The elderly lady with a large handbag who was fussed over by everyone was no more and in her place was a beautiful and powerful fairy queen. She commanded her fairies (including a tiny Letty who looked as if she might take flight at any moment) and ultimately her husband Oberon with perfect control.
But all the actors were brilliant. Meg and the entire audience clapped and clapped until their hands were sore. There was only one disappointment: Simon and Hugo hadn’t yet appeared, and Meg was upset for Vanessa’s sake.
People were still shouting ‘bravo’ and ‘encore’ when the stage hands, dressed in black from head to toe, began to turn what had been a theatre into a party venue. What had been a stage and an area for the audience was now a covered dance floor with a raised platform for a band. There were suddenly little lightsin the trees and draped around the supports for the canvas roof. Meg realised they must have put the lights there earlier and just turned them on now, but to her it looked as if Tinkerbell fromPeter Panhad flown about with her wand, creating magic.
Everyone was already in very high spirits, dancing, drinking champagne, toasting each other and pairing up.
‘It’s nearly the end of the season,’ David said. ‘Everyone is getting a bit demob happy. No one has to worry about misbehaving or having a hangover. It’s just a celebration.’
‘Almost all the cast members can play instruments,’ David explained. ‘When a production is travelling round the country, they try to keep the company as small as they can. But Russell has got in a proper band for this party.’
‘It’s such a shame Alexandra will miss all this,’ said Meg. ‘I know I keep saying that!’
‘Never say die, Meggy!’ he replied. ‘Now where’s that Nessa got too?’
They spotted Vanessa dancing with Inigo and little Letty. She seemed to have forgotten about trying to keep out of sight of her mother.
‘She’s having fun,’ said Meg, pleased.
‘Uh-oh,’ said David sharply. ‘Who’s that cutting in? Oh good Lord!’
Meg ran forward, ready to rescue Vanessa if necessary. She was in time to see a tall dark stranger wrap his arms around Vanessa and kiss her, long and hard.
‘What on earth is going on?’ demanded Lady Lennox-Stanley, suddenly right by the couple, obviously furious.
‘I’m claiming my bride,’ said Simon. ‘And if she’ll still have me, we’re going to elope! My darling Vanessa, will you still marry me?’
‘Oh, Simon!’ said Vanessa. ‘All I want is to be married to you! But I couldn’t face that enormous wedding!’
Lady Lennox-Stanley stood there, gaping. Eventually she enquired of no one in particular, ‘If you’re getting married after all, does it mean we don’t have to send all the wedding presents back?’
Utterly delighted to see her friend united with the love of her life, Meg turned to David, but instead found herself being hugged by Alexandra.
‘Lexi!’ Meg said. ‘You made it! Did you see the play?’
‘I’m afraid not but I caught the main drama! Isn’t Simon gorgeous? And good for Nessa. Eloping is so much more romantic than having a big society wedding.’
Alexandra’s husband, Antoine, stepped forward. ‘Hello, Meg. You are looking particularly charming tonight, if I may say so.’ He kissed her on both cheeks.
Meg sighed happily. ‘Are your children here as well?’
Antoine nodded. ‘They are somewhere about, but more to the point, where is Justin?’
Meg’s high spirits descended. ‘Doing something in the kitchen, I expect. Seriously,’ she went on,hoping she didn’t sound too bereft and eager to change the subject, ‘do you really not know where the children are?’
‘All is well. They were kidnapped by some very charming young people who apparently work as stage hands, musicians and actors,’ said Antoine. ‘They went very willingly.’
‘Next year Henri could join the band,’ said Alexandra, ‘and of course Félicité could paint scenery. But perhaps Stéphie is a little young to have a holiday job. Although she’d be very fed up, having to stay at home with us.’
Antoine shrugged. ‘Perhaps! Meg? Could I have the pleasure of this dance?’
Meg shook her head. ‘I’ve got things to do. You really want to dance with your wife anyway.’
Seeing them waltzing around the floor, Meg knew that she was right. They were so in tune with each other’s movements, so completely and utterly in love. She looked around for David, so she could share this observation with him, but he had gone.
Inigo stood in his place. ‘David told me to tell you that he’s been summoned by Dame Miriam and that you’re welcome to join them.’ He looked at Meg. ‘You don’t fancy a trot round the floor with me, do you? At the risk of me trampling on you?’
Meg laughed. ‘Not really,’ she said. ‘There’s a lovely girl over there and I’m sure you wouldn’t trample on her.’
