by Georgia Hill
Dora looked up and stifled her irritation. She’d hoped for five minutes’ peace before the next part of the rehearsal ground on.
‘Can I join you?’
Reluctantly, Dora nodded and shifted her bag off the seat next to her.
Ellie spread a hand to the boats curving and surging with the frothy waves out in the bay. ‘Isn’t it glorious? A perfect seaside day. I expect your friend Millie is busy in her café, isn’t she?’
Dora nodded again. For the first time in weeks she longed for a cigarette. She hadn’t seen much of Millie in the last few days. The café had been busier and Millie had been seeing a lot of Jed. Besides, Dora hadn’t felt like company. Millie was too happy with Jed to have to suffer Dora’s angst over Mike.
Ellie dug into her bag and found a plastic lunch box. Fishing out a knife she concentrated on cutting an apple into slices. ‘Would you like a bit? I get them from the greengrocer’s in the high street. Organic and luscious.’
Dora’s mouth watered. She’d been too stressed to eat much recently and was getting painfully thin. ‘It looks good,’ she admitted and accepted a slice. ‘Thank you.’ She relented a little. Ellie was too nice a person to bear the brunt of her foul mood. ‘And yes, thank you for asking, I’m fine. Just pre-publicity jitters.’
Ellie nodded vigorously and chewed before answering. ‘I hear Mike has quite a junket lined up for tomorrow and Friday. You must be used to it, though.’
‘I am. I just haven’t done any for anything other than The English Woman for a while. And,’ Dora shrugged her shoulders, ‘This all means so much to Mike; I want to get it just right for him.’ She accepted another slice of apple. ‘Well, for everyone.’
‘Know what you mean. Can’t believe we’re on in a week. It’s gone so quickly. Doesn’t seem five minutes since that awful read-through.’ Ellie shuddered. ‘God, I was bad.’
Dora managed a laugh. She relaxed a little. She’d forgotten what good company Ellie could be. ‘Tickets have sold well and most of the kids have their entire families coming, so we’ll have sympathetic audiences willing us on, at least.’
‘Just as well for some of us,’ Ellie said through a mouthful of apple. ‘Mike says he’s directing The Shrew next. In London, apparently.’
‘So I understand.’
‘Talk about going from the sublime to the ridiculous,’ Ellie giggled. ‘Or I suppose that should be the other way round. I’ve asked if I can audition for the younger sister. What do you think?’
‘Bianca?’ Dora turned to her. ‘You’d be marvellous,’ she said warmly. ‘You’re made for that part. Go for it.’
‘I will, then. I’ve loved working with Mike. What about you?’
‘It’s certainly had its moments.’
‘Wasn’t what I meant. What are you going onto next?’
The urge for nicotine became stronger. Dora took another apple slice instead. ‘Oh, you know, back to the States.’
‘Thought you might be. The English Woman is such a big hit.’ Ellie sounded disappointed. ‘It’s a shame, though. I’ve loved working with you too. I’ve learned so much.’ She nudged Dora’s arm. ‘Wish you could stay in the UK, though. You could try for Katherina. Think how much fun we could have. I can just see you and me as sisters.’
Dora looked resentfully over to where Mike and Kirstie had appeared in the entrance to the theatre. They looked to be in a deep discussion, possibly over the posters advertising the play and which were plastered all over the boards on either side of the door. ‘I suppose Kirstie will be AD.’
‘Suppose so. They seem a bit of a permanent team, do Mike and Kirstie.’
‘That’s what I heard.’
‘And I’d imagine Kirstie is gagging to get back to the Smoke.’ Ellie bit into the last piece of apple with her strong, white teeth. ‘Her boyfriend lives there. She must miss him.’
‘Boyfriend?’ The heat shimmering off the sea dazzled Dora for a second. She shoved her sunglasses further up her nose. ‘You mean Mike?’
Ellie stared at her. ‘Mike? You’re way off the mark there.’ She leaned closer and Dora could smell the suntan lotion on her hot skin. ‘Don’t say a word but our Kirstie has been seeing Phil. The very-married Phil. The very-married-to-someone-else Phil. Mike, much to the disappointment of the single members of the cast, male and female, has resisted all known advances. Including mine.’
