The Glowing Hours

by Marina Oliver

  At last it was over, and to a thin trickle of applause and a few raucous shouts of encouragement the girls kicked their way off stage.

  'God, we made it! I thought it would never be over!' Kitty exclaimed, exhuberant now they had finished and no disaster had claimed them. She was a success! She could dance, had proved she was good enough to dance on the stage! She seized Nell by the hand and swung her round in a triumphant spin.

  'Gerrout the way!'

  It was the stage manager, and the dancers hastily stumbled down the stairs towards their dressing room.

  'Thank God we don't have to wait around. No palaver like final curtain calls!' Kitty said, throwing herself down into a chair.

  'Do you think we'll get bookings in other theatres?'

  'There weren't many people there. I could see past the footlights and the theatre was half empty.'

  'It's Monday, there's never a good house on Mondays,' one suddenly knowledgeable girl proclaimed.

  'Why was there so much noise? It really put me off.'

  'Latecomers. I expect the opening act always suffers while people are settling down. At least we weren't trying to sing or tell jokes, with nobody listening! But one day, Bliss Beauties, we'll be top of the bill, and they'll all be waiting with bated breath to see us!' Gwyneth encouraged them. 'Now do you all know where your own costumes are, so that there'll be no muddles tomorrow?'

  'If we did have more bookings it might solve the problem of where we're going to live,' Nell said later. The others had all left and she and Gwyneth were finishing tidying up.

  Kitty, still in her costume, sprawled in a chair. 'Why? I thought you had rooms near Islington Row?' she asked.

  'We do, but we're being thrown out for making too much noise practising, and we haven't found anywhere else yet,' Nell said, the ecstasy suddenly evaporating as once more she began to worry about where they could go.

  Kitty looked at them for a moment, then smiled broadly.

  'That's easily solved. Why don't you both come and live with me?'

  They looked at her, bemused. 'We couldn't!' Gwyneth exclaimed.

  'Why on earth not? I have masses of space.'

  'But – it wouldn't be – well – suitable.'

  'I don't see why not. We can work together, do all the practising we like, and no one will ever complain!'

  'Kitty, we're not your sort! Your family is rich, important. People would say you'd been imposed on.'

  'Absolute nonsense! If it makes you feel better I'll call it a business proposition and offer you rooms in my boarding house! Why not me when you'd be prepared to take rooms wherever else they were available?

  'You'd let us pay?' Nell asked slowly. She was so accustomed to Kitty's insistent generosity when they went out together for a meal this hadn't occurred to her.

  'If it makes you feel better about it. Darlings, I've got reasons of my own. I don't want to have to give up dancing, and I might have to. This could be a way round it.'

  'What do you mean? You can't give up now, Kitty, you're really good after that extra practice,' Gwyneth exclaimed, 'and we need you if we're going to introduce the threesome dances.'

  Kitty grimaced. 'My darling Mama has descended on me, all of a sudden acting respectable, and insisting I give up dancing and have a ghastly old maid cousin to live with me. I'm sure she'd agree to this instead, especially with Gwyneth being the daughter of a Minister! If she knows you are dancing with me she might relent. She doesn't really care, just feels she ought to be seen doing her duty, but I've no doubt she's already regretting the trouble it'll be! Meggy approves of you both, for a start! She said no one else ever offered to help her clear up after a party. Come and see Mama in the morning? Before she whizzes off to Manchester.'

  'I think we should,' Gwyneth said to Nell the following day, after Cecily Denver had, though with some misgivings, approved the idea and agreed to try the arrangement for a couple of months. 'I know Kitty can sometimes be difficult, but we can always move out again if we want to.'

  'Her mama won't consider us paying rent. Do we want to feel beholden?' Nell asked doubtfully.

