“I did think Billy might have tales to share if he was,” admitted Gertie.
“You know him well,” said Elizabeth with a fond smile. “The truth is that his father is a very eminent man. A friend of my father’s in fact.”
“Ah. I see.”
“Yes. You can imagine how my father reacted to that little scandal.” Elizabeth took another sip of whisky before continuing. “At first he wanted to throw me out, but then Mother made him see that this would cause even more of a fuss. It doesn’t help that my sisters have always done exactly as they were told. Married into wealthy families, produced grandchildren. Unfortunately, I decided to fall in love with a married man and have a child out of wedlock. You probably noticed from my father’s demeanor that he’s used to people doing what he tells them. So, he got in touch with all the newspaper owners he knows, and the story was suppressed. He only cares about the reputation of the great family name. He doesn’t give a fig for Billy or me.”
“But what about Billy’s father? Does he ever see him?” asked Hedy.
“He’s met him once. In a park. When he was a baby. Not exactly a memorable experience which forges a lifetime of fatherly love. He does pay for the house, however. He and my father came to an arrangement.”
“I’m so sorry, Elizabeth,” said Gertie. “For you and Billy to be pawns in all of this.”
Elizabeth shrugged. “It’s what happens when you get caught up with powerful men. I count myself as one of the lucky ones. I have Billy and I have a roof over my head. And I have you. What else do I need?”
“What about your mother?” said Gertie, leaning forward. “I don’t mean to speak out of turn, but I could see how much she loves Billy when she called ’round that Christmas. And how much he loves her too.”
Elizabeth folded her arms. “She sides with Father. She comes to see Billy, but it’s always in secret as if she’s ashamed of us.”
Gertie placed a hand on Elizabeth’s. “I understand your anguish, but I can also see how hard it is for your mother. She clearly cares about you both.”
Elizabeth shifted in her seat. “You think I should go to her?”
“You might regret it if you don’t,” said Hedy.
Elizabeth stared at her. “I’m sorry, Hedy. You must think me a monster. I know you would do anything to see your own mother.”
Hedy shook her head. “Everyone is different. My mother used to infuriate me at times, but no one loves me more than she does. I think this is the same for your mother. I saw how she was with Billy. She wants to make things better but doesn’t know how to.”
Elizabeth’s eyes brimmed with tears. “You’re right. Of course I know you’re right. I’ve just felt so alone. Until now.”
“Perhaps that’s how your mother feels,” said Gertie.
Elizabeth nodded. “I must go to her. I’ll take Billy. To hell with what Father thinks. Thank you. Both of you. I was worried you might think badly of me.”
“There are plenty of people doing terrible things in the world at the moment,” said Gertie. “I can assure you that you are not one of them.”
Margery Fortescue had pulled it off once more. The village hall was laced with the delicious scent of the fir tree she had instructed Gerald to cut from her garden that morning. It sat proudly in the corner of the stage decorated with whitewashed pinecones and homemade bows fashioned from scraps of material. Garlands of holly and ivy, which sparkled thanks to an ingenious idea from Emily Farthing to dip them in a strong solution of Epsom salts, were draped from corner to corner. The Old General hissed and wheezed from the far end of the room, ready to serve tea to the audience, which was now gathering with a murmur of excited anticipation. Gertie and Hedy took their places next to Elizabeth and Billy, who looked extremely smart in his magician’s cape and bow tie.
“Mama, do I have to do my tricks?” he whispered.
Elizabeth ran a hand through his hair. “You’ve been practicing all week, Billy.”
“I would really like to see your show,” said Hedy.
“Will you be my assistant?”
“It would be my honor.”
“We went to visit my mother last week,” whispered Elizabeth as Margery strode onto the stage.
“How is she?” asked Gertie.
“Much better, thank you. It was a good visit,” said Elizabeth.
“I’m glad, dear,” said Gertie, patting her hand.
“Good evening, everyone,” cried Margery in resounding tones. “Welcome to our Christmas revue. We have a wonderful program full of surprising talent. And to start our show, may I present Miss Eleanora Snipp, who will perform ‘Ave Maria’ on the saw.”
Gertie watched in amazement as her orders clerk, whom she had known for over thirty years, began to play this most eccentric of instruments, her expression fixed in serious concentration. It was mesmerizing and oddly charming, and one in a succession of many entertaining surprises that evening. Mr. Travers proved to be a dab hand on the harmonica, Emily Farthing entertained them with a song and comedy act that reminded Gertie of Gracie Fields, and one man rode a unicycle, another balanced bricks, and a woman tap-danced and played the banjo in perfect unison. Gertie found it all utterly delightful. When it came to Billy’s turn, his mother kissed his cheek and Hedy held out her hand.
“He’s very nervous,” whispered Elizabeth to Gertie. There was a creak behind them as the door to the hall opened. Gertie glanced over her shoulder to see Elizabeth’s mother and father appear. When Gerald stood up to let Lady Mary sit down, she accepted with a gracious tilt of her head, while her husband stood stone-faced at the side of the room. Gertie glanced at Elizabeth, who was transfixed by her son and hadn’t noticed her parents’ entrance. Billy already had the audience in the palm of his hand as he pulled a string of flags from Hedy’s pocket. Hedy was playing the perfect assistant by reacting to his actions with a mixture of astonishment and delight. Gertie and Elizabeth laughed along with everyone as Billy requested that Hedy cluck like a chicken while he waved his magic wand over an empty black felt bag. When he produced two eggs from the bag, the crowd roared. For his finale, he brought down the house by pretending to throw a jug of water, which turned out to be full of silver streamers, over the spectators. Elizabeth and Gertie leapt to their feet, whooping and cheering with the rest of the audience. Gertie stole a glance behind her and noticed that Elizabeth’s mother was doing the same, while her father’s serious expression had lifted to one of bright-eyed amusement. Billy and Hedy took several bows before he led her from the stage.
“Grandmama!” he cried, running toward the back of the hall as soon as he spied her. Elizabeth looked on in amazement as Billy flew into her mother’s arms. She turned to her father, who acknowledged his daughter with a courteous nod.
Margery appeared on the stage once more, waiting for the audience’s hush. “I would like to thank all our performers,” she said. “I hope you will agree that this has been a most uplifting evening. I must thank Mrs. Gertie Bingham for coming up with the idea in the first place.” There were cheers of agreement as she led the audience in a round of applause. Margery waited for the clamor to die down before continuing. “We are all facing difficult, dark times, but I believe that we are able to keep going because of the people around us.” She caught Gertie’s eye as she said this. “We gain strength from one another when we need it most, and I for one am grateful for that. I would like to finish this evening with a song. A friend told me that I had to sing tonight, but I would ask you to join in, because I think we all know the words. Gerald, if you would be so kind.”