Chapter 41
A door suddenly slammed in the bowels of the theatre.
‘What was that?’ Kate asked, her voice shrill, eyes wide in fright.
Bridie had just been explaining how Layla had discovered her secret.
They both stood stock still. Bridie could feel her heart thudding in her chest.
‘Should we go and investigate?’ Kate asked tentatively.
Not likely, thought Bridie. She was going to leave it to Jack and his tradesmen to explore the rooms backstage and downstairs in the basement.
Bridie shook her head. ‘It’s just the wind,’ she said, and continued with her story about Layla.
‘Layla saw you coming out of the theatre?’
‘She saw me locking up. When you stormed off, she hung back, and I told her I own the theatre, but she had to keep it a secret.’
‘Why – because of Dad?’
‘Yes, but Layla doesn’t know about that.’ She pointed at the poster.
‘You don’t want this all to come to light and blow a hole in your plans to stage a play at the theatre.’
‘Mum has already tried to put me off staging a play.’
‘She would, wouldn’t she? She’s trying to protect Dad’s secret. I bet she just wants you to sell and get shot of it.’
‘Yes.’
‘Do you think that’s why Grandad fell out with them, over keeping Dad’s past a secret?’
‘I think so, Kate.’
‘Well, we’ll show them,’ Kate said. ‘Wouldn’t it be amazing to stage your first production, invite Dad, and then do some sort of ceremony where you invite former actors – those who starred in productions on this very stage before the theatre closed down – to come up on the stage?’
Bridie looked at her. ‘What a brilliant idea.’
‘He’ll never guess we know.’
‘That assumes he comes to the production.’
‘He’ll come for you. He’ll do anything for you, Bridie.’
‘Yeah, except tell me the truth about his past.’ Bridie cast her eyes over to the poster. There was more to this. She really hoped it had nothing to do with her dad and Isobel Raine, even though she suspected it had.
‘It would have made a huge difference, wouldn’t it, Bridie? Knowing you were following in his footsteps rather than feeling like the black sheep of the family because you chose to go into the arts rather than law, or banking or insurance.’
Bridie agreed. ‘And it would have made a huge difference to you, Kate, if you knew that Dad hated his job commuting into London, and that you didn’t have to do it too, all because you thought you ought to follow in his footsteps.’
Kate walked over and stood there shaking her head at the poster. ‘My first inclination was to get out my phone, take a photo of the poster, send it to him, and have it out with him.’
Bridie wasn’t surprised. Wasn’t that just like Kate?
‘But I didn’t. And do you know why?’
‘Because of your idea to out him on the stage in front of everybody?’
‘No, it was you.’
‘Me?’
‘Yes. I want you to have this chance to get the theatre up and running. Your future could be here, Bridie, running this place. I don’t think Dad’s past should interfere with that.’
Kate had never supported her before. She knew what had changed – Kate had.
A sound far away in the basement of the theatre interrupted their conversation.
Kate said again, ‘What was that?’
Then the lights began to flicker.
This time, Bridie was definitely going to bolt. She grabbed Kate’s hand. ‘Let’s get out of here.’
Kate said, ‘Wait. I think you’re right – it’s the wind.’
Bridie didn’t think the wind explained the flickering lights. She said as much.
Kate said, ‘Maybe it’s just kids messing with us. It might even be Layla and her boyfriend. Come on, let’s investigate. You said you haven’t seen the dressing rooms backstage yet.’
Bridie shook her head. She knew Kate was probably right – it was just kids exploring. Even so, it was dark out now, and she didn’t want to explore any further, just the two of them, when nobody knew they were there. She told Kate as much.
Kate threw her head back, her dark hair falling in waves over her shoulders, and laughed out loud.
Bridie put a finger to her lips. ‘Shush!’
‘Seriously, Bridie, there’s nothing to be afraid of.’
‘I know,’ she said, feeling foolish. ‘But that rumour about the actress, Isobel Raine, and her ghost haunting the theatre isn’t helping.’
‘Yes, I agree. Look, if it makes you feel better, we can explore the theatre further when we come back – in daylight.’
‘You really are going to help me?’
