Hannah said, ‘You’re not having second thoughts, are you, about carrying out your benefactor’s wishes – putting on a play?’ She looked at Bridie and added, ‘It’s the state of it, isn’t it? I think it took us all by surprise, how bad it was, and the repairs needed to the leaky roof and the dodgy electrics. Goodness knows what else will come to light. Maybe you should ask Jack to meet you again at the theatre, get those plans drawn up. Doesn’t sound as though you got much done this morning.’
Bridie still didn’t want to talk about Oliver turning up and the shenanigans that had followed. She said nothing.
‘At least let Jack do a survey, cost it up, find out how long it’s going to take. Have all the information before you throw in the towel. You might be surprised – it might not be as bad as all that after all.’
Bridie could see her point. But there was something else giving her pause, making her have second thoughts. ‘I told you that I bumped into my sister, Kate, this morning.’
‘Yes.’
‘Turns out she’s lost her job.’
‘Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that.’ Hannah put her mug down. ‘I don’t want to be forward, but if she’s anything like you, I’d hire her on the spot. I’m going to need help with the bridal shop next door when it’s up and running.’
Bridie smiled. It was just as she’d thought. ‘I did mention there might be an opening. I hope you don’t mind.’
‘Not at all.’
Bridie sighed. ‘The thing is, my sister isn’t like me.’
‘Oh.’
‘I don’t mean her work ethic,’ Bridie quickly added. ‘She works very hard. It’s just that she’s been an executive in the investment banking industry since she left university and …’ Bridie trailed off.
‘Working in a shop would be beneath her.’
Bridie didn’t mean for it to sound like that. ‘Sorry. I thought it was a great idea. Cobblers Yard and everyone who works here are amazing. I love it. But my sister …’
Hannah smiled. ‘It’s all right, Bridie. Shop work isn’t for everybody. And I suspect once the theatre is up and running, if things work out, you’ll be leaving us.’
Bridie needed the job at the shop. She said as much, although she kept her plans to herself, for now, about the possibility of returning to the West End.
‘Bridie, you don’t know where things will lead once you stage your first play. Who knows, perhaps you’ll turn a decent profit, and running the theatre will become your job, and like me, you’ll become a businesswoman. I didn’t have the first clue about running a business – but look at me now.’
It hadn’t occurred to Bridie that running the theatre could be her new job.
‘What is it?’ Hannah asked. ‘You’re not thinking of chucking in the towel completely and just selling up, are you?’
When Bridie didn’t answer, Hannah said, ‘I never took you for somebody who would take the easy route.’
‘It wouldn’t be for me.’
‘Then who?’
‘My sister.’
‘Your sister? I don’t understand …’ Hannah said, leaning forward in her chair.
Bridie put Hannah in the picture. ‘When I asked my sister how I could help, she said, jokingly of course, if I could just pay off her mortgage then she’d have a lot less to worry about. You see, her husband, Andy, is a stay-at-home dad, so he hasn’t got a job either, and they’ve got two children to support. She doesn’t know that I’ve come into money.’
‘But you haven’t come into money. You’ve been gifted a theatre.’
‘Yes, and if I sell it, which apparently I’m free to do, then …’
‘Then you can pay off her mortgage.’
‘Yes, I think so. The theatre is in a prime position right on the sea front. Someone would buy it and …’
‘And turn it into a house or ugly flats,’ Hannah said, sounding disappointed.
