Chapter Twenty-three

QUEEN ELIZA

Everybody who worked in The Dolphin Theatre was in a state of fuss and worry.

‘It’s not a thing I’ve ever done,’ Sir John told Tommy, ‘but I’ve a good mind to close the theatre for the night and give the public back their money.’

‘You can’t do that,’ Tommy protested. ‘The fog’s lifted, but it’s bitterly cold, so those who come tonight come because they want to see the show. I don’t think Liza’s as bad as all that.’

Sir John had just finished his run-through with Liza. ‘She’s not bad at all but terribly careful, almost afraid to speak in case she drops an aitch. I can’t think why we engaged her.’

‘I can. She read the part very well. You remarked at the time that she was a clever child. But imagine going on tonight with everyone talking and thinking of nothing but Margaret.’

Sir John saw Tommy’s point. ‘Poor little thing! See her before she goes on and tell her I was pleased at the way she rehearsed the part, and that while she’s playing she’ll get an extra pound a performance.’

Bill Todd, usually a placid man, found he was, like everybody else, restless, so, to calm himself, he left his box and paced the passage where he came upon Sarah in floods of tears.

‘I am ashamed to carry on so,’ she sobbed, when she saw Bill, ‘but I don’t know what to be doing. I’m paid to look after Margaret and see how badly I’ve done it. I see now I shouldn’t have let her get in that growler, but at the time it seemed so wonderful, turning up like that, with the fog being so bad and all.’

Bill, making soothing noises, guided Sarah into his box and put her into his chair.

‘Now you don’t want to blame yourself. Cunning it was, the cab hanging round. Of course it wouldn’t have been difficult to learn what time you and Margaret started for the theatre, seeing you are punctual as clocks. How would you fancy a drop of porter? Or if you wait until I can get someone for the door maybe I could fetch you some brandy …’

‘Oh no, Bill, don’t you go running off. It gives us all confidence you being at the stage door, anyway I’d fancy a drop of porter.’

Bill poured out the drinks and handed a glass to Sarah. ‘It’s a good thing you didn’t fancy the brandy, for I wouldn’t wonder if we didn’t have the actors in early. We’re certainly in the news tonight.’

Bill was right – quite soon the actors did begin to arrive. Bill, as he handed out the dressing-room keys and letters, passed on the latest information, that there was no news, but the police had the matter in hand.

‘There, that’s the lot,’ Bill said, settling down again on his box, ‘except for the extras and they come later, for none is on at the beginning and mostly they are not on until the cathedral. Have a drop more porter, Sarah? That drop has done you good, you looked real ill when I found you.’