‘Aurelia, it’s time we left,’ he spouted decisively. ‘I’ve got things to do.’
‘Then go,’ she said, embracing the sudden alluring possibility of him departing without her. ‘I’m not leaving.’
‘Blowed if you’re not. You’re coming with me. I’ll drop you off at home. Otherwise, how will you get back? I certainly won’t allow you to walk home alone at night from here.’
‘Such gallantry doesn’t become you, dear.’
‘We can take Aurelia home,’ Algie suggested. ‘We’ve ordered a cab for eleven o’clock. It’s hardly out of our way, and there’ll be plenty room for Aurelia.’
Aurelia beamed. ‘Thank you, Algie. I accept your very kind offer.’ She turned to her husband. ‘So you see, Benjamin, you don’t have to worry about me. Algie and Marigold will look after me and deliver me home safely. So you can go about your business with a perfectly clear conscience.’
Benjamin eyed Algie with a measure of suspicion. Before today, he’d never considered that Aurelia could feel anything for a man as mundane as Algie Stokes, a man who used to be one of his own lowly employees. Yet the prospect of cavorting with Maude Atkins right then was growing in appeal, becoming an increasingly powerful influence. ‘Right-ho…But what if I come and collect you myself afterwards?’
‘What’s the point?’ Aurelia queried impatiently. ‘Why trouble yourself when Algie and Marigold have so kindly offered to take me home?’
He shrugged. ‘Then I’ll see you at home. Cheerio, everybody…’ He made to leave, then turned and put on one of his charming smiles. ‘Oh…thank you for a lovely day, Harriet. You too, Clarence. I wish you both every happiness.’
‘Thank you,’ they said in unison, and took their leave of the threesome that remained.
At that, Robert Sankey appeared, thrusting himself amiably into the trio.
‘Aurelia!’ he greeted, beaming, focusing only on her. ‘At last I get the chance to say hello. How are you? You look absolutely ravishing.’
‘Thank you, Robert, and so do you. It’s been such a long time.’ She smiled radiantly. ‘Let me introduce Marigold, my very best friend, and her husband, Algie Stokes.’
Robert looked directly into Marigold’s eyes with a broad smile, and took her hand. ‘Delighted to meet you, Mrs Stokes.’ He looked from one woman to the other. ‘It’s been a long time since I was in the company of two such beautiful girls at the same time.’
Marigold smiled back, delighted at receiving such a compliment from this attractive and distinguished-looking young man. It gave a definite boost to her confidence. ‘It’s nice of you to say so,’ she replied, and felt herself blushing.
He turned to Algie. ‘Mr Stokes,’ he said, offering his hand, and they shook. ‘Happy to make your acquaintance.’
‘Likewise,’ responded Algie. ‘You’re obviously a friend of Clarence.’
‘I know Clarence – and Harriet – from the Amateur Dramatics Society. I was more of a stagehand, helping out behind the scenes during performances – for a while at any rate. Long before it all collapsed, of course.’
‘Robert is the son of Elijah Sankey, owner of Sankey’s Glassworks in Audnam,’ Aurelia informed them.
‘For my sins,’ he admitted modestly. ‘By the way, did you know the folk from the Amateur Dramatics Society are frantically getting the thing restarted?’
‘Well, they’ll have to do it without the dubious auspices of my late father,’ Aurelia remarked.
‘Oh, indeed. We shall use a different name too. “The Brierley Hill Players” is favourite. With all due respect, Aurelia, we can’t afford to be seen to have any connection with your late father, dear old Murdoch Osborne.’
‘Not if you value your reputations,’ she agreed. ‘Why taint yourselves with his?’
He smiled affably, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and Marigold thought him so appealing.
‘Actually, we are looking for new recruits. We really could do with some good-looking young women. There are some plum parts in the offing. Aurelia…? Mrs Stokes…? You qualify admirably. Do I hear you offering your services?’
‘Oh, it’s not my cup of tea, Robert,’ Aurelia answered. ‘And I certainly don’t think your members would welcome Murdoch Osborne’s daughter. How about you, Marigold?’
‘Oh, I think I might like it, Mr Sankey.’
‘Do call me Robert, Mrs Stokes.’
‘Thank you, I will. And you can call me Marigold.’ Her blush was reignited.
It was the first time anybody had flirted with Marigold since she had fallen in love with Algie, and she was flattered and affected by this handsome young man’s attention.
‘So, Marigold, you might like to join the Brierley Hill Players?’
‘I would…but only if my husband will allow it.’ She glanced at Algie for his approval.
‘Over my dead body,’ he protested.
‘So, Mr Stokes—’
‘Algie,’ Algie interjected, forcing a smile in an attempt to hide his irritation at the man’s presence and his visible effect on Marigold. ‘Everybody calls me Algie.’
‘Very well…Algie. I was about to say, Marigold is exactly what we Players need. Why deny her the opportunity to become involved, even to act, if that’s what she would like to do? I’m sure she’d be outstanding.’
‘It’s the first I’ve heard about any urge my wife might have to try her luck at acting, outstanding or not. My sister was a part of your troupe, and to say it turned her head is a bit of an understatement. I’m blowed if I’ll allow my wife to become involved.’
‘So, is your sister Kate Stokes, by any chance?’ He sounded surprised.
‘You remember her?’
‘I do indeed. Unforgettable. A rather exotic-looking girl. Didn’t Clarence—’
‘Yes, Clarence did. But Clarence was one of the lucky ones. He got away unscathed.’
‘Well, anyway, ladies,’ Robert Sankey said in an effort to extricate himself from what was turning out to be an embarrassing conversation. ‘If you – or your husbands – ever change your minds…’
‘Oh, Algie won’t change his mind, Robert,’ Marigold said resignedly. ‘But we’d both love to come and see one of your plays, wouldn’t we, Algie?’
‘Yes, we don’t mind seeing your plays.’
* * *
Content that he was about to enjoy some sensuality and tenderness at last, Benjamin was sitting on Maude Atkins’ bed in his long johns, undressing himself by the light of a spluttering candle, as he anticipated the warmth and smoothness of her body entwined with his.
‘So how was the wedding?’ Maude asked, as she pulled her chemise over her head, tousling her curls.
‘Can’t say I enjoyed it much, stuck with that Algie Stokes and his