‘Don’t forget to wave as you go past. We’ll be looking out for you.’
They all clinked glasses and murmured, ‘Good luck,’ all round. The mood was a mixture of happy and sad at the same time.
‘Oh, look, there’s Jeannie.’ Gracie pointed and waved. ‘Over here …’
‘What time does it start? Do you know?’ Edward asked.
‘Seven thirty. Just a few more minutes.’
‘Shall we grab a table while they’re still free?’ Jeanette said. ‘Look over there, right near the stage. And we’ll be able to watch the dancing. I love a bit of rock ’n’ roll!’
The group of five went and sat down.
‘I really appreciate you all coming to support Maggie. It’s been so awful for her, one thing after another, but now there’s a light at the end of the tunnel at last.’
‘It’s been awful for all of you,’ Gracie said. ‘I don’t know how you’ve got through it, but here we are, and everyone’s in one piece. Though I do wonder at everything we’ve all been through over the years. Do you think we all attract trouble? All of us have had more than our fair share.’
‘Too right we attract it.’ Johnnie laughed. ‘Must be because someone somewhere knows we can cope with it.’
The group of five all clinked glasses again.
‘Here’s to Maggie’s success and Jack Blythe’s failure. It was the icing on the cake to see him fail so spectacularly. The Manor House is up for sale, and they’ve already all moved out.’
‘And without any help from me.’ Johnnie laughed again. ‘He brought it all on himself. Well, not much help from me … just a few words in the right ears. Reputation is everything in his business, and his has gone for a lovely long sail down the old Swanee.’
Maggie Wheaton was standing out of sight behind a large pillar at the side of the dance floor, just watching the group who had gathered together to hear her sing for the first time. It was just two songs as a warm-up for the main singer, a short fat man who called himself Mario, and who sang loud and strong and pretended to be Italian, but who was actually Pete, a car mechanic from Chelmsford.
It wasn’t what she had expected when Jack Blythe had promised to make her a star, but it was a start. A real start.
They had gone to a lot of trouble to get the booking for her, especially Gracie, as she’d worked there in the past and knew people. After everything that had happened with Jack and Andy, it was more than she had expected. It had been a horrible experience, but it had made her see that they were all on her side after all.
She watched them for a few minutes before going back behind the curtains that edged the area where the band were already in place.
It was all too surreal. Then the lights went down in the ballroom, the lights over the band went up and the first few notes echoed.
It was her cue to go and stand by the side and wait for ‘her’ music.
She pulled a hand mirror out of her pocket and checked her hair and make-up, straightened her skirt and wiggled her toes in her new pointed stilettos which were pinching her feet already. She tried to see herself from top to toe but it was hard, so she ran around the back to where there was a wall mirror just to be sure.
Her long blonde hair was scooped up into a beehive, and her new bright-green frock fitted tightly around the top with a flared skirt that floated just above her knees.
As she was looking she suddenly heard her cue.
‘And now, a couple of tunes from a new local talent who I’m sure we’re going to be hearing a lot more of … I give you … MAGGIE.’
She stepped out to the microphone and then, in a flash, it was all over and there was applause ringing in her ears. Applause for her.
‘How did I do?’ she asked tentatively when she went over to the table.
They all jumped up and one by one hugged her.
As she sat down, she locked eyes with Ruby, who had tears streaming down her face. ‘Oh Maggie, Maggie, Maggie …’ she sobbed, unable to hold back any longer. ‘You were fantastic and so beautiful. I’m so, so proud of you. George and Babs would have been bursting with pride if they could see you right now.’
Johnnie smiled. ‘Like mother like daughter.’
At that moment it was as if there was no one else in the room, just the three of them, mother, father and daughter. They all knew it wouldn’t be easy, but they also knew they’d broken through and it could only get better.
Maggie Page 23