Rhiannon

by Carole Llewellyn

  As Rhiannon made her way to the wings she heard Percy’s whispered call, ‘Break a leg, Rhi.’

  From the wings Rhiannon watched the comedian, Tom O’Reilly. He had the audience shrieking with laughter. She knew from what she had heard during rehearsals that he was nearing the end of his act. Her time was almost here ... she watched the comedian make an elaborate bow, then, waving to the audience, he left the stage to spontaneous applause.

  ‘Great crowd today!’ Tom O’Reilly announced to everyone in earshot.

  As the applause subsided Rhiannon had a crisis of confidence. Tom O’Reilly had gone down so well. The butterflies in Rhiannon stomach started doing somersaults. How could she, a complete novice, be expected to follow that?

  She watched Gus at the table on the side of the stage and, as he raised his gavel, she knew it was too late to back out now.

  ‘My lords, ladies and gentlemen! Just as the comedy genius of Tom O’Reilly had you in shrieks of laughter, the next act, I’m sure, will bring you to the brink of tears. Please believe me when I say that this young lady is destined for greater things. Now put your hands together for a star in the making ... Rhiannon!’

  Encouraged by Gus, the audience’s applause was so loud that Rhiannon struggled to hear the overture to her song.

  ‘You’re on,’ the prompter whispered.

  As Rhiannon walked on stage the audience, as if totally spellbound by her appearance, fell silent. This slightly unnerved her, but with the overture to her song nearly at an end, she, as rehearsed, made her way to the mark at centre stage and, turning to face the audience, beamed a smile. Then, lifting her face towards the gallery audience, the highest point of the auditorium, and, with a sea of faces staring down on her in anticipation, she began her song.

  I’m a young girl, and have just come over

  Over from the country where they do things big

  As soon as she started to sing, her confidence began to grow and all her doubts and fears disappeared. She sang with such heart-felt emotion that within seconds she had the audience hanging on her every word. With the first verse completed Rhiannon beckoned with her hand, and the audience, singing very quietly, joined in the chorus – the boy I love is up in the gallery – and when the song reached the part – there he is, can’t you see, waving of his handkerchief – everyone in the auditorium took out a handkerchief and waved it furiously at her. She smiled. She had them! Her aunt had been right; there was no other feeling like it!

  Once again she focused on the gallery, it was then she thought she spotted a familiar face. She did a double take: it was Frank – Frank Lewis. Rhiannon’s heart missed a beat. At long last Frank was here!

  With her eyes fixed firmly on Frank who, like all the rest, was smiling and frantically waving his handkerchief, she began the second verse.

  When Rhiannon ended the song with the well-rehearsed touch of melodrama, the audience erupted; their applause, whistles and stamping feet seemed to last for ages. Rhiannon glanced towards the orchestra pit, awaiting Adam’s signal. He smiled then, a slight nod of his head told her it was time to make her exit. Raising herself up from her curtsy Rhiannon blew a kiss to the audience and sauntered off stage.

  As usual most of the girls in the dressing-room congratulated her on a job well done. Rhiannon’s spirits were high, feeling good about her performance, made even better to think that Frank had been there to see it.

  As Rhiannon changed into her street clothes Sally Webber came up to her.

  ‘I don’t know whose idea it was to choose that particular song but, if I were you, I’d be prepared for a backlash from Marie Lloyd.’ Sally Webber sniggered.

  ‘I don’t understand. Why would Marie Lloyd concern herself with me?’

  ‘She’s the one who made “The boy I love” famous. I’d not wish to be in your shoes when she gets to hear about it. Her sister’s due to appear here tonight, she’s sure to tell her.’

  ‘It’s just a song. I’m sure that neither my aunt nor, for that matter, Adam, would have let me sing it if they thought I’d upset anyone.’

  ‘We’ll see.’ Sally sneered. Glancing into the mirror, she made a final adjustment to the street-urchin cap on her head and headed for the door.

  ‘Don’t let her get to you, I think Nellie Powers sang it long before Marie Lloyd and I’m sure Adam would have asked permission before he let you sing it,‘ Clara offered. ‘Sally Webber’s just out to steal your thunder. You were great and she knows it.’

