The Boy I Love (37 page)

‘I don’t think you have a choice,’ said Robert very quietly. ‘Giles, you and I were once in love, and then you dropped me for the sake of idle gossip and your career
prospects. Pretty pathetic excuses for destroying someone’s life, don’t you think? But to be fair when I came to you this year and suggested we work together, you gave me the
opportunity to follow my dream and become a director. I am not going to let you drop me again as casually as you did last time. Especially as you seem intent upon ruining your chance of a lifetime
for romance. So if you need a little persuasion, let’s talk about Lord Graham and his son Eddie, shall we? Eddie has followed in his father’s footsteps and I am not talking about
agricultural college. Young Edward is proving quite the “gay young thing” in social circles in Manchester, especially in the Queen’s Hotel. I know you enjoy the delights of this
venue as I introduced you to George and his happy band. I also know that you enjoy many a night with His Lordship under the protection of George. All well and good, you may say. But I do not think
His Lordship would be happy to know his son is indulging his passion for young men’s flesh under the same roof, and risking the family name in doing so. I would be happy to have a word in his
ear should you and I not find a way to carry on. Surely it is much better all round, that we keep these things in the family, so to speak. We should all be looking after each other and our
reputations, don’t you think?’

Robert sat back and waited for Giles to respond. He gleaned enormous satisfaction from watching the man sweat. He could see the thoughts running through Giles’s head. The panic and fear in
his eyes. Let someone else feel helpless and abandoned like he had been. He lived every day now with the promise of death and it made him intolerant of those who took life and good fortune for
granted. Those people who walked through life taking what they wanted with no thought of what havoc they might wreak on others’ emotions. Giles was a weak man who always managed somehow to
wriggle out of trouble. Well, lucky him! This time he would find it a little more difficult and maybe his misfortune would be lucky for Robert. It was too late to save him from the fate that so
cruelly awaited him, but not too late to make whatever was left of his life worth living.

Robert saw Giles swallow hard and his Adam’s apple rose and fell in contradiction to the feigned outward calm he was presenting across the desk. Giles then rose and came round to the front
of the desk and leaned against it.

‘Well, well, life
is
full of surprises. Why don’t you and I go now and get this play ready for a spectacular first night in Crewe? Who knows where it may lead us.’ He
walked to the door and held it open for Robert, who rose from the chair like a bird of prey and crossed the room in one fell swoop, to pause and peruse his prey before making his exit.

The first night was a huge success, much to the amazement of the cast. The run-up to the big night had been unbelievably fraught with drama, never mind the drama onstage. The
biggest problem had been Isabelle, who just seemed to go to pieces. Sally and Rupert spent every minute with her encouraging her and feeding her and trying to make sure she kept the food down. She
would use any excuse to get to the toilet, but Sally would refuse to budge from her elbow. Rupert was remarkably calm and together. He was obviously besotted by his leading lady, much to
Sally’s disgust, but she understood that without him beside her, there was no way Isabelle was going to get on that stage.

The rest of the cast had come together in the last two days, and decided that in spite of their director’s lack of guidance, they were bloody well going to do this, and the energy onstage
was terrific. Jeremy was sick with nerves, not just because the audience was full of important people from the world of theatre and film, but because Eddie was going to be sitting in the Royal Box
with his family. His Lordship was coming with his whole family, Tanya and Tilly and Eddie. He and Eddie had talked about the night and how they would keep their affair under wraps.

‘For God’s sake, you must not come too close to me or I will give the game away. I know I will just want to kiss you!’ exclaimed Eddie. ‘We must make sure we are always
in a group together. Will you peep through the curtain at the beginning and blow me a kiss?’

Jeremy laughed. ‘Oh yes, that would be just great, me standing behind the curtain blowing kisses. “What are you doing, Jeremy?” “Oh, just waving at my lover in the Royal
Box!” Can you imagine how that would go down with Giles Longfellow?’

