Rhiannon (20 page)

 

At 10.30, with the cast assembled for band-call, Adam told them the news regarding Gus's sudden departure. He gave no reasons, although no doubt there'd be much speculation; all he said was that Gus had moved on. ‘I'm sure we all wish him well. Without an MC I intend to change the set-up.'

Adam's changes were greeted with mixed feelings, especially regarding Tom O'Reilly's new role, but they all admired Adam Fletcher's work and decided, at least for the time being, to trust his judgement.

Band-call seemed to go on for ever, restructuring the timing, the set; the removal of Gus's table and gavel seemed particularly final. Rhiannon was desperate to speak to Adam and, if necessary, would wait all day.

Eventually she heard Adam call, ‘That's it for today, folks. Thanks for all your hard work. Good luck for tonight – fingers crossed that the audience likes the changes made; we can but do our best. See you at curtain-up.'

As everyone left, Rhiannon held back.

‘Adam, I need to speak to you,' she spoke quietly.

‘That makes two of us,' he snapped.

He sounded angry with her. Surely he didn't blame her for Gus's departure.

‘Adam, I need to know why Gus left so abruptly.'

‘Rhiannon, I know what went on between you and Gus last night and I'm sorry.'

‘Why should you be sorry?'

‘I blame myself. I knew only too well what Gus was like. I should have warned you.'

‘Adam, please don't reproach yourself, what we did was—'

‘I should have insisted on walking you back to your digs myself last night, instead of letting him do it. The thing is, I truly believed that, where you were concerned, he could be trusted. What a fool I was in thinking he'd changed.'

‘Adam, please don't think too badly of him. What happened between us was with my consent. He loves me and I love him—'

‘Oh Rhi ... Rhi, I've heard that from his previous conquests so many times before.'

‘Please, Adam, I don't want to know. What's past is past.'

‘Well, you're damn well going to.' Taking her hand he led her to sit in the stalls. He stood over her, visibly trembling. ‘I've stayed quiet for too long. Five long years to be exact. She was a young chorus girl – her name was Helena Biggins. And she, like you, fell for his overwhelming charms and, again like you, she believed he felt the same way about her. Of course he didn't. The upshot was that after he succeeded in seducing her he moved on to his next conquest without as much as a backward glance.'

‘That was then. The way he feels for me is ... different.'

‘Rhiannon, stop fooling yourself. Face the truth. Gus is incapable of loving anyone but himself.'

‘Adam, why are you doing this? Surely as his uncle—'

‘You mean blood is thicker than water? For years I've felt the same and have always given him the benefit of the doubt. He was my brother's son and close relatives don't stand in judgement ... but I was wrong. What happened five years ago proved what a shallow human being he'd become.'

‘Was what he did five years ago so terrible?'

‘Oh yes. Yes. You see, a few weeks after Gus walked away, the poor girl found herself in the family way and, with no family and no means of support, she took her own life and that of her unborn child.'

‘No!' Rhiannon gasped and placed a hand over her mouth to mask a pitiful scream.

‘Yes! And I let it happen. Maybe, if I'd warned her... ? And now look what he's done to you! When he returned to my house last night, I guessed what had happened between you. I told him I was going to tell you everything. I ordered him out of my house and out of my life, and, guess what? True to form, the coward ran away. The only good thing he did was leave this envelope for you.'

‘Is there a letter?' For a moment her hopes were raised.

‘No letter, just his share of Mair's ransom money. At least he kept his word on that. Now he's gone and I say good riddance!'

‘But Adam, I love him.'

‘I'm sure you do. But trust me – we're both well rid of him.'

Rhiannon returned to her digs, still struggling to come to terms with what Adam had told her and the fact that in a matter of just a few hours she'd found and lost the man she loved. Had she been taken in? Had he used her? She tried to recall Gus's actual words. Had he actually said he loved her? According to Adam he was incapable of loving anyone. Yet what they'd shared had felt so right. She didn't want to believe that it meant nothing to him. But if he truly loved her, why the sudden departure? No, Adam was right, he'd used her.

Rhiannon entered her room, threw herself onto her bed and burst into tears. But when the tears stopped, she went over and over in her mind every moment she had spent in the theatre with Gus the night before.

There was a tap on the door.

