The assembly applauded politely.

“The cast, with the exception of Sparks, hasn’t read the play,” continued Sally as he handed them their scripts. “I let them know the basics of each character, but I didn’t send them copies in advance.”

“That’s because you were afraid we’d lose them,” said George.

“In your case, a definite concern,” said Sally. “But more because I wanted to give one tiny hint of direction: speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you—”

“Trippingly on the tongue!” chorused the room.

“Yes, like that,” said Sally. “I’m joking. No, I’m not. We’re in a living room. Speak like we’re all here, talking to each other in a living room, not projecting to the top of the balcony. I didn’t give anyone a script because I want you to discover what you’re saying as you say it, not as if you’re expecting to say it. Does that make sense? Let yourselves invent the words as they happen, as if they were emerging naturally from your thoughts. I’ll call out stage directions at the beginning of each scene just for clarity, but don’t worry about any bits of business with imaginary props. And don’t bother with the kissing, of course.”

“Damn the luck,” said George.

“Let’s begin,” said Sally, taking a seat in the corner. “Act One, Scene One. A bar in a middle-class seaside hotel in Margate. Bill is seated at a table, nursing a scotch and soda. The bartender comes over to him.”

“Will you be having another, sir?” said Alec.

“I’ll wait, if it’s all right with you,” said George.

“Expecting someone?”

“My wife’s coming by the later train. She should be here shortly.”

“What does the lady drink?”

“Ah,” said George, hesitating. “Gin and tonic, I should think.”

“Does she?” said Alec, smirking. “Gin and tonic? You’re certain about that?”

“Of course I’m certain.”

“Very good, sir. I’ll be sure to have one ready.”

Gwen uttered a silent prayer as George read her cue.

“Ah, there you are, darling,” he said brightly. “Good trip?”

“Awful,” she said, her voice quavering slightly. “The train was beastly crowded.”

“I’ve got us a table by the window. Come sit and have a drink.”

“Here you are, ma’am,” said Alec. “Gin and tonic for the lady, scotch and soda for the gent.”

“But I don’t—Oh, yes. Gin and tonic,” said Gwen. “Lovely, thank you.”

She paused, pretending that the bartender was walking away.

“Why on earth did you order me this?” she hissed. “I detest gin.”

“Sorry, I panicked,” said George. “He asked me what you drank. I had no idea. I had to come up with something or he’d be suspicious.”

“He’s suspicious anyway.”

“Any trouble getting away?”

“None. I told Arthur that I was visiting my friend Carol for the weekend. He was going out to his club. I don’t think he even absorbed the information.”

“What if he calls Carol?”

“She’ll cover for me. She owes me a few.”

“Nice friend.”