Songbird (18 page)

And
so she was hired.  Her schoolroom would be the dining room and she would come
to the house from Monday to Thursday.  Although still worried about her
intended excursions, the others tried to convince me that I must start letting
go of my son. 

“Mustn’t
tie him to your apron strings,” Diamond scolded me when I voiced my concerns. 
“He needs to learn to be more independent and not become Mama’s boy.”

Bizet’s opera
Carmen
was starting to become more popular and Mr Perry decided to take a chance and
perform it at Covent Garden.  Signor Bartoli was disgusted and left the company
as we went into rehearsals, not wanting to be part of such a ‘licentious’ piece
of work.  We knew he wouldn’t be missed.

Of
course, Ruth played Carmen and she was superb as the seductive but dissident
Spanish factory worker who seduces the soldier Don Jose only to betray him for
a toreador.  And as for Diamond and me, it was interesting to watch her cast
her spell and leave the audience breathless.  Her success continued until a
week before my birthday.

It
was Saturday night and the final performance of the week.  Ruth had received a
standing ovation as usual and we had stood in the wings, clapping and cheering
her.  She left the stage and we linked our arms, as we always did and made our
way to her dressing room.  The dresser helped Ruth off with her costume.

“I’m
absolutely exhausted,” said Ruth, flopping down onto the stool. 

“You
worked hard tonight,” I smiled, taking a sip of the wine poured into glasses by
the dresser.

“Yes,
you died beautifully,” said Diamond.  “Just think, you’re going to be stabbed
to death every night until the show closes.  What a thought.”

Ruth
didn’t answer and stared at her reflection in the mirror.  “Do you know I’ve
never left London?  I’ve not even seen the sea.”

I
remembered my trip to France aboard the Dorothy-May.  “It’s quite wonderful
sailing across a vast expanse of water.”

Two
pairs of eyes turned in my direction.

“Where
have you travelled?” said Ruth.

I
felt the colour draining from my face.  “Oh, when I…left Wales to come to
live…with Nan.  I caught the ferry from Newport to Bristol.”

Diamond
pulled a face.  “Not exactly a world tour, then.”

“It
was still aboard a boat,” I scoffed.

“It
would be nice to see something of the world,” said Ruth.  “Just experience the
thrill of standing on a foreign shore.”  She looked wistfully at her reflection
once more.

“You
could join a touring company,” suggested Diamond.  And then she grimaced. 
“That’s if old Perry would release you from your contract.”

I
became reflective.  “Isn’t it funny how we travel all over the world in our
performances.  They’re set in every country.”

“But
we never leave this damned theatre,” laughed Diamond.

“We
don’t go to Japan,” said Ruth, a mischievous glint in her eye.  “Not like in
The
Mikado
.”

She
jumped to her feet and in a moment we had grabbed some fans and with Ruth in
the centre, we started singing
Three Little Maids from School
.  We were
so engrossed we didn’t see Mr Perry standing in the doorway.  Whether he had
knocked first before opening the door, I had no idea, since we were singing at
the top of our voices and were simply oblivious.

His
expression was furious.  “How dare you!”  We stopped and I glanced at Ruth and
Diamond, wondering if they felt as guilty as I did.  But their expressions were
impassive.  “You know I won’t tolerate that rubbish in my theatre.”  He glared
at Diamond and me.  “You two, back to your own dressing room, now.”

We
hurried through the door he was holding open, slamming it shut behind us.  And
then came angry voices inside the dressing room that made us raise our
eyebrows.  Mr Perry and Ruth were obviously having a terrible argument. 
Diamond crept closer and put her ear to the wood of the door.

“Can’t
hear properly,” she said.  “It’s a bit muffled.  No, wait a minute.  He’s
saying Ruth’s letting him down.  That he was depending on her.”

“What’s
she saying?”

“That
it can’t be helped and it’s what she wants to do.”