Clara entered. ‘Rhi, Mrs Gordon has called us for tea. Are you all right?'

Rhiannon rose from the bed, slowly making her way to the washbasin on a stand in the corner.

‘Thanks, I'll be there in a minute.'

‘Oh Rhi, you've been crying. I'm so sorry. I can see how much Gus has hurt you. I'd give anything not to have said what I said about him last night. I hated falling out with you. Please say we're still friends?' Clara pleaded.

‘Our falling out was my fault, not yours. I didn't want to believe he—' Rhiannon put her head in her hands.

‘Come here.' Clara crossed the room and threw her arms around Rhiannon. ‘Rhi, if ever you want to talk, I'm here for you. That bloody man has a lot to answer for.'

 

That night, against all odds, the show went well. This was due in the main to the way Tom O'Reilly excelled himself in getting the audience rolling with laughter between the acts.

As usual, Rhiannon performed well. But her heart was not in it; every time the song called for her to look to the gallery she imagined Gus's handsome face smiling down on her. It was a cruel reminder of their first, and it would seem, their last night of passion. This couldn't continue. If she were ever to get over him, she needed to change her song. She vowed to speak to Adam after the show. Adam had made it perfectly clear that, from now on, he didn't want even to hear Gus's name. What Rhiannon needed to do now was to focus her mind on Mair's safe return; at least that was something to celebrate.

‘Adam? What would you say about my having a change of song?'

‘I'd say no. With only a few weeks to go until the end of this show's run, I wouldn't want to risk a further programme change. Up to now Gus's departure hasn't affected audience figures. Another change might be a change too far.'

The disappointment on Rhiannon's face was obvious.

‘Look, I'm not against you changing song. It's just that at the moment I think it is bad timing. Why not wait until we take the show on tour?'

Like the rest of the cast, Rhiannon was well aware of Adam's plan to take a smaller show on tour, something he did for three months every year, thus freeing the theatre for the pantomime season. Although he'd used discussions about it as an excuse for her late return to Mrs Gordon, this was the first time he'd mentioned it to her.

‘Does that mean you want me on the tour?'

‘Well yes; the plan is to visit selected small venues around Wales and the West Country. I thought you'd enjoy the challenge.'

‘Yes – yes! But ... what about Mair?'

‘I thought we could employ her as a dresser. What do you think?'

‘Oh Adam! Thank you. That's a wonderful idea and what a great opportunity for a new start for Mair. You haven't forgotten the arrangement to pick her up on Friday, have you?'

‘No, I hadn't forgotten.'

‘I thought, with him... .' She still couldn't bring herself to say he'd gone, ‘I thought I'd come with you.'

‘I'm not sure that's such a good idea. The business transaction was strictly between us men. Your being there could spark trouble. No, you stay at Mrs Gordon's and wait. I promise to bring Mair straight there.'

 

Rhiannon spent the next few days simply going through the motions: rehearsals, band calls, matinées and evening shows. Most nights she spent without sleep, tossing and turning, trying to understand why Gus had left her. She didn't doubt the truth of what Adam and Clara had told her, but it still couldn't stop her loving him. What if they were mistaken and Gus really had changed? Rhiannon had been so convinced of his feelings towards her. He'd been so tender, caring and so ... loving. But the question that nagged at her was, if he really loved her then why had he run away? Why hadn't he been man enough to stand and face the music? No, it was time to face the truth. Gus had gone and somehow she had to try to forget him.

It was Thursday night and Mair couldn't help but notice how Harry appeared to be in unusually good spirits.

‘I thought, as it's your last night with us, that I'd treat us to a special fish-and-chip supper, and maybe a few flagons of ale. How does that sound?' Harry gushed.

‘I think that's a splendid idea, don't you, Mair?' Nellie urged.

Mair wanted to scream at the both of them. Did they really think a fish-and-chip supper would make up for the way they'd treated her for the last few months: keeping her locked up with the intention of selling her to the highest bidder? She so wanted to tell them how much she longed to be rid of them both. Instead she heard herself say, ‘Thank you. I'd like that. Fish and chips are my favourite.' Common sense told her to go along with the charade, She didn't want to risk them backing out of their agreement with Rhiannon's friends – she'd bide her time; tomorrow she'd be free.

