It's Now or Never (37 page)

‘Yes, he's been expecting you since your phone call. We're all looking forward to your play. I know we saw the documentary on telly last year but this performance is going to be special, isn't it?'

‘You can say that again,' said Lenny from the kitchen doorway.

Dorothy turned her head and stared at him. ‘I've brought you a complimentary ticket.'

‘I should think so,' he said laconically, winking at Roberta. ‘Make us two coffees, love?'

‘OK!' She hurried to do his bidding.

Dorothy went over to Lenny and kissed him on the cheek. ‘So you have some good ideas, my man! Poppy even agreed that it would do me more good than harm to return to the Liverpool stage briefly, what with the new film coming out soon.' She thought how it was her third in two years and how she was in need of a break.

‘Come into the kitchen,' said Lenny.

She linked her arm through his and they went through into the back. She stopped in the middle of the kitchen and her eyes slowly took in the room. ‘You've had this place revamped! Why didn't you mention it in your letter?'

‘Didn't see it as important in your scheme of things,' he said, removing her hand from his arm, raising it to his lips and kissing it before dropping it.

She frowned. ‘I'm interested in what you do, Lenny. You've been a good friend to me. Keeping in touch, encouraging me and giving me ideas. I'd have never thought of doing anything for the seven hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the signing of Liverpool's Charter if you hadn't suggested “Outstanding Women of Liverpool” would go down a treat here. Of course, I had to revamp it for the stage. As Poppy pointed out, it's a completely different medium. As if I didn't know!' She was so glad she had found time between the first two films in fifty-five and fifty-six to make her documentary. Sadly Aunt Ethel hadn't lived to see it.

‘Sit down,' said Lenny abruptly. ‘You hungry?'

She pulled a face. ‘I don't know if I could eat. I feel wobbly inside, just like I did the first time I stood on the stage at the Pivvy.'

‘That wasn't the first time,' said Lenny. ‘You're forgetting the performances you put on as a kid in your mam's backyard for us other kids in the street.'

‘So I am!' Dorothy's eyes softened with reminiscence. ‘How could I forget those early days? I was so happy then.'

‘Because you're away from your roots and too busy thinking of the here and now and letting Poppy plan your future,' said Lenny.

She nodded. ‘She's talking about my booking passage on the
Queen Mary
for New York, and meeting this American agent she has contact with and then going to Hollywood. I do begin to wonder if she's aiming too high for me.'

‘That doesn't sound like the old Dorothy. She had lots of ambition and wanted to climb to the top,' said Lenny.

‘I'm tired, Lenny.'

At that moment Roberta entered and placed their coffees on the table in front of them. ‘Anything else I can get you? A doughnut? An Eccles cake?'

Dorothy shook her head. ‘It sounds quiet out there.'

‘Won't be for much longer,' said Roberta. ‘The normal crowd will be in, including Nick, but not Tony, who's working with his dad, and Chris, who has a job on the
Daily Post
now.'

Dorothy's heart lifted at the thought of seeing her son. ‘Will your stepbrother be coming to the theatre?'

‘Mam insists on it, despite him saying it wasn't really his thing and he's seen it on the telly.'

Dorothy was disappointed, but told herself not to be ridiculous. The boy could never know she was his mother. Even so …

‘Well, you can tell him this production will be different, a proper live performance from me, not just a commentary.'

‘Oh, he knows; he's seen the posters. You're famous, Miss Wilson.' On those words Roberta hurried out.

‘
Famous
,' muttered Dorothy.

‘That's right you're famous, Dot! Doesn't that make you happy?' asked Lenny.

She sighed. ‘Of course, I know it should, but I'm not at the top of the tree, am I? Will I ever be, despite all my hard work? And after this play, I don't suppose going to America will be a holiday.'

‘And all for what?' said Lenny softly. ‘I've been asking myself, how long before cinemas start closing down? On a winter's evening will people prefer to sit at home watching television, rather than go out in the cold?'

‘I don't believe it!' exclaimed Dorothy, shocked, wondering why she had not thought of that. ‘Everyone loves a night out at the pictures or the theatre!'

‘Most just love being entertained and television can do that. It's not going to happen overnight, of course,' said Lenny thoughtfully. ‘But it's on its way. People said that the talkies would never catch on but they proved to be the end of the silent movies.'

‘You're frightening me!' Dot put down her cup.

‘What's there to be frightened of?' he asked. ‘You only need to be ahead of the game or quit and settle down.'

She hugged herself. ‘I'm not ready to settle down. I've a few more years in me yet!' She noticed he looked disappointed.

‘If that's how you feel. Your face has already been seen on the telly, so all you've got to do is build up your presence and you could become a household name in no time.' He reached across the table and took her hand. ‘When that happens, the theatrical impresarios and film producers will be beating a path to your door. No need for you to go to Hollywood, although you could possibly end up on Broadway. If that happens I'll come with you. It would be worth my making the effort to see your name up in lights on the Great White Way.'

‘Would it, Lenny?' she said wistfully. ‘I never thought I'd be able to winkle you out of your comfy nook here and accompany me abroad.'

‘I'll do it for you, Dot. No one else! And when you're ready to call it a day, you can share my cosy nook.'

‘You're on!' said Dorothy, planting a kiss on his lips.

She was surprised by the sense of joy she felt and began to laugh.

He joined in.

They were still laughing when Roberta came in with an order for two bacon butties.