The Boy I Love

by Lynda Bellingham

  ‘I don’t want to be a bother,’ said Sally. ‘Is Percy OK? He has such a mammoth part in this play, he must be working all the hours God sends.’ She took the cup and saucer from Peggy and laid it on the tray with the others next to the matching milk and sugar bowl. There was also a china stand with some rather delicious-looking biscuits laid out. Definitely the place to come for tea, thought Sally to herself.

  Peggy had warmed the teapot and was now measuring heaped teaspoons of tea leaves into the pot and adding boiling water. ‘This will put hairs on your chest,’ she teased. ‘Mind you, it hasn’t done a lot for Percy. Talking about Percy,’ Peggy lowered her voice, ‘I am a bit concerned about him, to be honest with you. He has taken to staying late in his dressing room, saying he is doing his lines. Now that is all well and good, as long as he stays off the sauce, but he can’t always do that on his own. So I offered to stay with him but got short shrift. He said he was fine, thank you, and didn’t need me spying on him. Well, I must admit that hurt me somewhat, but then again I am used to the other side of his tongue. Anyway, the other night I stayed in my room catching up on some letters, et cetera, and time went on. Then I heard voices next door. This was now about midnight. Well, I was curious, to say the least, and knocked on the door. Percy called out, “Hold on a minute!” so I assumed he was in the toilet. But when he finally unlocked our dividing door he looked very dishevelled, and sitting in his armchair as happy as Larry was Sarah, with a copy of the play conveniently placed on her lap.

  ‘“What’s all this,” I asked,’ continued Peggy, pouring out their tea.

  ‘“Nothing, my sweet, just a bit of work on my lines and young Sarah is very kindly taking me through them.”

  ‘So I said, “Well, when I offered, you refused. But I can see the attraction of going through lines with a pretty young thing like Sarah and not a raddled old bag like me.”

  ‘“Oh come on now, my girl, you are being daft. I just wanted to save you having to stay up late. I know how much your beauty sleep means to you. So when Sarah offered I took the opportunity. I was only thinking of you, my love.”

  ‘What could I do but leave them to it?’ Peggy asked Sally. ‘So I said something like: “Well, you need your beauty sleep as well, Prince Percy, preferably on your own. I will see you back at the digs in an hour.”’

  Peggy passed Sally her cup of tea and proffered one of the delicious biscuits.

  ‘What do you make of Sarah?’ she enquired, watching Sally very closely.

  ‘I’m really not quite sure what to make of her, to be honest. She doesn’t really muck in with the rest of us, and I do get the feeling sometimes that she thinks she is above us. I suspect she is quite ambitious too, but with all due respect to Percy, can he really help further her career?’

  Just as Peggy was about to reply, the dividing door opened and there was the man himself.

  ‘Ah, we have company – and beautiful it is too. Hello, Sally. To what do we owe the honour of this visit?’

  Peggy had jumped up to allow Percy to seat himself in his own armchair and wait for his tea and biscuits to be placed on the little table beside him. Peggy did the honours, then went and sat back at her dressing table, occasionally turning to the mirror and checking her hair. Occupational hazard with actors, thought Sally. They cannot resist a mirror!

  ‘Oh, I was just passing, and thought you might be having a heavy week with all your lines and wondered if you needed anything done,’ she said. ‘Also, I wanted to let you know that Peter and I just went to pick up your throne from Crewe Hall. What an impressive place, and what a magnificent throne you will be having, Percy. It is insured for many thousands of pounds. So do sit carefully.’

  ‘Blimey, that is some responsibility, isn’t it, my little flower?’ Percy smiled at Peggy. ‘I have never had to deal with an expensive antique on stage. Children and animals are one thing, but furniture? What do you say, old girl?’ he chuckled.

  ‘Oh indeed my dear, we really don’t like animals or children. Not onstage anyway,’ Peggy added with a sad little smile through the mirror to Sally.

  ‘Well, that was the perfect cup of tea. Thank you so much, Peggy, and I am glad that you both seem to have the script well and truly under your belts. I think it is going to be a really super show, and you will hold it all together as the leading man you are, Percy.’

  ‘Don’t flatter him any more, dear, or he will be impossible to manage. Now get off and have a sit-down before tonight, love.’

