Chapter 56 #2
Isobel turned to him. ‘I always loved you, Reggie, but I was just too focused on my career, and so were you, to even think of marriage and children, and … and then I discovered I was pregnant. I couldn’t hide it any longer.
I thought … I thought if I disappeared to London, and stayed with friends, and had the baby, I could figure things out.
I didn’t know how it was going to work with our jobs.
I didn’t want you to give up what you loved just because I was pregnant. ’
‘Give up what I loved?’ Reggie said. ‘I loved you, Isobel.’
Isobel said, ‘I wanted you to know about the baby, so I returned. But … but I didn’t know how to face you.
I’d never told you I was pregnant, and I should have.
So I left her with that note. I’d addressed the note to you, Reggie.
I don’t know what I was thinking at the time – I guess I thought that you’d find her and realise she was your daughter.
And fall in love with her, and forgive me for not telling you, then …
we’d …’ she shrugged, ‘I don’t know, be reunited, and live happily ever after. ’
‘But the note was lost,’ Reggie said sadly.
Isobel breathed deeply. ‘Yes, it obviously blew away in the evening breeze, and it wasn’t you who found her, but Rufus, and …
and then I discovered you’d jetted off to Southeast Asia.
I knew you’d always said it was where you wanted to travel to, where you wanted to spend a few months.
Then all I could think was that things happen for a reason, because where would a baby fit with your plans? ’
‘Oh, Isobel, I only went there to get as far away from the theatre as I could, to try and forget you.’ He said, ‘I wonder what our lives would have been like if I’d found her with the note that night.’
Rufus stepped in. ‘I am so sorry.’
Isobel shook her head. ‘It wasn’t your fault, Rufus.
I left her, and the cards fell where they fell.
When I realised Reggie was gone, I didn’t know what life I could give her.
And when I saw you all in the village where you lived …
you and Claire, I couldn’t have asked for more, that’s all I can say.
Bridie has turned into a wonderful young woman. ’
‘We tried to discourage her from going into the theatre,’ said Claire. ‘It was me, actually. I tried to discourage her, being protective, afraid of the precarious life she might lead.’
‘Afraid she might end up like me?’ said Isobel.
There was a moment’s silence. Claire said, ‘I’m sorry, Isobel.’
‘No,’ said Isobel, ‘I’m sorry that all those years you thought Rufus and I …
’ she trailed off. Then changed the subject.
‘But look how wonderfully things have turned out. ‘Bridie owns a theatre,’ said Isobel, smiling. ‘And she’s an amazing performer. I’ve been watching from the wings the way she’s brought the show together. She’s one heck of a producer too.’
‘I second that,’ said Reggie.
Rufus looked at them all. ‘How long has this been going on – the theatre, I mean? And why was I kept in the dark?’
Reggie said, ‘She made us promise to keep it a secret. I wasn’t sure why, but I guessed it was because she thought you’d both try and put her off staging a play and tell her to just sell the place instead.’
Rufus turned to Claire.
‘I found out by accident through Oliver.’
‘And Kate?’ asked Rufus. ‘How did she find out?’
‘She found out through Layla.’
Rufus rolled her eyes. ‘And you still didn’t tell me?’
Claire sighed. ‘Because I didn’t want you to encourage her to keep the place, which I knew you would.’
‘Of course I would. Her own bloody theatre! That is amazing.’
Claire smiled. ‘Actually, I’ve rather come round to the idea since I’ve been sneaking into the rehearsals. There’ve been so many people there that I’ve managed to stay off her radar. She’s been so busy.’
Reggie said, ‘Although I believe that when the theatre came into her hands, she was told could do with it what she wished, but the anonymous person who gifted her the theatre wanted her to stage a play – just one play. Bridie thought it was the least she could do.’
‘I’ll say,’ said Rufus. ‘So, who is this secret benefactor?’
Reggie shook his head. ‘That’s the point – it’s a secret.’
Isobel said, ‘Clearly, she’s still in the dark because she asked me. Like I said, I haven’t got two pennies to rub together.’
