by June Tate
Dan Mansfield was an up-and-coming young man in the theatre and he greeted Rob with enthusiasm. ‘Mr Andrews, it’s a great pleasure to meet you. I’m one of your most ardent admirers and I look forward to working with you.’ The two shook hands.
‘When did you start rehearsing?’ Rob asked.
‘Only yesterday, so everything and everyone is pretty raw at the moment, but we’ll get there.’
‘I’m sure you will. Please, don’t let me disturb you.’
They watched as he instructed the chorus line in their opening number and suddenly Rob saw a familiar face and guessed which dancer was the girlfriend of one of the backers.
Bonny recognized her at the same time. ‘That’s Lily Stevens!’ she said with surprise.
Rob closed his eyes in despair. He had fired Lily at the end of the show in Southampton for tripping up Bonny and causing her to sprain her ankle. The girl had heartily denied it, of course, and there had been an angry scene as Lily had left Rob’s office – and the show. Now, here she was, and Rob was stuck with her – like it or not. The only saving grace was that Lily was good enough for the chorus with a bit of hard work, but in his bones Rob knew she wouldn’t be satisfied with that – and that would be his problem. One that he would keep from Bonny. He didn’t want anything to interfere with her performance. Besides, it was his concern, not hers.
The following morning Rob began his rehearsals. The chorus stood before him, waiting eagerly for his instructions, knowing his reputation. He quickly laid out the scene to which they were to perform and showed them the opening steps. Collins was right, they were all very competent dancers, the weakest by far was Lily Stevens. He moved her to the back row, which made her cheeks redden and her eyes flash angrily.
And at the end of rehearsals she stormed up to him. ‘In case you are unaware of the situation, my fiancé is a backer of this production, and when I tell him I’m in the back row, he will not be pleased!’
Rob looked coldly at her. ‘Don’t you try blackmail with me, Lily. You are only here because of your fiancé, as I’m sure you know. I will not ruin my production on a whim. I’m sure your fiancé would not be pleased to see a number spoilt by your incompetence. Think about it, Lily. If I put you in a prominent position then your man will see for himself you are not up to standard and that would be embarrassing for him.’ He paused. ‘Then, I don’t think he’ll pursue your ambition with quite so much enthusiasm. After all, he’s a canny businessman, he’s put his money into this company because he wants a return. I can assure you he won’t put you before that, however good you are in bed!’ He turned and walked away.
Lily stood fuming, her cheeks flushed. She rushed off the stage, muttering to herself.
Rob was not at all sure how enamoured the backer was with the girl and hoped the man was a shrewd businessman first before being a man in lust or love. If it was the latter, he was in deep trouble.
The rehearsals were going well and Peter Collins was busy selling his forthcoming show to the people who mattered in the theatre. To this end, he’d arranged a cocktail party at the Savoy Hotel on the coming Sunday evening, which would be good publicity as he’d also organised for the press to attend.
‘Go and buy Bonny an evening dress,’ he told Rob. ‘I want her to look stunning when I introduce the pair of you. You will be in a dinner jacket, of course.’
‘Of course,’ smiled Rob. ‘Who have you invited?’
‘Jack Buchanan and Noel Coward, and CB Cochran said he’d try and look in. Apart from several theatre critics – and the backers, of course. We must give them the opportunity to meet the stars; it’s a bonus that comes when they give me their money.’
Rob frowned. No doubt Lily would be among the guests, with her sugar daddy, and that could be very awkward.
Bonny and Rob had a great time shopping for her dress. Away from the rigidity of his role as dance director, she discovered his charm and sense of humour. He also, she discovered, had an innate sense of style.
As she tried on yet another model, chosen by him, curiosity overcame her. ‘How do you know so much about a woman’s apparel?’
He chuckled wickedly. ‘Most of my adult life has been around women. I picked up a few tips.’
‘Mm, I bet you did!’
‘What are you implying, Bonny?’ He raised his eyebrows as he waited for her reply.
‘Nothing, but I am seeing another side to you and it’s a little disconcerting, if I’m honest.’
He started to laugh. ‘I am definitely an unknown quantity, but that’s how I like it!’
