‘I was just hoping for a chance to say how much we appreciate the compliment,’ said Mrs Blewitt with an air of conspiracy. ‘It’s not a big role, of course, not like Trev’s accustomed to. Trev’s accustomed to leading child-juves, Mr Jay. We was offered – ’

It went on predictably for some time. Trevor, it appeared, had developed a heart condition. Nothing, Mrs Blewitt hurriedly assured Peregrine, to worry about really because Trev would never let a show down, never, but the doctor under whom Trev was and under whom she herself was – a monstrous picture presented itself – had advised against another big emotionally exhausting role –

‘Why bring that up, Mummy?’ Trevor piped with one of his atrocious winks at Peregrine. Peregrine excused himself, saying that they must all be getting along, mustn’t they, and he wanted to catch Miss Dunne before she left.

This was true. He had thought it would be pleasant to take Emily back to their studio for supper with him and Jeremy. Before he could get to her he was trapped by Gertrude Bracey.

She said: ‘Have you seen Harry anywhere?’

‘I saw him a minute or two ago. I think perhaps he’s gone.’

‘I think perhaps you’re right,’ she said with such venom that Peregrine blinked. He saw that Gertrude’s mouth was unsteady. Her eyes were not quite in focus and blurred with tears. ‘Shall I see if I can find him?’ he offered.

‘God, no,’ she said. ‘I know better than that, I hope, thank you very much.’ She seemed to make a painful effort to present a more conventional front. ‘It doesn’t matter two hoots, darling,’ she said. ‘It was nothing. Fabulous party. Can’t wait to begin work. I see great things in poor Ann, you know.’

She walked over to the balustrade and looked down into the lower foyer which was populous with departing guests. She was not entirely steady on her pins, he thought. The last pair of Personages was going downstairs and of the Company only Charles Random and Gertrude remained. She leant over the balustrade, holding to it with both hands. If she was looking for Harry Grove, Peregrine thought, she hadn’t found him. With an uncoordinated swing she turned, flapped a long black glove at Peregrine and plunged downstairs. Almost certainly she had not said goodbye to her host and hostess but, on the whole, perhaps that was just as well. He wondered if he ought to put her in a taxi but heard Charles Random shout: ‘Hi, Gertie love. Give you a lift?’

Jeremy was waiting for him but Emily Dunne had gone. Almost everybody had gone. His spirits plummeted abysmally. Unpredictably, his heart was in his boots.

He went up to Mrs Greenslade with extended hand.

‘Wonderful,’ he said. ‘How can we thank you.’

CHAPTER 4
Rehearsal

‘Who is this comes hopping up the lane?’