Free The Birthday Present by Pamela Oldfield Page B

even miss me. It will be such a big day for her.’
    He regarded her unhappily, considering the idea from every angle.
    Determined, Marie went on. ‘Imagine if I came and then collapsed or something, in the middle of everything! It would ruin the best day of her life!’
    Marcus nodded. ‘I take your point but  . . . I don’t know about Rose. She might be willing to come with us but when? She is so set on her career and she has an interview coming up with the owner of Andy’s Supper Room. I’ve advised her against it but she’s determined to audition. It would be asking a lot from her, to give up that opportunity.’
    For a few moments they sat in silence, thinking over the ramifications of the scheme, and Marie watched her brother hopefully.
    At last he shrugged. ‘I suppose we should take one step at a time. We must first ask Rose if she would do it. If not, that’s an end to it. If she says “Yes”  . . . we’ll take another step.’ He patted her hand. ‘How’s that? Is that enough for tonight? Will that make you sleep better?’
    Marie threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. ‘That’s wonderful, Marcus. And will you ask her tomorrow?’
    ‘I promise. Mind you, I may not be able to stay there with you for the week. I may have to come back for my work but I could pop over to bring Rose back, of course. We can’t expect her to sacrifice her plans for long.’
    Marie was nodding enthusiastically. ‘But at least I’ll be with Mother. I shall feel  . . . safer with her and not so anxious. And I like Gerard. I can see why Mother fell in love with him.’
    For a moment her optimism wavered. She had thought many times that she would never have time to fall in love and she felt that God had cheated her a little but she had never spoken of the matter to anyone and never would.
    She watched Marcus leave and then she settled down in bed and smiled into the darkness. She couldn’t believe that Rose would refuse but prayed earnestly to God, asking for His help. Then, to make doubly sure, she crossed her fingers anyway. Suddenly she had something to look forward to.
    Rose felt that it was taking forever for Monday to arrive but it came at last and so did the taxi. She was disappointed to discover that, contrary to her expectations, Steven had not come with it, but at least the great moment had arrived. Her father came to the front door to wave her off and the next-door neighbour, Mrs Trilby, shouted ‘Best of luck, Rosie!’
    Throughout the journey, Rose talked non-stop to the driver, explaining the circumstances of her ride, and she felt that he was properly impressed. She was longing to arrive but dreading the interview in case she was turned down. It would be such a humiliation.
    ‘Here we are, miss, and I’m to wait outside and take you home.’
    Rose stared out of the taxi window and was suddenly lost for words. It was not quite as she had pictured it. The sign over the double doors said ‘Andy’s Supper Room’ but it definitely lacked that show business magic she had expected. The painted sign looked a little faded but there were lamps at the edges of the sign and she tried to convince herself that it would look exciting after dark.
    The driver said, ‘This is it, miss. I’ll be waiting. OK?’
    ‘Yes.’ Feeling breathless, Rose stepped down on to the damp pavement, which was littered with used tickets and crumpled sweet wrappers. Rose climbed out of the taxi, carefully avoiding a small pile of dog mess, thanked the driver and assumed a shaky smile.
    She was wearing her best clothes and carried her costume, a new parasol and shoes.
    The driver watched her. ‘Well, go on then!’
    Rose took a deep breath, pushed one of the doors open and went in. She found herself in the dark and had to wait for her eyes to become accustomed to the gloom. She could smell cigarette smoke, stale beer, fatty food and lingering perfume. From somewhere nearby an elderly woman appeared. She was scrawny, a