Chapter 2
“Penultimate means ‘last but one,’ ” said Ellen carefully. “Some people think it means something like ‘even better than the best,’ but—”
“I know what the word means,” Julia said, a note of panic sharpening her voice. She turned back to Nigel. “Why are you using
it in this context?”
“Why?” he echoed, puzzled. “You know our contracts end after season six.”
“Yes, but then we’ll renew the series for another two years, as always.”
Nigel put an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. “I told you at the Christmas party that I thought it was time
to move on,” he said in an undertone, his gaze darting to the nearest guests, who were not quite out of earshot. “I said then,
as I have before, that we owe it to our audience and ourselves to bring the series to a satisfying conclusion rather than
let it run on endlessly, with the inevitable decline in quality.”
“Yes, but you weren’t serious.” Julia lowered her voice too. No need to ruin a fabulous party with a ghastly emotional scene.
“You made that speech right in front of all those studio execs. Obviously it was a ploy to scare them into giving you more
money when you renew your contract.”
“It wasn’t a ploy, darling. I was in earnest. It didn’t matter whether the execs overheard because they already knew how I felt. Perhaps they even agreed with me.”
Julia forced a laugh and gave Nigel a playful push. “Okay, enough. This joke isn’t funny anymore.”
He took her hands, raised them to his chin, and held her gaze with his own, sympathetic but firm. “I wouldn’t play such a
cruel joke on you of all people. The next season of A Patchwork Life will be our last. Although I’ve enjoyed every moment, for me the conclusion can’t come soon enough. You know Alistair and
I loathe spending most of the year apart. I’m returning to London so we can be together.”
“But your career, Nigel. You haven’t peaked yet. You can’t seriously intend to retire.”
“Who said anything about retiring? I’m leaving Hollywood, not my profession.” He squeezed her hands and released them. “I’m
not supposed to reveal this yet, so you mustn’t breathe a word. I’ve been cast in the next Harry Potter movie. We begin shooting
in June.”
“Wow, Nigel, that’s fantastic!” said Ellen. “I didn’t realize you had a role lined up already. I assume you’ll be a wizard.
Hero or villain? Can you tell us?”
He shook his head and raised a finger to his lips. “I’ve said too much already.”
“Wait. Wait.” Julia held up her hands, closed her eyes for a moment, and took a deep, steadying breath. On the exhale, she
fixed Nigel with an accusing look. “You said next season would be our last. You meant your last.”
His brow furrowed. “No, as we discussed at the full-cast meeting—” Then awareness dawned. “But you missed that meeting. You
were traveling . . . in Pennsylvania, I believe. Something about a quilt exhibit.”
“Lindsay sent the notes around afterward,” said Ellen. “You mean you didn’t read them? I know you have an aversion to opening
attachments—”
“My assistant checks my work email for me when I’m on vacation.
” Julia never wanted work to intrude on her tranquil, restorative visits to the Elm Creek Valley.
Her trip in August hadn’t been for quilt camp, but she had toured a quilt exhibit and had spent time with quilting friends, so it qualified.
“She always brings important matters to my attention when I return. Did she miss something?”
Or had Julia herself missed something? She vaguely recalled her assistant emphasizing an important file she’d received, but
Julia had been wildly busy as their season premiere date approached. She’d only skimmed the subject lines in her inbox, opening
the emails that sounded important and saving the rest for later.
She had eventually read everything, hadn’t she?
“Oh, Julia.” Nigel shook his head. “No wonder you look so bewildered. I confess I’ve wondered why you haven’t spoken up. I
thought perhaps you were in denial.”
Julia felt her heart drop. “What does that mean?” She turned to Ellen. “What does he mean? In denial about what?”
Ellen threw Nigel a helpless look, but he only gestured to indicate that she should proceed. “Well, Nigel isn’t the only one
of us who’s lined up a new job. I was going to tell you after the party—”
“Tell me what?”
“I’m going to be the lead writer for a new scripted drama series for HBO,” Ellen blurted, the concern in her eyes lingering
even as a smile brightened her face. “I helped write the pilot when we were on hiatus last year, and HBO ordered a full season.
As soon as A Patchwork Life wraps in the spring, I’m moving to New York.”
“Wow, Ellen,” said Julia, overcome. She was thrilled for her younger friend, and so proud of her, and yet— “That’s simply
wonderful. But—well, doesn’t it seem rather risky to you, to leave an established network for a cable channel?”
