Applause (The Dudley Sisters Saga Book 2) by Madalyn Morgan (best authors to read txt) 📕

worry, I’ll take them to the dressing room and put them in water. They’ll revive in no time. Poor Margot, her first week is almost over and she hasn’t been able to celebrate. Do you think we could throw a small party in the dressing room after Saturday night’s show? We can celebrate Goldie arriving at her sister’s in Ireland too,’ she whispered.

George arrived before Bert had time to answer. ‘Who died?’

‘What do you mean, who died?’

‘The arum lilies. They’re funeral flowers. What they use to decorate the church, and put on coffins.’ George wrinkled her nose. ‘Who are they for?’

‘They’re for Margot.’ Nancy frowned. ‘Why would someone send Margot funeral flowers?’

‘Why would they send her flowers at all?’ George asked.

Nancy rounded on George. ‘Because she’s doing a very good job--’

‘That isn’t what I meant.’

‘What then?’

‘Why would anyone outside the four of us, Mrs Horton and Margot’s husband send Margot a bouquet? No one knows she’s in the show. As far as the audience is concerned it’s still Goldie they’re watching on stage.’

‘That’s right.’ Nancy turned to Bert. ‘Which florist’s boy brought the bouquet?’

‘No idea. I didn’t see him. But it couldn’t have been one of the usual lads. They’d have waited for me to sign the delivery docket. Mind you, they don’t always wait these days. The younger lads don’t anyway. And there are more younger ones than ever now so many of the regular lads have been called up. There’s been quite a turnover recently – a different face every few days, so--’

‘It isn’t your fault, Bert,’ George said, cutting the old man off – which for once he didn’t seem to mind. ‘What does the card say?’

‘I don’t know. It’s in a sealed envelope.’

‘Open it and have a look. It might be from Nazi Dave.’

‘What might be from Nazi Dave?’ Margot said from behind George.

‘Margot! I didn’t hear you come in.’

‘What’s up? Why are you all looking at me as if I’ve grown another head?’ Margot lifted her hand and pretended to check. ‘No, still only one,’ she laughed.

George and Bert looked at each, but said nothing. Nancy showed Margot the bouquet. ‘This came for you earlier.’

‘Funeral lilies?’ Margot shivered. She put her gas mask and handbag on the floor, took the lilies and laid them on the table next to Bert’s door, and then opened the envelope and took out the card. ‘R.I.P.’

At that moment, Betsy came bounding in as she always did, full of energy, and opened her mouth to greet everyone. She smiled at Margot, who was facing in her direction, but after registering the look of terror on her face, said nothing. Instead she tapped George on the arm and when she turned, raised her eyebrows as if to ask what was going on. George stepped to one side to allow Betsy to join the group and Margot handed her the small card. Betsy gasped.

Kat arrived a minute later. Margot showed her the flowers and Betsy gave her the card. Kat’s eyes flashed with anger. ‘Right!’ she said. ‘We must find a way to protect Margot from this snake! Let us go to the dressing room, where we will not be disturbed, and discuss it!’

Nancy took the card from Kat and put it back in the small envelope. ‘Bert, would it be possible to seal this envelope up again? Make it look as if it hasn’t been opened?’

Bert nodded. ‘I’ve got special thin glue that I use for pasting up the newspaper reviews. Leave it to me.’

‘Good. And when you’ve done that, would you put the bouquet on the table exactly as it was when you found it? That way, if the Nazi comes in later he won’t know Margot’s seen it. He might even be stupid enough to think it isn’t her on stage.’ Bert disappeared into his office with the small envelope. ‘I’ll let you know the plan when we’ve got one,’ Nancy said. Bert, already thinning the paper glue, nodded and Nancy left.

A couple of minutes later, Nancy put her head round the door of dressing room two. ‘Shan’t be long getting dressed. Start without me. I’m sure I’ll agree with whatever you decide.’ She looked at Margot. ‘You’re not alone in this. We’re all in it together.’

Assured by Nancy, Margot nodded, and the girls shouted, ‘Too right!’ and ‘Absolutely.’ George entered as Nancy left. ‘All for one and one for all!’

‘Who do you think we are,’ Betsy said, poking George playfully in the stomach as she squeezed past her, ‘the three musketeers?’

‘There were four musketeers. Everyone forgets d'Artagnan.’ George plucked a silver-handled walking cane from the props box just inside the door, pointed it at Betsy, and began to advance.

‘Stop it, George!’ Betsy squealed, giggling.

‘There is only half an hour until the half,’ Kat said, glaring at George. ‘I shall change into my opening costume while we discuss what we are going to do. I suggest you do the same.’

‘Yes, sorry, I, we…’ Trying not laugh as Betsy stood, open-mouthed at Kat’s reprimand, George clapped her hands. ‘I shall also change into my opening costume. I suggest you do the same!’ she told Betsy, in the worst Russian accent.

Kat ignored George. ‘There must be someone with Margot at all times,’ she said. ‘She must not be left on her own. Not even in the theatre. Agreed?’

‘Agreed!’

‘With Bert on the stage door I’ll be safe in the dressing room.’ Margot looked at Kat, then at George and Betsy. ‘Won’t I?’

George shook her head. ‘I don’t believe for a minute that Bert went upstairs this afternoon and forgot to lock the stage door.’

‘You think Dave came into the theatre and put those flowers on the table without Bert seeing him?’ Margot felt pricking at the back of her eyes. It was possible, because she’d done