Jessica returned to the Green Room with dispiriting news of the second night’s audience numbers and addressed the cast.
‘If any of you can help with promoting the show, I’d be very glad of your assistance. Since Nick’s been banged up in the clink I’ve had to do publicity myself and I just don’t have the contacts that he does. Please, if you have social groups that you belong to, get a poster on their notice-board and take some flyers with you. Do the same at your workplace. Email all your friends – promise them that seven incredibly wonderful lucky things will happen to them in seven days if they come to the show and forward your email to everyone they know.’
There was a ripple of laughter.
‘Wow, Jessica, that’s viral marketing – very hip, very now,’ grinned Phil. ‘It’s verging on spam, but in a good cause.’
‘Hey, I’ll use any method that’s free and helps the theatre. Whatever gets people in the door works for me.’
‘I suppose I could suggest it as an outing for my chapter of the Red Hatters,’ said Simone grudgingly. ‘It’s a little tame for them but they would probably make allowances since I’m personally involved.’
‘What are the Red Hatters?’ Phil whispered in Jessica’s ear. She chuckled.
‘They’re a group of menopausal matrons who let rip once they’ve reached their mature years and do all the fun things they’ve been missing out on while rearing children or working on their careers. We’d better seat them well back or they’ll be throwing their knickers on stage for you.’
Horror raced fear across his face and won hands down. ‘Do they do that sort of thing?’
‘Possibly. But don’t worry, they’ll be easy to recognise. Just watch out for red hats and purple outfits. I don’t think they bring men along, so at least the Shaggers’ Shield should be safe.’
Phil retreated with a shudder and went to sit close to Pippa.
‘So these Red Hat ladies, Simone, they’re game for a bit of fun, are they? They like a bit of a laugh?’ Austin winked and looked at her knowingly.
‘I’m certain that whatever you had to offer would indeed cause them to laugh, Mr Sudgeway.’
His jaw dropped as her words registered, and sniggers ran round the room.
‘She got you that time, Austin!’
‘Ooh, that’s harsh!’
‘Nice one, Simone.’
She acknowledged them with a small smile and a tilt of the head. ‘If I was in the habit of procuring gentlemen for my friends, I would seek someone of a higher calibre, I assure you.’
Austin pouted and consulted his watch. ‘Five minute call!’
Jessica stayed backstage during the performance as it was just too painful to limp all the way out to the auditorium. There were enough people in the auditorium for the actors to work to and she could tell from the first few minutes that it was a responsive audience. Their laughs could be heard through the back wall of the stage whenever one of the “dated comic characters” had an amusing line.
When Erica came in with a basket of goodies, Jessica helped her prepare and set out the food ready for interval. The wall-mounted water heater began a steaming shriek as it came to the boil and Jessica grabbed a tea-towel to muffle it. The actors who were first off the stage as interval approached, came out back and grabbed their cups of tea or coffee, radiating the intense energy that comes from a strongly-focused performance. They were high with the adrenaline rush of remembering all the lines and cues and moves they needed to be in the right place at the right time. In contrast, the stage crew were laid back and relatively relaxed, eyeing the excitable actors with amused tolerance.
‘There’s a weird woman in the second row,’ said Howard. ‘Just sitting there glaring – hardly reacts at all.’
‘Better than that guy with the neighing laugh on prompt side,’ said Phil. ‘He nearly threw me off my cue when he was braying so loudly after the dragoman’s line about Balaam’s ass.’
Austin called beginners for Act Two so they hurriedly gulped their coffee and went back to work.
After the show, Jessica limped out to the foyer to assess the crowd’s mood and to see how they’d enjoyed the show. The murmurs were more subdued than the previous night but generally sounded positive. Once all the patrons had left she went over to the bar.
‘You’re not staying open tonight for the cast and crew, are you Greg? Let’s shunt them all home and shut up shop. Our security guys would appreciate an early night, I’m sure.’
‘Yeah, I wasn’t planning on another party night. The beer’s almost run out and I need to re-stock tomorrow. My other half will be happy to see me home, too. Hey, did that lady find you?’
‘What lady was that?’
‘Dunno. She asked if you were here so I pointed you out when you came in. I assumed she’d go and talk to you.’
‘Nope, didn’t see her. I guess it wasn’t important. She can get my autograph some other time!’
She slowly collected up empty glasses from around the foyer and lined them up on the bar ready to be washed. There were several beer bottles out on the street so she picked them up for the recycling bin and brought in the “No Parking” signs that held spaces open, out front, in case a fire engine needed access.
At last Howard was finished with setting the stage and appeared in the foyer to take her home.
‘Wait here, Jessica, I’ll bring the van round. Can’t have our little princess waiting on the street, can we?’ He ducked out of the door as she pretended to throw a bottle at him.
Minutes later he tooted from the street and she limped to the front door to meet him. On her way out, she inadvertently banged her sore toe against the door frame. With a gasp of pain she hopped to Howard’s van, rested one hand on the roof and bent over to check her foot. As she did so something flew past her ear and shattered the passenger window with an explosion of crackling glass.
