Rhiannon (17 page)

‘Gus Davenport. You saw him on stage tonight. He's the show's master of ceremonies – he's helping me.'

‘Oh yeah?'

‘Yes. And I'll thank you not to suggest there's anything improper. He's been very kind to me. In fact, we've already discovered Nellie's new address. I've arranged to meet Gus tomorrow morning. And, if
everything goes to plan, there's every hope that we'll find Mair then.'

‘Just you be careful. Promise?'

Rhiannon nodded.

They stood outside the tearoom.

‘Well this is it, then.'

‘Oh Frank, I wish you didn't have to go.'

‘Me too ...' he hesitated then pulled her to him. ‘Come here,
cariad
,' he said, hugging her.

Rhiannon instinctively snuggled up to him. It felt good to be held in Frank's strong arms, it reminded her of how her dad used to hold her and call her ‘my lovely girl'. Rhiannon gave a deep sigh.

‘Come on, Rhi, I'm sure everything will work itself out. I'll be back to see you, and I hope Mair, next Saturday.'

‘Let's hope so.'

 

Rhiannon returned to the theatre, passing as she did so the long queue of people outside the theatre who were patiently waiting for the doors to open so that they could take their seats in the auditorium. She felt such a mixture of emotions: sadness at having to say goodbye to Frank after such a brief and, for her, heart-wrenching visit, while at the same time, she was fearful of the outcome of her planned meeting with Gus in the morning and what she'd do if, once again, they failed to find Mair? What confused her most was how, with all this going on, could she manage to feel such excitement at the prospect of once again performing her act for the second show? But as Adam had, as Gus had once suggested, shortened the interval to accommodate her song, the thought of appearing in the same show as Alice Lloyd made everything else pale into insignificance.

As Rhiannon made her way to the dressing-room she accidentally bumped into Adam who was heading the other way.

‘Hey, watch where you're going, young lady.'

‘I'm sorry. My mind's all over the place.'

‘That'll be with excitement, then, eh?'

‘Yes, something like that.'

‘There's a packed house tonight. Ever since the advertisement appeared in the
South Wales Echo
, announcing the opening night for Alice Lloyd, the box office has been rushed off its feet.'

Rhiannon grimaced. ‘I can't believe that I'm actually appearing on the same bill as Miss Alice Lloyd. And, if I'm honest, I find it all a bit scary.'

‘Well you shouldn't. If you perform as well as you did for the
matinée, you'll set the standard and might even give Miss Alice Lloyd food for thought.'

‘I doubt that, but I can't wait to see her. Gus has already told me what a class act she is.'

‘Listen, Rhi, you can tell me to mind my own business, but what's the deal between you and Gus? You seem very ... close, of late.'

‘We're friends, that's all. What are you implying?'

‘Nothing, it's just ... well, as Gus and I are related I feel I know him than better most. I know what a charmer he can be, so you just watch your step, eh?'

‘If you know something—'

‘No-no. Look, I must go. Have a great show.'

 

The evening show at the Empire was a complete sell-out; the stalls and circle were packed with an older, more sophisticated audience than usual, all dressed in their finery: ladies in elaborate hats and elegant gowns, accompanied by gentlemen dressed in tail-coats and top hats. Of course the gallery was still full of ordinary folk, but even they had taken the trouble to don their Sunday best. It made the whole theatre experience somehow… more special.

Rhiannon, spurred on by Adam's words of encouragement earlier, walked on stage determined to give the performance of her life. It worked. Her performance had the audience calling out for more ... she left the stage ... their applause still ringing in her ears.

After Rhi's performance Sally Webber's street urchin went down well with the audience. Only when the applause had subsided did Gus take to the stage. It was time for Miss Alice Lloyd.