On Sunday evening, Bonny stood before a full-length mirror and gazed at her reflection. She was wearing a pale russet evening gown that had been their final choice. It showed the deep auburn tones of her hair to perfection. It was a simple style but the cut and swathe of the bodice fitted perfectly. Beneath it she wore black evening court shoes with a diamanté buckle, and around her shoulders, a pale mink jacket that had been hired for the evening. Round her neck was a diamanté necklace and matching earrings hung from her ears. Her long hair was dressed back from her face and cascaded with ringlets. She looked stunning.
Amy Gregg, her landlady, fussed about the hem of her dress, then stood back. ‘There you are, girl. Fit for a king, you are!’
Bonny did a twirl. ‘I’ve never looked like this in my entire life!’ she exclaimed.
‘Well, dear, if you dance on stage as good as you look tonight, you’ll be a sensation.’
‘I’m a bit nervous about meeting all these important people,’ Bonny confessed.
‘We’ll soon put a stop to that! You’re a dancer, so you stand tall, move gracefully and be yourself. Don’t try and make clever remarks, just be normal.’ She smiled wryly. ‘Take it from me, in the theatre there are too many people who make-believe twenty-four hours of the day. They will appreciate someone who doesn’t.’
The front doorbell rang. ‘That’ll be Mr Andrews for you,’ Amy said as she walked to the door. She paused. ‘If I was younger I wouldn’t mind going out with that young man. He’s gorgeous!’
And as Rob entered the front room, Bonny could see what Amy meant. He had the stature and elegance of a dancer, and in a dinner jacket he did indeed look handsome.
He eyed Bonny with admiration. ‘You look lovely.’ He leaned forward and kissed her. ‘Are you ready? The taxi’s waiting.’
There was a small orchestra softly playing songs from the current shows on the stage of the room Peter had booked at the Savoy, and as Rob and Bonny entered he walked over to them. ‘My dear Bonny, you look amazing, just as a star should. Here, have a drink.’ He took three glasses of champagne from the tray being offered by a waiter. ‘Now, come with me and meet Jack.’
‘Jack?’ queried Bonny.
‘Yes, Jack Buchanan. He’s starring in a show with Elsie Randolph, who couldn’t come this evening.’
Bonny felt her heart race. Jack Buchanan was a major star in the theatre and in films as well. Her mother adored him and now she was about to meet him.
Peter put his hand on the arm of a tall man, immaculately dressed, with dark hair. ‘Jack, I want you to meet my up-and-coming stars.’
‘I’m delighted,’ the man said as he took Bonny’s hand.
‘My mother absolutely adores you,’ she said before she could think.
Mr Buchanan beamed with delight. ‘Is she here this evening?’
‘No, I’m afraid not.’
‘Then you must make sure I have her address before I leave and I’ll send her a signed photo.’
‘Thank you so much, that would make my mother’s day.’
Peter introduced Rob to the star, who said, ‘I know you by reputation, Mr Andrews. I will certainly look forward to seeing the show when it opens.’
The evening seemed to speed by. Bonny’s head was in a whirl as she was introduced to the upper echelon of the theatre. She had taken Rob’s advice and substituted orange juice for champagne after a couple of glasses.
She was more than a little surprised to see Lily Stevens at the party with an older man who was in conversation with Peter Collins at one time. Lily made a point of ignoring Bonny and Rob, which was a great relief to them both.
Rob was called away and excused himself, and Bonny stood alone for a moment.
‘Can I get you a drink, young lady?’
She turned and looked up into the piercing blue eyes of a tall man with dark hair who smiled softly at her. He raised his eyebrows in question.
‘That’s very kind of you, but no thank you. I don’t want any more alcohol, and frankly I can’t face another orange juice.’
He chuckled. ‘I know what you mean. Come with me,’ he said, and he took her by the arm over to the bar. ‘Two of your special fruit cocktails please, George,’ he told the barman.
‘Yes, Mr Gilmore, coming up.’
Bonny looked at the stranger with curiosity. ‘He seems to know you well,’ she remarked.
The man was amused. ‘Well, George knows my needs; he’s looked after me for quite a time. Giles Gilmore,’ he said with a slight bow of the head.
