Keep on Dancing, page 30
‘She can be a pain at times…’
‘What’s it looking like out there, Larry?’
‘There are a dozen or so in the bar, mostly friends… it’s early yet. Like I’ve said before, most people don’t turn up until the last minute.’
Closing her eyes, she slowly shook her head. ‘I hope you’re right, Larry. I hope you’re right.’
* * *
Leaning against the closed door in Larry’s room, doing his utmost to calm Rosie when he knew he should be in the pit with the band, George said, ‘You look lovely, babe. Now stop admiring yourself and come and have a drink.’
‘I’m not admiring myself. I just wanna know if I’m overdressed! I’m not a famous actress, after all.’
‘Just as well, ’cos you don’t look like one. You look like a woman who’s wearing a lovely pink frock and red shoes to show her guests that she thinks her musical is worth getting dressed up for.’
‘That’s not why I’m wearing it. Tommy treated me to this. He’d want me to wear it tonight.’
‘Great. Best reason. Now…’ He looked at his watch. ‘There’s just twenty minutes to go before curtain-up. Come and have a drink.’
‘I can’t. I’m terrified.’ She held out her hands. ‘Look… I can’t stop trembling.’
George grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the door. ‘Enough of this. You’re coming down now!’
She jerked herself free. ‘Just one more question and then I’ll come.’
‘Go on then,’ he said, trying to be patient.
‘Tell me the truth. Are there many down there?’
‘Enough to fill half the seats. OK?’
‘Half fill?’
‘Yeah… almost. But that was ten minutes ago. They were pouring in when I left the bar to come up here.’
‘I s’pose if we half fill it, that’s not so bad.’
‘It’s a bloody miracle. Now come on!’
Half supporting, half dragging, he managed to get her as far as the foyer where they came face to face with Larry, who sported an expression of triumph. ‘The coaches are arriving now.’
‘Coaches?’
‘That’s right, Rosie, coaches.’ He tapped the side of his nose. ‘Publicans. They’re the ones. It came to me a fortnight ago. I’ve done a deal with the busiest pubs in London. Where do you think I’ve been going every evening?’ He chuckled in his usual fashion. ‘I’ve been busy on the blower too. Long-distance. I knew there had to be a place somewhere that grew lavender in fields… and that it was somewhere in Norfolk.’
‘I could ’ave told you that, Larry.’
‘I like to find these things out for myself, thank you. Two coachloads of employees from the lavender growers and other local people are on their way.’ He winked at Rosie. ‘They have pubs up in Norfolk, too.’
The rising noise of people talking and laughing as they piled into the entrance commanded their attention. ‘I can’t believe it,’ she said, choked and watery-eyed. ‘Larry… I don’t know what to say.’
‘Go and get me a large whisky – that will do for now. You can pay my expenses later. I have them written down.’
She turned to George, her lips pressed together. ‘Did you know about this?’
‘No… but I’m really not that surprised. Larry’s a dark horse. Now can we please go and get a drink?’ He loosened his tie a fraction. ‘I’m meant to be somewhere else.’
Preoccupied with her own worries, Rosie had stopped listening. ‘It’s curtain-up in about an hour.’
‘I don’t reckon your audience’ll be that upset if we’re a bit behind time. Everyone likes a drink before they go in.’
‘My sentiments entirely,’ said Larry. ‘I’ll go backstage and tell them they can have a thirty-minute reprieve should we need it.’ His cheeks flushed, his brown eyes sparkled. ‘I could get drunk on this kind of success…’
Seeing a familiar figure laughing and talking with other students from the Prospect of Whitby, Rosie was surprised to see that Bertie was there. So too were most of the other medical students. Gazing at him, she caught his eye. He shrugged and held up his hands, as if gesturing for a truce, and put up a thumb to wish her luck.
‘You don’t have to worry about him sabotaging the show,’ George said. ‘I wormed all I needed to know out of Richard.’
‘You didn’t—’
‘I did. Without bruises. Words speak louder than fists sometimes. I bided my time and then went to have a little chat with ’im. He’s all right. He stopped you from getting a hiding from the Maltese, so…’ he shrugged ‘…I let him off lightly.’
‘What else has been going on behind my back?’ Rosie was very pleased and relieved.
‘Well…’ smiled George, ‘take a look over there. Richard’s just rushed in.’
Moving her head to one side, Rosie could just see her cousin talking and smiling into the face of a very pretty student with long fair hair.
‘He should be out the back!’ As soon as her words were out, Richard was backing away from the girl, flushed and smiling, on his way backstage.
‘Well?’ said George, guiding Rosie through the packed foyer. ‘Happy now?’
‘I’m too scared to be happy.’ She withdrew her hand from his and took a deep breath. ‘What if I freeze when I’m up on that stage?’
‘You won’t freeze. Don’t be silly.’
‘George… I’ve never danced in front of an audience before. You lot, yeah… but… look around you. This is the real thing. These people have bought tickets. They expect a first-class production.’