Ellen shrugged, her smile dimming. “I think it’s a risk worth taking. There’s so much potential for growth with cable, and
HBO in particular is creating very compelling programs. Angels in America, The Sopranos, Sex in the City—they’re giving our traditional networks a lot of competition for Emmys, and for viewers.”
“I suppose that’s a fair point.” Julia forced a smile that took in Nigel too. “Congratulations to you both. I’m so happy for
you. I hope you’ll invite me to your premieres.”
“Of course,” said Nigel. “In fact, I insist that you come.”
“I was actually thinking about writing a guest-starring role for you midseason,” said Ellen.
“Oh? That would be fun.” Momentarily intrigued, Julia nonetheless felt the frisson of anticipation quickly dissipate. “Well,
maybe I can look forward to reuniting with you on a set somewhere in New York, sometime next year.” She attempted a carefree
laugh. “It won’t be the same around here without you two, but when we begin shooting season seven, you should visit us on
location in Kansas for old times’ sake. I know how much you two love the frigid air and knee-deep snow.”
Nigel and Ellen exchanged a wary look that made Julia’s heart sink further. Honestly, how much lower could it go? “Maybe . . .
maybe you should talk with Noah and Chance,” said Ellen.
Julia scanned the room and spotted the two young men out on the balcony, chatting animatedly with a lovely, dark-haired young
woman who had joined the cast late in season five, appearing only in the final episode. Julia had met her briefly at the table
read, but they had not shared any scenes together and Julia couldn’t remember her name. Pamela? Paula? Something like that.
Julia scarcely knew her but, mindful of everything the Cross-Country Quilters had taught her about inclusivity, she had made
sure to add the newcomer to the group email inviting everyone to tonight’s party. They would have plenty of time to get to
know each other while filming season six.
At the moment, though, the young woman was gazing so admiringly at Noah that Julia was reluctant to interrupt. “No, let’s
just cut to the chase,” she said, turning back to Ellen and Nigel. “Spill it.”
“Noah intends to go to university,” said Nigel, “and Chance—”
“What?” Julia exclaimed. A few guests turned curious glances their way before resuming their own conversations. “Why would
Noah want to do a silly thing like that? What can he learn in a classroom that he can’t learn on the set?”
“A great many things,” said Nigel patiently. “Perhaps he doesn’t plan to study theater.”
“That would be a massive waste of his talent.”
“You majored in theater in college,” Ellen pointed out.
“Yes, but that was to get the training so I could get the career. Noah already has the career.”
“Maybe he wants something more, or just something else.” Ellen paused to murmur her thanks to a passing server as he refreshed
her coffee. When he approached Julia, she smiled tightly and shook her head. Only after he had moved off did Ellen add, “As
for Chance, he’s in negotiations to star in a new live-action fantasy series, something about brothers who hunt supernatural
creatures.”
Julia felt lightheaded. A series might survive the loss of the head writer and a single lead actor, but the departure of the
showrunner and three stars in a single season usually heralded the beginning of the end. Without Ellen, Nigel, Noah, and Chance,
A Patchwork Life wouldn’t be the same show. It would surely suffer the same fate as Happy Days after Richie Cunningham left, or All in the Family without Mike and Gloria.
But why hadn’t Julia heard anything from the rest of the cast, those who would be left behind to carry on? Where were the
anxious emails from the actors in supporting roles, worried about the future of their show? For that matter, where were the
phone calls from their ambitious agents hoping to get their clients promoted to a lead?
Why was everyone else okay with this? Either they too hadn’t read the email attachment or—
“Who else—” Julia cleared her throat and tried again. “Who else is planning to leave?”
“Everyone else,” said Ellen, as gently as anyone could. “We’re all making plans, moving on. I’m so sorry. I thought you knew.”
“It’s not your fault. I should have known. I should have been checking my email more vigilantly.” Julia shook her head slowly.
None of this felt real. “I don’t understand why you—why anyone—would want to leave a successful show so abruptly, at the height
of its popularity.”
“It’s hardly abrupt, darling,” said Nigel, pulling her into a comforting hug. “We still have season six to film. We’ll be
together for months yet.”
Julia clung to him, overwhelmed. She might have sobbed into his shoulder except she didn’t want to ruin his very fine shirt
with tears and makeup. Instead, she pulled away and managed a tremulous smile. “I know I’m being ridiculous,” she said, giving
her head a little shake. “I’m just not ready to say goodbye.”
“We don’t have to, yet,” said Nigel. “The series finale is almost two years away.”