‘Bonny Burton,’ she replied, copying his bow.
The barman poured two drinks over crushed ice from a cocktail shaker and placed the glasses before them.
‘Chin chin,’ said Giles.
‘Cheers,’ Bonny replied and sipped the content of the glass. ‘This is lovely!’ Turning to the barman she asked, ‘What’s in it?’
‘My secret, I’m afraid, madam.’
She looked at Giles for assistance but he shook his head. ‘I have no idea.’
George left them to attend another customer.
Giles Gilmore intrigued Bonny, and she wondered just what he had to do with the theatre. Was he a producer, a critic, an actor? He was certainly good-looking but there was an air about him that was different. This man would never have to pretend, she didn’t think. He was too self assured.
At that moment, Rob Andrews walked over. ‘Excuse me,’ he said to Giles, ‘but Bonny, you are needed,’ and he led her away.
She looked back over her shoulder. Giles raised his glass at her and smiled.
Peter Collins was on the stage talking about his forthcoming show. ‘And now, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce a couple whose names will be on everyone’s lips after opening night. Rob Andrews and Bonny Burton.’
To Bonny’s acute embarrassment she was led up on to the stage by Rob.
‘These two dancers will be the talk of the town. Remember, you heard it here first!’ Peter led the applause and the orchestra started to play. ‘Please, you two, get on the floor and show them what you’re made of!’
As Rob led her on to the dance floor he whispered, ‘Just follow me, come on, you’ve been doing it for months.’ And that’s what she did. As always, in Rob’s arms she was safe. He guided her firmly and managed to put in a few Astaire moves, which Bonny followed faultlessly. At the end of the dance, the applause was enthusiastic.
The band started the next number, and as the other guests joined them on the dance floor, Rob gathered her in his arms, holding her close and carried on dancing.
‘Sorry about that, I didn’t know we were to perform, but this is a promotional night for the show, we should have expected it from Peter.’
‘It’s alright, bit of a shock, but tonight has been strange altogether. This is a different world to what I’ve been used to.’
‘You’d better get used to it, Bonny, because everything has changed for you now. You have to make the best of it and not get carried away with the artificiality of it. So much is just glitter, without depth. Keep both feet on the ground and you’ll do just fine.’
As they traversed the floor, Bonny relaxed. As he rested his head against hers, she really enjoyed herself until the music stopped
As they left the floor, Giles Gilmore stood in front of them, and holding out her glass he said, ‘Miss Burton, you didn’t finish your drink.’
Eight
Rob Andrews asked, with a wary look, ‘And you are?’
‘Giles Gilmore.’ He shook Rob’s hand. ‘I hate to see a good drink go to waste, especially one of George’s special cocktails.’
Bonny took it from him. ‘It’s a fruit cocktail,’ she explained. ‘Mr Gilmore came to my rescue when I was standing alone. He introduced me to George the barman when I said I didn’t want any alcohol.’ Turning to Giles she said, ‘This is my dancing partner, Rob Andrews.’
‘Yes I know, I saw your exhibition just now. You both dance so well together. I can’t wait to see the show.’
Rob was now curious about the stranger. ‘Are you anything to do with the theatre?’
‘Oh yes, quite a lot,’ was the enigmatic reply. ‘Now you must excuse me. I look forward to our next meeting, Miss Burton.’
‘Extraordinary bloke!’ Rob remarked as he watched him walk over to another small gathering. ‘I wonder who he is?’
‘I have no idea,’ said Bonny, but she felt that wasn’t the last time she would see the handsome gent. There had been a determined look in his eyes whenever he had gazed at her.
There was a pleasant surprise for Bonny when she walked into rehearsal the following morning. Her friend Shirley Gates was standing chatting to the other members of the chorus.
‘Shirley!’ The two girls rushed to meet each other, hugging and laughing with glee. ‘What are you doing here?’ asked Bonny.
‘Well, my dear girl, I was summoned by Mr Andrews. When I got the phone call at the Palace I couldn’t believe it. He wants me in the show! Bloody marvellous, isn’t it? And what’s more he wants us to do a number together, like we did in Southampton!’
