He rattled through his speech. ‘“Make no delay, we may effect this business yet ’ere day.”’ He ran off stage, pushing his way into the scuffle. ‘Stop fucking about, you selfish arses!’
On stage, Charlotte had managed to grab one of the stone pillars and was now clinging hold, her legs wrapped around it. ‘“Fairies! Flowers, please!”’
Freddie and Florence stumbled onto the stage, confused at finding Puck clinging hold of a pillar. They stopped in their tracks, looking around for adult guidance. No chance. The adults were behaving like five-year-olds. Florence recovered first, waving her wand about, nudging her brother, gesturing for him to start scattering petals.
In the wings, Barney pleaded with Paul and Tony. ‘Get him out of here,’ he said, pointing at Nate, before turning to Glenda. ‘Tell your sons to pack it in and take control of the fly rig.’
‘Don’t you blame this on them. This was all her.’ Glenda jabbed a finger at Lauren, who was still crying.
‘I don’t give a flying fuck whose fault it is. We’re in the middle of a show, in front of a paying audience. They deserve better.’ He overrode any attempts to interrupt. ‘Charlotte has a fear of heights, so to leave her hanging out there is a fucking disgrace. Stop acting like kids and get a grip.’
The SM bustled her way into the group. ‘You heard the man. Move!’
On stage, Charlotte was still clinging hold of the pillar, her eyes wide, her toes no longer pointed. ‘“Up and down, up and down, I will lead them up and down.”’ Bless her, she was trying her best to stay in character, showing more professionalism than the rest of the cast put together.
Trying to refocus, Barney headed onto the stage and went over to her. As he looked up, noticing her locked knees and her hands gripping the pillar so hard they shook, something inside him shifted. ‘I love you,’ he whispered, prising one leg away from the pillar.
He was left in no doubt that she’d heard him. Her shock was understandable, but it was the look of horror on her face that stung the most. What had he been thinking? Well, he hadn’t. Good one, Barney. Avoiding eye contact, he eased her away from the pillar and gently swung her towards the wings.
Thankfully, Daniel made his entrance, diverting attention elsewhere. ‘“He goes before me, and still dares me on. I followed fast, but faster did he fly.”’
As Barney swung Charlotte across the stage, she clipped Daniel’s head with her foot, causing him to stumble forwards with all the theatrics of a footballer appealing to the referee for a penalty. Rubbing his head, Daniel stared daggers at a retreating Puck. ‘“That fallen am I in dark uneven way.”’
The audience were in hysterics. They clearly found the whole mess extremely funny.
Would anyone be laughing later? Barney wondered.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The Interval
Lauren wanted to hide, curl up in a ball, and never face anyone ever again. Knowing she’d been the cause of such a monumental meltdown had shamed her beyond belief. The urge to grab her kids and run from the theatre was overwhelming, but she had to dig deep and finish the show. She’d caused enough trouble as it was.
Unsurprisingly, when she entered the dressing area, a hush descended. Nate looked up from tying his bootlaces, but refrained from comment. His face didn’t light up like it normally did when he saw her. Part of her wondered if he’d told people what he’d overheard – how Glenda had suggested Vincent call around to her flat after the show to collect the money she owed. But he couldn’t have, otherwise all hell would have broken loose.
Glenda appeared, blocking her path. ‘Sit down so I can tidy your hair.’ It wasn’t a friendly request. She was wearing her Hippolyta headdress, looking even more intimidating than normal.
Lauren’s gut twisted into a tight knot.
Before she could respond, Charlotte stepped in front of Glenda. ‘I’ll see to Lauren’s hair.’ Her tone didn’t invite debate, despite the joviality of her green make-up and playful shorts. ‘Move please, Glenda.’ She held a chair out for Lauren to sit on.
Glenda harrumphed and moved away. ‘Talk about ungrateful.’
Lauren almost collapsed onto the chair, a mixture of relief and tiredness draining the strength from her legs. ‘Thank you.’
Charlotte gave her a sympathetic smile. ‘No problem.’ And then she bent down so her mouth was next to Lauren’s ear. ‘Get through tonight as best you can. Later, you’re going to tell me what’s going on. Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it together. Okay?’
