Sister's Trio Squad

Chapter 46

Chapter 46

The music was catchy, the set and costumes magnificent and when Nancy at last appeared Margaret gave a little gasp. Surely this wasn't the girl she'd waved goodbye to? Despite the blonde wig and the billowing crinoline that made her appear younger and very girlish, this was a young woman who oozed confidence and charm and, when she began to sing, Margaret was amazed how much her voice had improved. Oh, how Nancy had changed. There was an aura about her, a charisma that was electrifying. The young girl from the small Irish country town had gone. A woman with poise, vivacity and a talent to sing and act had taken her place. Now she knew what Edward had first seen in her. It was almost laughable that this young woman had failed to win a second-rate, provincial talent contest. Such was Nancy's powerful portrayal of Maybelle that Margaret soon forgot it was actually Nancy and became as enthralled as Ellen.

Edward had at last relaxed. He had been almost as tense as Nancy, knowing that his own reputation, as well as hers, rested on her performance. He'd put his neck on the block for her. He'd cajoled, threatened and bribed to get her the part. After all, competition had been stiff and she was still a new name, an untried entity. They were all taking one hell of a risk. But now he knew he'd been right to trust his instincts. She was a true professional. He'd had serious qualms over her acting ability and there'd been so many rows and tantrums that he'd lost count, but tonight she was magnificent. Even the Southern drawl that she'd sworn that she would never master, sounded passable to everyone except anyone born in the South. There would be no holding her now and there was an irony in the words of her first song 'Only Make Believe, I Love You." He hummed it to himself. Nancy lived in a 'make believe' world. She wouldn't know reality if it hit her in the face, or rather she'd choose to ignore it.

Edward glanced at Margaret, thinking how different she was from Nancy. Oh, she was very elegant in a black, silk dress embroidered around the neck with beads and she wore a matching headband, but it was her serenity that impressed him. She obviously got on very well with the child, who was a pert little minx, but he wondered if she was happy with her elderly husband. With Margaret you could never tell. Yet knew from Nancy that she was strong-minded when she chose to be and she also had a temper, although he could never imagine her indulging in the kind of screaming tantrums Nancy threw.

When the curtain came down for the Interval, amid resounding applause, Margaret turned to him. 'Oh,

Edward wasn't she wonderful! I just can't believe it's really our Nancy! She's changed so much and she's so talented. Now I know what you saw in her, she's going to be a big hit, isn't she?'

'Yes.'

She thought he didn't sound exactly overjoyed by this fact.

The door to the box opened and a waiter appeared bearing a bottle of Champagne and glasses.

'It's always like a cattle stampede trying to get a drink,

so I ordered in advance."

'Oh, you shouldn't have, it must be so expensive!' 'In view of the fact that we couldn't make it to your wedding, I think it is the least I can do.'

Ellen was stage-struck and entranced by the beautiful girl who sang like an angel and who was actually her own aunt.

'Can Ellen have a drop, too?' Edward asked, coax ingly.'

'Oh, can I, Ma? Please? I won't tell Pa, I promise!'

'Oh, all right, but just a little! You're spoiling her

Edward and she's already had her fair share of that!"

'I can see that,' he laughed as he poured a small amount into a glass and handed it to Ellen. "To you and Lewis and to Nancy!' He raised his glass.

'And to Nancy and you!' Margaret replied. He smiled a little wryly. He was trying to keep his

feelings for Nancy under control. 'Will we see Aunt Nancy when it's over?" Ellen asked

excitedly.

'Of course. We're all going out to supper later.'

'Me, too?'

You, too, although, like Cinderella, you must be in bed by midnight."

'I'll do no good with her at all after this, Edward, you do realize that?' Margaret laughed.

'A little excitement won't hurt either of you

Ellen handed back the glass. She hadn't really liked it much. 'It's starting again now! Ma, can I have the opera glasses? I want to see Aunt Nancy more closely. You said her hair was red.'

"It is, that's a wig! Now hush!'

As the final curtain fell the applause was deafening and the cast received a standing ovation. Nancy took four curtain calls! It was a success! She'd done it! She was a terrific hit! She was shaking, but now it was with emotion and tears trickled down her cheeks. If she were to drop down dead right now, she'd be a happy woman! The world was her oyster now. She could have a place of her own, dress in the height of fashion, frequent the Café Royal and the Ritz and everyone would recognize her and want her autograph! Her head was spinning as she dashed away the teardrops and hurried back to her dressing room,

thrusting the bouquets into Ellie's arms. 'Did you hear them? Did you hear them, Ellie? Oh, I just can't believe its happening to me!'

'You were magnificent, Miss O'Maxwell. Here, let me

get you out of that dress, they'll all be hammering on

the door in five minutes and you'll need a police escort

to get out!' Even as she began to unbutton Nancy's dress, there was a loud knock on the door.

'Miss O'Maxwell isn't seeing anyone for at least fifteen minutes!' Ellie shouted in an authoritarian voice. She was well used to Stage Door Johnnies and the like. 'Is she decent, Ellie? It's Edward Vinetti and I have

Miss O'Maxwell's sister with me!'

Nancy was struggling into a pale blue crêpe-de-chine robe. 'Oh, let them in, Ellie!' she cried, snatching off the wig and running her fingers through her hair.

With a cry of delight, Nancy launched herself at Margaret and hugged her. 'Oh, I was so nervous and so petrified that I'd forget my lines!'

Margaret held her away from her. 'Nancy! Oh, how you've changed and I'm so proud of you! I only wish Ma could have been here but she won't leave Matty Uncle Richard.' от

Edward produced another bottle of Champagne. 'I think we've all got something to celebrate. Come on, Ellie, you as well!'

Nancy bent down. 'And you must be Ellen. Margaret has written and told me about you, but she didn't tell me you were so pretty!'

'Nancy, she'll be impossible after tonight! And before you ask, Ellen, no, you can't have any more Champagne, your Pa would be furious!' 'Oh, Ma!' Even though she hadn't really liked it she

wanted to join in.

Nancy laughed. 'How odd that sounds!" 'I've booked a table at the Café Royal,' Edward broke

in. 'So we'll finish this and leave you to change. I'll bring the car around, but I'm warning you, your friends are all probably flocking around the stage door.'

Nancy laughed delightedly.

Twenty minutes later, as she walked to the car, Nancy felt as though she was walking on air. Oh, if only those sceptics back home could see her now! Wouldn't that fool, Michel Feehey, just eat his words. She laughed aloud as Edward drove off.

'What are you thinking?' Margaret asked.

"The Sisters O'Maxwell! Do you remember Michael Feehey and Dinny MacGee?'

Her words had a sobering effect on Margaret. Obviously Nancy hadn't heard about the Feehey's latest tragedy. 'Yes, but I don't think Michael will be thinking about us three.'

'Why?'

Briefly Margaret told her and Nancy frowned. She'd been too busy to take any notice of the snatches she'd heard about the trouble in Ireland and she'd only read the

bits of both her Ma's and Margaret's letters that really interested her. And Clonmel certainly didn't interest her

any more. I was s disappointed that Lisa didn't come. I thought she would at least have made an effort.'

Edward glanced sideways at her. 'She found herself in much the same position you did when Margaret got married, and she took the same decision people shouldn't blame her for that.' you of all Oh, don't start lecturing me, Edward, not tonight.

Nothing is going to spoil tonight. Absolutely nothing!'