‘Bloody hell!’ Howard popped out of the driver’s door like a jack-in-the-box. ‘What on earth was that?’
They heard scuffling noises, getting fainter as someone ran off down the narrow alleyway beside the theatre.
‘Oh hell, look at that, there’s bloody glass everywhere.’ He walked around the front of the car muttering darkly. ‘And I’ll bet the insurance glass cover only means windscreens not windows. Blasted vandals. You all right, Jessica?’ he asked, a bit late.
She was looking into the car through the rim of broken glass around the window frame. There was a heavy stone on the passenger seat in a pool of glittering shards. She wasn’t quite sure under the orange streetlights, but the paper wrapped around it appeared to be purple.
‘Not really,’ she said shakily. ‘I think we’d better call Jack for this one.’
Jack sat beside Jessica on the foyer sofa. She wrapped her hands round the mug of hot coffee that Greg had made for her and tried to stop her teeth from chattering.
‘It’s a b-bit chilly tonight, isn’t it?’ she said, knowing perfectly well that it wasn’t.
‘It is for someone suffering from shock,’ said Jack, knowing perfectly well that she was. ‘Now just take me through it one more time. You came outside, the stone came at you just as you bent down, and you heard someone running through the alley, right?’
‘That’s it, apart from Howard pacing about madly, cursing at his broken window.’
Howard, who’d just come in after taping plastic over the shattered glass, looked at her reproachfully.
‘Hey, I’ve only had the van six months, I’m allowed to be upset when it’s damaged. At least I stayed round to look after you and didn’t go chasing after the little brats that did it.’
‘I’m glad to hear that,’ said Jack. ‘Especially as I don’t think it was kids aiming at your car. I’m afraid it was someone actually trying to harm Jessica. If that stone had hit her in the head it would have done very serious damage. The message that was wrapped round it made the intention pretty clear.’ He read him the note.
My hand shall be the first raised to slay you; the rest of the people shall join in with me. I shall stone you to death, because you sought to lead us astray from the LORD, our God. Cursed be he who does the LORD’s work remissly, cursed he who holds back his sword from blood.”
Jessica shuddered.
‘I’m not sure I like being the target of a raving lunatic. It was bad enough when they were attacking the theatre, but now it’s become a bit too personal.’ She turned big brown eyes to Jack. ‘I don’t suppose I could have you as a permanent bodyguard until they’re caught? I’m sure it’s the only way I’d ever get any sleep.’
Howard saw the look Jack was giving her. ‘OK,’ he said. ‘I can see my cue to leave. Let me know if there’s anything you need, Jess, but I’m guessing there won’t be.’ He grinned and left them alone in the foyer.
‘Um, I’m going to need a ride back to my place, Jack. Is that all right?’
His smile sent new and much nicer shivers down her spine. He stood up and pulled her gently to her feet then cupped a hand round the back of her head, placing a soft kiss on her lips. Her arms went round his neck and pulled him down harder. She let the heat from his body soak into hers, pressing against him first for comfort, then with increasingly urgent desire. Finally he broke free with a chuckle.
‘All right miss, that’s enough, we have to get you home now. You need to be tucked up safe and warm in bed. I’ll even let you play with the emergency light on the way, if you like.’
‘And the siren?’
‘No.’
He supported her as far as the door then checked outside and came back for her. ‘All clear, come on.’
Despite Jack’s reassuring presence she couldn’t repress a shudder as she reached his car. The image of a big rock rushing towards her head made a cold sweat break out. She got in hurriedly and breathed a sigh of relief as Jack closed the door.
He drove off quickly and smoothly, but she was puzzled to see that he was driving away from her place instead of towards it.
‘Where are we going, Jack? It’s a bit late to be out sightseeing, isn’t it?’
‘Just making sure we’re alone. I don’t want to worry you, but if there’s somebody who’s determined to do you harm, I’d rather not lead them to where you live. It’s a good thing your name’s a nice common one – they’d have trouble identifying you from the phonebook. I assume you’re just listed as “J. Jones”?’
‘Of course. There are a hundred and thirty five Joneses listed in the Whetford phonebook so I should be pretty safe.’ A thought occurred to her. ‘Greg said there was some woman asking for me in the bar tonight but I never found out who it was.’ She shrugged. ‘I don’t suppose it’s relevant.’
‘Right now, everything is relevant,’ he said. “I’ll talk to Greg on Monday.
Jack pulled in to the police station car park and switched off the engine, winding his window down to listen for any vehicles idling out on the street or driving away. Satisfied that all was clear, he drove Jessica home and firmly locked her in the car while he checked all round her house for any signs of tampering.
She resisted the temptation to fiddle with the alley lights or the radio, content to wait patiently until he reappeared on her garden path. When he had escorted her inside they stood awkwardly for a moment. She had sudden doubts about whether they were on the same page or not.
‘Um, is it really OK for you to stay the night, Jack? Purely for protective purposes of course – no pressure. I’d very much like you to stay if you can.’
‘I was going to insist, but since you’ve invited me so nicely I accept with pleasure.’ His dark eyes met hers. ‘Where would you like me?’