“Now
he’s saying she’s breaking her contract and…Oh Lord, he’s leaving.  Quick,
run!”

We
raced down the corridor back to our own changing room and slipped onto the
stools in front of the mirror.  In seconds we were plastering cold cream over
our guilty faces.

Mr
Perry appeared in the doorway.  “Isabelle, I need to see you tomorrow.  Can you
come in at nine?” I nodded.  “Good, I’m off to get drunk.  I want to forget
this place ever existed.”

Diamond
and I grimaced at each other.  We carried on getting changed, watching the door
for Ruth, hoping she would tell us what was going on.

“You’re what?”
Diamond nearly fell backwards off the stool.

“Getting
married,” repeated Ruth softly.  She had finally appeared in our dressing room
and joined us at the table with the long mirror.

“Who
to?” I asked.

She
paused before saying,  “Doctor Gwilym Pritchard.”

“My
brother,” I said and then felt stupid for saying it.

Ruth
grinned.  “Yes, your brother.”

“You’re
marrying Gwilym,” I squealed.  “That means you’ll be my sister-in-law.  How
wonderful.”

Ruth
became serious.  “You’re happy about it?”

I
held both her hands in mine.  “Oh, I couldn’t be happier.”

“When
are you marrying?  And what was that all about in your dressing room?” asked
Diamond.

Ruth
took in a huge breath.  “I told Mr Perry that I’ve just performed for the last
time at Covent Garden.”

Diamond
and I stared at her incredulously.  “You’ve done what!  But what about your
contract?”  I asked in amazement.

She
shrugged.  “Mr Perry is a little upset over that.”  She looked at us sternly. 
“But I don’t care.  I’m marrying Gwilym on Monday morning and nothing is going
to change my mind.”

“Monday?”
said Diamond.

Ruth
nodded.  “Yes, just a simple ceremony at St Michael’s and you’re both invited,
of course.  And Nan and Danny too.”

Diamond
frowned.  “Wait a minute!  If you’ve planned it for Monday then you must have
had the banns read.  That means you’ve known about this for at least three
weeks.  How come we’re just finding out now?”

“I’m
sorry, but we had to keep it a secret.”  A guilty flush spread across her
face.  “I didn’t want Mr Perry to know until the last possible moment, just in
case he tried to sue me.”

“He
might still,” said Diamond.

Ruth
shook her head.  “No, I’ll be on the other side of the world before he can get
me into any court.”

“The
other side of the world!” said Diamond and I together.

“Yes,”
she nodded.  “On Tuesday we’re setting off for Portsmouth to board ship for
Gwilym’s next tour of duty.  We’re going to Australia.”

“You’re
going with him?” I said.

“I
certainly am.”

“But
what will you do on board ship?” said Diamond.

“I
shall sing with the band and entertain the passengers.”

“An
entertainer aboard ship.” I couldn’t hide my disgust.  “After being the toast
of London for the last fifteen months.”

“No,
Issy.  I’m going to be with the man I love and that’s far more important than
being an opera diva.”  She gave a cheeky wink.  “Besides, it’s time someone
else got the chance to shine on the stage.”

“Yes,
but who?” I said.  Again, two pairs of eyes turned in my direction.  “Oh no,
you can’t mean me.  I’m still in the chorus.  I’ve not been given any
supporting roles yet.”

“Silly
girl.  Why do you think Mr Perry wants to see you tomorrow morning?” said Ruth.

Diamond
sidled over to me and looked me up and down.  “Face it, kid.  It looks like Mrs
Isabelle Asquith is going to the top.  Goodness me, from the bottom to the top
in one breathtaking whoosh.” Her hand shot upwards indicating the direction I
was heading.  Her face broke into a grin.  “Hope it doesn’t give you a nose
bleed.”

CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN

M
r
Andrew Perry stared at me through eyes that showed his desperation.  “I know
I’m asking a lot of you, Isabelle.  But I sincerely believe you can do it. 
You’ve been in the chorus…What is it, nearly three years?  It’s time you came
out.”

