Meg Tilly - Behind the Scenes

also by meg tilly

A Taste of Heaven

Porcupine

meg tilly

behind the

scenes

PUFFIN
BEHIND THE SCENES

MEG TILLY is the author of three previous YA novels, A Taste of Heaven, Porcupine, and First Time. Porcupinewhich was shortlisted for a BC Book Prize, the Canadian Library Association Best Childrens Book, and Foreword magazines Book of the Year Awardwas named an Ontario Library Top Ten Best Bet in 2008. First Time was a 2010 CCBC Best Book, a Golden Eagle Award nominee, and a 2009 YALSA Quick Pick. Her adult novels are Singing Songsa Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selectionand Gemma.

Tilly is also known for her work as a film actress. Some of her better-known films include The Big Chill and Agnes of God, for which she won a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Oscar.

At present she is both writing and dipping her toe back into the acting world. She played Martha in the Blue Bridge production of Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Madeline 2 in Tarragon Theatres production of The Real World? She has shot two seasons of Global TVs Canadian hit show Bomb Girls, which was awarded a Gracie for Best TV Drama. She was nominated twice for the Monte Carlo Golden Nymph for Best Actress TV Drama, and won two Best Actress TV Drama Leo Awards and the Best Actress TV Drama Canadian Screen Award.

Tilly has three grown children and lives in Toronto with her husband.

To my husband, Don, with love

the phone call

We need to talk. Alyssas voice was low, muffled. Madison had to strain to hear through the earpiece.

Sure, hold on a minute, Madison said as she headed for the kitchen door. Her little sister, Gina, had just rolled a Yahtzee with twos and was shrieking and hopping around the kitchen like someone had dunked her in a bathtub full of ice cubes. Madison slipped through to the back porch.

Wait! Gina bellowed, stopping in mid-celebratory hop, her head snapping around to fix on Madison. Where are you going?

Alyssas on the phone, Madison replied. Ill be right back. Mom, could you roll for me? Madisons mom nodded, Gina scowled and opened her mouth, but Madison closed the door behind her, the ruckus in the kitchen muted now, not as sharp and piercing. She held on to the doorknob, just in case Gina decided to come storming out. Okay, Alyssa, Im listening. Whats up? The doorknob wiggled, but Madison was prepared. She quickly leaned her body weight against the door and it stayed shut.

No, not on the phone. Can you meet me?

Why are you whispering? Madison asked, her stomach dropping, because now that she was outside, she could hear the strain in Alyssas voice. Is something wrong? And a million worries suddenly flew through Madisons head. What if Alyssas moms weirdo stalker had found out where they lived and was holding them hostage? Stalkers were one of the many challenges that Alyssa and her mom had to deal with. Do you need me to call 9-1-1? Madison asked, her mouth suddenly chalk-dry.

No, Alyssa said. Nothings wrong

Oh, Madison breathed, relief rushing through her. Madison had always thought it would be pretty cool to be famous. But ever since October, she had discovered that being famous had a downside as well. That was when Madison found out that Alyssas mom was actually the one and only Jessica Ashton, a world-famous Hollywood actress, who had arrived in their sleepy town of Rosedale to film the new TV show Call Me Night. Thank goodness. You had me sc

Actually, Alyssa cut in, everythings wrong, but nothing that requires 9-1-1. Can you be at Willows Beach in I dont know say, an hour?

Let me ask my mom. Madison yanked open the door. Gina tumbled through and landed at her feet.

You made me fall! Gina roared indignantly.

Madison reached down and helped her

up, even though it was Ginas fault, because, seriously, nobody asked her to lean against the door. Sorry, Madison said, trying to sound contrite. Better to apologize than have Gina throw a hissy fit and get Madison in trouble. Mom, can I ride my bike to Willows Beach?

Were gonna go to Willows Beach? Yay! Gina said excitedly. I love Willows Beach!

Not you, Madison said, frowning down at her sister. Me.

Madison, honey, her mom said, looking ready to refuse, your dad was

Please, Mom, Madison said, covering the mouthpiece of the phone. Its important. Alyssa sounds upset, and needs to talk.

Madisons mom sighed. All right, she said. But I want you back by dinner.

Madison told Alyssa, then hung up and sprinted to her bathroom, grabbed a towel, and stuffed it in her backpack as she jogged down the hall to the front door. Youre the best, Mom! she hollered super loud. Her voice overpowered Ginas small, plaintive, poor-me whine about how much she loved Willows Beach and please, please, please as she trailed after Madison in a woebegone manner.

But Madison was too smart for her. Love you, Mom! Thank you so much! Bye! Madison bellowed as she darted out of the house, shutting the door firmly behind her.

Madison coasted out of the driveway and turned left. It was the fastest route to Willows Beach. Usually on the weekends, Mrs. Bachrach, the neighbour up the block, kept her little Pomeranian, Rufus, on a leash or inside. But just in case, Madison kept her eyes peeled. She had been bitten by Mrs. Bachrachs dog when she was six and out biking with her dad. She had been feeling pretty proud because her dad had removed her training wheels, and she had almost managed to ride around the whole block without once falling over. Her dad had been a little ahead, doing fancy curving, sweeping turns with his bike, riding from one side of the road to the other and back again so he wouldnt get too far ahead.

Madison and her dad had ridden by Mrs. Bachrachs house many times before with no problem. But this particular morning, Mrs. Bachrach, still in her bathrobe and curlers, was leaning over her porch rail. She was chatting about the possibility of rain with Mr. and Mrs. Eckle in the next yard over, when little fluffball Rufus came tearing out of the dooryapping and snappingand barrelled down the walkway toward Madison. At first Madison was worried because she wasnt very good at steering, and she didnt want to accidentally run over one of Rufuss little paws.

Go away, Rufus! shed said. Shoo! And thats when he leapta blur of furand buried his jaws securely into the meat of her right calf. How he managed that feat was a mystery since he was only eight inches tall and she was on her bike, but he wouldnt let go, even when Madison and her bike crashed to the ground. Madison could hear her dad holler and knew he was coming, but Mr. Eckle got there first. He grabbed Rufus by the scruff of his neck. Rufus was jerking and snapping and trying to twist around and bite Mr. Eckle. Mrs. Bachrach was bashing Mr. Eckle over the head with her rolled-up newspaper and screaming, Dont you hurt my baby! My defenceless little Rufus! Let him go or Ill kill you. I swear to god!

Madison was standing there frozen, her whole body shaking and blood spilling down her leg, pooling in her tennis shoe, making it slippery and wet. Her dad scooped her in his arms, hugging and kissing her as he ran full tilt back to their house, jumped in the car, and drove like a maniac to the doctors office.

Madison had to get ten stitches and a tetanus shot.

No, Madison was not partial to Mrs. Bachrachs defenceless little Rufus. When it came to that dog, she had learned the hard way not to leave anything to chance. And sure enough, as she approached, she saw old Mrs. Bachrach sitting on the stuffed armchair on the front porch, and Rufus running amok in the garden, lifting his leg on the lilac bushes.