by Molly Green
‘I’m not cold,’ Raine said, ‘but a bowl of soup sounds very appealing.’
‘Right, then, let’s try this one.’
He pushed open the entrance door of the nearest café. The room was packed.
Alec grimaced. ‘Is it too smoky for you?’
‘All the cafés will be the same,’ Raine answered. ‘But if we can grab that table by the window, at least it’s near the door so we’ll have a bit of air every time people come and go.’
The table had recently been occupied, judging by the state of the cups and saucers, dinner plates and an overflowing ashtray.
It was several minutes before Alec managed to catch the eye of one of the waitresses, but as soon as she came over with a tray she cleared the dirty dishes.
‘I’ll be back in a jiffy,’ she said.
Once they’d ordered leek and potato soup and some bread, Raine smiled at Alec.
‘I’m so looking forward to the play this afternoon, but I need to go back to the hotel after our lunch so I can change.’
‘You don’t need sequins for the theatre,’ he said. ‘But just in case our dear King and Queen decide to attend, then by all means …’
‘You don’t really think they will.’
‘I’m told they attend quite regularly,’ Alec said. ‘We may even share the same box!’
‘At the price of those boxes, I wouldn’t be at all surprised,’ Raine said, laughing.
In the end there hadn’t been time to go back to the hotel and change. Raine consoled herself that the red dress was not really appropriate for afternoons, but thankful that Stephanie had made her change out of her uniform and into the black skirt and cream blouse, though she kept her boots on. By the time they entered the theatre it had started to snow again, but only lightly. Alec bought a programme and handed it to her as they mounted the stairs.
‘Your box is the second on the right,’ the smiling usherette gestured.
Raine walked ahead and opened the door to find a tiny room decked in red velvet. There were four seats, two at the front and two behind. Alec looked at the ticket numbers and checked the ones on the seats.
‘We’re supposed to be in the back row,’ he said. ‘Well, we’ll take the front seats and if anyone comes in we’ll have to move.’ He glanced over at a small table laid out with a plate of tiny sandwiches and a silver-covered teapot, surrounded by several cups and saucers and a bottle of champagne with a set of champagne glasses.
‘Good gracious, Alec, did you order this?’ Raine asked.
‘No, but I would have if I’d known they could provide it. It must be part of the ticket price. Well, we won’t let it go to waste, especially as we didn’t stop for a cup of tea.’
He helped her off with her coat and removed his, piling them on the seats behind.
‘Are you ready for tea, madam?’ he said in a voice like a butler.
‘Thank you, Marshall. That will be lovely.’
He grinned and poured her a cup. ‘A sandwich for madam?’
‘Just the one, Marshall. I’ve only just eaten a short time ago. I had a huge bowl of soup.’
‘You’ve such a beautiful figure, madam, if I may say so, and I don’t think two small sandwiches would be at all out of order.’
‘You’re most kind, Marshall, though I don’t believe you should be making such personal comments.’
They both fell into laughter as Alec popped the champagne cork and poured out two glasses. He took the seat next to her and clinked her glass.
‘To us,’ he said. ‘I can’t imagine anything more perfect than to be sitting here with you in this charming theatre, in our cosy box, drinking champagne. I just hope no one else comes in.’
‘So do I,’ Raine said emphatically.
Minutes later the lights dimmed. Just as the red velvet curtains on the stage slowly parted she felt Alec’s fingertips on her chin, gently turning her face towards him. Her breath came quickly as his mouth found hers. Wonderful as his kiss was, she wished they weren’t seated. She wanted to fold herself into him. Feel his arms fully around her.
The warmth and intimacy of the box and the champagne made her bold. She put a hand inside his jacket and stroked his chest, smoothing the crisp cotton shirt under her fingers.
‘Ah, Raine.’ Alec groaned as he kissed her more passionately.
Her lips parted and she felt the tip of his tongue. She put both arms around his neck. The next moment she startled as she remembered where she was. In the dark she saw the flash of Alec’s teeth as he grinned and squeezed her hand. The actors sounded a long way away although she clearly heard their next words, wondering how much the two of them had missed of the opening lines. She opened her eyes.