‘Good, then that's settled. You girls set the table and I'll nip to the chip shop and the pub's taproom. Nellie, remember to set for four, eh?' he threw her a knowing look.

‘Four? Why four?' Mair asked.

‘A friend from down the King's Head is joining us. And I expect you to be on your best behaviour and to mind your manners – it's not too late for us to change our mind about you going tomorrow, so take heed. That said, I intend to make this a night to remember.'

His chuckle aroused Mair's suspicions. What was he up to?

Almost an hour went by with still no sign of Harry, during which time Mair, not wanting to enter into conversation with Nellie, busied herself packing her few belongings into her old suitcase: the same suitcase she and Rhiannon had used when they first left the valley, it seemed now, a lifetime ago.

‘I bet, instead of fetching our supper and a flagon of ale, the bastard's swigging back ale down the pub. If he's not back in the next ten minutes I'll be joining him.'

At that moment the door opened and Harry entered, followed by a portly middle-aged man. Harry beamed a smile. ‘Well here she is, Jake, our Mair, ready and waiting as promised.'

Mair recognized Harry's friend as the man who had come to the apartment a few days previously. She could never forget the way he had eyed her up and down, practically undressing her, salivating so much that the moisture dribbled from the corner of his mouth and down his chin. It had made her feel sick.

‘What's the highest bid so far?' Jake asked Harry.

‘Up to this morning, fifty guineas. Although with all the interest shown I expect that figure to more than double by the weekend.'

‘And still a virgin.' He took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his chin.

‘Yes, that's right. You have my word on that. Needless to say that, if you were to find otherwise, then you'd rightly be compensated.'

‘Harry, my man, your word's good enough for me. I'm prepared to top whatever offer you get between now and Saturday. I'll go to as much as one hundred and fifty pounds. Have we got a deal?'

Harry grabbed the man's hand. ‘Let's shake on it.'

Mair watched in horror as the men shook hands and in doing so sealed her fate.

Mair heard the rustle of notes and the jingle of coins.

‘There, that should do it,' the man said.

‘Right girl, it's time for you to start earning your keep. Nellie you get yourself off to the pub, I'll be along shortly.'

A frightened Mair stared into Nellie's eyes. ‘Please, Mam ... Nellie, Please don't leave me here,' she pleaded.

Nellie hesitated and looked across the room to Harry.

Harry walked over to her. ‘Come here woman,' Harry said, then with both hands fondling her bosoms he pulled Nellie to him, placing a passionate kiss full on her mouth. ‘Don't you go fretting yourself about what's going on here. Remember what we agreed? This is just a means to an end. After tomorrow, there be no more working the streets for you, eh? Together with our little investments, we shall move away from these parts, and maybe I'll make an honest woman of you.'

‘You mean we really will get wed?'

‘If everything all goes to plan tonight and tomorrow? Yes. Now get
yourself down the pub and wait for me.'

‘Yes, Harry, anything you say, Harry.' As she walked through the door, she didn't look back.

Mair felt suddenly light-headed. What was happening to her? She knew she wasn't tipsy; she hadn't taken but a sip of ale, although the taste of it still lingered on her tongue.

Mair was aware of Jake taking her hand and leading her towards the bed.

‘Come on, what say we have a lie down.' As he whispered in her ear, the smell of stale cigarettes and whisky invaded her nostrils. She struggled to pull away from him but it seemed all her strength had left her.

‘What did you give her?' Jake asked.

‘Only a little pill to quieten her down. She can be a feisty little bugger. Trust me, she'll not be giving you no trouble.'

‘I hope you haven't taken all the fight from her. I don't want it too easy.'

‘It won't be. I'm sure you'll not be disappointed. Have fun, we'll see you later.' Then looking directly at Mair he said, ‘We'll not be gone long. Just long enough for you and Jake to get to know each other. Now you be nice to him, do you hear?' Harry threw her a look that said, ‘or else.' Then turning to shake the man's hand he left the room.

As Jake moved closer to the bed Mair, sick with panic, made to get off it, but Jake's heavy hand stopped her. ‘Now where do you think you're going? I just paid one hundred and fifty for you, young 'un. That means I'm free to do with you as I please.'