‘Well, frankly, he is the one person who
would
understand. Did you see him in the bar at the Queen’s last weekend, by the way? I was wondering who he was with that night. I
asked George, but he didn’t seem to know. Perhaps he has a secret assignation sometimes. We could investigate.’ Eddie giggled.

‘We have enough trouble keeping our own assignations secret without worrying about other people,’ said Jeremy.

Dora, meanwhile, was obsessed with the guest-list for the evening, and how she was going to get herself introduced to the producer of Isabelle’s new film.

‘If I can just get him in front of me, I know I can win him over. And did you know there is a casting director from
Coronation Street
coming, Sally?’ Dora looked at her
sister, who was busy trying to make posies of wild flowers for Isabelle to carry on in her mad scene.

‘Why would you think I care about
Coronation Street
? I do not want to be in a long-running series – it would ruin my career. You just get typecast.’

‘Oh, don’t be so bloody pompous, Sally. Work’s work – and it’s better to be out there being seen. No point in sitting in your little garret room acting to the
mirror. Where is that going to get you?’

Sally did not bother to answer her sister. They did not agree on anything these days. She had not had the time to work things out between them, but she knew that something would have to be done.
She was nervous about seeing their parents while the situation was like this. It would only take a minute for their mum to realize that something was wrong, and she would be so upset. Sally had
actually put their parents off coming to see
Hamlet
, telling them it was not much good, and that she and Dora were just too busy to enjoy their visit.

‘All right, my darling,’ Patricia had said. ‘But we really do want to see you both very soon. We miss you!’

Giles and Robert worked together, and it had been agreed between them that Giles would discuss the future with Robert after the opening night. In his heart Giles knew it was make or break time,
and he would do anything to keep Robert quiet. If he had to agree to giving him a job once the play went to London, so be it. It was worth it to prevent Teddie from finding out about his son. Of
course it would all come out eventually, but now was not the time.

The curtain went up and
Hamlet
hit the stage. Rupert was magnificent, and whenever she had a minute during the play, Sally watched him from the wings. He soared, there was no other way to
describe his performance. The scenes with Ophelia were magical. Rupert seemed to imbue Isabelle with all his energy and magic. She looked amazing with her golden hair like a waterfall down her
back, and with her long slim legs draped in fine silk which clung to her body, she resembled a young fawn. Charmaine was another surprise on the night. Her Gertrude was full of hidden depths and
feral sexuality.

Sally was also impressed with her friend Jeremy. His Laertes shone a brilliant light. Sally had never seen him so strong onstage. He had grabbed the role and brought a new dimension to the
stage.

‘I do so hope he gets a wonderful job from this tonight,’ she remarked to Heather. ‘He deserves a break.’

‘Don’t we all,’ the woman sighed.

It was a strange evening for Sally because she did not have much input as an actress, and all the fuss about being seen by the right people was out of her reach. But she didn’t feel envy
or jealousy. She just wanted the team to do well. Her time would come, she felt sure. The more she watched Dora’s intense quest for recognition, the less she craved it. She just wanted to be
taken seriously as an actress and play wonderful parts in great plays. Not much to ask!

The curtain came down to thunderous applause. In the bar afterwards the actors mingled with the regular audience and tried their best to present themselves to anyone of importance who might give
them a job. The big producer had left straight after the performance, but not before going to visit Isabelle in her dressing room to congratulate her. Sally happened to be passing her dressing-room
door and heard Isabelle say, ‘Thank you, darling, but it was nothing. I just love Shakespeare and adore working on text. I guess I have a natural instinct for words.’

Sally wanted to be sick! What a load of old tosh. She went to congratulate Rupert who was surrounded by a group of schoolgirls getting his autograph.

‘Look at you, you big Hamlet you,’ she laughed. ‘I can see your head getting bigger by the minute.’

‘Sally! Give me a kiss, it is all down to you. You have been my guiding light. Come here, I love you!’ He wrapped his arms around Sally in a big hug and then planted a kiss on her
lips. She longed to cling to him forever. He felt so good.

She pulled away, however, and said, ‘See you in the bar?’

