Ian had decreed that, whether it was history, comedy, or tragedy, most Shakespeare plays needed battlements.
He was wearing a threadbare Viyella shirt and a pair of faded red corduroys. He hadnât bothered to dress properly because he was planning to go through his costumes later that morning. In fact he was still wearing his slippers; a twenty-year-old pair of Churchâs with one heel down. He had hinted that someone might like to give him a new pair for his birthday but guessed that his family probably thought he was too old to get the wear out of them.
He asked Angus to carry out the stage weights. They were heavier than he had remembered. So much of Ianâs life now consisted of conserving his energy and making sure that he wasnât surprised or caught out by old age. He had to concentrate harder on tasks that he had previously taken for granted. He wasnât sure his children realised what an effort his life had become, but then, he flattered himself, it was probably because he disguised it so well.
âYou know Jackâs bringing a friend?â he said as he watched Angus move the flats into position.
âMale or female?â
âFemale.â
âYou donât thinkâ¦â
âWeâd better not ask. Sheâs Polish, apparently.â
âHow did he meet her? Jack hardly ever goes out.â
âSheâs called Krystyna.â
âSounds very exotic. How old is she?â
âI didnât like to ask,â said Ian. âJackâs been quite moody recently.â
âHeâs always moody.â
âI thought Krystyna could be the Captain.â
âAre you sure thatâs wise?â Angus lifted another panel and asked his father to hold it steady while he weighed it down. âBit of a baptism of fire, coming to the family play.â
âWell, she can see us warts and all.â
âYouâd have thought she might have better things to do.â
âOh I donât know. A day in the countryside, a spot of Shakespeareâ¦â
âWas it your idea to ask her?â
âJack volunteered. He said that it would make up for his girls not coming, and besides, he said that sheâd been having a hard time. Apparently she needs cheering up.â
âI canât see Jack cheering anyone up.â
âNow, now.â
âAnd heâs playing Feste, for Godâs sake. All that gloomy singingâ¦â
âIt will be an adventure for her.â
âI thought Jack had renounced the world to concentrate on his work?â
âApparently notâ¦â
âAnd Iâd have thought he would be a bit out of practice with the ladies.â
âWell, weâll just have to see, wonât we?â
Ian had never examined his sonsâ relationships closely. Angus and Tessa were fine in themselves; but Douglas and Emma found it impossible to conceal their difficulties and for Jack to break his near-monastic existence with this new girl was very odd. He only hoped that his son wasnât about to make a fool of himself.
âAnd hereâs Sir Toby!â he called when Douglas got out of his car. âAnd the lovely Viola. Have you learned your lines?â
Douglas sighed. His father could think of nothing but his bloody play. He had no idea how busy their lives were, how tense their journey from Glasgow had been, and what an effort it had been to persuade Emma to come in the first place.
âNot quite, Father.â
âThat means you havenât learned them at all.â He wished his children would make more of an effort.
âIâm sure weâll muddle through,â said Emma, stepping forward to kiss Ian on the cheek.
âMuddle through? Thatâs hardly the spirit. Iâm relying on you. Youâre the professional, after all.â
âWell, Ian, Iâll see what I can do.â It was so demeaning for a proper actress to do am. dram. The rest of the family
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