  At that moment Percy poked his head around the door. ‘Rhi, there’s a lad asking for you at the stage door, he says he’s a friend.’

  ‘Yes, thanks Percy. Could you please ask him to wait? I’ll be there in five minutes.’

  ‘What’s this then, Rhi? Have you been hiding a secret admirer?’ Clara teased.

  ‘No, don’t be daft. His name’s Frank. His family lived next door to us up the valley. He’s just a friend.’

  ‘Yeah, we believe you,’ one of the chorus girls called, causing titters from all the others.

  As Rhiannon made her way to the stage door she could hardly contain her excitement. After all this time Frank was actually here.

  ‘Good afternoon, miss,’ the doorman said.

  ‘Afternoon,’ Rhiannon politely answered.

  Outside the stage door a small crowd had gathered.

  ‘Well done, Rhiannon,’ one lad called out.

  ‘Any chance of a private showing, Rhiannon?’ another quipped.

  ‘Leave her be,’ said a stern female voice. Rhiannon looked across to see Mrs Gordon. ‘Let her pass,’ the wardrobe mistress commanded. And, as if by magic, the crowd parted.

  ‘Thank you,’ Rhiannon called.

  ‘That’s all right. Wherever you’re off to, just don’t be late back,’ Mrs Gordon said.

  ‘I won’t be.’

  Rhiannon spotted Frank leaning up against the wall across from the stage door. He was smoking a cigarette; he looked taller, older and more handsome than she remembered.

  His eyes lit up when he saw her.

  ‘Frank! Oh Frank, it’s so good to see you.’

  ‘You, too,’ he gushed.

  For a moment there was an awkward silence.

  ‘Look, there’s a teashop about four doors away, I can’t go far, I have to be back for the next show,’ Rhiannon said.

  ‘That’ll be just great. But where’s Mair? I thought she’d be with you.’

  ‘It’s a long story. I’ll tell you over a cup of tea.’

  Rhiannon dreaded having to tell him about Mair. What if he blamed her?

  As was usual after a busy show at the theatre, the tearooms were extremely busy; the only unoccupied table, luckily for two, was tucked away in a dark corner. It suited Rhiannon perfectly, providing the privacy she needed to tell Frank about Mair.

  Once seated, Frank immediately took charge, ordering a pot of tea for two and an assortment of dainty cakes.

  ‘Fancy you on the stage. I thought you were great, a real star, eh?’

  ‘I don’t know about that. All I can tell you is that, when I’m performing on stage I’m transported to another world, a world of ... make believe.’

  ‘Is this world so bad, then?’

  ‘Yes-no – oh, I don’t know. I thought that coming to Cardiff to be with Aunt Florrie would be the answer to my prayers. Now Florrie has left for America and Mair—’

  At that precise moment the waitress arrived to serve their tea. They waited in silence until she’d gone.

  ‘What about Mair? Where is she?’ Frank asked.

  Taking a deep breath and lowering her voice to almost a whisper, not wanting others to hear the sordid story, she relayed the events leading to Mair’s leaving with Nellie and the subsequent disappearance of both of them.

  At the end Frank’s face looked ashen.

  ‘You’re right. There has to be more to it. Nellie must have had an ulterior motive. She is too selfish by far to want to care for Mair.’

  ‘Oh Fra
nk. I can’t explain why but I have this awful feeling that something terrible might happen to Mair unless I find her soon.’

  ‘Look, I’ve got to go home tonight, my mother’s expecting me. But I’ll come back next week, book into a boarding house and then I’ll be here to help you find Mair.’

  ‘But what about your job down the pit?’

  ‘Well, that’s just it. That’s why I’m here. I came to tell you that my mother and John Jenkins the butcher are to be wed. My mam wants you and Mair to attend the wedding breakfast.’

  ‘Aunt Ethel and John Jenkins are to be wed? Well I never.’

  ‘I know. Apparently, not long after my dad died, the butcher started calling to the house with a sob story of being let down and having to make his own deliveries. Mam fell for it and not long after they started courting.’