  'We'll insist on paying for food,' Gwyneth suggested. 'And we can give Meggy money or presents to pay for the extra work. We have to be practical, Nell. We have to save as much as possible, we had to give up our jobs a couple of weeks ago, and there may be times when we don't have work. We can look on it as payment for a sort of job, chaperoning Kitty.' And, she thought rather guiltily to herself, at Kitty's, mixing with her set, there was more chance of seeing Paul Mandeville again. This, however, she could never reveal to Nell, and she was herself confused. She'd been powerfully attracted to him, yet she didn't want the complication of a man in her life.

  'May deah gel, the leettle finger of your left glove is not perfectly straight, and your parting has two hairs on the wrong side. It will give the deah boys quaite the wrong impression! They'll think you easy!' Nell clowned, in a wicked parody of Cecily Denver's manner, and they dissolved into helpless laughter.

  ***

  Chapter 11

  'So you're both running away from your fathers and I haven't got one!'

  It was late on Sunday morning. On Saturday Gwyneth and Nell had transferred their few belongings to Kitty's home, danced in both the matinée and evening performances, and attended a theatre party organised for them by an ecstatic Frank Bliss.

  'You were superb, fantastic!' he told them. 'I invited a couple of agents to see you, and we already have bookings for the week after next, and probably for the following month too! We can spend this week polishing the act, for there are still minor problems,' he added more cautiously.

  'And we can always improve,' Gwyneth enthused. 'Thank goodness it got better after the first night.'

  It had got very much better, and by the end of the week the troupe were receiving genuinely warm applause. Their confidence had increased dramatically and all were eager for another engagement.

  Now the three girls were relaxing over an enormous, late breakfast, and exchanging details about their lives. Kitty had demanded they told her everything.

  'I left home mainly because my father was so bigoted,' Gwyneth said slowly. 'He thought all dancing and all singing apart from hymns were wicked.'

  'Don't you miss your mother?' Nell asked softly.

  'Yes, enormously. I want to write, but I daren't let her know I'm in Birmingham.'

  'I'd like to see Ma too, but Pa would force her to tell him where I was, so I daren't.'

  'What about you, Kitty? How long was your mother in America?'

  'She went last summer. I was in London for the season, and I think she hoped I'd be married by the end of it, and off her hands. When I showed no signs of getting engaged she left. She said it was for just a couple of months, but I think she's met a new man. She is going back there soon, and never mentioned plans to come home for good.'

  Nell and Gwyneth, both used to mothers who, in their different ways, had been completely dominated by overbearing husbands, did not know what to say about these revelations, which they found strange and in some way disturbing. They'd never before known women who were so independent and apparently uncaring of the good opinion of others.

  'Why did you come to Birmingham, Gwyneth?' Nell asked after a slight pause. 'I thought your home was in South Wales?'

  'Yes, in Pembrokeshire, near Saundersfoot. They'll have thought I went to Cardiff, or maybe Bristol, because they are the nearest big cities. Or they may think I'm in London. I chose Birmingham just because it would seem unlikely. We don't know anyone here, and I'd never been before.'

  'When you tell me about your fathers I'm almost thankful not to have one,' Kitty declared. 'Yours must be frightfully difficult to live with, Gwyneth, but at least he didn't beat you like Nell's did.'

  'Both are bad,' Nell said slowly. 'Constant disapproval must be as difficult to bear as beatings and violence.'

  'But your mothers put up with it! I can't imagine how any woman could endure the sort of be
haviour you've described,' Kitty declared hotly. 'If a man were constantly criticising me, or punched and slapped me like your father does, Nell, I'd walk straight out of the door and never go back.'

  'Leaving your children?' Gwyneth said quietly. Kitty didn't appear to appreciate what it was like not to have money. 'You wouldn't marry a man unless you loved him, and probably by the time you found out what he was really like you'd have a couple of children to provide for, and no means of doing so on your own.'

  'Yes, that I can understand, I suppose,' Kitty conceded. 'From what you've said your father, Gwyneth, isn't violent in the same way but he's so much in control! I'm amazed that, however unreasonable he is, your mother accepts it.'

  'Is that another form of love? She promised to obey, for better or worse, and she regards her marriage vows seriously. Your mother had the courage not to take that way, Kitty, and even though she had you she kept her independence.'