‘My lord's, ladies and gentleman, be prepared to be transported to another world ... a world of beauty ... a world of sublime enchantment ...' he paused, determined to keep this audience and the rest of the cast, all watching from the wings, in suspense for as long as he could... . ‘It's with great pleasure that I present to you the fabulously talented, international star ... I give you—' he turned his back on the audience. As the heavy gold-and-red brocade stage curtain slowly rose up to give everyone their first glimpse of her, Gus announced with great gusto, ‘Miss Alice Lloyd!' The audience erupted into great applause in anticipation of a memorable performance.

In the end, no one was disappointed. Like Florrie Grayson before her, Alice Lloyd had real star quality. She commanded the audience's attention, and they loved every minute of it.

At the end of the show, Alice Lloyd led all the cast into the grand finale. As the orchestra loudly played a medley of songs from the show, Alice Lloyd turned and, reaching for Rhiannon's hand, pulled her to stand next to her at the front of the stage.

Alice Lloyd moved closer. ‘Congratulations, my dear. I would never have believed that anyone, especially someone as young as you, could do justice to that song. But you did. Well done. I know my sister will be as touched as I am.'

‘Thank you. You're ... too ... kind.' Rhiannon's voice cracked with emotion.

When Alice Lloyd leaned over and kissed Rhiannon's cheek the audience went wild, aware that tonight they'd witnessed not one, but two ‘star' performances. With all the excitement Rhiannon was entirely unaware of the venomous looks Sally Webber was giving her.

 

‘We're all going to the Lounge Bar after the show. Do you fancy joining us for a celebratory drink?' Gus asked. Beaming a smile, he added, ‘It's not every day that “a star is born”.'

Rhiannon blushed.

‘Save the blushes. You must know how good you are,' he teased.

Rhiannon didn't know what to say, she really was embarrassed, ill at ease with receiving compliments.

‘If you like I'll walk you back to Mrs Gordon's boarding house later?'

‘How did you know I'd moved?' she asked.

‘It's hard to keep a secret from us theatre folk. Mind you, I did call in the girls' dressing-room to congratulate you after the matinée and Clara was acting very mysterious. When I asked her where you were, all she said was, “wouldn't you like to know?” '

‘There's no mystery. I had a visitor. An old friend from up the valley – he took me out for tea.'

‘He? And how old exactly is this “old” friend?'

‘Frank? I'm not sure, eighteen or nineteen, I think. He worked alongside my dad. My dad—' Rhiannon was about to tell him the story of how her dad had saved Frank's life, but Gus cut her short.

‘Look, forget tonight. I'll call for you around eleven in the morning.' With that he was gone.

For a while Rhiannon didn't move, puzzled at Gus's sudden mood change. What could she have said to upset him?

June 1909

 

It was a beautiful sunny day when, just after eleven on Sunday morning, Gus and Rhiannon patiently hid in a side alley across the road from what they believed to be Harry and Nellie's address. They waited for what seemed like an age. Suddenly there they were, all dressed up in their Sunday best, leaving their digs and heading in the direction of the King's Head.

‘That's them. Stand back. Wait until they're out of sight,' Gus instructed.

Rhiannon did as he bid. She shut her eyes as if, somehow, not being able to see somehow decreased the chance of being seen.

Gus took her arm. ‘Come on. They've turned the corner. The coast is clear, let's go.'

They entered the apartment building and climbed the stairs.

‘This is it, 21A,' Gus said.

Rhiannon banged on the door ‘Mair! Mair! It's me. Open the door!'

‘Rhi? Oh Rhi ... is it really you?' Mair's voice sounded desperate.

‘Yes-yes, love, I'm here, and I've brought a friend. We've come to help you. Open the door!'

‘Rhi, I can't. It's locked.'

‘What do you mean, locked? Just get the key and open it!'

‘You don't understand. Harry and Nellie have the only keys. They keep me locked up. Please, Rhi, you've got to get me away from them.' Mair was sobbing.

‘Gus, what can we do?' Rhiannon pleaded.

‘I'm afraid I'm totally stumped. The door's too solid to kick down. I can't believe those evil bastards. Fancy locking her in like this.'

‘Gus, we've got to do something?' Rhiannon pleaded.

