The Strangling on the Stage by Simon Brett Page B

entirely.’
    Suspicion appeared in the pale-blue eyes behind the rimless glasses. ‘And you’re not joining them because of that man?’
    â€˜Which man?’ asked Jude, though she knew who Carole meant.
    â€˜That smooth talker who you met for a drink last week.’
    Jude grinned. ‘I can assure you my taking the part has nothing to do with Ritchie Good. If I’m doing it for anyone other than myself, then I’d say it was Storm Lavelle – she’s the one who asked me. In fact, thinking about it, I wouldn’t be surprised if Ritchie Good is rather annoyed by my arrival in the company.’
    â€˜Oh?’
    â€˜Because when we met I did prove rather resistant to his charms. He’s not used to women reacting like that to him, and I don’t think he likes it very much.’
    â€˜Huh.’
    â€˜Though actually, Carole, there is another reason why I want to be involved in this production.’
    â€˜Oh really? What’s that?’
    â€˜Hester Winstone. I’m still rather worried about her … particularly since meeting her husband. I’d quite like to keep an eye on Hester.’
    â€˜Well, rather you than me, Jude.’ Carole positively snorted. ‘The day I get involved in amateur dramatics you have my full permission to have me sectioned.’
    So it was that Jude took over the part of Mrs Dudgeon in the SADOS’ production of
The Devil’s Disciple
. She had an early evening healing session booked on the Thursday, so didn’t attend her first rehearsal till the Sunday. Sensitive to atmosphere, she could feel the definite air of triumph emanating from Ritchie Good. He was pleased to have seen off Elizaveta Dalrymple.
    Nor was he the only one who seemed relieved by the old woman’s absence. Davina Vere Smith, despite her reputation as a ‘close chum’ of Elizaveta, was relaxed and apparently had given up any pretence that she was in charge of the production. She meekly took on board Ritchie’s notes and suggestions, even when they applied to performances other than his own. The actor was yet again doing a play on exactly the terms he desired.
    Davina accepted all that, but what did annoy her was the regular list of absentees from every rehearsal. Two were involved in a Charity Marathon and one had shingles.
    Olly Pinto, self-appointed toady to Elizaveta Dalrymple, did not leave the production, as Storm had suggested he might. But all the time there was something chippy about him, especially in relation to Ritchie Good. He grimaced a lot behind Ritchie’s back, and muttered words of dissent at a level that was not quite audible.
    Olly also talked a lot about Elizaveta and Freddie Dalrymple. He had been fortunate enough to meet the blessed Freddie just before he died, and reminiscences of the two of them were constantly on his lips. Elizaveta Dalrymple may have walked out of the production, but Olly Pinto ensured that no one in the
Devil’s Disciple
company was allowed to forget her.
    Able to observe everything at close hand, Jude was again struck by Storm Lavelle’s talent. She really was making something of Judith Anderson. Since Jude didn’t have her own transport, Storm ferried her to and from rehearsals in her Smart car – Fethering was virtually on the route from Hove. And in the course of those journeys the two women talked a lot – well, to be more accurate, Storm talked and Jude listened a lot. All her friend talked about was the play and how she was approaching the part of Judith Anderson. So far, she seemed too preoccupied with her acting to waste any energy throwing herself at Ritchie Good. Which was a considerable relief.
    But Jude did tend to arrive at rehearsals in a state of mental exhaustion from all the listening she’d had to do.
    Jude’s observations of Hester Winstone at rehearsals were less encouraging. The prompter still seemed very nervous and unhappy. Both Ritchie and