Tears pooled in Lauren’s eyes. ‘You’ll be so disappointed in me.’
Charlotte shook her head. ‘Not possible. You’re my sister. I love you.’ She rested her hand on Lauren’s shoulder. ‘I have your back.’
Lauren reached up and placed her hand over Charlotte’s. ‘Thank you.’
They were interrupted by Barney climbing onto a chair, asking for quiet. He waited until the room had descended into a hush. ‘I know the director isn’t normally supposed to get involved once the show has started its run, but the SM agreed with me that tonight was an exception.’ He looked around the room, daring anyone to challenge him. ‘You’ve all worked incredibly hard to make this show a success. As a group, we’ve had to overcome adversity, and numerous challenges, along the way. It’s only come together through teamwork and sacrifice. So, I’m asking you to put aside any personal grievances and show each other some respect. Let’s make this production one to remember, and for the right reasons.’ He looked around the room. When no one spoke, he added, ‘Okay?’ He waited until everyone, including Nate and Glenda, had nodded in agreement, before stepping down from the chair. ‘Thank you.’
Lauren couldn’t help noticing the way her sister watched Barney deliver his pep talk. She looked conflicted, her expression part bewilderment, part wistful. Charlotte was definitely developing feelings, although whether she would acknowledge as much remained to be seen.
The fifteen-minute bell rang.
Her dad’s face appeared in the mirror. ‘Where have you been, love? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.’
Charlotte came to her sister’s rescue once again. ‘It’s fifteen minutes till curtain-up, Dad. I need to get Lauren’s hair done. You can talk to her later, okay?’ She picked up a brush and busied herself replaiting Lauren’s hair.
Her dad looked a little perplexed, but didn’t push the matter, something Lauren was incredibly grateful for. There was no doubt about it, she was going to miss Charlotte when she returned to London next week.
Thankfully, everyone seemed to take on board Barney’s words, and the tension eased slightly. Craving some air, Lauren ducked out of the dressing room and found a place to hide in the wings. Trying to clear her mind, she focused on how much Freddie and Florence were loving acting in their first proper grown-up show. She couldn’t be prouder of them. They weren’t afraid to shine, relishing the buzz of the audience rather than shrinking away from the attention, as some children did.
She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn’t see Nate approach, until he said, ‘I’m sorry about the disruption earlier.’ He didn’t sound remorseful. If anything, his manner was a little cool. ‘But I’m not sorry for making a stand. I won’t apologise for that.’
Agitation made her look at him. ‘It’s not up to you to make a stand, Nate.’
He nodded. ‘You’re right.’
‘I’m glad we agree.’
‘It’s up to you.’ The tone of his response made her baulk.
She folded her arms across her chest, needing a barrier. ‘There are reasons why I can’t say anything. You have no idea what Glenda is capable of. What she’s threatening to do if I don’t toe the line. I need to protect my kids.’
‘But this isn’t the way to go about it.’
‘Oh, so you’re an expert at parenting now, are you?’ She glanced around, checking that they were out of earshot from the backstage crew. ‘Well, it’s not your concern …’
She couldn’t have been more surprised when he p
ulled her behind a lowered backdrop, away from prying eyes. Her back was pressed against one of the flats, preventing her from escaping.
He stood in front of her, close enough that she could feel his beard brushing against her cheek. ‘And what kind of example are you setting those kids by keeping quiet, eh?’ His hands were either side of her head, his body hovering close to hers. ‘That it’s okay to be scared and miserable? That giving into a bully and not standing up to them is the right thing to do? How is that protecting them?’ The intensity of his gaze rendered her speechless. ‘I’m so disappointed in you, Lauren. I thought you were better than that.’
His words were like nails puncturing her heart. She’d disappointed him? ‘I don’t know what to do.’ Her voice was barely a whisper; she was surprised he even heard her.
‘One phone call, Lauren. That’s all you have to do, and this whole mess will disappear. But instead, you live in fear, punishing your family and your friends for having the audacity to care about you. And why? For the sake of your pride.’ His palm smacked against the flat, making it wobble. ‘So, you needed a loan? Big deal. Money’s a bit tight? So what? You need to take responsibility for the situation you’ve found yourself in and be the capable, strong, fantastic mother I know you are, before someone gets really hurt.’ His glare rooted her to the spot. ‘And that someone is likely to be you.’
