Sister's Trio Squad

Chapter 45

Chapter 45

'Elizabeth, I suggest you leave before things are said that are best left alone,' Lewis interrupted. It had always galled him that his elder daughter took it for granted that she only had to mention the fact that her dead mother would turn in her grave if she knew how he was treating her, denying her the little luxuries she loved, and that Molly had always given her, and that he would provide the required amount. Margaret was right and he should have put his foot down long ago, he knew that, it was emotional blackmail. But he had always given in. Mainly through the desire for peace but also because at the back of his mind he had the uneasy feeling that Molly would reproach him. But Margaret had changed all that and made him see how foolish and superstitious he'd been.

Elizabeth was so furious that she was nearly in tears. How dare he take that woman's part! What was she? A

jumped-up servant, nothing more! I don't know what you've said to turn him against me, but I know you for what you are, Margaret O'Maxwell! A grasping, scheming, conniving... b***h! You're not fit to live in my mother's house, let alone sleep in her bed! Its disgusting, that's what it is! Disgusting!'

Elizabeth, get out of this house now!' Lewis thun dered. His voice fell on empty air. Elizabeth was half-way across the hall.

The slamming of the front door rattled all the windows

and suddenly Margaret felt sick and dizzy. She clutched

the edge of the table. 'Oh, Lewis, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to cause such a rift. Go after her.'

'Sit down, you're ill!' He pushed her gently down into a chair. 'You've nothing to apologize for and I'll be damned if I'm going after her. I should have sent her packing a long time ago. Let her manage on Ernest's salary. I can only apologize for the dreadful things she said."

Her head was clearing. 'She was angry, Lewis. She probably didn't mean it." 'Oh, yes she did! But don't let her upset you.'

'I hate to see your hard-earned money frittered away, Lewis. If I hadn't already promised Ellen we'd go, I'd write and tell Nancy we can't make it.' Margaret stood up, managing a wan smile. 'I'm all right now. I'll get Vi to bring in some tea.'

'You'll do no such thing. We both need a drink. When I think of the money I've lavished on her... the ful...' ungrate

'Lewis, please! Everyone was upset I'm sure she'll calm down in time."

He held out a glass of brandy and watched her sip it. I'm not going to stand for behaviour like that. You're my wife, Margaret, and I'll not have her calling you names like that. Unless she apologizes - which she won't unless she is really in dire financial straits - in my house." she isn't welcome

Margaret took another sip and the liquid burned her throat. Oh, what a hornet's nest she had stirred up, but at least she'd put a stop to her step-daughter's parasitic habit, although she realized that she had made a serious enemy as a result.

It's too tight! Can't you do something with it?' 'Miss O'Maxwell, unless you've put on weight overnight, it can't possibly be tight. You had your final fitting only yesterday. Now turn around and let me check that every thing is just as it should be.'

Nancy turned to face her dresser. Ellie was an old hand and completely disregarded all complaints and tantrums.

'I can hardly breathe, let alone sing!' 'You did just fine at rehearsal.

It's nerves."

It was nerves, she knew that, but she didn't need to be reminded that in ten minutes she would face the most daunting challenge of her career. The months of learning lines and songs and timing and endless rehearsals were all over and she felt sick.

'All I wanted to be was a singer - a famous singer! I never wanted to be an actress!' she had shouted at Edward after the first rehearsal had been a total disaster.

'You've known all along that it was a musical play and that you'd have to act as well. I seem to recall you begging me to move heaven and earth to get you the part. Now you've got it and, whether you like it or not, you're going to make a success of it,' he'd answered, coldly. So she had struggled on, despairing of ever being able to acquire the skill to act, and then, suddenly, it had clicked into place. If she imagined that she was Maybelle Leroy, immersed herself in the character, got into Maybelle's skin, as it were, then she found that all her stumbling self-consciousness was easily overcome. But it was the hardest lesson she'd ever had to learn.

Now she stood dressed in the pink and white flowered crinoline, frothing with frills and tightly nipped in at the waist, her own hair covered by a blonde wig styled in elaborate puffs and ringlets, ready for the biggest moment in her life. The thought terrified her.

