The Fault in My Entrance (from Archive)

Yesterday, I took my two daughters and one of their best friends to see ‘The Fault In Our Stars’ at the cinema because my older daughter and the best friend of my younger daughter had read the book and couldn’t wait to see the film.  I know it is usual to read the book first and then maybe see the film if you are brave enough to risk ruining things in your head.  This time, however, I had to watch it first.  I don’t know why I haven’t read it yet as my friend has told me so many times to read it and it is her favourite book.  This was a special event too, because the film was being released early and there would be a Q & A session afterwards with the author, John Green, and the cast.

I pre-booked tickets and after a rushed pick up from a school tennis match, we got to the usual car park, only to discover it was gated over.  I parked in the new car park to the left and we darted across the road and decided to go through the open gates along the pathway, as a short cut to the cinema entrance.  Big mistake.

We arrived at the other end, with two minutes to spare until the film started, to be met with chained gates this end and high railings.  Not be be defeated at this late stage in the proceedings, we hopped up on to a low bar and attempted to clamber over.  The three girls managed just fine; the sprightly things.  I, however, managed to get stuck, ‘Miranda’ style, at the top of the fence.  I had a bar between my legs and could not lift myself off.

Of course, my daughters thought this was extremely hilarious – the little darlings.  I was, at this point starting to panic and wobble backwards.  I shouted ‘help’ as my daughters held their stomachs with laughter. The entire population of the cinema foyer stared out at me, mouths wide open.  No-one attempted to come to my rescue.  I then spied two burly young men approaching the cinema.  “Help,” I pleaded.  They smiled at me, at one another and kept walking.  “No, you two, please help me,” I called again.  They smiled again awkwardly.  “Please help, I’m stuck,” I called a third time and they made their way across the road.  Between one of the men and the best friend, I was helped to the ground.  My daughters stood there laughing their heads off.  The man’s friend held his phone up, so I can only guess he was about to send this particular hilarity off to You Tube.  I gave my absolute thanks and we rushed inside.

When buying our tickets, my older daughter asked the server if they'd seen me stuck on the fence. He replied, "I heard her before I saw her." The indignity. We fled to our seats just in time to hear John Green’s speech before the movie began.

The film was amazing.  I managed to cry all of my make-up off.  It was moving, humorous, realistic, well acted and a beautiful story.  I loved the characters and was told that it is just like the book, which now makes me definitely want to read it.