I
cleared my throat.  “I understand that, but I’ve not played a supporting role
yet.”

“I
was going to change that in September when we staged
The Bartered Bride
. 
However, circumstances have overtaken me somewhat.”

I
opened my eyes wide in surprise at the revelation that he was about to give me
a supporting role, but then I became suspicious.  He would say that, wouldn’t
he?  It would make sense to pacify my misgivings with a little sweetener.

“I
don’t know what to say, Mr Perry.”

He
leaned back in his chair.  “I’d like you to say yes.  I’ll draw up the usual
contract and you can move into the master dressing room.  And, of course, your
wages will increase dramatically.”

The
thought of higher wages appealed to me.

“More
money would be nice,” I murmured.  I gave him a bright smile.  “I’m saving to
send my son to Harrow.”

“Harrow,
indeed.  You are ambitious for your child.”

“Why
not?  He deserves the best education I can afford.”

“Well,
as a Harrow boy myself, I can see the sense in that.”  His face broke into a
grin and I realised that he was quite handsome when he wasn’t frowning. 
“However, we digress.  What do you say about playing Carmen tomorrow evening?”

“What
would you do if I declined your offer?” I teased.

He
tilted his head and gave a wry smile.  “I would have to blow my brains out and
you would be responsible for my untimely and miserable death.”

I
gave an exaggerated sigh.  “I suppose I have no choice, then.”

“Good,
I’m pleased you see it that way.”  He became more serious.  “The principal
members of the cast and the orchestra have agreed to come in this afternoon at
three o’clock and we’ll do a complete run through.  Tomorrow evening I shall
announce that Miss Ruth Procter is unable to sing and that Mrs Isabelle
Asquith…”

I
raised my hand to stop him.  “Not Mrs Isabelle Asquith, if you don’t mind.”

He
frowned.  “What then?”

I
thought for a moment.  “Miss…Emmeline…Barri,” I said slowly.

“Miss
Emmeline Barri,” he repeated.  “Yes, I like that.  It sounds classy.  But why
that name?” 

“Emmeline
was my mother,” I smiled.  “And Barri was my father.”

“Very
good, Miss Barri.  I’ll see you at three o’clock.”

The rehearsal was
terrible!  My nerves simply got the better of me.  I missed my cues, sang
off-key and at one point, actually fell backwards over a chair.  Tobias, the
tenor who played Don Jose, ran to help me to my feet, but pulled back when Mr
Perry yelled at him to leave me on the floor.  I scrambled to my feet, trying
to hold back the stinging tears of humiliation.  By the time we finished at
eight o’clock I was utterly exhausted.  I couldn’t imagine what Mr Perry must
think of me except the most awful disappointment.

To my
surprise he offered me a lift in a hansom, telling me that Finsbury wasn’t too
far out of his way.  I accepted, feeling numb with shock and aching with
weariness.  We didn’t speak as we trotted along and I was halfway home when he
reached across and squeezed my hand.

“Don’t
take it too hard, Isabelle.  Bad rehearsal, good performance, they say.”

It
didn’t calm my fears one bit.  “If I’m as terrible as that tomorrow night, the
audience will walk out and not come back.”

“I
doubt that will happen,” he laughed softly.

I
smiled and studied his strong profile.  “You still have that much faith in me?”

“Yes,
I have.  You sing beautifully and today was simply down to nerves.  Tomorrow it
will all be different.”

I let
out a long sigh.  “I only hope I have the courage to come in tomorrow.  You
might find I’m on the next train to Scotland.”

“Scotland
is a magnificent place, especially at this time of year.”

“I
could hide in the heather or amongst the bracken.”

“Or
you could disguise yourself as a Scotsman, in a kilt and long red beard.”  We
were talking nonsense and I started laughing.  He laughed with me.  “But I
think that Miss Emmeline Barri will turn up at the theatre.  She’s dedicated
and loyal and won’t let her colleagues…or her director down.”