‘Of course. And by the sound of things, I’ll have no choice if I’m working in Cobblers Yard, and everyone else is involved in the theatre too.’
Bridie sighed. Now she had another person to let down gently when she told Kate she wouldn’t be revisiting the theatre any time soon, thanks to Jack. It just felt as though he was taking over.
They left the stage and walked up the aisle and through the door into the foyer. As Bridie unlocked the door to leave, Kate said, ‘I’d take Oliver’s advice, if I were you, and be a bit wary of Jack’s intentions.’
Bridie nodded, aware that that horse had already bolted.
‘I suppose at least Jack is here to help, and he hasn’t asked you to sign something official like a contract.’
Bridie let out a nervous laugh and changed the subject. ‘Next time, we’ll do a full tour of the theatre.’
‘I think you should take an inventory. There must be rooms backstage with props, that sort of thing. Would be worth knowing exactly what you’ve got, if there are any costumes, or props that could still be used.’
Bridie looked at her sister. Nobody else had suggested that. ‘What a good idea.’
‘Wish we could do it now,’ said Kate as Bridie opened the entrance door and they both stepped outside. ‘I’m not looking forward to heading back to Mum and Dad’s, I can tell you. It’s going to be very hard to keep this a secret, especially when I see Dad.’
Bridie could imagine. She locked the door and had a thought. She turned to Kate. ‘Fancy crashing somewhere else?’
‘Oh, god yes. I really don’t think I could look Dad in the eye knowing he is such a hypocrite – they both are – trying to discourage you, and Layla, from a career on the stage.
I understand it, if he’s just trying to protect his daughter and granddaughter from the financial uncertainties of acting.
I imagine that’s why he got a well-paid job in London instead.
But still, to keep it a secret and act as though he didn’t like theatre. I still can’t get my head around why.’
It wasn’t the first time that Bridie wondered if his abrupt change in career wasn’t just about money.
She was thinking of Isobel Raine again. Although something did occur to her.
‘Perhaps he was so upset at letting go of his dream job that he didn’t want to step into a theatre ever again, if he couldn’t act on the stage. ’
She could certainly empathise. It was something she’d always thought she might struggle with once she could no longer work in productions on the stage. But she’d imagined she had a lot more time before she found herself out of work.
‘So,’ Kate said, falling in step with Bridie as they walked along the promenade, steeling themselves against the January cold. Although it was now dark, there were streetlamps along the promenade and light coming from windows in pretty cottages and Georgian townhouses.
‘What did you have in mind, Bridie? Because after what I’ve just found out, like I said, it’s going to be pretty hard facing Mum and Dad this evening, and keeping my mouth shut.’
‘I’ve got a spare bedroom at the flat. It’s quite small, but it is quiet, and it would be convenient for work. And you could meet Reggie one evening, have a chat about his past life with his best friend, Rufus, on the stage.’
Bridie looked at Kate’s face. ‘Sorry, that was a silly suggestion. You won’t like it up there above the shop. It’s very small, and poky, and the furniture is all old-fashioned, and worn, and I know how much you don’t like second-hand—’
‘I’d love it.’
‘Really – why?’ She stopped, holding her hood up against the wind, and looked at her sister, thinking she must be being sarcastic.
Kate stopped too. ‘No, truly. And as you said, it will be a breeze nipping next door to the bridal shop to start my new job.’
‘It would be easier for you and Andy to meet on more neutral ground to iron things out too,’ Bridie tentatively suggested. ‘And he could meet Hannah, and see what she says about another vacancy at her bridal shop?’ Bridie looked at her expectantly.
‘You know, you’re full of such brilliant ideas.’
‘So are you.’ Bridie was thinking of her suggestion to take an inventory and wondering what it would have been like if it had been her sister investing in the theatre and working on it with her rather than Jack.
Her sister had immediately recognised the importance of having people with experience in restoring period property, whereas with Jack she had a feeling it was going to be an uphill battle to get things done the way she wanted.
‘But will Hannah mind me staying at the flat? I don’t think I’ll be able to contribute to the rent just yet.’ Kate had to speak up to be heard over the wind.
