Chapter 21
Chairs shuffled against the wooden floorboards of the Penwarra Hall, and the murmuring crowd filled the large space.
Spotlights lit up the stage curtain and Ian stepped out and adjusted the microphone.
‘This is it,’ Arthur said, reaching for Clem’s hand and squeezing it. She didn’t know why she was the one who was trembling, it was Harriet who was about to step out on stage, not her. So why did Clem feel so jittery?
‘Our little squirt is about to set the acting world on fire.’ Arthur set her hand down on the armrest between them. ‘First stop, Penwarra Area School captain, next stop, Broadway!’
Clem returned her grandfather’s smile and then fossicked in her handbag for tissues. It was stupid to get all emotional, she knew, and she waved away Jack’s concerned look.
‘It hasn’t even started yet,’ her brother whispered. ‘And I thought this was supposed to be a pirate story, not a tragedy. There’s no need for tissues, surely? Ouch!’ Jack turned to Lauren, who must have elbowed him.
‘Give it a rest, Mr Tough Guy. I bet you’ll be teary too when Harri’s called for an encore.’
Indi opened a packet of corn chips and offered them to Alma, the pair crunching noisily enough to earn them a shushing from the seat behind them, and a pointed backward glance from the elderly couple sitting in front.
‘Welcome, ladies and gentlemen,’ Ian said.
‘You’re in for a great night, but before we start this play, I want to welcome my wife Louisa onto the stage, who I’m sure you all know, and our son-in-law, Spencer, who prefers to keep a low profile, believe it or not.
They’ve both played a major role in this production and I am so proud of them. ’
Spencer looked so handsome on stage, and Clem couldn’t help admiring the blue-striped shirt he wore, and the way his dark leather belt matched his freshly-polished RM boots.
She swivelled in her chair, scanning the back of the room, noticing the reporter from the 6 pm television news and a bulky TV camera on a tripod.
So they’d managed to get the local media here after all. Good for them, Clem thought.
Ian stepped aside, handing his wife the clipboard he’d been reading from, and Louisa tapped the microphone before looking out into the crowd.
‘I appreciate you all coming tonight, and hope you can spread the word so the second and final performance is packed out. As many of you know, I’ve lived and breathed this theatre group for the last twenty-nine years.
I’d always hoped I’d bow out on a round number, but tonight’s performance of Shipwrecked on Penguin Island will be my last.’
Apart from the crunching of Indi’s unfortunate choice of snack, the room was silent. Clem confiscated the chips as quietly as she could.
Louisa’s shoulders rounded as she paused. ‘I’ve always maintained the show must go on, but you’ll have to excuse me tonight, my eyes seem to be leaking.’
Spencer put his hand over the microphone and spoke to Louisa, who shook her head but accepted the tissue he offered.
Clem held her breath as Spencer looked out to the audience, somehow finding her gaze. He gave a small smile. She sent one back, not knowing if he could see her or not, but hoping he’d know she was sending her strength to all three of them.
‘This will be our last play for the Penwarra Players,’ Louisa went on.
‘Some of you already know, though most of you won’t, that Ian and I are moving back to Canada.
We’re so proud of what we’ve achieved with this beautiful theatre company, and we will always treasure the many productions we’ve done with such a wonderful team of volunteers and like-minded friends.
We’re not sure what the future holds, but we hope somebody can step up and keep it running long after we’re gone. ’
A gentle ripple swept across the room. From her seat in the second row, Clem sensed the effort it took for Spencer to maintain his composure.
Her heart ached for him and their fleeting romance. Things were rarely black and white, so why couldn’t she apologise, like he’d already done?
‘We’re proud to have played a small role in this big-hearted community group and we hope you enjoy the play.’
The type of applause normally reserved for the end of a performance filled the packed hall, with more and more people standing.
‘Look Mum, there’s Harri,’ Indi said, leaning over Hazel and tugging at Clem’s dress.
Dragging her attention away from Spencer, Clem saw the curtains fluttering in the far corner and a small set of hands, then a small set of wide eyes looking out from the wings.
An uneasy feeling settled in her stomach when she recognised Harriet’s expression.
It was eerily similar to the look she’d seen on Harriet’s face when she’d frozen on stage at last year’s welcome assembly, and then again at the camp talent show.
She hoped tonight wouldn’t be Groundhog Day all over again.