  Sally left them to it, feeling a stab of apprehension for poor old Peggy. What on earth was Sarah up to? For the second time in the season so far, Sally was wondering the same thing and she resolved to pay more attention. As for Gwendoline and Geoffrey – that also required some serious investigating.

  Sally now had the setting up for the evening show and was wondering where Dora might be and whether she might be in the mood to help her rather hard-pressed sister. Sally found her in the boys’ dressing room holding court with a variety of the rather filthy jokes that she liked to tell – usually in the pub after a few drinks, but they were going down very well this afternoon, it would seem.

  ‘Sorry to interrupt, but can you come and give me a hand if you have finished your sewing for the day, sis?’ Sally ventured.

  ‘Oh, must I? Sally, I am exhausted, and it has been my first day. I wanted to go home and get a couple of songs sorted. I will cook something for when you get back tonight though.’ This raised a cheer from the boys, who all wanted to come back for supper. ‘You have to ask the boss,’ Dora told them, smiling sweetly at Sally. ‘She has a lot more to do than me.’

  Sally felt a bit miffed. ‘I really don’t know what state I will be in tonight, so can we take a raincheck, everyone? If you are not coming to help me now, Dora, I need to get on, so see you some time later.’ Sally nodded to the room and left wondering why she felt so annoyed.

  Can’t worry about it now though, I’ve got too much to do, she thought to herself, and disappeared into the Props Room to find the rifles for a very lovely war.

  Chapter 18

  The rest of the week was the usual stressed mix of rehearsing all day in one play, then clearing one’s head ready for performing the evening show – then if one was really stupid, clearing one’s head the next morning from the pub the night before! Sally succumbed to Dora’s invitation to the boys to come to supper after all. The trouble was, once they had all performed together at night, and the show had gone well, one quick drink in the pub before closing was not enough to bring them all down to a normal level where they could go home and go to sleep.

  It turned out to be a fun evening. Simon was on very good form, as was Peter, and even Geoffrey came – followed discreetly half an hour later by Gwendoline.

  ‘Not too late, am I?’ she asked at the door, carrying a bottle of wine. ‘Had to wait for the dryer to finish, as usual.’

  Sally led her upstairs. ‘Not at all, it is lovely to see you.’ She watched Gwendoline look around the room until she found Geoffrey sat in a corner talking to Janie, and with no further comment she was off like a greyhound from the traps. Well, thought Sally, we know where that is going.

  Dora was holding court in the kitchen where she was dishing up her famous chilli con carne.

  ‘It is actually the only thing I can cook so you may get a little bored after nine months,’ she giggled. Simon was in her thrall and helping pass bowls.

  ‘Well, it must be love if Simon has anything in his hand other than a bottle of beer,’ remarked Sally.

  ‘Oh now come on, that is a bit unfair, Sal. I do my share of clearing up when needs be.’

  This last remark brought a howl from Jeremy, who was busy at the sink washing up cutlery to be used again.

  ‘Jesus, Simon, you talk absolute bullshit sometimes. You don’t pick up anything in the dressing room, not even your pants, which I wash for you!’

  ‘Ooh, now come on, girls, put your claws away!’ laughed Dora. ‘People will talk.’


  ‘They talk anyway,’ replied Jeremy disconsolately. ‘Story of my life.’

  ‘Tell me, I am all ears,’ said a voice from the kitchen door, and they all looked up to see Robert standing there with one of his sardonic looks and a huge box of wine in his arms. ‘I thought tonight I would get down and dirty with the artistes. Here, someone take this. I will exchange this box of wine for some of Dora’s wonderful chilli, and, Jeremy, you can come and tell me your life story while I eat.’

  It almost sounded like an order, and everyone hesitated slightly, but Jeremy nobly faced up to the challenge. He opened the box of wine and poured two large glasses, then collected a bowl of Dora’s chilli and swept out of the kitchen, passing Robert in the door, with a, ‘Follow me.’ And then they were gone, leaving everyone in the kitchen to carry on.

  Simon turned to Sally with the question on everyone’s lips. ‘Is Jeremy gay?’

  Sally felt cornered. She didn’t want to be put in a position where she had to comment on her friend, but could not see a way out.

