Chapter 7
7
It only took Vi a week to settle in to the gatehouse. It was a much bigger space than she was used to; her accommodations in London had always been tiny bedsits and studio flats, for which she often had to pay astronomical rents. But here she had a whole house, with three bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs and a living room and small but cosy kitchen downstairs. The house had been renovated a few years ago, when Rose and Lily lived here, one after the other.
The living room was especially cosy, with a sofa piled with cushions in front of the fireplace and a bookcase crammed with books waiting to be read. There was a tiny patio outside where Vi imagined it would be lovely to sit once spring arrived. The largest bedroom had been cleaned and aired and the bed made up the first evening she was there. It was as if little elves had been around the house, lighting the fire, stocking the fridge and turning on the lamps, but she knew it was Nora and Martin. She had gone to bed feeling not the slightest bit lonely, knowing there were people nearby who cared about her. If only she could make peace with her sisters, life would be perfect. But real life wasn’t like that, so she would have to be patient and wait for the right moment to take the first step towards a reconciliation. She wanted to keep in touch with her little nieces and nephew, which had been difficult because of the rift. But now, if only her sisters could put the past behind them, she would at last be able to get to know the children as they were growing up. She wanted to be a real auntie who they knew they could have fun with.
Vi decided to forget about her sisters for a while and concentrate on her research into Kathleen’s early life. But first she had to watch the movies she had downloaded and do her best to learn how Kathleen used to speak and move and pick up any other mannerisms that were typical of her persona. She had found a voice coach who was willing to teach online through Zoom, which suited Vi perfectly. They would have daily sessions until Vi had perfected Kathleen’s voice and manner of speaking as much as she could. It was a daunting task, but one that Vi found very challenging and fascinating. The old movie star’s way of walking and moving she would have to study herself but she felt that would be less of a problem than the voice.
Vi became hooked on watching the movies. Kathleen was so graceful – nearly like a dancer – and when Vi found a more detailed biography online, she discovered that Kathleen had indeed studied classical ballet at a dance studio in Dublin. She had been the only daughter of the local teacher in a village near Castleisland, a small town not far from Tralee. She had gone to Dublin when she was seventeen to study drama and dance in order to become an actress on the stage. Then she had been spotted by a talent scout from Hollywood when she was in her final year and been cast in a few minor movies until her big breakthrough, starring against Henry Fonda in a blockbuster film set in Texas.
Vi wondered if the dance studio was still there and tried to find it by googling. She saw, to her delight, that it was still in business and that it was now also a gym and yoga studio combined which offered courses in all kinds of dance techniques, including Irish, flamenco and ballroom dancing. She decided to call them, just to see if they had any records of Kathleen O’Sullivan’s attendance. But it was over seventy years ago so it was a real long shot. They might not even know who Kathleen was.
She waited with bated breath while the phone rang and rang. Then, finally, someone replied.
‘On Your Toes dance studio, Finbarr speaking,’ a pleasant male voice said.
‘Hi,’ Vi replied. ‘I wonder if you could help me. My name is Violet Fleury and I’m doing some research into the life of Kathleen O’Sullivan. She was a movie star in the nineteen fifties, so maybe you don’t know who I’m talking about, but she was a student at your dance school in her youth.’
‘Of course I know who she was,’ Finbarr said. ‘She’s a legend here at our school. We have her framed photo on the wall in the reception area. She was spotted by a talent scout from Hollywood right here in the dance studio in nineteen forty-eight. And the rest, as you know, is history.’
‘Wow, that’s amazing,’ Vi exclaimed. She did the maths in her head. ‘She must have been only nineteen then.’
‘Something like that,’ Finbarr agreed. ‘Long time ago. She’s our most famous student. Not sure how I can help you, though, as that’s all I know. Apart from her movies, of course. I’ve seen one or two on TV years ago. Great looking woman.’
‘She was indeed.’ Vi paused. ‘I don’t suppose you know anyone who might remember her? I know it’s a long shot, but I thought I’d have a go all the same.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Finbarr said. ‘It was so long ago. I don’t think…’ He stopped. ‘Well, maybe… Hang on sec. There might be someone. A very old lady who trained with her. I mean, she’s old now, but she was only a teenager then. She used to come in here to watch the lessons. Must be around ninety now, if she’s still alive. I have to ask if anyone knows where she is. Can I call you back?’
‘Yes,’ Vi said and gave him her number.
‘Great,’ Finbarr said. ‘I’ll get back to you as soon as I get the information.’
‘That’s very kind of you,’ Vi said.
‘No problem,’ Finbarr replied. ‘I’ve been a fan of Kathleen O’Sullivan for a long time. Are you writing a book about her or something?’
