Free Dead on Cue by Deryn Lake Page B

that he would meet him for a pint so made his way to The Great House. Inside, Jack Boggis was relating a tale to a small man who, so legend had it, suffered extremely with poor health. And indeed the fellow was going white as a sheet as Jack held forth.
    â€˜Trouble is that the drive to Devon gave me a terrible attack of piles,’ snorted Boggis, laughing and showing pale pink gums. ‘As soon as I arrived I said to the woman I was going to see that my arse was killing me.’
    The other fellow, who Nick believed was called Alfred Munn, asked in a ghostly whisper, ‘And what did she say to that?’
    â€˜I think she was a bit annoyed because she never answered directly. But the look on her face was enough to make me die laughing.’
    He took a deep quaff of ale and then guffawed so loudly that the people at the next table gave him a funny look.
    Kasper rolled his eyes. ‘As if we wish to know that.’
    â€˜You must hear a thing or two in your profession, though,’ Nick remarked rather waggishly.
    â€˜And so must you. The secrets of the confessional and all that.’
    â€˜Quite. Anyway, when are you coming to see the Son et Lumière?’
    â€˜The first night. Is it going to be any good?’
    â€˜I saw a bit of the rehearsal the other evening and quite frankly I felt moist about the eye. With admiration, I hasten to add.’
    â€˜In that case I can’t wait. I shall be in the front row.’
    Nick turned to Jack. ‘Excuse me interrupting your conversation, Mr Boggis, but I wondered if you would be attending the Son et Lumière that is being put on at Fulke Castle?’
    â€˜No. I don’t go to local am-drams. Don’t like ’em and can’t pretend I do. So that’s your answer, Vicar.’
    â€˜I’d like to go if I can find anyone to give me a lift,’ piped up Alfred.
    â€˜I’ll do that,’ Kasper offered valiantly. ‘I’m going on the first night.’
    â€˜Then I’ll ring up for a ticket.’
    Jack turned purple but said nothing. Unchristian as it was, Nick thought him a thoroughly objectionable old bore. He turned to Alfred.
    â€˜Thank you very much, Mr Munn. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the show.’
    â€˜I’ll pick you up at seven,’ Kasper added.
    â€˜I’m looking forward to it.’
    The vicar and the doctor regarded one another and neither could resist grinning.
    â€˜Round one to us,’ whispered Kasper.
    â€˜Agreed,’ said Nick – and they clinked glasses.

EIGHT
    I t was dress rehearsal night and all the cast had arrived early at the castle with the exception of Paul Silas who huffed in late saying that he had been held up at a business meeting. As ever, Gerry was rushing around with a loudhailer bellowing instructions at the lighting people who completely ignored him. They had been there all day and had been wonderfully looked after by Rufus’s housekeeper who had kept them supplied with teas and coffees and rounds of sandwiches at lunchtime. Gerry had also been in conference with the sound man but this conversation had been ‘sotto voce’ and as all the cast were busy getting into their costumes nobody had bothered about it. Eventually Gerry had produced a stopwatch and given the order to start from his position in the back row of the audience. The sound tape had come on and Rafael Devine’s wonderful voice had filled the auditorium.
    Paul Silas, who had just mounted his horse, was a few seconds late making his entrance but this in no way ruined the scene which Rufus, who had just slipped into a darkened corner to watch, found as moving and heart-stirring as had Nicholas. Eventually the opening spectacle went black. Then followed the next scene – the building of the castle.
    The third act was set in the year 1152 and contained the whole cast, dressed as servants and church officials and starring Sir Greville Beau de Grave – played by