They all fell silent.
Reggie shut the locket tight. He held it up. ‘What are we going to do about this? She now knows about you, Isobel, but what about me?’
Claire stared at the locket. ‘I think Bridie’s always realised deep down she was different to her siblings. Perhaps that’s why she’s taken all this so well, so far.’
Isobel nodded. ‘Some would say honesty is the best policy, but when it comes to matters of the heart …’
Reggie looked at Rufus. ‘That’s why you wanted this conversation to be private. It’s a lot for her to find out about Isobel. But me as well?’
Rufus said, ‘It’s your call, Reggie. You’re her father.’
‘I’m her father, but you’re her parents.’
Isobel put a hand on Reggie’s arm. ‘Yes, you’re right.’
Reggie looked at Claire, and Rufus, and said, ‘What would you have me do? This is complicated, is it not?’
‘Indeed,’ said Rufus.
‘All these years I’ve wanted to be a father. And I wanted a child with you, Isobel. And suddenly, in one unbelievable evening, all my dreams have come true.’
Isobel said, ‘We can’t turn back the clock and change what happened, but she’s here now, and I don’t want any chance she’ll up and leave after all this. I want her to stay.’
‘We all do,’ said Rufus and Claire.
Reggie sat for a moment, staring at the locket. He handed it to Isobel.
She shook her head. ‘It’s yours, Reggie. I’m so very happy that I found you and Bridie again, after all these years.’
‘So, what shall we do?’ Claire asked.
They all looked towards the door. Reggie said, ‘I think we should let her live her life now – don’t you? I’ll always be there for her.’
‘As will we all,’ agreed Rufus, Claire and Isobel.
‘What now?’ Claire asked.
Isobel announced, ‘The show must go on!’
‘Are you referring to life, or the show in particular?’ asked Claire.
They all burst out laughing.
Rufus said, ‘I never thought I’d see the day that we’d all be in a room together laughing – or, in actual fact, an ambulance. Are you sure you’re going to be okay, Isobel?’
‘Oh, yes, thanks to Jack. He is the real hero of the hour. Talking of which …’ Isobel grinned. ‘Jack said he is going to spend some money doing up the rooms backstage, especially the one gutted by fire, before his soon-to-be ex-wife gets her hands on all his money.’
Rufus said, ‘Then the show really will go on – hoorah!’ He turned to Reggie. ‘I don’t suppose there might be a small bit part for me in the show?’ He quickly turned to Claire. ‘If that’s all right with you?’
Claire smiled. ‘Of course it’s all right. You’re retired now. You can do what you wish.’
‘Oh, how I wish I could return to the theatre.’ He looked at Reggie eagerly.
‘I’m afraid it’s not up to me. You’d have to discuss that with the producer.’
‘The producer?’
Reggie grinned. ‘Yes, our daughter, Bridie.’
‘Our daughter.’ Rufus returned his smile. ‘Thank you, Reggie.’
‘Not at all. Now, let’s get this show on the road!’
‘Finally!’ The paramedic shook his head as they all clambered out of the ambulance. ‘Do you call that five minutes?’ He looked at Isobel. ‘Where do you think you’re going? I want you to come in for observation this evening.’
‘I am fine. However, I’m more than happy for my friend to observe me this evening.’ She eyed Reggie.
Reggie looked at her, eyebrows raised. ‘Who – me?’
‘Yes, and you can observe me very closely.’
‘Very?’
Isobel said, ‘Oh, yes.’
He grinned. ‘I think I can do that.’
The paramedic eyed them. ‘Well, as long as someone will be with you tonight.’ He looked at all four of them. ‘So, are you sure you’re done? Can I go now?’
‘Yes,’ they all said in unison.
‘Good, I’ll just wait for my other patient.’
They all looked over at Bridie, who was heading through the small crowd of onlookers in Jack’s direction. Isobel said, ‘Might be a bit of a wait. I’m afraid. I get the feeling they have a lot to discuss.’
The paramedic rolled his eyes. ‘Oh, not again!’