‘And when you’re serving dinner, Edith, try to remember to do it calmly and methodically.’
‘Yes’m.’
‘As you’re not in the navy, it is unnecessary to do everything at the double.’
There was a roll of laughter from the audience.
‘I hope I may continue serving you calmly and methodically, madam,’ Alec whispered then kissed the tip of her ear.
She giggled and at that moment the door behind them opened. Raine immediately pulled away.
‘Sorry to disturb,’ came a nasal voice as a thin young man carrying a large canvas grip guided an even thinner girl in front of him.
‘Here, you’re in our seats,’ the girl said in a surprisingly strident voice, hanging over them.
‘Damn,’ Raine heard Alec mutter as they got to their feet.
‘I’m sorry,’ Raine whispered to the couple who were hardly allowing them to move away before they claimed their seats.
The smell of cheap perfume invaded Raine’s nostrils as the girl stripped off her outer clothes.
‘I’m dying for a cup of tea,’ she said, ‘and some of them sandwiches. D’ya want me to pour yours, Len?’ She went over to the table.
‘Aw-right.’
The girl swung round and glared at Raine and Alec. ‘Here, look at this mess. Have you been at the afternoon tea we ordered? We’ve paid extra for that high tea.’
‘Shhh. The play’s already started,’ Raine said in hushed tones, annoyed that the couple were making such a song and dance. All right, she admitted, she and Alec were at fault, but really …
‘We thought it was for all of us because there were more than two cups and glasses.’ Alec’s voice was equally quiet, though firm. ‘But I’ll be more than happy to reimburse you.’
‘Forget it, mate,’ the young man said with a cocky shrug. ‘I can easily order another.’
After much tutting from the girl, they plonked themselves down in the front row and after a few more mutterings were thankfully silent. The young man lit a cigarette but made a big point of blowing the smoke over the edge of the balcony rail. Her view now slightly masked, Raine had to move her head closer to Alec’s to see between the shoulders of the couple in front. If only they could have had the box to themselves. Then she reprimanded herself. She was being selfish, just as Maman always accused her of.
‘I want to make love to you,’ Alec whispered in her ear, sending quivers of excitement through her.
Her heart beat hard and she found it difficult to concentrate on the play.
She drew in a deep breath, but it came back out in a sigh.
But there was another sound … a mewing. She caught Alec looking at her with raised eyebrows.
‘Did you hear that, Raine?’ he whispered.
‘Yes. It sounded like a kitten …’ Raine started.
The girl in front bent down and brought up a bundle of shawl, jigging it up and down on her lap and shushing it. The mewing turned into a full-lunged howl. A baby!
People began turning round in their seats and looking up towards the boxes. A man at the box next to them stood up.
‘Will the person who has brought in a baby please take it outside. It’s disturbing everyone. We’ve come to see a play, in case you hadn’t noticed.’
&nbs
p; There was a chorus of ‘Hear, hear’ and ‘Call the manager!’
So that’s what was in that large bag. The war was making people do all kinds of things they probably wouldn’t normally think to do. Raine was sure it wasn’t allowed to bring a baby into the theatre, but maybe they hadn’t been able to find a babysitter and might have saved hard to get these tickets. But it wasn’t fair spoiling other people’s pleasure either.
The girl put a dummy in the baby’s mouth and immediately there was a glorious silence except for the actors.
Raine settled down and found herself thoroughly enjoying the play. It was heaven to laugh and have Alec by the side of her, laughing with her. That’s what he needed in this war, knowing the danger he was in every time he went up to face the Luftwaffe. The train of thought led her to thinking of Doug. She couldn’t help a shiver of fear. If something happened to Alec now they seemed to have reached a truce at last …
He put his arm round her shoulder and drew her to him.
‘You’re not cold, are you?’
She shook her head and mouthed ‘no’. On the contrary, the box was beautifully warm, permeating her bones and loosening her muscles. Or maybe it was the champagne. She closed her eyes in contentment.