She knew only too well what he intended to do to her. Years of sharing a bedroom with Nellie, at the Tredegar Arms back in the valley, had meant that every time Nellie brought one of her men-friends to the room, Mair spent the night on a single mattress under her mother's bed. Oh yes, she knew what happened between men and women ... but surely not to a girl of thirteen!

Mair attempted to scream, but Jake's large hand over her mouth muffled any sound, and with the other hand he deftly lifted her skirt and petticoat. Immediately she felt his heavy body crash down on her and his stale whisky-breath mouth smothering hers. She tried to fight Jake off but, even without whatever Harry had given her, he was such a big man she could never have moved him.

As his hands fumbled to remove the rest of her undergarments she felt sickened, helpless and unable to prevent the inevitable.

He entered her.

She screamed out.

He just laughed and carried on, grunting and gasping, while his hands cruelly mauled at her young breasts.

Mercifully her ordeal was soon ended. With one loud strangled gasp he slumped down upon her. At that moment, had she been able to put her hand on one, she could have willingly thrust a knife again and again into his flabby belly. She vowed that from now on she'd keep a weapon of some kind with her at all times.

 

It was early Friday afternoon and Rhiannon, together with the rest of the cast, left the theatre after band-call to find Frank Lewis waiting at the stage door. The sight of him made her eyes well up with tears. ‘Oh Frank, it's so good to see you.'

‘I said I'd be back. What's the news about Mair?'

‘Harry and Nellie have agreed to release her at half past five this evening. Mind you, it took two hundred pounds of Adam and Gus's money to do it.'

‘Adam and Gus sound like good blokes. I can't wait to meet them, to thank them personally.'

‘I'm afraid Gus has left the company... .' She gave a long sigh.

‘Are you all right, Rhi?'

Rhiannon nodded and forced a smile. ‘Yes, I'm fine. In fact, I think it would be a good idea if you met Adam right now. Come on, he's still in the theatre.' Taking Frank's hand Rhiannon turned and headed back into the theatre.

‘Adam, this is Frank Lewis, the friend I told you about from the valley.'

Adam offered his hand. ‘Pleased to meet you. Any friend of Rhi's, eh?'

Frank shook hands. ‘It's good to meet you, and thank you for your part in negotiating Mair's return.'

‘It was the least I could do. In fact ... I don't know if Rhiannon has explained that Gus and I had arranged to collect her this evening but, now that Gus has up and left, how do you feel about taking his place? I don't expect any trouble but... ?'

‘I'll be only too glad to accompany you. The sooner we get Mair away from that pair the better.'

‘Good man. Rhiannon, you stay put at Mrs Gordon's as arranged, yeah?'

‘Yes, all right. No disrespect Adam, but Mair doesn't know you that well. I feel happier knowing Frank's going with you. Mair has always had a soft spot for him – a friendly face and all that. Truth be known, I still don't trust Nellie and her fancy man. What if they ask for more money... ? What if they change their minds, or what if—?'

‘You mustn't go fretting yourself. I'm sure everything will go to plan and in a few hours you and Mair will be reunited. Now, cheer up.'

Rhiannon forced a smile, but for some reason a strong sense of foreboding stayed with her.

Adam turned to Frank. ‘How long do mean to stay in Cardiff?'

‘My time's my own. I was just on my way to find myself some digs.'

‘Forget the digs. You can stay at my house. In fact, if you'd like to hang around for ten minutes while I finish up here, I'll take you back to drop your suitcase off, and maybe have a little light refreshment before heading off to pick up Mair.'

‘That's very kind of you. If you're sure, it'll be fine with me. Will you be joining us, Rhi?'

‘No, I really need to get back to my digs. Mrs Gordon will be expecting me. I wouldn't want to upset her.' Rhi hadn't been back to Adam's house since the night with Gus.

‘Your landlady sounds a bit of a tartar.'

‘Not really. She's really very caring. She's already agreed for Mair to come share my room at no extra cost and she's even making a special pre-show tea to celebrate Mair's return.'

Adam smiled, ‘You tell her from me that I always knew she was an old softie at heart.'

‘I will, but I doubt she'll admit to it. I'd better be off. Good luck, you two. I can't wait to get Mair back.'

‘We'll not keep you waiting long. We should have her back with you well before six. Now off you go, and try to rest up. Remember you've another show this evening.'