Chapter 5
Both ladies looked quite stunning.Heads were turning as Jessica and Susan exited the cab and entered theTheater Royallobby. Of course, everyone recognized Jessica—a London doyenne. But whispers ran through the theater goers as they tried to identify who Susanwas.
Jessica had had her personal maid do Susan’s hair. And, as she was very skilled, she’d gently enhanced Susan’s naturalbeauty.
“Bunny! Sally!” Jessica called out, as her two friends approached from across thelobby.
Bunny was Bertram Clyde, Ronald’s solicitor, and Sally was hiswife.
Bunny laughed and said, “Jessica, my dear, you’re as brown as a side of roast beef. Where ever have youbeen?”
“Hasn’t Sally told you of our continentaltravels?”
“By Jove, she has not. But I do seem to remember Ronald speaking to me about a European jaunt some weeksback.”
Jessica introduced Susan, who, taking Jessica’s advice, said mostlynothing.
“Is this the extent our party?” Jessicaasked.
“Oh, no, our box seats six. One more couple has yet to arrive. However, I believe they are to be late,” Sally said. “Oh, shall we have a glass of champagne before?” She turned to Bunny forconfirmation.
“If I start the evening with champagne I shall fall asleep before the end of the first act. Let’s save it for the interval, shall we? Second acts usually bore me silly and I’ll be good and ready for a nice snooze just aboutthen.”
“Very well, then. Let’s take our seats?” Jessicasuggested.
Susan was very excited as they were ushered to their box. She had been to the theater before, but only as a child when her school went to apanto—a Christmas pantomime—as a specialtreat.
But this was a totally different experience. It was elegant. It was sophisticated. It was grownup. She could hardly believe she was swimming in all thisbrightness.
As the house lights dimmed, Jessica offered Susan a chocolate from a box she had purchased in the lobby. Susan took one and passed the box on to theothers.
The curtain rose and the play began. It wasn’t an operetta but there was an orchestra in the pit playing accompanying music that supported theaction.
Susan became completely caught up in the action of the play, about a playboy prince. She barely noticed the other couple that finally arrived and took their seats. Susan glanced over but it was too dark, and she could not make out the couple’sfaces.
When the first act was over, Susan applauded loudly in happy support for the actors’ fineperformances.
As the house lights came up, Jessica turned to Susan and asked, “Are you enjoying theplay?”
“Oh, very much so. What a splendid evening. Thankyou.”
“Shall we stretch our legs? And would you enjoy a glass of champagnenow?”
“Yes, Iwould.”
Jessica and Susan stood, as did Bunny and Sally. The new couple was turned away and didn’t seem inclined to go to the lobby withthem.
Susan forgot her resolve to simply say nothing and she babbled on about theplay.
Bunny and Sally brought Jessica and Susan their glasses ofchampagne.
Susan looked around the beautiful lobby. It was ornate, with sparking chandeliers, plush red drapes with gold swags, and the royal crest above the entrance to the auditorium. There was nothing like this in the Kent countryside and she continued to be amazed at the wonders ofLondon.
Susan was so lost in admiration she didn’t see the other couple from their boxapproach.
But she heard Sally say, “Susan I’d like to introduce you to our otherguests.”
Susan turned and was stunned to see Simon standing beforeher.