Dora began to laugh weakly.
‘Oi! What’s so funny? The idea of me and Mike?’
‘I’m sorry, Ellie. Not at all. If anything, I think you’re far too nice for him.’
‘That’s what I think too,’ Ellie said, a wicked gleam in her eye. ‘So I’m going out with Albie instead. You told me I should be nice to the lighting director.’
‘Did I? I’m sure I probably did.’ Still laughing, Dora put an arm through Ellie’s. ‘And it’s true, good lighting can make or break your career. And he is rather gorgeous. Lovely skin.’ She gazed at Mike, where he was frowning down at Kirstie in much the same way as he would to an annoying but determined wasp. How had she got it so wrong? She felt a little sigh deflate some of the tension inside. However Mike felt about her, at least he hadn’t been cheating on somebody else when they’d slept together. At least she knew that.
‘Well, you seem more cheerful.’ Ellie got up and gathered her things. ‘I was beginning to think I’d upset you in some way. I meant what I said, Dora. I’ve really loved working with you.’ Reaching down a hand, she added, ‘Come on, time to get back at it.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘Let’s hope Greg isn’t too hopeless in the next act.’
Dora looked up, shading her eyes from the bright sun bouncing off the cobbles. ‘And I’ve loved working with you too, Ellie. And thank you for being such a good friend.’
‘Me?’ Ellie blushed. ‘I don’t think I’ve done much, have I?’
‘Oh hon, you have no idea.’
Chapter 34
Millie looked around the café terrace with pleasure. She loved an excuse to have a party, not that she really had a reason for this one. It was just that the wonderful weather was continuing, trade was picking up at the café with the summer season getting going. She was happy and wanted her friends around her to celebrate the fact.
Some of her favourite people were here. She still couldn’t talk to Biddy and Arthur without grinning and blushing like an idiot. They’d never mentioned anything about any missing clothes, so she was doing her best to forget all about what had happened at the picnic. Tessa had brought Ken and their two younger boys and Zoe, chilling out from the stress of A levels, was holding onto boyfriend Sean as if she never wanted to let him go.
Millie had done the rounds with the first few bottles of wine and now, happy that everyone had something to drink, was content to let Clare take over with the trays of canapés.
Dora had brought some of the cast of Persuasion over too. Millie had warmed to Ellie immediately when introduced to her and new boyfriend Albie. She thought Greg was a big likeable bear of a man and even didn’t mind Kirstie too much. Millie thought she could love the world now that she and Jed were back together.
Life, she’d decided, was definitely too short to hold a grudge – or to mistrust people. Jed had made a mistake, admittedly a big one, but it was time to move on.
Who was she kidding when she said there was no excuse for this party? Thinking back over the exquisite night she and Jed had spent together, Millie thought she had the very best of reasons to celebrate. She watched him talking to Dora. He had on his pink shirt and white jeans again and her heart swelled with love and tenderness for him. Dora was looking equally spectacular in a lime-green halter-neck sundress. They were flirting slightly in the way beautiful people do. Relaxed in the knowledge there was no chance of it ever developing into anything.
‘Hi Millie.’
‘It was Mike.’
‘Hello Mikey, I mean Mike.’ Millie beamed at him. Now she was happy she wanted everyone else to be so too. ‘Have you got a drink? Somethi
ng to eat? The teriyaki beef cups are very good.’
Mike laughed. ‘Already had some and they were.’ He held up his glass. ‘And this is some of your punch. It’s delicious. Homemade?’
‘Of course.’ Millie batted her eyelashes. ‘Although I have to confess to it being Clare’s idea. She thought a melon and cucumber punch with lots of mint would be just the thing on a hot summer’s night.’
‘And she’d be right.’
‘There’s something alcoholic if you prefer. Prosecco and wine, or a lager?’
‘I’ll stick to the punch thanks, seeing as it’s so good.’
Millie followed Mike’s gaze to where Jed and Dora were still chatting. ‘They make a gorgeous couple, don’t they?’
‘Yup.’
‘You’ve been making my friend work far too hard,’ Millie complained. ‘I’ve hardly seen her lately.’