“You’ve
noticed that about me?”

“I
know that you’re never late for rehearsals or the performance and you always
give everything you have, even to the point of exhaustion.” He gave me a
sidelong glance.  “There’s a lot I notice about you, even if you think
differently.  Although I’d prefer not to hear any more Gilbert and Sullivan, if
you don’t mind.”  We reached my home in Sampson Street and he alighted and
helped me down.  He kissed my hand and said briskly,  “Get a good night’s sleep
and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Without
another word, he jumped back into his seat and the driver cracked his whip to
set the vehicle in motion.  Mr Andrew Perry had surprised me and suddenly I had
seen the man behind the director.  It was a little unnerving.  The following
day was an even bigger surprise.

I slept very
little that night, even though I had come home to a family that was bursting
with excitement about the impending wedding.  Before we went to bed, Ruth
showed me her outfit, a dark blue skirt and jacket with a cream blouse and a matching
hat with feathers adorning the side.  The ceremony would take place at ten
o’clock followed by a wedding breakfast at The Savoy Hotel.  I felt happy for
Gwilym and his new bride, but I knew my nerves for my opening night would
overshadow the day.

We
were up early the following morning and we all helped Ruth to prepare for her
wedding.  I told Danny to get dressed in his best sailor suit and promised that
he could throw rice at Uncle Gwilym and Auntie Ruth when they came out of the
church.  There was a knock on the door and to my utter amazement, a smart,
well-dressed Mr Andrew Perry stepped into the hallway.

“What
are you doing here?” I asked, looking him up and down.

“I’ve
come with two carriages to take you all to the church and then it’s my honour
to give the bride away,” he said nonchalantly, pulling a gold watch from his
waistcoat pocket.  “I hope she’s ready, it’s only thirty minutes to the
ceremony.”

Ruth
appeared.  “Oh, Andrew, right on time.”  She turned to me and smiled at my
astonished expression.  “Didn’t I tell you that Mr Perry is giving me away?” I
shook my head in disbelief.  “I must have forgotten.  Never mind, he’s here so
we’d better get a move on.”

I
scanned her appearance.  She looked beautiful in her outfit with her hat
perched on dark hair piled up onto her head.  Suddenly I felt very sad for
her.  She said she wanted to keep it simple, no flowers, only the basic church
music and hardly any guests.  I thought of my wonderful wedding to my darling
Daniel when the church had been full of people and flowers and music.  I
remembered Papa taking me up the aisle where my future husband waited at the
altar and how he turned and smiled at me.  Ruth deserved better than this.  But
watching her bright, happy face, I realised that all she wanted was to be with
the man she loved.

We
climbed aboard the carriages and lifted our faces to the wonderful warming rays
of the glorious June sunshine.  There was a slight breeze that ruffled the
feathers on Ruth’s hat and nearly blew away Danny’s sailor’s hat if Nan hadn’t
caught it in time.  I had decided to wear the outfit I had worn at Stephanie’s
wedding, the powder blue velvet dress with the matching hat.

The
vicar greeted us at the door and told us that the groom and the best man had
already arrived and so we ran into the nave and took our seats quickly while Mr
Perry and Ruth prepared themselves at the door.  I could see Gwilym sitting in
the right-hand front pew and he glanced over his shoulder to smile at me. 
Sitting next to him was a distinguished gentleman also in naval uniform.  The
organ started playing and we stood as Mr Perry guided Ruth towards her
husband-to-be.  My eyes became riveted on Gwilym’s companion.  He seemed so
familiar.

The
ceremony was kept to the bare minimum and after it was completed, the bridal
party went into the vestry to sign the register.  It was then I saw the man who
had been at my brother’s side all through the service.  It had been over five
years since I had sailed on the Dorothy-May with Mrs Holland, but I couldn’t
forget Captain Oliver McAllen.

