I knew he was laughing at me, even if I didn’t know exactly why. But I had to make my own mark somehow.

Ellen had finished her song. Crillick’s handclaps brought me back into the moment. He called over to me.

‘Come on then, Amazonia. It’s your turn.’

He sat back in his seat with his arms behind his head and his left ankle resting on his right knee. Slowly I picked up the shield and the spear. Every fibre of my body protested against it but what could I do?

‘That’s right,’ Crillick called up to me. ‘Go offstage and then I want you to burst on. Maybe some dancing.’

It was what I did in my performance. So why did it feel so difficult now? Come on, Zillah. It’s just a few extra props. But it wasn’t. It was Crillick, eager to see me perform, Ellen looking sullen, and the things in my hands. Crillick was sitting in row C. That was where Lucien Winters had sat. Get on with it, Zillah. I took a deep breath, ready to let out Amazonia’s war cry, when I heard Crillick say, ‘What’s this?’

His voice was irritated. I stepped back out where I could see him. Barky was at his side bearing a note. Crillick read it and the look of annoyance on his face changed to a sly smile.

‘Very well. I’ll leave now.’ He called out, ‘I’ll be in my box to see you soon, Zillah.’

My body sagged with relief and I let the shield and spear fall to the floor with a clatter. Crillick looked up sharply at the noise, but said nothing as he shrugged on his coat.

‘Thank you for getting this message to me so quickly,’ he said to Barky. ‘It is excellent news.’

Barky handed him his hat. He was ready to go now.

‘I’ll see you soon. There’s a surprise for you in this note.’

Ellen walked to the stage. ‘Goodbye,’ she called out, but Crillick was already gone, the doors at the back of the auditorium swinging in his wake.

‘Did you hear that? He’s got me a surprise.’ Ellen turned to me, a look of challenge in her eyes. I was happy for her to claim Crillick’s remark. I’d had enough of his gifts. There was nothing I wanted more than to think he had been addressing her, but something told me it was me he had spoken to.

‘You’re welcome to be on your way, girls,’ Barky said. ‘I only called you in for Crillick but there’s no need to stay now he’s gone.’

He walked away and it was just me and Ellen again.

‘I liked your song,’ I said. ‘Crillick seemed very pleased with it.’

She gave me a curt smile. ‘Don’t patronise me, Zillah.’

‘I was trying to be nice.’