  ‘Well, I think it’s great news and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’m so pleased for your mother: such a caring, lovely lady. But what about you? I know how close you were to your dad. So how do you feel about your mam being with someone else?’

  ‘John Jenkins is a good man. As long as he does right by her and the kids, I’m happy for them. They plan to move the family into the house next to the butcher’s shop.’

  ‘And you?’

  ‘The army. That’s the other reason for my being here, I came to enlist. Now that Mam no longer needs the colliery house I’m free to do as I please.’

  ‘But the army? Are you sure?’

  ‘Rhi, the day your dad gave his life to save mine, I swore I’d make something of it – to prove that his death—’

  ‘Frank, I never blamed you.’

  ‘I know. Anyways, in four weeks’ time I’ll be Private Frank Lewis and proudly wearing the uniform of the Volunteer Brigade of the Welsh Regiment. This next week will be my last down the pit. After Friday I’ll be free to come to Cardiff. I hate to think of you having to look for Mair on your own.’

  ‘Well, actually ... Gus is helping me.’

  ‘Gus? Who’s he?’

  ‘Gus Davenport. You saw him on stage tonight. He’s the show’s master of ceremonies – he’s helping me.’

  ‘Oh yeah?’

  ‘Yes. And I’ll thank you not to suggest there’s anything improper. He’s been very kind to me. In fact, we’ve already discovered Nellie’s new address. I’ve arranged to meet Gus tomorrow morning. And, if everything goes to plan, there’s every hope that we’ll find Mair then.’

  ‘Just you be careful. Promise?’

  Rhiannon nodded.

  They stood outside the tearoom.

  ‘Well this is it, then.’

  ‘Oh Frank, I wish you didn’t have to go.’

  ‘Me too ...’ he hesitated then pulled her to him. ‘Come here, cariad,’ he said, hugging her.

  Rhiannon instinctively snuggled up to him. It felt good to be held in Frank’s strong arms, it reminded her of how her dad used to hold her and call her ‘my lovely girl’. Rhiannon gave a deep sigh.

  ‘Come on, Rhi, I’m sure everything will work itself out. I’ll be back to see you, and I hope Mair, next Saturday.’

  ‘Let’s hope so.’

  Rhiannon returned to the theatre, passing as she did so the long queue of people outside the theatre who were patiently waiting for the doors to open so that they could take their seats in the auditorium. She felt such a mixture of emotions: sadness at having to say goodbye to Frank after such a brief and, for her, heart-wrenching visit, while at the same time, she was fearful of the outcome of her planned meeting with Gus in the morning and what she’d do if, once again, they failed to find Mair? What confused her most was how, with all this going on, could she manage to feel such excitement at the prospect of once again performing her act for the second show? But as Adam had, as Gus had once suggested, shortened the interval to accommodate her song, the thought of appearing in the same show as Alice Lloyd made everything else pale into insignificance.

  As Rhiannon made her way to the dressing-room she accidentally bumped into Adam who was heading the other way.

  ‘Hey, watch where you’re going, young lady.’

  ‘I’m sorry. My mind’s all over the place.’

  ‘That’ll be with excitement, then, eh?’

  ‘Yes, something like that.’

  ‘There’s a packed house tonight. Ever since the advertisement appeared in the South Wales Echo, announcing the opening night for Alice Lloyd, the box office has been rushed off its feet.’

  Rhiannon grimaced. ‘I can’t believe that I’m actually appearing on the same bill as Miss Alice Lloyd. And, if I’m honest, I find it all a bit scary.’

  ‘Well you shouldn’t. If you perform as well as you did for the matinée, you’ll set the standard and might even give Miss Alice Lloyd food for thought.’

  ‘I doubt that, but I can’t wait to see her. Gus has already told me what a class act she is.’

  ‘Listen, Rhi, you can tell me to mind my own business, but what’s the deal between you and Gus? You seem very ... close, of late.’

  ‘We’re friends, that’s all. What are you implying?’

  ‘Nothing, it’s just ... well, as Gus and I are related I feel I know him than better most. I know what a charmer he can be, so you just watch your step, eh?’

  ‘If you know something—’

  ‘No-no. Look, I must go. Have a great show.’