Mike nodded. ‘The press stuff took hours. I’ve a lot to thank Dora for. She brought in journalists from all over the place. International as well as local. We got some television coverage too.’ He shook his head in disbelief. ‘It was amazing. She was amazing. She did most of the interviews. On the second day she was at it for over nine hours solid. No break, except for a quick coffee. I’ve never seen anyone work so hard.’
‘Dora always knew how to work hard,’ Millie agreed. ‘It’s funny because if you didn’t know her very well, you wouldn’t think that of her at all. She gives off this flippant, don’t-care attitude.’ Millie gave Mike a sharp look. ‘If you take her at face value, you’d think she doesn’t care about anything or anyone at all. Just breezes through life. But when she commits, she really commits one hundred per cent.’
Mike didn’t answer. Instead he turned to the sunset.
In the west a vivid patch of orange glowed as the sun nudged the sea. The sky lowered indigo over clouds streaked with crimson zig-zags. It had been yet another hot day.
‘It’s so beautiful here,’ he said so softly that Millie hardly heard him. ‘I expect Dora will miss it when she goes back to the States.’
His misery was so acute that Millie longed to tell him the truth. But she’d given Dora her word that she wouldn’t reveal what had happened to The English Woman. Besides, she had no idea what Dora planned to do, she hadn’t mentioned anything lately. Millie wondered if she’d go to Italy but, for all she knew, Dora might return to LA. Surely she’d still be in demand. And, however lovely, Millie certainly didn’t think Berecombe would be enough for Dora, especially in the winter when the town hibernated. But she wanted to give Mike a crumb of comfort, some encouragement. Dora and Mike together had the air simmering with an unspoken and urgent passion. Dora had had a few casual boyfriends in the States but she’d never talked about anyone being serious. Had always batted off any teasing questions with the claim she worked too hard to have a relationship. Was it possible she’d only ever truly loved Mike? And looking at his face now, Millie was certain Mike was completely and utterly in love with Dora.
But she’d promised Dora she wouldn’t say anything.
‘Dora seems to be happy working on Persuasion,’ she lied. ‘I can’t wait to see it.’
‘Yeah.’ Mike looked at his feet.
‘Um. I expect it makes a difference to be on a stage when she’s been used to working in television.’ Millie hadn’t the faintest idea what the differences were but she’d heard Dora mention the two types of acting involved slightly different skills.
Mike remained silent and concentrated on his punch.
‘Help me out here, Mike.’ Millie muttered through gritted teeth. ‘Oh Ellie,’ she said brightly as the girl joined them. ‘What can I get you?’
‘I’d love another glass of punch. It’s delicious, Millie.’
‘Thank you. Here you go.’ Millie topped up her glass.
‘Fab. Lovely evening,’ Ellie said. ‘I’m getting a bit nervy about opening night,’ she said to Mike, ‘But can’t wait to get it before a live audience. Always get that itchy-feet feeling when you know it’s ready.’
‘Glad you think it’s ready,’ he answered.
‘Couldn’t be anything else with you at the helm,’ she replied loyally. ‘And Dora is going to be the absolute star turn.’
All three watched as Dora laughed at something Jed said. She flipped her long hair over a bare shoulder and the dying rays of the sun turned it gold. She looked every inch the star.
Mille felt Mike shift beside her. ‘I expect Dora is thinking about what to do next,’ she blurted out, desperately. ‘In her career, I mean.’
‘Well, I know what I’m doing next, thanks to this gorgeous man.’ Ellie slipped a hand through Mike’s arm.
Mike nodded abruptly.
‘And I know what Dora’s plans are. She told me. She’s off back to the States as soon as Persuasion is over. Can’t blame her. Most of us dream of making it big in Hollywood. She’d be a fool not to go back.’ Ellie sighed. ‘Just wish I could have persuaded her to stay for a little longer.’
Mike’s mouth tightened and a slight flush bloomed under his suntanned skin. Millie’s heart sank. So Dora really was going back to America and not even this man was enough to make her stay. She watched as Dora turned to Mike and made eye contact then, to Millie’s dismay and frustration, he turned on his heel and headed to the beach without saying a word.
Chapter 35
It was late and the party was in its dying embers. Most people had left, leaving a few sitting on the terrace drinking the last of the wine.