Spencer could hardly hear himself think over the thunderous applause from the floor.
His focus had barely left Clem’s face the whole time he’d been on stage, and he could see something was wrong.
He turned and looked over his shoulder, finding the youngest cast member rooted to the spot, her mouth open in a silent ‘O’.
He turned back to Ian. ‘We need to wrap this up quickly, before the cast run off with stage fright.’
It was tempting to ditch his speech altogether—the less time he was in the spotlight, the better for everyone—but this chance mightn’t come around again, and he felt sure he’d think of something backstage to ease Harriet’s nerves.
He let go of Louisa’s hand to take the microphone, and quickly unfolded the speech he had written.
‘We’ll get to the important part of the night shortly, but we want to thank you for your support and mention one last thing.
Some of you might have seen my stint on TV, hopefully there are far more of you who haven’t.
’ A ripple of laughter went through the crowd as he gave an exaggerated grimace.
‘But you might have noticed the program wasn’t an accurate representation of my life at South Giddi Giddi.
I’m not really a farmer. I was lucky enough to spend many happy years on the land, but teaching, writing community theatre scripts, and watching students succeed are what make me jump out of bed each morning.
There was also little mention of my late wife, at my request. I’ve reflected on that decision a lot, especially in the last few weeks, and it doesn’t sit well. ’
Clem shuffled down in her seat, while Spencer kept his gaze locked on hers.
‘Tonight’s play is a story about pirates and adventure on the high seas.
Deep down, it’s about being brave, and choosing love even when great white sharks are circling and swashbuckling pirates are waiting in the wings.
I’d like to dedicate this play to Belle.
’ His voice cracked then, and he coughed quietly, willing himself to hold it together in front of the packed hall.
‘It’s not easy speaking about her, but I’m going to try and do it more often, starting tonight.
For those of you who didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Belle, she was the reason I moved to this part of the world.
She loved reality TV shows almost as much as she loved bees, wobbly-legged lambs and classic novels. ’
He held out his fingers, counting them off one by one. ‘Moby Dick, Treasure Island, 20,000 Leagues under the Sea, Gulliver’s Travels and The Count of Monte Cristo were some of her favourites, and she often bemoaned the fact there weren’t more plucky young girls in these stories.’
He looked behind him again. Jodie, one of the seasoned actors, was resting a hand on Harriet’s shoulders, though the little girl looked even more spooked than before.
‘Louisa and I have tried to remedy this in tonight’s play, and we’ve got a fabulous cast ready to set things right.’ Spencer lowered the clipboard and cast one last sweeping look around the packed hall, catching Clem’s eye again. ‘We hope you enjoy the show.’
There wasn’t as much chatter from the audience as there had been after Louisa’s speech, which was fine by him.
He’d only really been speaking to one beautiful woman, and he hoped she appreciated how hard it had been to say Belle’s name in front of all those people.
But had it been enough? Would Clem understand how determined he was to be more open and honest with her in the future?
Although talking about Belle, and honouring her memory so publicly, was the first of many difficult steps he was prepared to take, Spencer felt relieved to get out of the spotlight and into the wings.
‘You’ll be fantastic, Harri,’ he said, finding her beside the water cooler. ‘Remember what we said: you go out there and knock ’em dead with your loudest voice and most pirate-y swagger.’
Her little face was pale, and she cast another worried look at the stage as the first of the cast walked past to take their places behind the curtain. ‘I can’t go out there. It’ll be like school camp but worse.’
‘Indi’s out there, your rellies, Isobel, Sebastian and Pansy. My sister Addison is here too, and they’re all cheering you on. Everyone’s so proud of you giving it a shot,’ he said, using the sleeve of his shirt to wipe the tear that was tracking slowly through Harriet’s stage make-up.
‘They’ll think I’m stupid for being scared. I’ll never be middle school captain if I’m a scaredy cat.’
He looked up to see Louisa directing the cast, Ian prepping the mikes for the second scene and Mia fussing with costumes. The first act began, and Spencer glanced at his watch, knowing he had precious little time before their youngest cast member, the star of their show, was due on stage.
He willed himself to think fast, but as much as he tried, Spencer couldn’t conjure up a single story showcasing the bravery of bees, beagles or bold guinea pigs. He was clutching at straws when an idea finally hit him.