‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ Jack said in a small voice.
‘Don’t lie to me, Jack. I have a friend in the planning department. We got chatting when he heard there were workmen going into the theatre, thought you’d started beforethe planning application had passed. I was, like, what planning application!’
Jack narrowed his eyes. ‘I know what your game is, Oliver …’ he said, looking Bridie’s way.
Oliver snapped, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I sure as hell know what your game is!’
Bridie cut in, ‘I spoke to your wife.’
Jack paled. ‘What – when?’
‘I phoned you just now,’ she said coldly. ‘She answered.’
Jack patted down his pockets. ‘I left my phone at home – dammit!’
Bridie was not feeling sympathetic at all.
‘What did she say?’ Jack asked desperately.
Bridie shook her head. ‘To think I trusted you when you asked me to sign that paperwork all because we’d been friends once. Because we’d been ….’more than that, she thought. ‘She told me what your plan had been all along.’
‘I changed my mind.’
Oliver turned to him. ‘Oh, don’t, Jack. Do you think she’s going to believe your pathetic lies? If that were true, then why haven’t you withdrawn the planning application?’
‘I … I didn’t get round to it.’ He turned to Bridie. ‘Did … did she say anything else?’
Bridie recalled what else she’d said, but she couldn’t be bothered to repeat it. Jack wouldn’t be leaving his horrible wife any time soon – he deserved her.
Jack looked at the theatre, then at Oliver. ‘Why would I sabotage the theatre? I want Bridie to make a success of it because if she does, it means she’ll stay this time.’
Bridie blurted, ‘Who says I’m staying!’
‘What?’ Oliver and Jack said in unison.
She was so sick and tired of this – the arguments over her.
Jack said, ‘But I thought you were going to run the theatre, like a job, if it was successful?’
‘Yes, me too,’ said Oliver.
Jack added, ‘Oh, I see. Jade was right: you’re using the theatre to get your foot back in the door. Bet you’re thinking of contacting agents in London and inviting them to the show. That’s why you’re doing it, isn’t it? As a springboard back to your life on the London stage. God, I’ve been so blind. I’m clearly not the only one who hasn’t been honest in all of this.’
‘Is that true?’ Oliver asked, turning to Bridie.
Jack said angrily, ‘Of course it is. Are you that stupid?’
‘Don’t call me—’
‘Will you two please shut up!’ Bridie said breathlessly, trying to get a word in, wishing she hadn’t said anything. She was still holding Barney, who was feeling heavier by the second. He’d started whining, ears drooping, his little body shaking at the raised voices. She turned to the theatre. ‘There’s someone still in there! The lights went off again.’
‘What?’ exclaimed Oliver and Jack.
Bridie narrowed her eyes at Jack. ‘Don’t act all surprised. I want you to tell whoever you hired to scare everybody to get the hell out of my theatre!’
Bridie turned to go. She looked at Oliver. ‘Will you walk me home?’
Oliver looked at her in surprise. ‘Oh, er … yes. I’d love to.’