‘Rhi,' Mair called, ‘I must get away before next Saturday night! Rhi – you don't know what they've got planned for me.'

‘Tell me.' Rhi urged.

‘I-I can't. It-it's too awful.'

‘Listen, Mair. You don't know me but my name is Gus and I'm a friend of Rhiannon's. Mair, if we're to help you, you've got to tell us.'

Mair stayed silent.

‘Mair please ... I beg you,' Rhiannon coaxed.

‘They plan to s-sell me t-to the highest b-bidder,' Mair's frightened voice stammered.

‘Sell you? What do you mean, sell you?' Rhiannon demanded.

This time there was no answer from Mair, just the sound of her muffled sobs.

Taking Rhiannon's arm Gus pulled her to him, his warm lips pressed against her ear. ‘Rhi, she's a young virgin, I think it may be their intention to sell her to the highest bidder,' he whispered.

Rhiannon caught her breath. ‘No! Not that? I can't believe that even they would—'

‘Believe it,' Gus said.

Rhiannon's eyes filled with tears. ‘Mair, my love, don't worry. We'll think of something. And whatever happens, I promise to have you out of there before next Saturday!'

‘Rhi, I've an idea that I think could work,' Gus whispered.

‘What is it? Tell me?' Rhiannon urged.

‘We need to find Adam. Then, if he agrees, and if we're quick, I'll still have time to get to the King's Head before Harry and Nellie leave for home.'

‘Adam? What's Adam's part in this? I don't understand.'

‘It will soon become clear. Now, come on. We really must get a move on.' Rhiannon hesitated, loath to leave Mair, but she trusted Gus; if he had a plan that would free Mair from Harry and Nellie's clutches, she needed to go with him.

‘Mair, love,' Rhiannon called softly through the door. ‘We've got to go now. But take heart. We'll be back before Saturday, I promise.'

 

‘We'll head for Adam's house. Just keep your fingers crossed that he'll be in; it's our only chance.'

Rhiannon sensed the urgency in his voice and asked, ‘Is it far?'

‘No. Only a ten-minute walk.'

Adam's house was a large, detached Victorian, city-centre property
overlooking the beautiful Sophia Gardens.

If Adam was surprised to see Rhiannon with Gus he didn't show it.

‘What a pleasant surprise. Please come in.'

They entered the spacious hallway behind Adam and followed him into the parlour. ‘This is something of an occasion. I think it may call for a glass of sherry. Gus would you do the honours?'

‘I'm afraid that, as pleasant as that would be, there's no time,' Gus urged.

‘I'm intrigued. What's the big rush?'

‘Adam? We need a big favour,' Gus said.

‘What sort of a favour? Gus, if you've ...' he threw Gus a challenging look, then turned to Rhiannon, ‘Rhiannon, are you in some sort of trouble?'

‘No. It's my stepsister, Mair,' Rhiannon assured him.

Adam shook his head. ‘I don't understand.'

‘If you'll be quiet and stop that overactive mind of yours jumping to the wrong conclusion, I'll explain,' Gus said.

‘All right, but this had better be good,' Adam warned.

Gus, keeping it short, relayed Mair's story.

‘I see. I'm sorry Gus, I thought—'

‘I know what you thought.'

‘So what can I do to help?'

‘Well, I've this idea. I'm sure that if we could raise enough money between us, I might be able to persuade the unscrupulous pair to release Mair.'

‘How much money are we talking about here?' Adam asked.

‘Well, I can get my hands on one hundred pounds. I thought that, if you could match it, then two hundred pounds should do the trick,' Gus replied.

Adam nodded. ‘It may take me a few days but, I'm sure I can do that.'

‘Gus. Adam. No! I couldn't possibly let you do this. It's such a lot of money. It would take me ages to pay you back,' Rhiannon argued.

‘Rhiannon, be sensible. Don't let your silly pride stop you accepting our help. After all, what's money compared with saving an innocent child from some degenerate?' Adam urged.

