Katy Birchall - The It Girl - Superstar Geek

Subject: Re: Quick question

Who did you laugh at before I came into your lives?

Love, me xxx

From: jess.delby@zingmail.co.uk

To: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk

Subject: Re: Quick question

The weirdo who used to live next door to Danny and sang songs from musicals while wearing a chicken suit.

I think the chicken suit was something to do with his job. Can’t be sure.

Anyway, when he moved house last summer, Danny and I were gutted. But then you totally filled that gap when you arrived in September.

J x

From: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk

To: jess.delby@zingmail.co.uk

Subject: Now I’m really depressed

Wait. I replaced a guy in a chicken suit who sang songs from the West End?

THAT’S WHO I REPLACED IN YOUR LIFE?

I should have set myself on fire today.

Love, me xxx

From: jess.delby@zingmail.co.uk

To: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk

Subject: Re: Now I’m really depressed

You know, if you really wanted to fill the gap left by the chicken-suit man, you could sing songs from musicals in lunch breaks.

My personal favourite is Fame because I’m fun and amazing. Danny’s is My Fair Lady because he’s basically an old man and apparently it’s based on some play that no one cares about.

Just a tip if you really want to win us over.

J x

From: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk

To: jess.delby@zingmail.co.uk

Subject: HA

My stage career started and ended when I was forced to be a shepherd in a nativity play. I walked on to the stage, saw everyone staring, burst into tears and ran straight back off. Into a tree.

Why, I have to ask, was there even a tree involved in the production? Last time I checked, there were no trees in stables at Bethlehem. Our drama teacher was clearly an idiot.

Also I can’t sing. Not one note. Sorry to be a disappointment in comparison to chicken-suit man. So as much as I want to stay your friend for the rest of time, I can guarantee you - never going to happen.

I am, however, naturally gifted at setting people on fire.

Maybe my career lies in some kind of flame-inspired capacity. Ooo! Maybe I’ll be really good at welding metal with blowtorches or something! THEN I COULD MAKE A SUIT JUST LIKE IRON MAN!

That would be so cool. I need to speak to our DT department. I’m guessing they’ll have access to blowtorches? They need to take advantage of my skill set now while I’m young and malleable.

Love, me xxx

From: jess.delby@zingmail.co.uk

To: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk

Subject: Re: HA

What’s Iron Man? Is it one of those Marvin comic book characters that you’re obsessed with? Like that stretchy person?

J x

From: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk

To: jess.delby@zingmail.co.uk

Subject: Re: HA

OK, firstly it’s Marvel, not Marvin.

Secondly, please do not refer to Mr Fantastic as ‘that stretchy person’.

And lastly, yes, Iron Man is a comic book character. Tony Stark develops an iron suit with repulsor beams and flight ability so he can take on bad guys.

Everyone would want to be my friend if I had one of those!

Love, me xxx

From: jess.delby@zingmail.co.uk

To: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk

Subject: Re: HA

Now, you see, it’s times like this when I genuinely worry that you’re being serious.

J x

From: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk

To: jess.delby@zingmail.co.uk

Subject: Trust me

I am being serious.

I’ve just sent Dog on a mission to find Dad’s tool kit. He might have something in there I can experiment with.

Love, me xxx

From: jess.delby@zingmail.co.uk

To: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk

Subject: You’ve lost it

You can’t send dogs on missions. They can’t understand what you’re saying. They’re DOGS.

Judging by today I think it might actually be best if you avoid any tools that produce flames.

What are you up to tonight, anyway? Let me guess . . . you’ve finished your homework already (geek) and you’re going to watch some film that was made before we were born (nerd). Am I correct?

J x

From: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk

To: jess.delby@zingmail.co.uk

Subject: You’re right

Pretty much. Dog came back with a lampshade instead of a tool kit. No idea where that came from. Anyway we are now watching this movie Dad is always going on about by that famous guy called Hitchcock. Bit of a slow start but Dad’s recommendations are usually good. This one’s meant to be a classic.

Love, me xxx

From: jess.delby@zingmail.co.uk

To: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk

Subject: IMPORTANT

What film have you put on, Anna? I mean it - this is important!

From: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk

To: jess.delby@zingmail.co.uk

Subject: Re: IMPORTANT

Chill out - it’s called Psycho . Gotta go, it’s starting.

Love, me xxx

From: jess.delby@zingmail.co.uk

To: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk

Subject: ABORT MISSION. MAYDAY. ABORT MISSION!

Anna - you do not want to watch that movie! I know what you’re like with scary movies! It’s a horror film!!! TURN IT OFF NOW.

You’ve turned it off, right?

From: jess.delby@zingmail.co.uk

To: anna_huntley@zingmail.co.uk

Subject: (no subject)

Anna? ANNA? Did you get my last email???

That’s it. I’m coming over. Don’t build any forts this time.

J x

Hi, you have reached Nick Huntley’s phone. Please leave your name, number and any message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you.

* B E E P *

‘Hi, Dad! Yeah, it’s me. I know you’re out and about but I thought I’d ring and say hi! And also tell you that I’ve decided to watch that Psycho film you’re always talking about. You know the one by that director Hitchcock you’re always giving long and boring speeches about. It was in the DVD player already and Dog has settled right down so I know he approves. I hope this is entertaining. Enjoy your evening. OK, bye.’

Hi, you have reached Nick Huntley’s phone. Please leave your name, number and any message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you.

* B E E P *

‘DAD! Dad, it’s me. Dad, something awful has happened! Dad, she got stabbed. IN THE SHOWER. I can’t BELIEVE that you let me watch something like that, that you actually ENCOURAGED me to watch that film. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? I hope you know what this means. I WILL NEVER SHOWER AGAIN.’

Hi, you have reached Nick Huntley’s phone. Please leave your name, number and any message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you.

* B E E P *

‘Hey, Dad, so I was thinking. Maybe you could come home soon? Just quickly, you wouldn’t have to miss anything. You could just come home, check the house for murderers and then go back on out. Think about it. OK, bye. OH MY GOD. THE DOORBELL JUST RANG. DAD, DAD, YOU HAVE TO COME HOME.’

Hi, you have reached Nick Huntley’s phone. Please leave your name, number and any message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you.