East Fortune by James Runcie Page A

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 hadn’t 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 Church’s 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 Ian’s life now consisted of conserving his energy and making sure that he wasn’t surprised or caught out by old age. He had to concentrate harder on tasks that he had previously taken for granted. He wasn’t 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.
    â€˜You know Jack’s bringing a friend?’ he said as he watched Angus move the flats into position.
    â€˜Male or female?’
    â€˜Female.’
    â€˜You don’t think…’
    â€˜We’d better not ask. She’s Polish, apparently.’
    â€˜How did he meet her? Jack hardly ever goes out.’
    â€˜She’s called Krystyna.’
    â€˜Sounds very exotic. How old is she?’
    â€˜I didn’t like to ask,’ said Ian. ‘Jack’s been quite moody recently.’
    â€˜He’s always moody.’
    â€˜I thought Krystyna could be the Captain.’
    â€˜Are you sure that’s wise?’ Angus lifted another panel and asked his father to hold it steady while he weighed it down. ‘Bit of a baptism of fire, coming to the family play.’
    â€˜Well, she can see us warts and all.’
    â€˜You’d have thought she might have better things to do.’
    â€˜Oh I don’t know. A day in the countryside, a spot of Shakespeare…’
    â€˜Was it your idea to ask her?’
    â€˜Jack volunteered. He said that it would make up for his girls not coming, and besides, he said that she’d been having a hard time. Apparently she needs cheering up.’
    â€˜I can’t see Jack cheering anyone up.’
    â€˜Now, now.’
    â€˜And he’s playing Feste, for God’s sake. All that gloomy singing…’
    â€˜It will be an adventure for her.’
    â€˜I thought Jack had renounced the world to concentrate on his work?’
    â€˜Apparently not…’
    â€˜And I’d have thought he would be a bit out of practice with the ladies.’
    â€˜Well, we’ll just have to see, won’t we?’
    Ian had never examined his sons’ 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 wasn’t about to make a fool of himself.
    â€˜And here’s Sir Toby!’ he called when Douglas got out of his car. ‘And the lovely Viola. Have you learned your lines?’
    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.
    â€˜Not quite, Father.’
    â€˜That means you haven’t learned them at all.’ He wished his children would make more of an effort.
    â€˜I’m sure we’ll muddle through,’ said Emma, stepping forward to kiss Ian on the cheek.
    â€˜Muddle through? That’s hardly the spirit. I’m relying on you. You’re the professional, after all.’
    â€˜Well, Ian, I’ll see what I can do.’ It was so demeaning for a proper actress to do am. dram. The rest of the family