  ‘I honestly don’t know, and that is the truth, guys. But if he is, does it matter? He is one of the kindest people I know and a bloody good actor. I’m aware that he gets really pissed off because he feels there is too much emphasis on someone’s sexual orientation and not enough on their talent.’

  ‘Well, I agree with him there.’ Geoffrey had come into the room and joined in the discussion. ‘In the end it is about talent, not your sex-life, isn’t it?’ The room went silent while they all looked at Geoffrey, who was a bit the worse for wear.

  ‘How’s your wife and family?’ asked Peter suddenly.

  ‘None of your business,’ shot back Geoffrey. ‘Have you learned your lines properly for that last scene? And don’t say it is none of my business, because it is; you cock up on the night, we all suffer. So I suggest you make bloody sure you are line-perfect, young man. Good night, everyone.’ And with that, Geoffrey turned on his heel and was gone, wending his way across the sitting room to their front door where Gwendoline was conveniently waiting with his coat over her arm.

  The kitchen brigade quickly dispersed into the other room, leaving Sally and Dora alone.

  ‘Wow – is it like this every time you have a party?’ asked Dora, pouring herself a glass of the boxed wine.

  ‘God, no, it would be a nightmare. No, I think though that as time goes on one has to be very careful not to get caught up in all the dramas. Are you listening to me, Dora? Seriously, anything you might get involved with – or anyone, for that matter – you need to make sure that it doesn’t come back to haunt you. That goes for me too,’ she added almost to herself.

  ‘The trouble is,’ she went on, ‘we all live in each other’s pockets and people need to feel secure in the environment they are living in. Actors especially get far too close to each other, far too quickly, and create these false relationships. I mean, look at us now. We have only been here a month and suddenly it is all kicking off.’

  Dora came over and gave her big sister a hug. ‘Listen, don’t get your knickers in a twist, Sally dear. We are here to have a good time and help you up the ladder of success, and for me to discover what I really want. Speaking of which, I must confess I am really keen to pass my audition for Lysistrata, so you will help me, won’t you?’

  ‘Of course I will, you daft girl, but don’t take things too fast. Establish your usefulness first, and you can do that by helping me more.’

  ‘Agreed,’ said Dora. ‘Now come on, let’s finish the chilli. I am absolutely famished!’

  The party turned out to be lovely. Everyone mellowed and relaxed, and the talk ended up on Rupert Hallam and Isabelle James, the two newcomers, and how their arrival would affect the rest of them.

  ‘Do we have any idea how the casting will go?’ asked Peter. ‘I mean, there are obvious choices for characters like Polonius and the King and Gertrude, aren’t there?’

  Robert was sitting on the sofa with Jeremy and Janie, who piped up: ‘Not necessarily, Peter. What do you think, Robert? You are assisting Giles, after all – you should have some ideas?’

  Robert looked round the room and realized it was time to go. Speculation could often become very negative, and he didn’t want to lose his credibility.

  ‘Ah, now I think it is my bedtime.’ He rose and gave them all his best, most reassuring smile. ‘All will be revealed in good time – and never forget, there are several plays in the offing this season. It is not all about Hamlet, you know.’ The room let out a communal sigh.

  Sally decided to move things along. ‘Come on, guys, it’s late and never mind the Dane – Sir Thomas More has to be sorted out first. Jeremy, do you want the sofa tonight?’ Sally was giving her friend a way out of a walk home with Robert. She could see the gratitude in his eyes.

  ‘Yes, that would be great. Thanks, Sal. And you can take me through my lines first thing, can’t you?’ This elicited a sigh from Sally and a groan from the rest of the room.

  ‘OK, coats on – it’s bedtime, everyone. We have still got three more days of Oh, What a Lovely War! and then our leap back in time to Henry the Eighth. Then we have sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll from the Greek girls!’ This sent up a huge cheer and moved everyone out of the door. Sally, Dora and Jeremy cleared up and then made some hot chocolate.

  ‘We will survive, you know,’ remarked Jeremy. ‘Your sister and I have a lot in common, Dora. We want to succeed on our merits and we are in it for the long game.’

  ‘I can see that,’ said Dora, ‘and I think you will succeed. I have only just arrived, but from the outside you both seem so much more focused than most of the cast. I have to confess I have been bitten by the bug though. If I can get that part in the chorus, who knows where it may lead next? Can’t I play Ophelia in your Dumb Show, Sally? I mean, you are directing it, and I am your sister. Nepotism is acceptable, isn’t it? I just have to make sure I am one hundred per cent more talented than anyone else.’