‘I … I can handle that.’
‘Can you? And what happens to Freddie and Florence if you’re not around to look after them?’
Her chest contracted. It wouldn’t come to that, would it? But the truth was, she was scared of Glenda. The woman was intimidating and relentless. Making a stand wasn’t easy.
‘The only person you’re protecting by keeping quiet is Glenda.’
‘Not now, Nate.’ Lauren had begun to shake. ‘I’ll deal with it, I promise. Just not now.’
‘You’re not the only one affected by this, Lauren. Remember that.’ He pushed away from the flat and disappeared, leaving her shaking and bereft. She sank down onto the floor, resting her head on her knees. Nate was right. Beautiful, sweet, kind, Nate. Who hated her.
Wiping her eyes, she stood up and headed back to the dressing area. If she could just get through the rest of tonight, she’d think about how to tackle the mess that was her life tomorrow. She’d confide in Charlotte, and together they’d work out how to deal with Glenda.
She’d just sat down and begun touching up her make-up, when Freddie appeared, eating a small tub of ice cream.
‘Where did you get that?’ She frowned at her son in the mirror. ‘Did Auntie Charlie get it for you?’ Her sister knew Lauren didn’t like them eating during a show, in case they spoiled their costumes.
‘Glenda bought it for me.’ He scooped up a mouthful.
‘Glenda?’
He licked the plastic spoon. ‘She said it was a thank you for running an errand.’
Lauren’s heart rate started to speed up. ‘What errand?’
‘A message.’ He slumped against the back of her chair, as if trying to remember what he was supposed to do. ‘Glenda said, if we’re good children, she’d take me and Flo to the funfair tomorrow so you could have a day off.’ He ate another mouthful of ice cream. ‘And she’d bring us home when you settled up.’ He frowned. ‘I think that was it.’
Something cold and liquid caused Lauren’s heartbeat to falter. It was like she was having an out-of-body experience. No way was she letting Glenda take her kids anywhere. Without conscious decision, she found herself standing up and moving towards Barney, almost as if in a trance.
He immediately sensed that something was wrong, reaching out to catch her before she fell. ‘Lauren, are you okay? What’s wrong?’
‘Can … can you take Freddie and Florence outside for me.’
‘Well, sure, but …’
‘Don’t let them out of your sight.’ She gripped his hand. ‘Not even for a second. Okay?’
A confused-looking Barney ushered her kids from the room.
Once she was sure that her kids were out of earshot, Lauren climbed onto the same chair that Barney had used earlier to deliver his pep talk. But what she had to say wouldn’t be uplifting, of that she was certain. She didn’t care. It was one thing to threaten her, to bully and hound her until she paid up, but to involve her kids? No way was she putting up with that. Glenda had gone too far. She’d crossed a line. Nate was right. It was time to make a stand.
The noise around her faded into a pounding rhythm in her head.
A couple of people questioned why she was standing on a chair. Most people hadn’t noticed, until she said, ‘Can I have everyone’s attention, please.’
Her dad and Sylvia were sitting close by drinking a cup of tea.
Paul was chatting with Charlotte.
Glenda was sewing a button back on to Daniel’s jacket.
‘I have something to say.’ She looked at everyone’s puzzled expressions. All except Nate, who’d lowered his gaze as if not wanting to put her off.
Glenda made a point of not looking at her. ‘People have got better things to do than listen to you.’ She dug the needle sharply into the fabric, causing Daniel to suck in his stomach.
Lauren steeled herself. ‘Maybe, but I have to do this now.’
Her dad stood up. ‘What’s wrong, love?’
‘I’m in debt,’ she said on a rush. ‘I borrowed money from Glenda, and I’m struggling to pay it back.’ If she thought that unloading might ease the tightness in her chest, she was mistaken. The grip squeezed harder, reducing the airflow to her lungs.