Dora sat with Millie, their chairs facing the low wall, which looked over the beach and the sea beyond. It was a still, humid night. Even the sea was quiet, with just a hazy moon decorating it with a tranquil silver path.
Dora swung her legs from out of their position propped on the wall and poured the rest of a bottle of Prosecco into their glasses.
‘Lovely party, Mil.’ She watched, amused, as her friend tore her eyes away from Jed and focussed on the conversation.
‘Yes, it has been, hasn’t it?’
‘How’s it going?’
Millie picked up her glass. ‘How’s what going?’ she said, deliberately misunderstanding.
Dora put her feet back up onto the wall and nudged Millie’s bare toes. ‘Don’t come the innocent with me. How’s it going with you and Jed?’
Millie grinned and shifted back on her chair, stretching her arms above her. ‘Let’s just say matters are developing in the most satisfying way.’
‘Looks like it.’ Dora’s eyebrows rose. She glanced over to where Jed was chatting to Tessa and her husband. ‘Can’t say I blame you. I’m becoming very fond of him too. Mind you, when I chatted to him earlier all he could talk about was you. The man’s obsessed.’
‘Quite right too,’ Millie said and sipped her fizz with a smug grin.
‘And the business side of things?’
‘We’re just beginning talks. Arthur knows a solicitor who’s going to draft up some details. I want to make sure I’ve got it absolutely right and I’m not rushing into anything.’
‘Sounds sensible, hon. What’s the plan, then?’
‘Well, we’ll see this season through. Close over the winter and get the refurb started then.’
‘Emilia Fudge closing her beloved Millie Vanilla’s? Never heard the like. How will Berecombe cope?’
‘Ha ha. I suspect Berecombe will cope by flocking to Blue Elephant. Don’t tease. It’s a big gamble for us to close completely.’ Millie sighed. ‘Can’t see how else we’re going to get the work done, though. Jed’s got some amazing ideas for the café and the only way we can do them is by closing down.’
Dora noticed the use of ‘us’ but didn’t comment. ‘Didn’t mean to tease, Mil. Hey, I’m just glad things have worked out. For one of us, at least.’ She clinked her glass against Millie’s. ‘You go, girlfriend. I’ll make sure I’m back for the big launch.’
‘You’d better be,’ Millie said, warmly. ‘Ah Dora, do you have to go back to the States?’
‘It’s where the work is, honeybun.’
Millie took a deep breath and then launched in. ‘Couldn’t you stay a while longer, though? Ellie was saying earlier that, um, Mike’s doing The Taming of the Shrew next. There could be a part for you. And you did say The English Woman isn’t going to made any more.’ Millie trailed off. Dora had gone very still and tense.
‘There could still be work for me,’ she replied in a tight voice.
‘But there could be work here for you too. Well, not here in Berecombe, obviously, but maybe in London. With Ellie and Mike. You’ve been saying how much you like working with Ellie. And Mike.’
‘It’s not that simple, Millie.’
‘I can’t see why,’ Millie persisted.
‘Will you leave it?’ Dora hissed. ‘Just fucking leave it.’
Millie stared at Dora in shock. She was ashen. Millie leaned closer. In the flickering light given off by the fat candles they’d placed along the wall she could see she was close to tears. ‘Dora Bartlett, I’ve known you since we were four and a half. It’s obvious you’re unhappy. Deeply unhappy and, if I’m not very much mistaken, have been unhappy for ages. What’s wrong?’
Dora dashed a hand across her eyes. She was silent for a long time. ‘Everything,’ she said eventually, in a strangled voice. ‘Everything’s wrong and the only way I can cope with it is by getting away. As far away as possible.’
Millie put a hand on her arm. ‘Is it Mike?’
‘Of course it’s Mike.’ It came out on a jagged, drawn-out breath. ‘It’s always been Mike.’
Millie shunted her chair nearer and put her arm around Dora’s shoulders. ‘Oh, my lovely. Do you still love him?’
‘Of course I do. I’ve never stopped,’ Dora wailed.
Millie gathered her up in her arms and rocked her, soothed her as if she was a baby. Dora didn’t cry. It was worse. She trembled in Millie’s arms and whimpered quietly like a wounded animal. Millie didn’t say anything, just held her until the storm passed.
