Emmy Lou glowed, her cheeks were pink, hair stuck out from under the old hat, her eyes were still shining. She looked wonderful.

It was still the first week but already they worked long, long hours, it was a good but complicated piece, set in the past as well as the present. But there were problems. The author had been invited to sit in on rehearsals. Over any line that was changed, or even questioned, Eurydice Smith fought bitterly.

‘It’s my play,’ she would say, ‘every word there I’ve sweated blood over.’

Emmy Lou had some sympathy with her. She’d seen arrogant actors damage plays. This was a good play, but sometimes Pamela suggested something even better and Eurydice was unwilling even to try it out.

‘It’s a fantastic play Eurydice,’ said Pamela Angel patiently, ‘that’s why we’re doing it, but it’s also your first play and plays sometimes change in rehearsal, actors sometimes bring new things, extra things, it’s a partnership, especially new plays that haven’t been performed before. All new plays go through this process, ask any author, ask Shakespeare, ask Tennessee Williams.’

‘Tennessee Williams hated people changing things,’ said Eurydice. ‘It’s my play, I know the characters, I don’t want actors messing it about.’

On the third day Colin, the ridiculously young producer Emmy had met at her audition, was called in. Emmy Lou saw him go over to Eurydice, take her by the arm. She shook him off.

‘I only want to take you for a drink Eurydice,’ he said. ‘I want to talk to you about the press night, and about giving interviews next week to Time Out and to the Independent.’

‘As long as they don’t mess up my play,’ she said, following Colin reluctantly. He popped his head back in as she passed him on her way out.

‘Lock the door!’ he hissed.

Emmy Lou thought he would go far.

From then on Pamela Angel was adamant, and Emmy Lou saw that she had iron in her heart, that nothing would get in her way.

‘Everything’s cool,’ said Pamela, ‘we’ll have the first fortnight without her until we’re more settled with what we’re doing even if we have to rehearse on a rubbish dump. Then she can come back. She has to understand the process.’ Emmy Lou didn’t know whether Colin had locked Eurydice in a cupboard or what, but anyway she wasn’t there glowering every morning first thing, and without her rehearsals forged ahead.