‘Yeah… well? That’s what we’re gonna give them, isn’t it?’ A look of concern swept across his face. ‘You’re not telling me that the cast are not properly rehearsed?’
‘I’m not properly rehearsed. And anyway… my solo scene…’ She shrugged. ‘I don’t think we need it.’
‘Rosie…’ George lowered his voice and put his mouth to her ear. ‘Go backstage. I’ll bring you a drink through. Carry on like this and others’ll pick up on it. This place’ll empty in a flash if they think the show’s gonna fall apart. No one likes to be embarrassed.’ He looked her straight in the eye. ‘I’m serious. Slip away now before anyone sees how nervous you are. Go and get changed into your costume and think yourself into the part you’re gonna be playing.’
‘I’m not playing a part. That’s what I’m trying to tell you. We could cut my scene and it wouldn’t spoil the show.’ Her quivering voice added to George’s determination to get her away from the buoyant crowd of theatre-goers. He took her firmly by the arm and, smiling, walked her out of the foyer.
‘You should have stopped me when I first came up with this stupid idea! Why didn’t you tell me not to do it?’ Rosie was almost in tears as he dragged her through to backstage. ‘I’ve never been on a stage in my life! It’s all right for you. You’re used to performing at weddings!’
‘Come on, Rosie. You want to be up there and you know it. This is not the time to have a tantrum.’
Pulling her arm from his grip, she cursed him and her family for letting her be a lamb to the slaughter. As they drew close to the dressing rooms she could hear laughter and excitement coming from the cast. ‘I’m not having a tantrum, George. I’m sick with nerves and my throat feels as if it’s closing up.’ She spun around and looked into his face, ‘Be honest with me, babe… tell me the truth… is it a good show?’
‘You know it’s a winner, Rosie. Come on – be honest. Today’s rehearsal was fabulous and you enjoyed every minute of it. Once you were up on that stage and the band was playing… you lit up. It was as if someone had switched on the Christmas tree lights in a dark room.’ He stroked the side of her face, ‘I was really proud of you, I didn’t know you could dance like that, babe… straight up. I nearly cried… yeah… tough old George shedding a tear and the band saw and they didn’t take the piss. You know why? Because they was just as choked as me.’
‘All right,’ Rosie murmured, dabbing her watery eyes, ‘all right. I’ll dance… but it’ll be my first and last time up there. I’ll get someone else to cover me tomorrow night.’
‘I’m sure.’ George couldn’t help laughing at her. ‘Go on. Go and get ready. And don’t forget – I’ll be in the pit… playing just for you. They’re gonna love the show, Rosie. It’s a winner.’
‘Yeah… but only because of the company. They’ve pulled this off, not me.’ She blew her nose, inhaled slowly and managed a smile. ‘How’s your singing voice?’
‘Terrible.’
‘Is that right? The band’s expecting you to open the show with my favourite song – “Heartbeat”.’
‘Are they now… I suppose I’ll have to oblige then, won’t I?’ He grinned knowingly.
‘You crafty sod – you knew all along!’
‘’Course I did. You think the band was gonna let me sing that number unrehearsed?’
He took her arm and squeezed it. ‘Don’t think we’re not all as nervous as you, babe; this is our big night too. It’s a big jump from playing at weddings to this.’
‘You’ll be terrific,’ she said, her old confidence returning.
‘Thanks, babe… that’s just what I needed to hear.’
‘I’ll tell you what though, George,’ she said as he backed away, ‘never again. I’d rather deliver six babies than produce another show.’
‘Till the next time,’ he said light-heartedly, until the words sank in. ‘Six babies!’
‘Yeah… didn’t I tell you? I want a big family.’
‘No, Rosie… you never mentioned that little detail. But then, nothing you decide would shock me. Nothing.’
Once she was inside the ladies’ dressing room with the cast, Rosie immediately perked up. The fervour inside that room swept away her fears and brought a smile to her face. A genuine smile of happiness. All that she had ever dreamed of had become reality. Seeing everyone in their costumes was the best tonic she could have asked for.
‘About time as well!’ Caroline slipped Rosie’s emerald green satin and net dress off a hanger and laid it across her arm. ‘Move yourself then! Get this on. We’ve got a show to run.’
Laughing, Rosie asked if they had all been drinking. ‘You bet we ’ave. Champagne at that – courtesy of a bloke called Reggie. Get this gown on and we’ll let you ’ave a glass. Two if you’re—’
‘They’re coming in!’ Vi, flushed and glassy-eyed, rushed into the room. ‘Is everyone ready? Five minutes and you’re on! Where’s Sarah?’
‘Behind yer! And my name’s Polly.’ The actress playing the lead role of Sarah was reclining on an old sofa with a glass of champagne in her hand. ‘Mind you… I’ve never really liked Polly—’
‘How much has she had to drink?’ Vi looked far from pleased.
‘Two glasses…’ said Polly, smiling and shrugging. ‘They said that was all I could have so I’m making it last.’ She pointed a finger at Vi, ‘I bet you’ve ’ad more than two?’