  Kitty sighed and absentmindedly poured another cup of tea. 'Surely with the right husbands, who are reasonable and civilized and adore us, we could be married and still independent.'

  'I don't ever want to be married,' Nell said vehemently. She had been unusually quiet, leaving most of the conversation to the others, but now she turned to them and spoke in heartfelt tones. 'Love is a trap! Girls imagine it gives them security, but it can't last, and just produces children who in the end are the main ones to suffer! I'm going to make it on my own, without the help of a man!'

  'Good for you, Nell! You're so much more confident than when I first met you.'

  'It's like waking up from a nightmare,' Nell confessed. 'I was much more confident, sure of myself, when I lived with Gran. The last two years at home seemed like a dreadful prison, so awful I didn't know how to fight it. It was enough just to endure, to survive.'

  'But you've escaped now,' Kitty said soothingly.

  Nell nodded. She was determined her future life would be different. 'I have, but my brothers and sisters haven't. That makes me feel guilty yet there's nothing I can do. The older ones have got away, but with anger. They don't go home any more than I do. And that life affected them,' she said almost to herself, recalling the brutal behaviour of her brothers. 'The little ones have to endure hell until they can tolerate it no longer! And my mother has to bear it for them as well as herself. I would feel dreadful if I had children who had to suffer. I know my mother feels enormous guilt about what he does to us, but she's so defeated, she can't do anything but wait for death to release her. And there are so many living like that.'

  'Poverty doesn't always make people into beasts,' Gwyneth said quietly. 'In the villages there were some marvellous people, who'd give up their last crust to help a child or someone worse off than themselves. And they enjoyed themselves, singing, playing games, even though life was so grim.'

  'And wealth doesn't make people good or generous. I've seen plenty of horrors in rich families, though not anything like so awful as you've described, Nell.'

  'Are we all determined not to marry?' Gwyneth asked after a pause. 'Nell doesn't want children who might suffer. I'm determined no man will prevent me from dancing, and I can't see any husband being willing to let me go on appearing on the stage, especially in those new costumes Mr Bliss was talking about! What about you, Kitty?'

  'I suppose I will marry, I've always expected to despite my mother's example. You see I don't want to be alone,' Kitty said slowly. 'I want to be independent too, and I know that with the right man it would be possible to be both. I've seen my mother, getting older and more and more absorbed in her campaigns. She doesn't love me or she wouldn't leave me alone so much. That's a form of cruelty too.'

  'She's given you all the money you want,' Gwyneth said a little severely. 'She even insisted we didn't need to pay rent.'

  Kitty laughed. 'So that you'd feel an obligation and stay with me! She really approved of your common sense, Gwyneth. She'd also begun to realise I could make Cousin Maud's life a misery if I had to give up dancing.'

  'At least she let us pay towards the food,' Nell said. She hadn't wanted to accept what she felt was charity, now she could afford to pay her way, but Gwyneth had been tougher, pointing out that they'd be helping Mrs Denver, it was a sort of job, and their dancing wasn't yet so secure that they could afford not to save every possible penny.

  'Of course having plenty of money makes things easier for me,' Kitty agreed. 'But it doesn't hurt her to give it to me. She has to make no sacrifice. Her aunt left her this house, and she has money from a family trust. She doesn't use half her income, even after providing for me and susbscribing to her causes. She didn't have to give up a single thing in order to do it.'

  'So who's the ideal man who will give you independence as well as love?' Nell asked, pushing her own worries aside and forcing herself to speak lightly.

  Kitty grinned and began counting on her fingers. 'I'm not sure I've met him yet. Perhaps some fabulously rich American will see me on the stage and fall desperately in love with me. Or would an Italian Prince be more exciting?'

  'Or a desert sheik who'd carry you off to his tent?' Gwyneth asked, laughing. 'Isn't there anyone you already know?'