Her doubts melted under the intensity of his gaze. And she couldn’t resist a gift line like that.
‘Jack, I want you – I want you between my…’ she paused, and he leaned forward eagerly. ‘I want you between my bedroom and the front door, in case of intruders.’ She burst out laughing at his exasperated look. He eyed her severely.
‘Jessica, there are times when your smart comments could really put a man off his game.’
‘Oh, come on Jack, I’m just messing with you. It’s my way of dealing with serious stuff, OK? You must have figured that out by now. Get into the bedroom, will you? It’s late enough already.’
She lay in bed watching him prowl around checking the windows before climbing in beside her.
‘Tired?’ he asked softly.
‘Not as tired as I hope to be.’
He was still chuckling as their lips met. She found to her delight that he was a graceful lover, smoothing over the occasional awkward moves and leading her confidently in a dance of spiralling desire. His fingers stroked and teased while his mouth moved possessively across her lips, her neck, her breasts, making her arch her back with a gasp. He built up the tension until she was ready to explode.
‘I think we can take the foreplay as read now, Jack, would you move on please?’ She squirmed impatiently, reaching for him, but he teasingly pulled back.
‘Don’t rush it, Jessica. Good things take time you know.’
‘Jaaaack!’ she wailed. ‘Please! If you keep me this close to the edge I’ll get there without you!’
‘No you won’t,’ he murmured, sliding over her, ‘I’m right here with you.’ He moved slowly at first, then faster as she urged him on, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him hard against her. For once, every flippant remark was chased right out of her head. He stoked her steadily-growing need so deliberately, with such artistry, that she was lost in the moment. Nothing else existed, just two hot bodies working together with an amazing harmony that she had never known before. She felt him start to climax just as the first waves of her own broke over her, crest after crest of foaming boiling release that left her spent and gasping, clutching his arms, falling back onto sweat-damp sheets with a shaky sigh.
‘Oh wow.’
‘That’s all you can say? Wow?’
‘That’s not just any old wow, buddy. That’s “WOW!!” with neon lights and fireworks and a full marching band!’ She reached up and pushed damp hair off his face. ‘You’re pretty good at that, aren’t you? Do you practise a lot on your own to get that degree of skill?’
He kissed her hard to stop her from talking. ‘Be quiet now, Jessica. Enough clever lines from you. If you set the alarm early enough you can have some more in the morning. Time to get some rest.’
‘Oh Jack, you’re so masterful I could swoon,’ she murmured drowsily.
‘Shhhh, go to sleep.’
They slept undisturbed.
In the morning he gave her a slow-motion replay, gentle and dozy at first, alive with unguarded looks and murmurs, a cosy togetherness that brought them both a warm rush of release with little effort.
‘Mmmm, that was nice. Can we stay here and do that all day?’
Jack raised himself onto an elbow and checked his watch. ‘Actually, since it’s Sunday today, yes, we could. Unless you’d like me to make you some breakfast first?’
She bounced to a sitting position at once and dropped a pillow behind her to rest against.
‘Ooh, yes please! Let’s have eggs and toast. Coffee with milk and one sugar, please.’
He snagged a towel from the end of the bed and hitched it round his waist, pausing at the bedroom door.
‘How would you like your eggs?’
‘Oh, however suits you. I’m easy.’
‘I could throw one of your smart remarks back at you for that, but I’m a better person.’ He lifted his chin and made a dramatic exit.
Jessica chuckled happily. This small-r romance thing wasn’t so hard after all if you stopped making such a big deal out of it.
They spent the day together, in and out of bed, talking, laughing, and with no thought of anything beyond her four walls. Jessica felt knots of tension leaving her muscles, and the last few were massaged away by Jack under a hot shower late in the afternoon. She sprawled on the bed in just a towelling robe, more relaxed than she’d ever been in her life.
‘You know, we should do this more often. It must be terribly good for us. Lots of exercise, no big unhealthy meals – some real quality time.’
‘Pity we have to work at all, really. Speaking of which…’
She groaned. ‘Don’t say you have to be on duty tonight, do you?’
‘Er, no, but shouldn’t you be overseeing a show in an hour?’ He grinned at her look of shock.
‘I’d forgotten all about it! Theatre? What theatre?’ She sat up and looked dejectedly at him. ‘You mean I have to leave this idyllic love nest and go out into the harsh cold world? How unfair is that?’ She pouted. ‘I suppose you wouldn’t want to come with me, would you?’
He hesitated. ‘I would, but I really should finish reading some more reports before tomorrow morning. Tell you what, I’ll take you down there and pick you up afterwards, how’s that? You’ll be safe enough at the theatre with all your security guys around, and more than safe back here with Jellicoe and me to guard you.’ He paused. ‘That’s if you want me here?’
She flung herself across the bed and pinned him down, laughing into his face. ‘Silly question! It’s all I can do not to chain you to the bed-head with your own handcuffs, dammit. Yes, Jack, I really would like you to be here tonight, OK? Do you want a written invitation?’
He flipped her over effortlessly. ‘No, but a spare house key might be handy.’