‘That’s all right,’ Bridie said, taking her arm. ‘It’s a peppercorn rent anyway, and besides, you’re my guest. Hannah won’t mind. Come on, let’s hurry up and get back.’
Kate clutched her arm and together they walked quickly along the promenade, holding on to the hoods of their coats.
Bridie felt so happy at this unexpected turn of events; she kept glancing at her sister. She’d never thought she’d ever share her dreams with Kate, or that Kate would confide in her that her life wasn’t as rosy as everyone thought.
It had started to rain by the time they turned into Cobblers Yard, both running to the shop. Bridie was about to put the key in the lock. She turned to Kate. ‘What about your things? Are you going back to Mum and Dad’s to collect your stuff?’
‘Oh, god. I didn’t think of that. I don’t want to.’
Bridie wasn’t surprised. ‘I can go. My car is parked just outside. Here, take the key.’
Kate cocked her head to one side. ‘I bet you don’t want to see them either.’
‘No, I don’t.’
Kate said, ‘I’ve got an idea. I need to phone Andy, tell him where I am. I can’t wait to tell him that I’ve got a job and that he might have one too.’
‘You’re going to ask him to pop over to Mum and Dad’s and collect your bag.’
‘Yep, then he can tell them where I’m at. I don’t even want to speak to them right now.’
That didn’t surprise Bridie one bit. She said, ‘Sounds like a plan,’ as she opened the shop door.
The moment she stepped inside, a howl pierced the silence and a man’s muffled voice could be heard from upstairs. ‘Barney, we’ll have none of that, thank you very much.’
Bridie had forgotten about Barney and her pup-sitter. Did her sister even like dogs? They’d never got their children a puppy even though Andy was a stay-at-home dad and could have looked after one. ‘I forgot about Barney. Sorry.’
‘Oh, don’t apologise. I love dogs and did suggest getting the kids a puppy when Andy gave up work, but he didn’t want one – said he’d have enough to do looking after the children without a puppy too.’
‘Oh, that’s a shame.’
‘Yes, that’s what I thought. If I hadn’t had the commute, I would have got a dog and looked after it myself.’
Bridie had not known that. ‘I’m afraid Barney is going to be all over you. He loves meeting new people and getting fusses.’
‘I’m ready,’ Kate said enthusiastically.
Bridie smiled. ‘And there’s someone else upstairs. I think you’re going to be very interested to meet him.’
‘Reggie.’ Kate remembered who was pup-sitting.
As if on cue, she could hear Reggie’s slow footsteps walking down the stairs and the sound of four paws following.
As soon as Reggie opened the door to the stairs, Barney came scurrying towards her, his paws slipping on the smooth, wood-effect laminate flooring.
Bridie knelt down as he ran into her arms. ‘I hope you’ve been a good boy. ’
‘He has,’ Reggie said, carrying his coat in his hands. ‘Well, I’ll be off then.’
Bridie stood. ‘Don’t go, Reggie. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.’
Barney quickly moved his attention-seeking to Kate, who was now kneeling down herself, giving him a big fuss.
‘This is my sister, Kate.’
Kate stood too, with Barney jumping up at her legs.
‘Barney – down!’ Bridie commanded. Barney did as he was told, sitting on his behind, looking up at Kate and Reggie shaking hands. ‘You’re the spitting image of your dad,’ commented Reggie.
‘Oh, am I? I always thought I took after Mum.’
Reggie shook his head. ‘You have his eyes.’
Bridie and Kate exchanged a glance.
Bridie said, ‘Reggie, will you stay for dinner?’
Reggie didn’t have to be asked twice. ‘Yes, I’d like that very much.’
‘Great, let’s head upstairs. You and Kate can chat while I prepare something.’ They all headed up the stairs, Bridie carrying the shoebox.
‘Have you taken Kate to the theatre? Is that where you were?’ Reggie asked as Bridie showed Kate into the little lounge in the eaves. ‘Yes. I told her about Dad’s past.’
‘Did you, now? I expect you’ll be wanting me to tell you all about our time working together, treading the boards.’
Bridie and Kate exchanged another glance. ‘Oh, yes,’ they said in unison.