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

pageboy appeared from the wings holding a bouquet. The audience stood up and cheered. And as the company gathered round Kat, kissing her and wishing her well, the curtain was slowly lowered.

Artists came and went regularly at the Prince Albert, especially the girls in the back row who didn’t sing or dance, but filled in as handmaidens and servants, or held poses in friezes. It was an occupational hazard of war that women as well as men were called up to fight for their country. The Phoney War, as the politicians called it, had come to an end with the blitzing of the East End. Since then the turnover of women employees had doubled. To the audience, Kat leaving was just another artist moving on. To the company at the Prince Albert Theatre, her leaving was not only sad, it presented a huge problem. When Goldie left, Margot was able to take over her role. But there was no one waiting in the wings to take over from the feisty Russian.

Getting anywhere on time in London had become almost impossible. With more air raid warnings since the Luftwaffe had stepped up their assault on the East End, two understudies had been employed to go on at short notice when artists were delayed. They were both professional dancers and had agreed to understudy if they were given the chance to take over when a member of the company left. Richard Smiley had promised to audition them for Kat’s roles. He hadn’t even considered Margot.

Kat hadn’t been able to stand on her points for months, nor had she been able to spin or perform pirouettes, which Margot could do if the routine wasn’t too complicated. She smiled, remembering when she took dance classes on Saturday mornings in Woodcote’s village hall. She didn’t have the shoes needed to learn some of the dances, so the dance teacher brought in her older daughter’s ballet and tap shoes for her to borrow. She said she was too good a little dancer to miss out. Margot’s eyes filled with tears. It was so easy then, not only because the dance teacher recognised she had talent, but because she liked her for being confident. Not so now. Richard Smiley didn’t seem to notice her talent and resented her confidence. Margot dried her eyes. She knew she could do Kat’s dances – she was as good an actress and her voice was better than Kat’s. But it didn’t matter how good she was if Smiley wouldn’t consider her.

Before she left on Saturday night, Margot went to see Nancy. She knocked gently on the door of dressing room one and heard Nancy say, ‘Come in.’

‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ Margot said, opening the door and seeing the choreographer, Lena Di Angelo, sitting on the chaise. ‘I didn’t know you had anyone with you.’ She smiled at Lena. ‘I’ll come back.’

‘We’re only chatting. What can I do for you, Margot?’

Margot looked from Nancy to Lena and, as they were the two people who could help her the most, launched straight in. ‘I’d like to take over from Kat.’

Nancy smiled. Lena looked surprised. ‘Have you spoken to Richard?’

‘No. He kind of doesn’t see me. He hasn’t forgiven me for stepping in without telling him when Goldie left.’ Margot looked at the floor. ‘I thought – hoped – you might put a good word in for me with him. Then he might consider me.’

Lena looked at Nancy. ‘I think we can do better than that. Kat’s dances were modified during her pregnancy, so there aren’t many ballet moves to learn. Richard will expect some, but he doesn’t expect Kat’s replacement to be a ballet dancer.’ Margot exhaled with relief. ‘I’m guessing you have ballet shoes?’

Margot scrunched up her shoulders and nodded. ‘I borrowed a pair from the wardrobe store.’

Lena smiled. ‘How’s your balance?’

‘Good.’

‘Fluidity and grace, like in the Adagio?’

Margot thought for a moment and nodded. ‘Yes. Good.’

‘And how are you on the small quick steps of Couru?’

‘I’ve been practising since I knew Kat would be leaving, and I’m confident I’m good enough. I can stand on demi points, and I’ve learned the fast steps of the Deboulé.’

‘I’m impressed,’ Lena said.

‘Don’t be. My Deboulé leaves a lot to be desired. I’m fine doing half turns, stepping onto one leg and completing the turn by stepping onto the other, but I find it hard to step high and keep my legs together. And I can only travel in a straight line.’

Lena laughed. ‘We’ll soon put that right. What are you doing tomorrow?’

‘Nothing. With Bill and me both working long hours we just eat and sleep on Sunday.’

‘Good. See you here at ten o’clock. I won’t be able to turn you into a prima ballerina, but I’ll have you dancing a damn sight better than the girls Richard has lined up to audition on Monday.’

Margot put her hand to her mouth. ‘I can’t tell you what this means to me, Lena,’ she said. ‘See you at ten.’ She looked at Nancy and bit her bottom lip.

‘Get a good night’s sleep, Margot. You’re going to need it,’ Nancy said, smiling at Lena.

Margot left the dressing room and danced down the corridor. ‘Night, night, Bert,’ she sang, as she crossed to the stage door. Through it in a flash she waved to Bill, who had just turned into the Lane.

‘I’m working tomorrow.’

‘What?’ Bill looked disappointed as he passed her helmet.

Margot kissed him before putting it on. ‘I’ll explain later.’

On the way home Margot put her arms around Bill’s waist and held him tightly. As they approached Hampstead she inhaled the cool clean air of the Heath and smiled. Tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough.

When she arrived at the theatre on Sunday morning, Lena was already on stage dressed in ballet shoes and dance leggings. She watched as the choreographer performed