  Sally laughed. ‘You are incorrigible, sister dear. There is no Ophelia in the Dumb Show, but let’s wait and see.’

  She looked across at Jeremy, who was busying himself making up the sofa, and caught his eye. He tapped his nose and mouthed, ‘Watch out!’

  Lying in bed later, Sally tried to gather her thoughts. There suddenly seemed to be a great deal going on behind the scenes. She thought back to Peggy and Percy and their situation. Then there was Geoffrey and Gwendoline – what was going on there? Geoffrey had seemed the most stable of all the company, with a happy marriage and a loving wife and three beautiful children. Not that anyone had seen them so far this season. Even Jeremy seemed unsettled, and Sally was suspicious of Robert’s motivation for helping him with his script. She tried to work out what she was doing in all this. Just getting on with the job, she hoped.

  But was this enough? Even her sister was making plans already. Was this how it was going to be? Nine months of people vying for position. She thought about Charmaine, who so far had kept her distance from the rest of the cast. Did she learn to do this during her two years spent at the Royal Shakespeare? Sally had heard many actors moan about the politics of the company and how unfair it was. You joined the chorus, fully intending to work your way up through the ranks, only to discover that the powers-that-be could bring in whoever they wanted along the way to play the leads, and even the smaller roles. So what was the point of dedicating your early career to a company that showed no loyalty?

  Well, it was still early days, and Sally had every intention of making her stage presence well and truly felt. Dora might have her own agenda, and as long as it did not cross Sally’s path, they would be fine.

  She finally fell asleep wondering what Rupert was going to be like and whether his Hamlet would achieve the notoriety that Giles so craved for his theatre.

  Chapter 19

  By midnight on Saturday night Oh, What a Lovely War! was but a distant memory, and as the set of A Man for All Seasons sprang up around them, and the speakers played a ha
rmonious selection from the Franciscan Monks collection, the crew and cast seemed to become quieter and more serious. Well, they did for about half an hour, until Mrs Wong’s sweet and sour chips arrived, and the carpenter opened the beer! Then it was all hands to the deck as usual, and a race to get through it all before dawn.

  Sally and Dora and Janie finished the washing and then went back to Janie and Peter’s house for a quiet bottle of wine and a bit of a gossip.

  ‘So come on then, Janie, what’s with Gwendoline and Geoffrey?’ asked Sally, hunkering down in a comfy chair with her glass of red and a packet of crisps.

  ‘How did you find out, you wicked girl? It is supposed to be the secret of the century.’ Janie looked at Sally’s surprised face and groaned. ‘Oh God, you don’t really know, do you? You guessed and I fell for it. I am such a klutz! Please don’t say anything to anybody as I could get the sack. Gwendoline has sworn me to secrecy, Sally. Please—’

  ‘Oh blimey, Janie, stop panicking – of course we won’t say anything,’ Dora interrupted. ‘Calm down and enjoy your drink. Listen, it is just interesting though, isn’t it, those two? I thought Geoffrey was happily married – or so you said, Sally.’

  ‘Well, I thought he was, wasn’t he, Janie?’ Sally and Dora turned and waited for their friend to fill in the gaps.

  ‘Yes, he was. Certainly, last season things seemed fine – but Gwendoline has been hanging around on the edge of his marriage for quite a while, I am beginning to suspect. She tells me that she and Geoffrey were an item at college years ago and then, when he went off to be an actor, they lost touch for a couple of years. She had no idea he had even become an actor; she thought he had gone to teach drama at some school up north. Anyway, they bumped into each other at a school reunion, and it was as if they had never parted, except he announced that he had a wife and three small children – these daughters who are the apple of his eye. Gwendoline is completely obsessed with Geoffrey and decided to get him into the cast last year so she could “work on him” – her words, by the way. I have no idea what went on last year, but this year, so far, there is no sign of the wife and kids, and Gwendoline is on a mission. Believe me, it is embarrassing for me because they are always touching each other up and disappearing into the laundry room, and I dread going to his dressing room in case I catch them at it.’ Janie stopped and looked at the other two girls, who were helpless with laughter.