Rhiannon (18 page)

Harry and Nellie, having treated themselves to a few extra drinks on the strength of their promised two-hundred-pound windfall, left the King's Head feeling even more tipsy than usual.

‘Harry, love, why didn't you make it known in the pub that the – you know – the auction thing – was off?' Nellie slurred her words as she hung on to Harry's arm for support,

‘Off? Who says it's off?'

‘But I thought ...'

‘Well, you thought wrong. It's not off. It's just a simple case of bringing it forward a day, that's all'

‘B-but Harry, now that we're to have two hundred pounds, we don't need to—'

Harry's hand whipped across Nellie's face. ‘Since when do you tell me what we do and do not need, eh? I say we bring it forward. That way we'll get double money, do you hear?'

‘Sorry, Harry,' Nellie whimpered, her hand holding her burning cheek.

‘That's better. As I see it, the deal is to hand Mair over to them on Friday evening. This I intend to do, just slightly damaged.' Harry laughed. ‘If those jumped-up toffs think to get the better of Harry Stone they've another think coming. Now, get a move on. I hope the young 'un has cooked us something good, I'm starving.'

 

Mair's spirits had lifted. How could she have ever doubted Rhiannon? When Nellie boasted about the fifty-pound pay-off for Florrie Grayson to be rid of her, and, fuelled by Nellie's constant jibes about her stepsister being selfish and only thinking of number one, Mair assumed that Rhiannon must have been party to it. But, on reflection, how, with no forwarding address, could Rhiannon have possibly
found her? Mair had surely done her stepsister an injustice.

For weeks Mair had been dreading the moment when Harry and Nellie would leave her at the mercy of some stranger, willing to pay to have his way with her.

When Mair pleaded for Nellie's help, her reply had been, ‘I don't know what all the fuss is about. I lost my virginity at the back of Carne Terrace to a lecherous old bugger, a supposed friend of my father, who promised to look after me. Of course he'd lied. I didn't get a penny. Then there was your Jack-the-lad father; promised me the world he did, only to join the army and turn his back on us. In hindsight, I should have listened to my parents and got rid of you. Don't look at me like that! You should try bringing up a young 'un on your own! At least this way there'll be money in the bank.'

That was the day Mair ceased even to think of Nellie as her mother. What mother would agree to set her daughter up for this? No, from now on Mair would only ever think of her as Nellie Parsons.

Now, against all odds, Rhiannon had not only found her, but had promised to get her away before Saturday.

Mair heard the door being unlocked. Harry and Nellie were home. Judging by the way they practically fell in the door, they were obviously the worse for drink.

‘Well hello, you conniving little bitch, you. Got something to tell us then, eh? Had any visitors?' Harry lunged towards her.

‘No – no,' Mair said, stepping out of his way.

Harry continued to lunge forward. Almost losing his footing, he made a grab for the chair to steady himself. ‘Don't lie to me girl! Tell her Nellie. Tell her how we came to be talking to Rhiannon's two sugar-daddies back at the King's Head.'

‘It's true, Mair. You'd best come clean,' Nellie urged.

‘I ... I—' Mair hesitated.

‘The truth now, or as sure as my name's Harry Stone, I'll give you the hiding of a lifetime,' he growled.

‘Please, Mair. Tell him the truth,' Nellie pleaded.

‘Yes, all right. Just after you both left for the pub Rhiannon and a man did come to the door.'

‘And you – you couldn't wait to tell them 'bout our little arrangement, could you?'

‘No ... yes! I told them everything and Rhiannon has promised to have me away from here before – before Saturday – so there!' Mair blurted out.

Harry slumped in the chair. ‘At last the truth. Well done.'

Mair was confused. Why was he taking it so calmly?

‘Well, the good news is that your precious Rhiannon was also speaking the truth,' Harry mocked.

‘She was?'

‘Oh yes. Your mother and I have agreed to let you go. We think it's for the best. Don't we, Nell?' He looked towards Nellie and smirked. ‘Anyway, truth be known, you're cramping our style.'

