Miss Fox watched her with an indulgent smile on her face. She had lost count of the times she had gone along to Ruby’s performances and it was all old hat to her now, but for the young girl at her side she realised that it was all new and no doubt very exciting. Kitty was looking very pretty in one of the new outfits her mother had bought for her, and with her fresh complexion and sparkling eyes, Phyllis Fox saw that she was attracting more than a few admiring glances from certain gentlemen in the audience.

And then suddenly the lights dimmed and the enormous red curtains on the stage swished aside to reveal the compère, Billy Ball, who was almost as well known as the acts he was presenting.

Silence settled as he announced, ‘Good evening and welcome, ladies and gentlemen. We have some wonderful acts for you tonight, so with no more ado, I am thrilled to introduce Ted West, the Ukulele Man! Let’s give him a big hand!’

There was loud applause as the musician came running on to the stage and immediately began to play a selection of rousing popular tunes. Kitty beamed as she tapped her foot in time to the music. The show went on and they were entertained by a male singer, a comedian and a ventriloquist. And then the compère returned to the stage to announce that there would be a twenty-minute interval, so plenty of time to visit the bar. It was then that Max joined them and took a seat at the side of Kitty.

‘I’ve taken the liberty of ordering some champagne for us all as I didn’t know your preference, my dear,’ he informed Kitty, who was all but glowing.

‘Thank you,’ she said shyly. Max was looking very handsome and she suddenly felt very grown up. The champagne duly arrived, delivered on a tray by a slightly harassed-looking attendant, and Kitty giggled as she sipped at it and the bubbles went up her nose. ‘Oh, it’s quite lovely,’ she informed him, very aware that Miss Fox was watching them like a hawk.

Almost before they knew it the lights were dimmed and the curtains swished aside again as the compère strode onto the stage to announce the second half of the show.

‘Your aunt will be on after the next act,’ Max whispered to Kitty as he leaned towards her. ‘At one point in her career she commanded star billing and would be the grand finale.’

Kitty nodded and waited impatiently. Eventually Ruby was announced by her stage name, and she glided onto the stage in the most beautiful gown Kitty had ever seen. It was in a deep lilac colour, heavily trimmed with guipure lace, and very low cut. It was also extremely flattering. Her hair had been curled and piled high on her head, and about her throat she wore an amethyst and diamond necklace and matching earrings that dangled from her ears and sparked fire in the stage lights. From the balcony, she looked surprisingly youthful.