year, Tara.’
    ‘But what about Tommy and everyone else…?’ gasped Tara, trying to wipe the tears from her face.
    ‘This is your year, kid,’ repeated Aaron. ‘Enjoy it.’ The entire table of actors and Isadora were already on the stage with the executive producer when Aaron and Tara made it up there.
    ‘Thank you so much!’ squealed Sherry, elbows together, boobs shoved up for the cameras. ‘Thank you for loving us.’
    She was subtly shoved out of the way by the show’s female lead, Allegra Armstrong, a deceptively fragile-looking brunette.
    ‘You have no idea what this means to all of us at National Hospital ,’ Allegra said warmly, ‘we’ve worked so hard for this and want to say thanks to all our fans.’
    The audience applauded. Allegra was a genuinely loved star and her portrayal of a brilliant surgeon on the show had already garnered her many awards.
    ‘Also, we’ve got to say thanks to all the wonderful writers without whom we wouldn’t have a show,’ added heartthrob, Stephen Valli, who played hunky Dr McCambridge. Stephen Valli had also won many awards, at least half of which were for sexiest TV star and the man most women would like to wake up next to. He reached back and put one arm around Isadora and the other round Tara, who blushed. She stared blindly out at the audience. The fierce stage lights meant she could see nothing but darkness and yet she knew that everyone was looking up at the team, and her. It was a strange feeling.
    Through the haze, she heard another interval being called.
    ‘Congratulations!’ shrieked everyone as the National Hospital team clambered off stage.
    ‘My name is Jill McDonnell, I’m with the Sentinel. How does it feel to be part of the team responsible for the best soap?’ said a woman, suddenly appearing in front of Tara and thrusting a tiny tape recorder in her face.
    Tara stumbled on her high heels and had to cling onto Aaron’s jacket to stay upright.
    ‘Wonderful,’ she bleated, not able to think of anything else to say for the first time in her life.
    ‘Could I set up an interview with you?’
    Tara smiled shakily. So this was fame. ‘Sure,’ she said. ‘Phone the office tomorrow and we can fix a time.’
    At the table, there were more hugs and champagne appeared.
    ‘I must phone Finn,’ Tara said tearfully, feeling the shock waves of emotion finally wash over her. It was still the interval, so she hurried out of the room to find a quiet corner.
    The home phone rang out endlessly again and she tried the mobile.
    ‘I’m in the pub with Derry and the lads,’ Finn yelled. ‘I couldn’t cope with sitting at home and not knowing,’ he said.
    ‘We won!’ said Tara, half-laughing, half-crying.
    ‘Oh my love,’ shouted Finn, thrilled. ‘Congratulations! I’m so proud of you.’
    The final segment of the show was about to begin and Tara rushed back into the ballroom. A tall man with flashing eyes and a wild beard, like a movie version of an old Testament prophet, laid a hand on her arm to speak to her. Tara instantly recognised Mike Hammond, a mega successful producer originally from Galway who’d just worked on a season of Oscar Wilde’s plays for the HBO television network in the States.
    He never even went to bashes like this; he’d be more at home at the Oscars or the Emmys.
    ‘Congratulations,’ he said in a soft Californian-Galway burr. ‘I’m Mike Hammond.’
    ‘I know. Tara Miller.’ She extended her hand. As if there was anybody there who didn’t know who he was.
    ‘I hear on the grapevine you’re one of the main reasons why National Hospital won the award,’ he continued.
    Tara’s eyes were like saucers. Not only did Mike Hammond know who she was,