‘Mam – Nellie. Is this right? Am I really going back to stay with Rhiannon?'

‘Y-yes, it's all arranged. They're coming for you at five o'clock on Friday evening.' Nellie avoided meeting Mair's eyes.

Mair looked skyward, ‘Oh thank you, Lord, thank you!'

‘Now, what is it the Bible says? Oh yes, the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh way.' Harry smirked. ‘Now, enough of that. Let's eat.'

 

Gus and Adam returned to the house.

Rhiannon greeted them at the door. ‘Well?' she asked, in eager anticipation.

‘Good news. It's all settled, we've arranged to pay them the money,' Gus said.

‘They agreed?' Rhiannon shook her head in disbelief, ‘When? Where?'

‘It's true. The two hundred pounds definitely did the trick. They've agreed and we've arranged to pick up Mair, together with a written statement giving you full parental control for your stepsister's well-being, from their digs at five o'clock Friday evening,' Adam assured her.

‘Oh Gus – Adam ... thank you so much. It may take me a while but I promise to repay you every penny.'

‘Not necessary, glad to be of assistance,' Adam insisted. Then, walking towards the spacious kitchen area, he said, ‘Hey, something smells good.'

‘I hope you don't mind. Waiting here on my own, I needed a distraction. I took the liberty of raiding your larder and managed to cook a corned-beef pie.'

‘Great. I do believe I've just the bottle of wine to wash it down with. Come on let's eat and raise a glass to celebrate a successful result of our day's endeavour,' Adam said.

They ate their meal sitting around the large kitchen table. When they
had finished Gus and Adam enjoyed a cigar and a glass of port, while Rhiannon busied herself clearing away.

‘There's really no need for you to do that,' Adam said, ‘Gus and I are quite capable, you know.'

‘No, please. I want to,' Rhiannon insisted. Spending the day in Adam's house had made a welcome change from life in a hotel and boarding house. It felt real; she'd missed being able to prepare and cook home-made food.

‘I for one won't stop you spoiling us; being greeted with such a warm welcome, home-cooked food and clearing away to boot. We could get used to this, hey Adam?' Gus teased.

‘Yes, but sadly, I don't think we stand a chance. I'm sure this budding star is destined for greater things.' Adam raised his glass of port. ‘To Rhiannon!'

Gus followed suit.

Rhiannon felt her colour rise.

The clock struck six o'clock.

‘It's getting late. I'd better be off, before Mrs Gordon and her sister send a search party.'

The men stood up from the table.

‘I'll walk you back,' Gus offered.

‘There's no need, really,' Rhiannon said.

‘There's every need,' Adam insisted. ‘Can't have you wandering the streets of Cardiff on your own. Gus, you make sure to deliver her safely home, do you hear?'

‘Trust me. She'll be safe with me.'

Did Rhiannon imagine a stern look pass between the two men?

‘Goodnight, Rhi. See you at tomorrow morning's band call. Half past ten sharp. Don't be late!'

‘I'll be there. And Adam, thanks again.' Rhiannon reached up and kissed his cheek.

Adam took her hand and gently brushed his lips across her palm. ‘My pleasure,' he whispered.

‘All right, where's mine?' Gus teased.

Adam, taking Gus's hand, immediately kissed the back of it.

Rhiannon laughed. ‘You two are quite mad!'

As Gus led the way down the hall she noticed him hesitate, then, almost as if it were some sort of secret, deftly remove a set of keys from a hook near the front door and place them in his waistcoat pocket.

‘Catch you later,' Gus called to Adam.

The first two weeks in June brought the hottest weather of the year, and the early-evening sky, aglow with red tinges, promised yet another fine day tomorrow.

‘Oh Gus, I feel so happy. I can't explain the turmoil my mind's been in over the last few weeks. Pleased as I've been with the way my career has progressed, the nagging guilt about Mair has left this gaping hole – my Aunt Florrie and Walter's sudden departure didn't help. It just brought home to me how utterly alone I am.'