The screech of the air-raid siren shocked her from her chair. Her heartbeat quickened. Oh, God, not Windsor. Alec had been so sure they’d be safe here.
He looked up at her. ‘What do you want to do?’ he asked in a low voice.
She bit down on her lip. ‘People often stay in the cinema when the warning goes, but …’ She glanced over the banister and saw several people already leaving. She turned to him. ‘I’m not so sure, being this high up. Maybe we should go.’
Alec immediately stood and picked up their coats. The young man in front twisted round to them.
‘Not letting Jerry beat you, are you?’ he said in a challenging manner. ‘Nothing will prise us away. We’ve got the last act to come yet and we won these seats fair and square.’
‘Come on, Raine. Here’s your coat,’ Alec said, giving the boy a curt nod.
She slipped her arms in the sleeves and grabbed her bag. They joined a small crowd of people swiftly moving down the stairs and into the foyer. She was surprised when she looked over to the bar to see people still ordering drinks.
‘They’re obviously not bothering about any warning,’ she said, gesturing towards them.
The minute they left the building and crossed the road there came an ear-splitting bang behind them followed by an explosion. The ground shook. A flash of brilliant light showed Alec’s face, pale and eerie-looking. Raine looked back at the theatre. In the darkness she could see a handful of people running from the entrance. There was another flash. Dust swirled around them in the acrid smell.
Alec grabbed Raine’s arm. ‘Come on. Hold on to me and run!’
‘That couple—’
‘What couple?’ Alec shouted.
She jerked her head back. ‘The ones in our box. We have to help them.’
‘Are you mad?’ He stopped, a look of disbelief crossing his face as she pointed to the upper part of the building they’d just left seconds before.
Smoke was curling around the roof.
‘The theatre must have been hit. We have to do something.’
‘They’re not our responsibility, Raine. Come on.’
‘Alec,’ she implored, ‘there’s a baby inside. We can’t leave them there without knowing if they’re all right.’
‘All right, I’ll go.’ Alec’s tone was an order. ‘Just don’t follow me, Raine, do you hear? It might be a one-off, but you never know – it could be a raid.’ He looked up, an ear cocked, listening for the sound of planes, but there was nothing. ‘Go with all the others.’ He gestured to the crowd that was moving swiftly away from the theatre. ‘They might know of a shelter. If not, run like mad and go to the hotel. They’ll have a basement or something.’ He pointed. ‘I’ll join you as soon as I can.’
He turned and tore back to the theatre. Raine stood for thirty seconds, frozen with fear and shock. Then as though a wild animal was chasing her, she flew after him. But as she got to the door one of the theatre staff put his arm out in front of her, barring her way.
‘Sorry, miss. No one’s allowed in until we find out the damage.’
‘My friend’s gone in to help.’ Raine’s voice was frantic.
She tried to push past but he was too quick for her.
‘Can’t let you go in, miss. But don’t worry – we’ve called the fire brigade. They’ll be along in a jiffy.’
Some people demanding to know where the bomb had struck diverted his attention. Raine took her chance. She ducked and ran inside, at the same time fumbling for the torch she always kept in her greatcoat pocket.
Seconds later she’d climbed the first flight of stairs, the thin light barely showing the way through the swirling dust and dark. Her heart beat painfully against her ribs. To think she and Alec had left only minutes ago …
Smoke filled the air and she began to cough. There was no sign of any explosion or fire, so where was the smoke coming from? One more flight and she’d be on the same floor as the theatre boxes. Then she heard a terrible moaning like some animal in pain.
Scared but resolute, she picked her way up the stairs.
She reached the second floor and stumbled towards the box. The moaning grew louder. She opened the door, dreading the worst. Clouds of dust swirled to meet her and she coughed again as she shone her thin beam inside. To her horror the girl who’d shared their box was standing, leaning with her back to the balcony, her arm raised to the still-seated young man as though about to strike him. The balcony was creaking.
Raine swung her torch at them. ‘Stop!’
