Fugitive From the Grave by Edward Marston

Author:Edward Marston [Edward Marston]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780749022815
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2018-10-10T16:00:00+00:00

Hannah Granville was such an ebullient person that her lapse into a morose silence was wholly out of character. At least she was no longer berating Paul and accusing him of siding with the manager. She’d come to realise that her career had reached a turning point. Instinct told her to flounce out of the cast of As You Like It and return to London, but that course of action was not as appealing as it had first seemed. It might be as expensive as it was damaging to her professional standing. The fact that she would, in effect, be handing the role of Rosalind to a despised rival was the decisive factor. Though she’d have to endure the woman’s proximity during daily rehearsals of the play, it would be preferable to giving Elinor Ingram the chance to shine in her place.

Paul was not used to a prolonged silence in her company. When Hannah was not talking to him, she was usually rehearsing her latest role. He eventually interrupted her reverie by pointing out that neither of them had eaten for several hours and that the restaurant recommended to them was only five minutes’ walk away. The anticipated protest never materialised. Hannah was ready to accept his suggestion. Earlier on, she’d been afraid to stir from the room, but she left it without a murmur this time. On the walk there, she did say that it was good to have a breath of fresh air again. Paul sensed that, as soon as they were in the restaurant, she’d become animated, treating the other people there as an audience.

‘I was hoping you’d grace our establishment, Miss Granville,’ said the head waiter, fawning over her before conducting the two of them to a table in the corner. ‘If there’s anything you need – anything at all – just beckon me over.’

‘Thank you,’ she said, taking the seat he held out for her.

‘I’m sure you’ll find the menu to your liking.’

‘We’ve heard glowing reports of your chef,’ said Paul.

When they were both seated, the waiter stared at Hannah as if in the presence of royalty. It required a nudge from Paul to send him on his way. Studying their menus, they were able to have a conversation at last, choosing certain items, changing their minds, then reverting to their original choices. Food and wine were safe subjects. The one thing he was determined not to mention was the theatre. Their discussion brought Hannah back to life again and she actually seemed to be enjoying the visit to the restaurant. When she glanced around, a number of people were staring at her. Those who realised who she was were smiling at her, while those who didn’t recognise Hannah simply found her beauty arresting. Between them, the other patrons helped her to blossom.

The meal was excellent and the wine superb. Paul felt that he’d at last regained the woman he loved. Hannah was as vibrant as ever. It was as if she’d forgotten all about the manager’s rebuff.

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