Gus stopped and caught her around the waist, pulling her to him. ‘My dear, dear Rhi. Please believe me when I tell you that you're not alone. I'm here for you. Rhiannon, you must know how I feel about you?'

‘I-I wasn't sure.'

Gus leant down and kissed her. Rhiannon eagerly returned his kiss. It felt so good to be in his arms once again. He responded tenderly, brushing his lips across her face, her cheeks, her ears and then her neck, before returning to kiss her lips again and again, each time with heightened passion.

Rhiannon felt light-headed, she swayed gently. Maybe the two glasses of wine she'd had with the meal had not been such a good idea after all.

Gus supported her, holding her, kissing her. How many nights while lying in her bed had she dreamt of this moment?

‘Oh Rhi – listen. I'd like to take you somewhere special. What do you say?'

While Rhiannon's heart yearned to say yes, her head said otherwise. She so wanted to be with him. Yet in the end she heard herself say, ‘Gus, it's getting late. I really should be heading back to my digs.'

‘Is that what you really want?' He kissed her again. This time it was a long, lingering and passionate kiss.

Rhiannon trembled.

‘Are you cold?' Gus whispered.

‘Not really. It's just – with all that's happened today.'

‘And it's not over yet. Rhiannon, do you trust me?'

‘Yes, of course I do.'

‘Then what's the matter?' He didn't wait for an answer. He simply took her hand.

‘Where are we going?'

‘A slight detour, it's a surprise.'

She hesitated.

‘Come on, it'll not take long. Where's your sense of adventure?' He led her swiftly, weaving his way through the city's back streets, most of which she hadn't known existed.

Rhiannon felt so happy to be with this dream man; if the truth be known, she would have followed him anywhere. How much better could the day get?

Much to her surprise, they arrived at the stage door.

‘Gus, what are we doing at the theatre? It's Sunday night. The theatre's closed.'

Gus smiled, before removing a set of keys from his waistcoat pocket. He dangled them in front of her for a second, then unlocked the stage door.

‘The theatre might be closed but,' he pushed the stage door open, ‘hey presto – we're in!'

‘Gus. We shouldn't,' Rhi whispered.

‘Oh yes, we should. Follow me.' Gus led her through the stage door.

As expected, it was very dark inside. ‘If we follow the wall around, I know where the junction box is for the new emergency lights.

Rhiannon followed him gingerly. Aware of his hand reaching above her, she heard him pull a lever and, as if by magic, the dim lights came on.

‘Gus, what are we doing here?'

‘Be patient, it'll soon become crystal clear,' he whispered.

As he expertly negotiated the maze that was backstage, they eventually ended up standing in the wings. She couldn't fail to be impressed.

Gus slowly led her on stage. Stepping away, he left her.

For a few moments she stood, overcome with emotion, in awe of her surroundings. She was looking out to the vast, dimly lit auditorium; it was silent, yet eerie. She breathed in the mixed aromas of greasepaint, heady perfume, cigar smoke and stale beer that filled the air.

‘Gus? Where are you?' she nervously whispered.

‘I'm up here,' she heard him call.

Glancing up at the gallery, she saw his faint outline.

‘Well, go on. What are you waiting for? I want you to sing to me.' Gus called.

Rhiannon giggled. ‘You're quite mad.'

‘Go on. Consider it a “private performance” just for me.'

She smiled. After all he'd done for her, why not?

Taking a deep breath she began, her voice echoing around the empty auditorium, and when she came to the chorus, ‘The boy I love is up in the gallery,' as if on cue, Gus frantically waved his handkerchief.

At the end of the song Rhiannon made an elaborate curtsy and waited for his applause. There was none. She looked up at the gallery only to find him gone. She felt a sinking feeling in her stomach. Where was he? What would she do if he'd left her? ‘Gus!' she frantically called out. The silence seemed endless.