  The evening show at the Empire was a complete sell-out; the stalls and circle were packed with an older, more sophisticated audience than usual, all dressed in their finery: ladies in elaborate hats and elegant gowns, accompanied by gentlemen dressed in tail-coats and top hats. Of course the gallery was still full of ordinary folk, but even they had taken the trouble to don their Sunday best. It made the whole theatre experience somehow… more special.

  Rhiannon, spurred on by Adam’s words of encouragement earlier, walked on stage determined to give the performance of her life. It worked. Her performance had the audience calling out for more ... she left the stage ... their applause still ringing in her ears.

  After Rhi’s performance Sally Webber’s street urchin went down well with the audience. Only when the applause had subsided did Gus take to the stage. It was time for Miss Alice Lloyd.

  ‘My lord’s, ladies and gentleman, be prepared to be transported to another world ... a world of beauty ... a world of sublime enchantment ...’ he paused, determined to keep this audience and the rest of the cast, all watching from the wings, in suspense for as long as he could... . ‘It’s with great pleasure that I present to you the fabulously talented, international star ... I give you—’ he turned his back on the audience. As the heavy gold-and-red brocade stage curtain slowly rose up to give everyone their first glimpse of her, Gus announced with great gusto, ‘Miss Alice Lloyd!’ The audience erupted into great applause in anticipation of a memorable performance.

  In the end, no one was disappointed. Like Florrie Grayson before her, Alice Lloyd had real star quality. She commanded the audience’s attention, and they loved every minute of it.

  At the end of the show, Alice Lloyd led all the cast into the grand finale. As the orchestra loudly played a medley of songs from the show, Alice Lloyd turned and, reaching for Rhiannon’s hand, pulled her to stand next to her at the front of the stage.

  Alice Lloyd moved closer. ‘Congratulations, my dear. I would never have believed that anyone, especially someone as young as you, could do justice to that song. But you did. Well done. I know my sister will be as touched as I am.’

  ‘Thank you. You’re ... too ... kind.’ Rhiannon’s voice cracked with emotion.

  When Alice Lloyd leaned over and kissed Rhiannon’s cheek the audience went wild, aware that tonight they’d witnessed not one, but two ‘star’ performances. With all the excitement Rhiannon was entirely unaware of the venomous looks Sally Webber was giving her.

  ‘We’re all going to the Lounge Bar after the show. Do you fancy joining us for a celebratory drink?’ Gus asked. Beaming a smile, h
e added, ‘It’s not every day that “a star is born”.’

  Rhiannon blushed.

  ‘Save the blushes. You must know how good you are,’ he teased.

  Rhiannon didn’t know what to say, she really was embarrassed, ill at ease with receiving compliments.

  ‘If you like I’ll walk you back to Mrs Gordon’s boarding house later?’

  ‘How did you know I’d moved?’ she asked.

  ‘It’s hard to keep a secret from us theatre folk. Mind you, I did call in the girls’ dressing-room to congratulate you after the matinée and Clara was acting very mysterious. When I asked her where you were, all she said was, “wouldn’t you like to know?” ’

  ‘There’s no mystery. I had a visitor. An old friend from up the valley – he took me out for tea.’

  ‘He? And how old exactly is this “old” friend?’

  ‘Frank? I’m not sure, eighteen or nineteen, I think. He worked alongside my dad. My dad—’ Rhiannon was about to tell him the story of how her dad had saved Frank’s life, but Gus cut her short.

  ‘Look, forget tonight. I’ll call for you around eleven in the morning.’ With that he was gone.

  For a while Rhiannon didn’t move, puzzled at Gus’s sudden mood change. What could she have said to upset him?

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  June 1909

  It was a beautiful sunny day when, just after eleven on Sunday morning, Gus and Rhiannon patiently hid in a side alley across the road from what they believed to be Harry and Nellie’s address. They waited for what seemed like an age. Suddenly there they were, all dressed up in their Sunday best, leaving their digs and heading in the direction of the King’s Head.

  ‘That’s them. Stand back. Wait until they’re out of sight,’ Gus instructed.

  Rhiannon did as he bid. She shut her eyes as if, somehow, not being able to see somehow decreased the chance of being seen.