Read Online The Birthday Present by Pamela Oldfield - Free Book Online
Authors: Pamela Oldfield
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few tables—’
Rose interrupted their exchange, her heart fluttering with excitement. ‘What about this place, Steven? You said I have to start somewhere. What did you mean?’ She crossed the fingers of both hands.
Letitia dabbed her mouth with her serviette and stood up. ‘I’ve heard enough. Take whatever he says with a pinch of salt, Rose.’ She made her way towards the door and then turned back. ‘Anyway, thanks again for last night’s entertainment. Everyone was very impressed and Marcus is like a dog with two tails. I’ll send you an invitation in due course.’
When she had gone Steven frowned. ‘Invitation?’
‘To the wedding.’
‘Oh that!’
‘I may not be able to come but—’
‘Look here, Rose. About this chap I know – he called here earlier and I mentioned you. He’s going to do me a favour and give you an audition – if you’re interested. Take no notice of my sister. She’s a stuck-up piece – and worse since she got engaged to Bernard. What a crashing bore that man is! I can’t see what she sees in him unless it’s the money, the aristocratic family, hobnobbing with the famous at society events!’ His mouth twisted sourly.
Rose said, ‘An audition? You mean I get to sing some of my songs? And then what?’
‘Well, if he likes you I suppose he’ll give you a spot in his stage show. But –’ he held up a warning finger – ‘I can’t promise anything. You have to understand that. All I’m doing is mentioning you and you have to take it from there. Make your own decisions. What I mean is, if he likes you . . . as a person . . .’ He glanced away as his voice trailed off.
‘It sounds wonderful! Really, Steven, it sounds too good to be true!’ Her eyes shone as her mind filled with fantastic visions. She had hoped the private booking would lead to further such engagements but this leap seemed incredible. A personal introduction to a man who owned a supper room! ‘Will he . . . I mean, do you mean paid employment?’
He shrugged. ‘I’ve no idea, Rose. As I said, all I did was pass on your name and say you were promising. The rest is up to you. Depends how good you are.’ He winked. Crossing to the window, he thrust his hands into his pockets and stared out of the window. ‘Don’t blame me for anything that . . . that goes wrong. If it does, I mean. It’s a tough business, show business. You take the rough with the smooth or you get out.’
Rose was determined not to be dissuaded. ‘If he’s a friend of yours that’s good enough for me!’ she told him. ‘I’m tremendously grateful, Steven.’
He closed his eyes. ‘Just don’t say I didn’t warn you. I don’t want everyone blaming me if you get . . . led astray.’ He fingered his jaw gingerly, cursing Markham – both for hurting his jaw and for putting him in an awkward position with regard to Rose . . . If his brother ever found out there would be hell to pay. Steven knew that for a certainty. Not that he imagined Marcus felt anything for the girl, that was hardly likely on past experience, but he might feel responsible because he had introduced her to the family.
‘I think you should go to a dentist,’ Rose told him. ‘Your jaw looks a bit swollen to me. Have the tooth out if he can’t do anything with it.’
Steven gave her a long look which she found unfathomable, then got up and walked to the door. ‘You’d better go and find Marcus.’
As he went out she jumped to her feet and rushed after him. ‘When shall I go to Andy’s Supper Room?’
‘This coming Monday. I’ll send a taxi for you but I won’t be able to come with you. I’ve got plans for Monday. Don’t worry. I’ll settle with the taxi in advance so you can ride home but after that you’ll have to make your own arrangements. Find out about the buses.’
‘Aren’t you going to wish me “Good luck”?’
‘Good luck, Rose!’ He headed for the stairs and as he went up he muttered,
Rose interrupted their exchange, her heart fluttering with excitement. ‘What about this place, Steven? You said I have to start somewhere. What did you mean?’ She crossed the fingers of both hands.
Letitia dabbed her mouth with her serviette and stood up. ‘I’ve heard enough. Take whatever he says with a pinch of salt, Rose.’ She made her way towards the door and then turned back. ‘Anyway, thanks again for last night’s entertainment. Everyone was very impressed and Marcus is like a dog with two tails. I’ll send you an invitation in due course.’
When she had gone Steven frowned. ‘Invitation?’
‘To the wedding.’
‘Oh that!’
‘I may not be able to come but—’
‘Look here, Rose. About this chap I know – he called here earlier and I mentioned you. He’s going to do me a favour and give you an audition – if you’re interested. Take no notice of my sister. She’s a stuck-up piece – and worse since she got engaged to Bernard. What a crashing bore that man is! I can’t see what she sees in him unless it’s the money, the aristocratic family, hobnobbing with the famous at society events!’ His mouth twisted sourly.
Rose said, ‘An audition? You mean I get to sing some of my songs? And then what?’
‘Well, if he likes you I suppose he’ll give you a spot in his stage show. But –’ he held up a warning finger – ‘I can’t promise anything. You have to understand that. All I’m doing is mentioning you and you have to take it from there. Make your own decisions. What I mean is, if he likes you . . . as a person . . .’ He glanced away as his voice trailed off.
‘It sounds wonderful! Really, Steven, it sounds too good to be true!’ Her eyes shone as her mind filled with fantastic visions. She had hoped the private booking would lead to further such engagements but this leap seemed incredible. A personal introduction to a man who owned a supper room! ‘Will he . . . I mean, do you mean paid employment?’
He shrugged. ‘I’ve no idea, Rose. As I said, all I did was pass on your name and say you were promising. The rest is up to you. Depends how good you are.’ He winked. Crossing to the window, he thrust his hands into his pockets and stared out of the window. ‘Don’t blame me for anything that . . . that goes wrong. If it does, I mean. It’s a tough business, show business. You take the rough with the smooth or you get out.’
Rose was determined not to be dissuaded. ‘If he’s a friend of yours that’s good enough for me!’ she told him. ‘I’m tremendously grateful, Steven.’
He closed his eyes. ‘Just don’t say I didn’t warn you. I don’t want everyone blaming me if you get . . . led astray.’ He fingered his jaw gingerly, cursing Markham – both for hurting his jaw and for putting him in an awkward position with regard to Rose . . . If his brother ever found out there would be hell to pay. Steven knew that for a certainty. Not that he imagined Marcus felt anything for the girl, that was hardly likely on past experience, but he might feel responsible because he had introduced her to the family.
‘I think you should go to a dentist,’ Rose told him. ‘Your jaw looks a bit swollen to me. Have the tooth out if he can’t do anything with it.’
Steven gave her a long look which she found unfathomable, then got up and walked to the door. ‘You’d better go and find Marcus.’
As he went out she jumped to her feet and rushed after him. ‘When shall I go to Andy’s Supper Room?’
‘This coming Monday. I’ll send a taxi for you but I won’t be able to come with you. I’ve got plans for Monday. Don’t worry. I’ll settle with the taxi in advance so you can ride home but after that you’ll have to make your own arrangements. Find out about the buses.’
‘Aren’t you going to wish me “Good luck”?’
‘Good luck, Rose!’ He headed for the stairs and as he went up he muttered,
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