With that he bustled Kitty back to her dressing room where they all squeezed in. Max produced a bottle of champagne and after sending for glasses they all drank a toast to her successful debut.

‘Well done, Kitty,’ Ruby praised her and Kitty flushed with pleasure. It was the first time that her mother had ever appeared to be proud of her, and it momentarily filled her with joy and hope for the future. The young reporter that Max had invited along was clearly smitten with her and scribbled furiously on a small pad as he asked her questions. She giggled as she sipped the champagne and answered them as best she could.

‘I’m sure you have a wonderful career ahead of you,’ he told her and she blushed prettily, feeling heady with success. It was a glorious feeling and she didn’t want it to end.

‘Now then – out, you gentlemen,’ Ruby ordered bossily when the champagne bottle was empty. ‘I need to help Kitty get changed now, if you please.’

‘And then, if I may, I would love to drive you home,’ Richard told her.

Kitty looked at Ruby for permission. The evening was just getting better and better.

‘I don’t see why you shouldn’t.’ Ruby nodded. Suddenly she was glad that she had left it too late to have an abortion all those years ago. Kitty could well turn out to be an asset.

Once they were alone, Ruby smiled at her daughter. ‘You did really well. That audience was in the palm of your hand by the time you’d finished – and that’s no easy task in this place, believe me. How did you enjoy it?’

‘I loved it!’ Kitty smiled back at her through the cracked mirror as Ruby undid her gown at the back.

‘I can understand that. Success gives you a heady feeling. But this is only the beginning. Everyone has to start somewhere but there are better places in store for you, I’m sure of it, if you listen to me and Max.’

‘Oh, I will,’ Kitty assured her ardently and soon they were ready to leave.

Richard was waiting for her in the corridor with the prettiest bunch of flowers she had ever seen, tied up with pink ribbon, and as he led her outside with her arms full of the lovely blooms she saw Max and Ruby talking to the manager. He appeared to be paying them, but money was the last thing on her mind at that moment. Having Richard take her home would be the perfect end to the night and she followed him willingly.

Chapter Twenty-Two

As Mabel flicked aside the bedroom curtains the following morning, the spring sunshine streamed into the room and Kitty woke and stretched lazily. Then as she remembered the night before she purred like a little cat and pulled herself up onto the pillows.

‘Morning, Miss Kitty.’ Mabel carried a laden tray over to the bed and plonked it across her lap. ‘I thought you might like a cuppa in bed, seeing as you had such a late night. Miss Ruby is already up and about, can you believe it? And Mr Thomas is here too, with the newspaper. There’s a write-up about you in the Daily Express. Apparently, you went down a treat. Well done, miss.’