Whirlwind by Charlotte Lamb Page B

looking down, wishing bitterly that it hadn't happened, that she had taken the bus as usual that night. Laird Montgomery and his penthouse and his Rolls Royce might spell glamour to Patti, but he was despicable; he used his money and the power it gave him to get hold of young girls like Patti. No doubt that was what attracted him to the theatre, that explained why he had backed this play.
    Dame Flossie darted up, incandescent with excitement, and threw her arms around Anna. 'You were wonderful, a joy to work with, your timing was perfect tonight,' she told her kissing her cheek.
    Glowing at the accolade, Anna hugged her back, the ice around her heart briefly thawing. 'Thank you, you were wonderful too, I had tears in my eyes during that last scene and I distinctly heard sniffs from the front row.'
    'Oh, so did I, my dear,' Dame Flossie agreed. 'And I opened my eyes and had a little peek, but she wasn't crying—it was a cold. She'd been blowing her nose all night.'
    Anna laughed helplessly. 'Well, my tears were absolutely genuine. You were so marvellous!'
    'You changed the business with the Chinese fan,' said Joey. 'Why did you lean against the fireplace, Dame Floss?'
    She gave him a wicked smile, her eyes apologetic. 'Joey, I had the most appalling itch right in the middle of my back and I couldn't very well scratch it while the paying customers watched, so ... '
    Joey chuckled. 'So you leant on the fireplace and scratched on that?'
    Anna laughed, too, but she was aware of Patti standing on tiptoe to whisper in Laird's ear. Dame Flossie glanced at them, too; what was she thinking? Those shrewd old eyes gave no indication.
    'Well, if we're going to join the others at this party we should be making a move now,' Joey said, looking at his watch.
    The backstage area had almost emptied of people without Anna realising it. She picked up her jacket from the chair on which she had thrown it half an hour earlier and was about to put it on when she felt Laird move behind her. His hand took the jacket and Anna tensed as he held it so that she could slip her arms into the sleeves. Typically, she couldn't manage it for a second or two, fumbling helplessly, very flushed, but at last he drew the jacket up over her slim shoulders and his hands lingered there, deliberately holding her, his fingertips moving softly, pressing down into her flesh. She intensely felt him behind her, his body not quite touching hers, and was angry with herself for being so aware of him.
    Over her head, he suddenly asked: 'What did you think of my little sister, Dame Flossie?'
    Anna's whole body jerked with shock. She looked incredulously at Patti, whose blue eyes hurriedly met hers, pleading apology in them, then fell from Anna's angry stare.
    'A very nice little performance,' Dame Flossie said gently, in time I think she'll make a good actress, but she really ought to spend some time at a good drama school, Some actresses know by instinct what to do, some have to be taught. All of us can learn something from good teachers.'
    'Oh, I'd love to go to drama school—I only wish my parents were here to listen to you!' Patti said eagerly. 'They don't want me to go on the stage, they wouldn't let me train.'
    Anna had pulled away from Laird's hands and was walking angrily towards the exit. She didn't want to hear any more. They had made a fool of her, why had they lied? Why hadn't Patti told her the truth? Why all the secrecy?
    Laird caught up with her in the street. As he grabbed her arm, Anna turned on him like a spitting wildcat. 'Leave me alone!'
    'Not until we've had a little chat!' he said, tight- lipped as he watched her. 'OK, you're angry because Patti didn't tell you I was her brother. Surely you can see why? I'm backing the play—she was afraid the cast would think she'd got her part through me.'
    'Can you blame them if that's what they think?' Anna muttered, her green eyes feverish. 'She was good enough in the part, but I can think of dozens of actresses who