‘You bet, lovely lady. I will see you there.’

Sally looked for Jeremy to congratulate him but he had already gone to the bar apparently, according to Geoffrey who was making his way up to the Dress Circle bar.

‘Great night, Sally. We pulled it off!’

‘Yes, we did. Congratulations, Geoffrey.’

Sally made her way through the crush to the bar to grab a drink. Suddenly Dora was in front of her flushed with excitement.

‘Hi, Sally, isn’t it great? Everyone loved it. I have just met the casting director lady and she is going to call me about doing an audition for
Coronation Street
. Isn’t
that fantastic?’ Dora didn’t wait for an answer, but carried on past Sally, waving at someone across the bar. Jeremy was just ahead of Sally, about to lean into the bar and grab a glass
of champagne.

‘Get one for me,’ she called out. The noise was unbelievable and she had to shout her request a second time. Jeremy smiled at her and passed her a glass and then got one for himself,
and turned to give her a kiss.

‘Well done, Sally, the Dumb Show was a triumph.’

‘Well done you, more like. Jeremy, you were amazing – you were on fire!’ They hugged each other.

‘Oh, look at the luvvies,’ sneered Robert. ‘Daaarling, you were maaarvellous! God, nothing changes.’

‘Oh, shut up, Robert. Just for once stop posing and join in. It was bloody marvellous and you know it,’ said Jeremy. ‘Here, let me get you a glass of champagne.’ As
Jeremy turned back to the bar, someone pinched his bum.

‘What the . . . ?’ he started, only to stop immediately as Eddie appeared at his side. ‘Don’t do that,’ Jeremy hissed. ‘That is exactly what we discussed we would not do, you stupid boy!’

‘Hello, Eddie, and how are you this evening?’ enquired Robert, stepping between the two men. ‘Did your family enjoy the play?’

Eddie gave him a charming smile and replied: ‘Yes, thank you so much, Robert. You must be so proud of your very talented cast.’ He turned and beamed at Jeremy. ‘You were
wonderful.’

‘Oh yes, they were
all
wonderful. Well, I must go and mingle. No doubt we will meet again – soon, I expect,’ Robert held them both in his gaze for a moment and then
moved off.

‘He is impossible,’ said Sally. ‘Here, Jeremy, can you nab me another drink. So how are you, Eddie? Oh, here is your father.’ Sally stepped aside to allow Lord Graham to
get to the bar. ‘Please, Your Lordship, let Jeremy do the honours. Jeremy, make that two glasses of champagne, please,’ she shouted over the hubbub. ‘Sorry, we haven’t been introduced.
My name is Sally Thomas. I am a member of the company, and Jeremy is my best friend.’ She turned back to take the glasses from Jeremy, who having realized who they were for, was panicking
silently.

Eddie made the introductions, again formally, and they all politely chinked glasses.

‘The sword-fight was wicked,’ enthused Tilly. Then: ‘Have you ever made a mistake and stabbed each other?’

Jeremy laughed. ‘Not yet, touch wood. And thankfully Rupert and I get on very well, so there is no danger he will stab me on purpose. I am sure there must have been times when actors
didn’t like each other and things could have got a little . . . difficult.’

Eddie joined in. ‘Well, we always hear about actors being bitchy to each other, don’t we?’

‘Oh, I think that aspect is exaggerated,’ replied Sally. ‘Certainly in this company we all pull together, don’t we, Jeremy?’

‘Really?’ said Eddie. ‘That’s not what Jeremy told me the other day. Your leading lady has been a nightmare, I gather.’ Suddenly realizing he had said too much, he
whipped round to see if his father was listening. Lord Graham had, in fact, been accosted by a local dignitary and missed the conversation. Breathing a sigh of relief, Eddie took his sister’s
arm and said smoothly, ‘Well, we have to go, don’t we, Tilly? Where is Mother? Lovely to meet you all and well done. Come on, Father.’ They disappeared into the throng and left
Jeremy and Sally staring at each other.