With
all the formalities completed, I followed everyone outside and watched Danny
throwing rice over the newly married couple and then he decided he would plant
a few grains.  He found a convenient grave and began to dig a hole.

“Don’t
do that, dearest.  It’s not nice.”

“Why,
Mama?”

“Because
that’s someone’s resting place and I don’t think their relatives will be happy
having a rice tree growing on top of them.”

He
giggled.  “Rice doesn’t grow on trees.  It’s grown on plants in paddy fields in
China.  The workers have to stand in water while they care for it.  I bet they
get very wrinkly feet.”  I smiled and looked across to where Mr Perry was
talking to Gwilym and Captain McAllen.  “Miss Rupp is going to bring a surprise
tomorrow,” continued Danny.

I
nodded but didn’t answer even though the news she had a surprise for Danny
would normally have intrigued me.  But at the moment I was too absorbed in
watching Captain McAllen and wondering if he would remember me.  I would soon find
out.

“Isabelle,”
I heard Gwilym call.  “Come and meet Captain McAllen.”  I walked across to
them, my head held high.  “This is my sister, Mrs Asquith.  Isabelle, this is
the captain of the Dorothy-May.  I’ve sailed on her many times and Oliver has
become a good friend.”

I
looked him straight in the eye and held out my hand.  The captain took it and
in my mind I heard him say, ‘
Oh yes, I remember you.  You were Miss
Pritchard when you sailed aboard my ship to France.  How is that elderly lady
friend of yours?  What was her name?  Of course, Mrs Holland.  I thought she
was your mother
.’

But
the captain only murmured the usual polite greeting as he bowed over my hand
and I smiled.  Why would he recognise me?  Five years was a long time and many
passengers would have passed through his hands since my voyage.

The
wedding breakfast at The Savoy was lovely and the toasts and the cutting of the
cake was a wonderful moment for me as I watched the happy faces of the bride
and groom. 

“My
brother tells me that your ship is relatively new, Captain?” I said lightly,
when we had all settled down into easy conversation.

“Indeed,
ma’am.  I was made captain when she was launched just over six years ago.”

“And
have you sailed to many countries?”

He
nodded.  “Mostly to Australia, but we’ve been to America too.  But on this
voyage it’s Australia and New Zealand and then to Japan.”

I
gestured towards Gwilym and his new wife.  “It looks like they’re going to have
an interesting married life.”

“They
will,” he laughed.  “And having a famous opera singer aboard my vessel will
please the passengers.”

“I
can’t believe she’s giving up all that fame to be a singer on a ship.” 
Thinking I might have offended him I added, “I mean, I can’t imagine the
Dorothy-May is like Covent Garden.”

He
threw back his head and laughed loudly.  “It certainly ain’t, ma’am.” 

“What
did you do before you captained the Dorothy-May?”

“I
was first officer on a schooner in the East India Company.  Spent all my time
in the Southern Hemisphere with a motley assortment of crew and cargo.  No
passengers.  I only transferred to the Cleveland Line when I was offered the
Dorothy-May after her launch.”  He nodded.  “Yes, you could say I’ve spent all
my adult life at sea.” 

I saw
Danny showing too much interest in the large Chinese vase in the corner.  “Come
away, dearest.  You’ll knock it over,” I called in alarm.

“He’s
a lovely boy.  How old is he?”

“He
was seven in March.”

“Gwilym
told me you’re widowed so he’s a credit to you.”

Danny
ran to me and I fussed with the top button of his jacket, but he shrugged me
off and skipped over to his uncle and new aunt. 

I
watched Danny chatting to his uncle and sniffed contemptuously.  “A credit he
might be but I’m rather worried that he wants to be a pirate when he grows up.”

“Does
he really?”

I
nodded.  “I took him to see the
Pirates of Penzance
and he’s fascinated
with the idea.”

“Oh
dear, then I’d better watch out in the future and be ready to repel all
boarders.”