The look on her dad’s face radiated disapproval. ‘Which is very disappointing to hear, but not really appropriate for discussion here and now.’
Sylvia placed a hand on her dad’s arm. ‘Let her finish, Tony.’
He frowned at Sylvia. ‘She knows how I feel about borrowing money, not to mention airing dirty linen in public.’
Lauren’s shame was acutely overwhelming, but she had to continue, or she never would. ‘Glenda is a loan shark.’ There, she’d said it.
This announcement was met with a series of varying responses.
Daniel snorted in disbelief.
Her dad looked puzzled, and said, ‘She’s a what?’
Sylvia covered her mouth.
Glenda said, ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’
And Charlotte gasped.
Her dad nudged Sylvia, urging her to take his mug so he could move towards his daughter. ‘Stop this, Lauren. You’re being very disrespectful to Glenda. Now come down from there …’
Lauren didn’t budge. ‘Glenda is charging me an extortionate interest rate. The amount I owe keeps increasing. The repayments started off at twenty-five pounds per week, then fifty, and now seventy-five. I can’t afford the increases, but Glenda keeps pestering me for more money, which I don’t have. She says we have a legally binding contract which allows her to vary the repayments.’
This stopped Tony in his tracks. He looked at Glenda. ‘Is that true?’
Glenda waved the question away as if Lauren was being unreasonable, although her face had coloured a little. ‘Your daughter was in a tight spot, so I loaned her a few hundred quid. What’s the big deal? That’s what mates do. They help each other out.’
Lauren steeled herself. ‘But with two hundred and fifty per cent interest being added, I still owe eight hundred and forty pounds, despite having paid back a thousand pounds already.’
A collective gasp filled the room.
Charlotte appeared next to her. ‘That’s your idea of helping, is it, Glenda?’
Glenda was beginning to look flustered. ‘How else am I supposed to make ends meet? You’ve seen where I live, in a bleedin’ caravan park. I don’t have money to throw round. I’m not running a charity.’
Tony was shaking his head, but his annoyance was directed at Lauren. ‘Nonetheless, you shouldn’t have asked Glenda for money.’
Lauren’s arms felt heavy, weighted down with remorse. Despit
e everything, this was still her fault.
Sylvia smacked Tony’s arm. ‘If you didn’t want her borrowing money from Glenda, then you should’ve given it to her yourself when she asked for help.’
Tony didn’t look happy about being reprimanded. ‘Never a borrower nor—’
‘—a lender be. Yes, Tony, we know the saying. But being a single parent is hard work, and running a home isn’t cheap, so a little compassion wouldn’t go amiss.’
Lauren had never heard Sylvia rebuke her dad before.
Charlotte took Lauren’s hand. ‘Is there anything else you want to say?’
Lauren took in a shallow breath. ‘No, that’s it. I just wanted everyone to know that I have a debt.’ She tried to look defiantly at Glenda, but the woman wasn’t about to be intimidated. ‘It’s out in the open now.’
‘You try and help someone out, and that’s the thanks you get.’ Glenda cut the cotton with her teeth.
Charlotte squeezed Lauren’s hand tighter. ‘Just so we’re clear, Glenda. Lauren won’t be giving you another penny.’ She glared at Glenda. ‘Do you understand? Not another penny. Unless, of course, you’d like me to check the validity of this so-called contract with the Financial Conduct Authority?’
Glenda didn’t say a word.
Charlotte helped Lauren down off the chair. ‘Just as I thought.’
Lauren had never been so glad to hear the three-minute bell.
The SM’s head appeared around the door. ‘Beginners to the stage please.’
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Act Three
All the cast, except for Charlotte, were either on stage or about to make their entrance for the Mechanicals’ play. Standing quietly in the darkened wings allowed her breathing space to gather her thoughts. Not that there was much chance of reaching any satisfactory conclusions tonight, her head was fit to burst. Questions whizzed around her brain that were both confusing and unbelievable. Glenda was a loan shark? Barney loved her? Seriously? How the hell was she supposed to deal with all that?
Laughter erupted from the audience as Paul appeared on stage wearing the makeshift wall costume she’d made for him. He shuffled sideways across the stage, his head poking out from the top.
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