‘That’s wonderful. I am so pleased to see you. The others are nice but I do feel a bit lonely. After all, most of them have worked together before so I feel a bit of an outsider.’
‘Don’t you worry, now I’m here, and guess what? Rob has got me fixed up at the same digs as you!’ She leaned closer so as not to be overheard. ‘What the bloody hell is Lily Stevens doing here? She’s outclassed, I would have thought.’
‘Well, the gossip is that her fiancé is one of the backers. So Peter Collins had to take Lily if he wanted the money.’
‘Must be that old fellow she cottoned on to in Southampton. She is such a crafty bitch. She’d claw her way through a sewer to get what she wants. Does she have a solo spot?’
‘No! She’s not good enough, you know that.’
‘Hmm! Bet she gets one, one way or another.’
‘Not if Rob has anything to do with it, I wouldn’t think.’
At that moment Rob called the dancers together and rehearsals began. He then ran through a number that featured Shirley and Bonny with the male dancers only. Lily looked on in fury.
It was a lively and tricky number but as the girls were so used to dancing together, it progressed very quickly.
At the end, Shirley turned to Bonny and whispered, ‘Blimey! There’s some very juicy blokes around, I am glad I came!’
Rob called a break for lunch and Shirley wasted little time getting to know the men who had featured in the number. ‘You and I are off out this evening,’ she told Bonny a little later.
‘Really, where?’
‘Don’t know yet. We’ve got a date with a couple of the boys.’
‘What!’
‘Listen, girl, we work bloody hard and when we go into production we’ll be too damned tired, so we’ll have a bit of fun whilst we can. Right?’
Bonny realized how much she’d missed Shirley. Life had been nothing but hard work until now, and carried away with her friend’s enthusiasm she grinned broadly. ‘Right!’ she agreed.
Whilst Bonny and Shirley learned the delights of the Metropolis with the chorus boys, Lily Stevens was working on her benefactor and fiancé, Charles Kendal. Now that Shirley had joined the chorus and had been given a number with Bonny, Lily was even more determined to feature in a solo spot.
Snuggling up to Charles in bed, s
he gently traced her finger across his lips, kissing his ears and moving her naked body close to his.
‘Charlie, darling, you do love me, don’t you?’
‘Of course, you know I do.’
‘You want me to be happy, don’t you?’
His eyes narrowed. Now what? he wondered. ‘I thought being with me was enough to make you happy, Lily.’
‘Oh darling, where else would I want to be? You are so good to me and I adore you.’
‘Then what’s the problem?’
She slipped her hand between his thighs and fondled his genitals. ‘It’s only that I don’t think Rob Andrews appreciates my talent. He’s brought a dancer in from Southampton to do a number with Bonny Burton. Now, I can’t see why he has to go to that extra expense when I am perfectly capable of doing the number. It seems to me he’s wasting money.’
Charles, now aroused, wasn’t concentrating on the career of his young bed mate. He pulled her on top of him, but Lily wasn’t ready to concede to his wishes just yet.
‘You have a lot of money invested in the production and I think you should have a word with him, don’t you?’
‘I’ll come along to rehearsals tomorrow and see him,’ he promised.
She slowly lowered herself on to him and kissing him passionately said, ‘Thank you, darling. I knew I could rely on you.’
Rehearsals started early the following morning and it wasn’t until Rob called a break that he was aware of the gentleman sitting in the stalls, watching. He recognized him as the man who had been with Lily at Peter’s party and he guessed that Lily had been whingeing to him about her position in the chorus. It had to happen sometime, he supposed, but he would wait to be approached.
Charles Kendal watched the rehearsals until lunchtime. He realized the talent of the dance director and was most impressed with the choreography of each production. Not being a fool, he also realized that Lily was not as good a dancer as she perceived herself to be. But he was a man of the world, well versed in handling women. Lily suited him. She was attractive and pliable. Charles was well aware that she was using him to her own ends, but he was doing the same. A permanent woman on his arm, wearing his ring, kept other young women from pestering him. Lily was good in bed and the present situation suited him. He would never marry her, of course – but she didn’t know that.