‘No, it’s for a movie based on her life.’
‘Oh yeah,’ Finbarr said. ‘I saw the press release in The Irish Times . The actress playing her is so like her it’s spooky. Can’t remember her name.’
‘I know,’ Vi said with a laugh. ‘Great resemblance. Quite scary.’
‘Exactly. Hey, I’ll be in touch in an hour or so. Talk to you then.’ Finbarr hung up.
Vi sat on the sofa in the living room, wondering if Finbarr would find the old lady he had mentioned. And if he did, would Vi be able to contact her? Or was she too old to remember anything about Kathleen?
While she waited, Vi started to tidy up the breakfast dishes, keeping her phone on the table. Then it rang, making her jump. But it was not the man from the dance studio, but Nora asking if she was all right and if she needed anything from the shop. ‘As you don’t have a car, I’ll pick anything up for you,’ Nora offered. ‘Or you might come with me into town, if you like.’
‘Oh eh,’ Vi said, feeling she wanted to stay where she was in case Finbarr called. It would be awkward to take that call when she was out and about. ‘I’ll leave it for now and go later. Granny said she’d call in. I could do my shopping with her. Thanks for offering, though, and for making the house so nice for me when I arrived. I’ve only been here a week but I feel at home already.’
‘You’re very welcome,’ Nora said. ‘I’m glad you’re spending time with your granny. She needs a little care and attention right now.’
‘I have a feeling you’re right,’ Vi said, remembering the sad look in her grandmother’s eyes just before they’d said goodnight that first evening. ‘Is it Arnaud? Is she sad that he’s not willing to spend the winter with her in Ireland?’
‘Partly,’ Nora said. ‘But also the girls. They’re both a little frazzled right now. They need cheering up, I think. But don’t tell them I said that.’
‘I won’t,’ Vi promised. ‘Not that I’ll meet them any time soon. I’m sure seeing me would not make them feel any better.’
‘Oh, that old stuff.’ Nora sounded annoyed. ‘I wish they’d come off their high horses. I’d bang their heads together and get them to behave if I could.’
Vi laughed. ‘I don’t think that would improve their humour. But I’m glad you’re on my side.’
‘I wish there was no side,’ Nora said. ‘I love all you girls as much.’ She sighed. ‘Well, I’d better get going. Have fun with your granny and I’ll see you soon.’
‘Thanks, Nora,’ Vi said. ‘Bye for now.’
‘Bye, sweet pea,’ Nora said and hung up.
The phone rang again as soon as Nora had signed off. Vi picked up and saw that it was a Dublin number. It had to be Finbarr calling her back.
‘Hello?’ she said. ‘Is that Finbarr?’
‘Yeah,’ he replied, sounding amused. ‘It’s me. Hey, I got the name of the old lady I was talking about. Her name is Fidelma Sheridan. She is ninety-four, she told me, and she is as sharp in her mind as a tack. Told me all about her dancing days all those years ago. And she just read about the movie in The Irish Times , she said. It appears she knew Kathleen well in the old days. She was only fifteen when she met Kathleen but they became friends during that time. I asked her if she would mind talking to you and she said she’d be delighted. So I’ll text you her number and you can call her yourself. She’s great gas, actually.’
‘Oh, that’s incredible,’ Vi said, nearly breathless with excitement. ‘You’ve been hugely helpful. I’ll call Fidelma as soon as I can. I’m really looking forward to hearing what she has to say about Kathleen.’
‘I’d call her after two o’clock in the afternoon,’ Finbarr said. ‘She says she has a snooze after lunch and then she’s in good form. She’s looking forward to talking to you.’
‘I can’t wait to talk to her,’ Vi said. ‘I don’t know how to thank you for all your help.’
‘Ah sure, it was nothing,’ Finbarr said modestly. ‘Us Kathleen fans have to stick together. But if you’re ever in Dublin, call in and say hi.’
‘Of course I will,’ Vi promised.
‘Great. Nice to chat to you, Violet. I’ll text you Fidelma’s details as soon as we’ve hung up.’
‘Brilliant.’
They said goodbye and Finbarr sent a text with the old lady’s number nearly straight away.
Vi looked at the name and number, thinking what a stroke of luck it had been to call the dance studio. It was amazing to have got so much information straight away. She couldn’t wait to hear about Fidelma’s memories of Kathleen O’Sullivan’s early days as an actress. She might remember what Kathleen was like in those days. What had been her hopes and dreams? How had she reacted to the talent scout’s invitation to go to Hollywood? Vi hadn’t explained to Finbarr that she was the actress who was going to play Kathleen because then the spotlight would be on her. Better to be a little bit anonymous, at least for the time being.