It was only a few minutes past six-thirty when Pearly and Gumbo arrived at the repertory theatre, but the small foyer was already crowded. Most were women of an indeterminate age: there seemed to be bold, sharp-featured brunettes everywhere, though perhaps it was the same two or three who materialised before Pearly as he circulated. Deidre Utterspan was one of the few people Pearly knew, which was a novelty for him, accustomed to familiar faces even if he was unable to recall all the names. After his glimpse of her earlier his interest was increased, but she looked just the same, no visible transformation from her ecstasy.

The president greeted him with sweeping familiarity. ‘And who’s this?’ Ms Winn continued as Gumbo stood smiling with an anchovy savoury diminished in his callused hand.

‘An old friend, Gu — ah —’ For just a moment Pearly couldn’t recall Gumbo’s Christian name, so unaccustomed was he to its use. ‘Alan,’ he said. ‘Alan’s in education, so he’s interested in drama.’

‘I’m groundsman and caretaker at Ketley Primary,’ said Gumbo.

‘What an interesting timbre your voice has,’ she responded, in unabashed reference to his cleft palate. ‘It could be very effective in certain roles, especially Shakespearean. Malvolio, say, or Falstaff. We’re always short of men in repertory, particularly those with a distinctive utterance. What do you think?’

Gumbo was interested. There were no women at the model aeroplane club. Here there were plenty, and with a certain openness of manner that he couldn’t define, but in which he sensed opportunity. ‘The mayor appears on so many stages that I know it’s no use trying to enrol him,’ said Ms Winn, ‘but at least he’s with us tonight.’ Pearly was about to reply when she swivelled away, held up her arms and cried, ‘People!’ in a ringing contralto. Pearly and Gumbo were startled, and her fellow society members and visitors brought to attention. Ms Winn was a woman of presence, accustomed to addressing an audience. Pearly thought she would take advantage of the occasion to perform for some considerable time, but to her credit she spoke briefly, impressively and to the point, before introducing him to formally declare the annex open. His own speech was accomplished enough in a generic way, although his anecdote about the policewoman and the zebra fell a little flat, perhaps because it lacked any theatrical connection. He cut the blue doorway ribbon with aplomb, however, and his revelation that the council’s community fund would increase its grant to the society by $2000 was applauded.