The Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding

Author:Julia Golding
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Egmont
Published: 2011-01-20T22:00:00+00:00

1Struck through by the censor.

SCENE 3 . . . BACKSTAGE

‘Are you all right, Cat?’

Pedro found me in the auditorium, replacing the candles in one of the chandeliers. Long Tom had lowered it to be within my reach so I could assist him in the neverending chore of keeping the theatre brightly lit.

‘Why do you ask?’ I said, not looking at Pedro as I chipped off the drips of wax from the glass reflectors with my nail.

‘Are you still cross with me? Don’t you want to hear what happened last night?’ He sat down on a bench and rubbed his calf muscles like an athlete limbering for a race. He was expected on stage in five minutes for his rehearsal.

I already knew, of course, that nothing had happened in Covent Garden last night, but he was not to know that. A total lack of interest on my part would look suspicious.

‘So what happened?’ I asked dutifully.

‘Nothing. Syd thinks Billy funked it.’

‘Oh.’ I spiked a white candle on the prong in an empty bracket.

‘I thought you’d be relieved,’ said Pedro in a disappointed voice. ‘This means that Billy’s surrendered the market to Syd, doesn’t it? You’ll be able to go out again. He won’t dare touch you.’

When I closed my eyes, I could still feel the choking pressure of Billy’s razor on my throat and touch the stub of hair where he had shaved off a fistful. Pedro’s comforting words could not be more ill-founded. I swayed on my feet and reached out for the bench to sit down before I collapsed.

Pedro was alarmed. ‘Cat? What’s the matter? You really don’t look well.’ He now noticed my bandaged forearm. ‘What did you do to yourself ?’

‘Nothing,’ I said, taking a steadying breath, determined not to faint.

‘But your arm!’

‘It’s nothing . . . just a cut.’

Pedro gave me a dubious look but did not pursue the matter. ‘Well, I know something that will cheer you up. Lord Francis and Lady Elizabeth are coming to the rehearsal today.’

I raised my eyebrows quizzically. ‘In what capacity?’

‘Dressed as themselves, of course. Now that you’ve whetted their appetite for the stage, Mr Sheridan invited them to bring a party of their friends. They should be here soon.’

I looked round quickly, wondering if Johnny was in view: he had to be warned. He would want to keep out of sight of such an invasion in case someone recognised him.

‘Come on, Cat,’ chided Pedro. ‘Aren’t you the least bit pleased?’

‘Sorry, Pedro,’ I said, turning back to him. ‘Of course I’m pleased.’ Looking into his deep brown eyes, it was hard to believe at that moment that this was the boy who had cheated on me. He did seem to care. Maybe the diamond-stealing was now all water under the bridge and we could start again?

‘Good, for I told Frank that you’d show them round.’

‘Pedro!’

Pedro leapt to his feet and gave me a bright smile. ‘Well, I can’t, can I? I’ve got to be on stage.’ With a final stretch,

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