‘Where’s Richard!’ Vi, it seemed, was the only one who was in a panic. Vi, the usually composed, unflappable stage manager, was in a spin. ‘I’ve never known anything like it! The first night of a big show… nine minutes to curtains up… and the bloody director’s in the sodding bar!’
Slipping into her soft silky gown, Rosie felt like a queen and couldn’t wait to get into her matching shoes. ‘We’ve got a full house, Caroline,’ she whispered, ‘the bar was packed.’
‘What did you expect?’
‘I don’t know. I was frightened to expect anything.’ Kneeling in front of Rosie, Caroline withdrew a green satin dance shoe from the white tissue paper inside the cardboard box and slipped it on to Rosie’s stockinged foot. ‘There we are – the slipper fits. She shall go on stage!’
The sound of the band warming up brought a chorus of shrieks. ‘Oh my God!’ yelled Polly – ‘this is it girls! This is it!’
‘Positions please! Glasses down! Fags out! Get in line and no talking or giggling!’ Vi was back in control. Within seconds the actors who were in the opening scene were standing in line outside the dressing-room door, silent and ready.
No one said a word as Richard appeared and, in his usual fashion, raised one finger and then motioned for those playing the parts of the lavender pickers to enter the stage.
Hearing the applause from the audience, Rosie sipped from her glass of champagne and sighed with relief. It was the beginning, yet she felt as if it were the end, of all her worries. The night had arrived and she couldn’t wait to go on.
When the moment came and Rosie, alone on the stage, looked out towards the dimly lit auditorium, she felt fit to burst as she began to dance as if she were the only one in the building. Consumed by the music as the band played ‘Fever’, she whirled and spun as she danced around the stage with one thought going through her head – I’m dancing, Tommy, I’m dancing. Stretching herself to the limits she was almost disappointed when the music came to a close; she wanted to dance until midnight. Taking her bow, the thunderous applause from the uplifted audience sent waves of ecstasy through her entire being. Glancing and smiling at the band as they clapped enthusiastically, she winked at George and mouthed the words – ‘love you’.
* * *
As the clock in the bar of the Star struck midnight, George popped the cork of a bottle of champagne, one of several courtesy of himself and Reggie. The reception from the critics had been ecstatic and everyone, Harriet included, was buzzing with excitement. Even Larry could not contain himself: his usual droll act was overcome with joy as he wove his way through the crowded bar, singing lines from ‘Summertime Blues’ – and getting them wrong.
Holding up his glass of champagne, George called for attention. ‘No long-drawn-out speeches,’ he said, his voice full of laughter. ‘All I want to ask is that we raise our glasses to the girl who, with her unyielding enthusiasm, has given every one of us a night to remember!’ A loud cheer went up. ‘So I ask you, ladies and gentlemen, to remain upstanding as we drink a toast to the very successful and lovely… Rosie!’
‘To Rosie!’ The chorus of happy voices filled not only the bar but the entire theatre. This was followed by a very loud rendition from one and all of ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business’. Rosie was the only one not singing, but her tears were most definitely from joy and not sorrow. She had come a very long way, and weathered the storm. The end result was more rewarding than any of them could have imagined – even Rosie. Looking around the room at all the happy faces as they belted out the song, she murmured… ‘I’m dancing, Tommy… I’m dancing.’
EVENING STAR
THEATRE REVIEW by William Drake.
Love in Lavender is a musical which has more content than its title would have us believe. Set in the late-forties during a hot summer, the lavender-pickers discover that there is more to the lord of the manor than they had realized! The author, Rosie Curtis, makes no speeches but raises issues through the skilful dramatization of events. Curtis’s unsentimental musical is peppered with great songs from the hit parade, which give the show an original slant much needed in the theatre. Her choice of songs cannot be faulted. The amazingly talented Rosie Curtis surprises her audience when she unexpectedly performs a mesmerizing dance routine in a cameo scene. She is obviously a woman of many talents with a sparkling future.
LOVE IN LAVENDER
Showing for four weeks only
The Grand Star, Stratford, E15.
Running time: 1 hr 50 mins
About the Author
Sally Worboyes was born and grew up in Stepney with four brothers and a sister, and she brings some of her own family background to her East End sagas. She now lives in Norfolk with her husband, with whom she has three grown-up children. She has written several plays which have been broadcast on Anglia Television and Radio Four. She also adapted her own play and novel, WILD HOPS, as a musical, The Hop Pickers.
Also by Sally Worboyes
Keep on Dancing
The East End Sagas
Down Stepney Way
Over Bethnal Green
At the Mile End Gate
First published in Great Britain in 1997 by Headline Book Publishing
This edition published in the United Kingdom in 2023 by Canelo
Canelo Digital Publishing Limited
Unit 9, 5th Floor
Cargo Works, 1-2 Hatfields
London SE1 9PG
United Kingdom
Copyright © Sally Worboyes, 1997
The moral right of Sally Worboyes to be identified as the creator of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Ebook ISBN 9781804361399
Print ISBN 9781804363478
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Look for more great books at www.canelo.co
Sally Worboyes, Keep on Dancing