'You'd best get along. You've got all those stairs to climb up and hitch that skirt up or you'll catch it on something and tear it or fall flat on your face!' Ellie instructed dryly.

'Are you sure I look just right? This wig feels as though it's slipping.'

'When I dress someone, nothing is left to chance! Now

go on and mind you don't trip."

The wide skirt was something of a nuisance and Nancy found Ellie's advice sound as she made her way along the corridor to the wings. The stage had been transformed to look like the banks of the Mississippi River, complete with the steamboat, the Magnolia Rose, a replica in wood of a paddle steamer. Some of the cast, blacked up as n*****s, were already on stage. She hitched up the cumbersome skirt higher, ready to ascend the concealed staircase that led to the upper deck.

'Nancy I wouldn't have recognized you!'

'Oh, Edward! Fancy sneaking up on me like that. What

are you doing here, you should be out the front.' 'I just wanted to say "Break a Leg!" You certainly look the part.

'I feel ill!'

He laughed. That's a good sign. No nerves, no perform ance! You'll be fine and we're all out there rooting for you, to use American parlance, which I think is quite apt in the circumstances.' Edward bent and kissed her on the cheek. 'Go on, you've got a packed house - if make it tonight you never will! I'll have to go or I'll not get to my seat in time." you don't

He watched her go with a mixture of pride and affection. Oh, she was a handful at times, there was no doubt about that. But he admired her spirit and determination and she had an almost child-like belief that if she wanted something badly enough then she would surely get it. And beneath the tempestuous, often ruthless exterior, he sensed there was still a vulnerable young girl who could be hurt. Her very wilfulness and selfishness were weapons with which to combat disappointment, disillusionment and sensitiv ity, for no true artist could be totally without a core of sensitivity.

No staircase had ever looked so steep before. Nancy's heart had never pounded as rapidly before, either, and she was shaking. What if she forgot her lines, there were so many of them? What if she got dizzy up there on the platform that was the top deck? And, horror of horrors, what if she tripped on these damn skirts? Oh, she wished it were all over. The show had been a big hit on Broadway so there was no reason why it shouldn't be here. It just depended on - her! She swallowed hard. What would happen if when she got up there everything went completely blank, her mind frozen in sheer panic? The orchestra had finished tuning up and had begun to play the opening bars of 'Ole Man River'. She moved back, out of sight of the audience, for Maybelle Leroy didn't appear for ten more agonizing minutes.

Margaret was reading the story to Ellen from the pro gramme when Edward arrived.

'I'm sorry I'm so late, but I went to make sure Nancy wasn't having hysterics. How are you, Margaret?"

She smiled at him. He'd been kindness itself, making all the arrangements after she'd contacted him. He'd ever arranged for someone to meet them at Euston Station and take them to the hotel to change and then a taxi cab had arrived to bring them to the theatre. 'I'm fine. Is Nancy having hysterics?" 'Not quite, but she's as nervous as hell. Oh, I beg your

pardon! This must be Ellen? How do you do, Ellen?' He

extended his hand and smiled. 'How do you do, Mr Vinetti,' she replied, solemnly.

'Lewis is very busy,' Margaret explained rather awk wardly. 'He's expecting to get an answer on a contract he's tendered for. If he gets it it will make a big difference to the business."

'I'm glad he's busy, otherwise I couldn't have come!'

'Ellen!'

'She certainly doesn't mince her words, does she?' Edward laughed. 'Ma has read me the story, from the book, and it's so

sad in parts, but isn't it romantic!'

'Now that's enough, Miss! I promised your Pa you wouldn't go getting any ideas about going on the stage." Edward grimaced. 'I should think one prima donna in the family is quite enough. Well, here we go, sit back and

enjoy yourselves!' As the curtain rose, Margaret leaned forward, trying to pick out Nancy, then she glanced at her programme and realized Nancy wasn't due on just yet. She leaned back but handed the opera glasses to Ellen with the whispered instruction not to drop them.