The girl’s arm froze in mid-air.
‘Come away from that balcony,’ Raine ordered. ‘It’s not safe.’
The girl stared at her, then blinked.
The young man looked round, his eyes wide with anguish. ‘Wasn’t you sitting behind us with your bloke?’
‘Yes,’ Raine said.
Where the hell was Alec?
She made her voice as stern as one of her teachers. ‘Didn’t you hear the explosion? A bomb’s gone off. There may be more. We need to get out now!’
‘I keep telling Evie. But she won’t come with me.’
Even in the weak torchlight Raine could see the girl’s eyes were swollen. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
‘She won’t move. I’ve tried to tell her.’ The young man began to cry and turned to the girl. ‘Please, Evie.’ He wiped his face with the back of his sleeve.
Raine walked slowly towards her, terrified that if she made a sudden movement, Evie could step backwards and topple over the rail to her death. The girl seemed mesmerised, watching every step Raine took without flinching. Cautiously, Raine put a hand on her arm and very gently pulled her away from the balcony.
‘Come and sit down, love.’ Raine put her hands on the girl’s narrow shoulders and eased her onto the seat. She took the seat next to her and felt for Evie’s hand. ‘Are you hurt?’
But as soon as she’d said the words Raine knew something terrible had happened.
‘Where’s the baby?’ she asked. A feeling of dread crawled over her body.
‘My baby’s dead!’ Evie whispered.
‘It’s all right, Evie,’ the boy said, putting his hand out to her.
Evie smacked his hand away, her chest heaving in her agitation.
‘You’ve killed our baby! My little girl. Little Christine.’ Her eyes blazing she began to shout. ‘I told you we shouldn’t take her. But would you listen? No. You wouldn’t miss the stupid play. Not you, Lenny. Think yourself better than everyone when you start bragging that you’ve seen a lousy bleedin’ play, and stayed in the middle of an air raid. Not that you understood any of it. And now you’ve killed her.’
Dear God. Lenny killed the baby? What on earth was Evie on about?
‘Oh, Evie, tell me wha
t happened,’ Raine said, forcing herself to stay calm.
Evie shook her head.
‘When we heard all them bangs,’ Lenny started, ‘I went to pick the baby up to comfort her and get us all out of here. Her dummy had dropped out but she didn’t look right. And then … then,’ his voice faltered.
‘Then what, Lenny?’ Raine asked softly.
‘I could tell she were dead – but I don’t understand why … or how. I never killed her. Why would I do that? I’m her father. I loved her.’
‘I’m sure you did,’ Raine soothed. ‘And I’m so very sorry. But are you certain …?’ She couldn’t finish the sentence. Instead, she said, ‘Would you allow me to look at her?’
‘Would that be all right, Evie, if the lady has a look at Christine?’
‘Is she a nurse?’ Evie’s tone was scathing.
‘No, but I have some first-aid knowledge.’
Evie said nothing. Lenny nodded to Raine to go ahead. She squatted down and gently pulled back the blanket that was half covering the baby’s face. The child was on her back, her dark hair stuck to her head with perspiration, the dummy fallen to the side. But what frightened her most were the baby’s eyes, blankly staring up at the ceiling. Raine bit her lip.
Her hand shook as she reached for her handbag and found her powder compact. She undid the catch and pointed the mirror close to the baby’s nose, where a trickle of blood had escaped, then lowered it slightly to the baby’s mouth for some seconds. She brought the mirror close up and shone her torch on the small piece of glass. She peered at it. There was no misting on the mirror … no sign of any life.
She felt the baby’s arm. It was much too cool and smooth to her touch. She bent her head to the little chest. Nothing. No movement; no sound. The baby was as lifeless as a doll.
With the tip of one finger Raine gently closed the baby’s eyes then pulled the blanket up. She stood.
‘I’m afraid you’re right … I’m so sorry, but she’s gone.’
Evie began to sob again, but the noise was immediately drowned out by another explosion. Oh, God, Raine thought. The whole bloody place is going to come down.
