A Sense of Place by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781788639125
Publisher: Canelo
Published: 2020-02-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Alison’s return to London, announced by Morton to the press, was not accorded so much as a mention.

An actress could not rest upon her laurels for long, she reflected. But if the reason for Alison’s lengthy absence from the limelight had leaked out, her return would be pictured on every front page, was her cynical afterthought.

In the meantime, the newsworthy aura attached to the name Plantaine had transferred to her step-cousins. Lucy’s sensational last-minute takeover of Alison’s role in Rain had rocketed her to stardom. But she had not remained loyal to Morton.

Instead, after only a short run, Lucy had utilised a get-out clause in her contract. She was now starring in a revue which Morton’s rival, Charles Bligh, had built around her. Her brother had directed it with a flair which did not go unnoticed by the critics, and had subsequently directed two more productions for Bligh.

During her sojourn up north, Alison had managed to put the twins from her mind. On re-entering her working world, it was less easy to do so, and the funereal-looking lilies they sent to ‘welcome her back’ were a sinister reminder of their ill-will.

The flowers arrived while Emma was out shopping for groceries. Alison dumped them in the dustbin but their scent, and its depressing significance, lingered on. The twins were now riding high; Alison had never felt at a lower ebb.

Morton did not allow her to remain so. Alison’s emotional problems were out of his hands, but the same did not apply to her career, of which her image was an essential part.

He began by insisting that she accompany him to the opening of Ivor Novello’s Proscenium at the Globe Theatre. It would be some time before she appeared again onstage, but the offstage performances required of her must start immediately.

For Alison, the occasion was like the re-enactment of a scene she had played many times, in another life. The oohs and ahs, when she stepped from the limousine onto the thronged pavement. The familiar stir, as she entered the theatre foyer. Morton, immaculate in evening dress, saying all the right things. Herself, wearing a white fox cape over a silver-sequined gown – and a smile that felt as if it was cemented onto her face.

Briefly, she recoiled from the gushing that greeted her on all sides. Then a question from Novello about what her next play was to be reminded her that this was her real life. It was the interlude up north that was another life – and the sooner she got things in their right perspective the better.

Morton lost no time in mounting a production for her. In the weeks that followed, Alison tried to switch her mind from her own troubles to those of the character she was portraying. But hovering beside her always was the shadow of Richard Lindemann, and of the child she had borne, now being mothered by another woman.

During rehearsals, she became aware that she was just going through the motions of playing her role.

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