  Kitty shrugged, then laughed rather self-consciously. 'I always planned to marry Andrew,' she confessed. 'He's always been my big cousin, I adored him when I was little. And he was such fun, so full of mad ideas! But he's starting to get a bit of a bore, he's so determined to make a name with his saxophone playing. It's the only thing he's ever cared about. On the other hand, we could travel, it could be exciting to be part of the theatre, and I won't stay a dancer long enough to become famous myself, even if I had the talent,' she added deprecatingly.

  'You'll not give up?' Nell demanded, alarmed. Was this so recent friendship insecure after all?

  'Not yet, until I get bored. I once thought I might like to marry Paul Mandeville, but he's so solid and dependable these days, not like he used to be when he and Andrew got up to all sorts of japes. He never does anything impulsive or adventurous. It would be lovely and safe, but I'm not sure I want life without any excitement. No, I think it will have to be Timothy. He'll have a title one day, and simply pots of money, and we can for ever be doing divinely exciting things, spending the winter in the south of France, popping across to Paris or Le Touquet whenever we felt like it.'

  'Would you really marry a man for money and a title?' Nell asked, surprised.

  'Only if he was absolutely crazy over me! But I'd have to have a rich husband – my mother's trust money stops when she dies – all I'll have is this house.' She grinned, then sprang to her feet. 'Come on, let me show you my inheritance. You must have been too tired last night to do anything but collapse into bed.'

  *

  For most of the following week the Bliss Beauties polished and refined their routine. They were appearing in a larger theatre next and on Wednesday, when they were rehearsing in the Endersby's ballroom, Frank told them he had negotiated performances for a several more weeks at theatres in the towns nearby.

  'You're still the opening act, so there'll be no need for you to find lodgings, plenty of time to get back to Birmingham by tram or train.'

  'I am not coming back on trams or trains,' Kitty said afterwards as they were changing. 'Betts can drive us.'

  'Not in the trap, surely?'

  'No, that would take an age and be miserably cold at night. It's still only March. Are you ready? Let's go.' She led the way out of the separate ballroom entrance.

  'Then how?' Gwyneth demanded as they walked along the path leading to the front of the hotel.

  'I told Mama before she left I simply must have a motor. Betts learned to drive last year when she was at home. She complained the horses were smelly and wouldn't use the trap. She said I could buy one of Sir Herbert Austin's little cars, those he makes at Longbridge. I might even learn to drive it myself,' she said excitedly as they emerged onto the carriage sweep in front of the main building. 'It will be terribly cramped with Betts as well.'


  'I've never been in a motor,' Nell said enviously.

  'Then we'll have to remedy that at once. May I drive you all home?'

  'Paul! You startled me!' Kitty exclaimed. 'You shouldn't be eavesdropping, but as it's fortunate for us we'll forgive you!' She smiled brilliantly at him, and stepped towards his car which stood beside the front door.

  'At least I didn't hear ill of myself. Kitty, since Nell has never ridden in a motor before, let her come in the front,' he added, and Kitty, with a slight pout, shrugged and climbed into the rear seat. Gwyneth followed and Nell, hardly able to believe what was happening, found herself seated in grandeur beside Paul as he drove the short distance to Kitty's home.

  'What were you doing at Endersby's, Paul?' Kitty asked as they started. She had to shout to be heard over the noise of the engine and the considerable amount of traffic on the Hagley Road.

  'One of the guests was indisposed. Nothing serious, thank goodness,' he replied, turning his head to make himself heard. 'I hear you're staying with Kitty at The Firs,' he said more quietly to Nell.

  'Yes, isn't that kind of her?'

  'Nell, this is a ridiculously short drive. I'd like to show you what the car can do. Will you come out with me for the day on Sunday?'

  'Me?' She was bemused, at first unsure whether she wanted to go. Despite her returning confidence this was different. He wasn't like Tom; he was rich and important. Then she gave herself a mental shake. She'd determined to get the most out of her new life, and here was an opportunity to experience something exciting. He was simply being kind to her.

  'Yes, you, and alone. I'd like to get to know you, talk to you. We can start early and have lunch out. You don't have a performance on Saturday, or a Sunday rehearsal, do you?'