‘Put like that, I suppose—'

‘That's settled then. Now, Rhi, you stay here with Adam while I get myself down to the King's Head. With a bit of luck Harry and Nellie will still be there and I can get this matter sorted out, once and for all.'

‘I'm coming with you: safety in numbers and all that. Rhi, you just make yourself at home. We'll not be gone long.' Adam smiled.

‘Thank you both. Good luck,' Rhi called, as she watched them leave the house.

 

The two men entered the King's Head pub and, with Gus leading the way, pushed their way through the lively crowds in the bar area. There was no sign of Harry and Nellie, so Gus headed towards the snug and, opening the door, heard Nellie jibe, ‘Well, if it isn't our Rhiannon's fancy man.'

She and Harry were seated, with beer tankards in hand, surrounded by their cronies in the corner of the snug.

Gus, closely followed by Adam, edged his way to their table.

‘I need a word in private,' Gus announced.

‘In private, you say? Now what would that be about, then, eh?'

‘Do you really want me to discuss your plans for Rhiannon's stepsister right here, right now?' Gus said warningly.

‘Go on, Harry, take them outside to the back yard; they're fair turning my beer sour.'

Harry stood up. ‘I suppose out back to the privy wouldn't hurt.' He gave a loud belch. ‘As it happens, I could do with a piss.'

Harry led the way and, on reaching the dilapidated outbuildings that served as toilets, turned to face Gus and Adam.

‘Well? What's this you've heard about Nellie's daughter, then?'

‘I've heard there's to be an auction.' Gus said.

‘If what you've heard is true, what's it to do with you?'

‘I-we are here to make you an offer. And if you've got any sense you'll take it.' Gus tried to stay calm.

‘An offer, is it? Now there's a thing. What's the matter? Rhiannon getting too old for you, eh?'

Gus made to lunge at Harry, but Adam pulled him back. ‘Don't, Gus, he's not worth it.'

‘Look, we haven't met before, but my friend and I have a proposition I think you might find interesting,' Adam offered.

‘All right, I'm listening. What's the proposition?'

‘We're here to offer you, and Mair's mother, the princely sum of two hundred pounds, we—' Adam was cut off in mid-sentence.

‘What's the catch?' a woman's loud voice called from behind.

Adam and Gus both swung round and saw Nellie standing in the doorway with hands on hips.

Gus struggled to hold his temper. He so wanted to give this woman a piece of his mind, yet instinctively he was aware that now was not the right time. ‘No catch,' he said through gritted teeth. ‘All you have to do is hand over Mair, together with a signed statement giving Rhiannon sole responsibility for her future care and upbringing.'

Nellie sniggered. ‘Two hundred pounds, you say?'

‘Yes, I'm sure it's more than you could possibly get if you were to proceed with this immoral auction.'

Gus's gaze followed Nellie as she sidled over to Harry. ‘What you say to this then, Harry love?'

‘I say it all depends.' He looked over at the two men. ‘If, and only
if
, I were to agree, when would we see the colour of your money?'

‘All we need is a few days to secure the funds. How does five o'clock Friday evening sound?'

‘Where would we meet?'

‘We'd pick Mair up from your digs.'

Harry looked surprised. ‘Know where I live then, do you?'

‘Oh yes, we know where you've been keeping Mair, locked up like a caged animal.'

‘How do I know you won't bring the rozzers?' Harry asked.

‘Believe me, if I thought calling the police would help, I might consider it,' Gus snapped.

Harry laughed aloud. ‘Why, the police would be more likely to cop the pair of you for wasting their time. You see, we've not done anything against the law. Mair's Nellie's daughter, so it's our word against yours.'

‘Of course, you're right. Who'd believe that a mother could stoop this low?'

‘You think you're so high and mighty, don't you?' Nellie spat.

‘That's enough,' Harry ordered. ‘All right, you're on. Two hundred pounds, five o'clock Friday, it is. Don't be late.' Harry began urgently unbuttoning his flies. ‘Now will you all bugger off? As I said – I need a piss.'