Jerry Massingham’s attitude changed, and for the better. He grinned delightedly. ‘Well, I’m glad to hear it. A smart decision. I knew all along we didn’t need that new scene. We’ve got enough mystical bloody mumbo-jumbo in this picture as it is. Not that I would presume to tell Mark how to make his bouillabaisse, of course. Good. It’ll save us some money in the long run.’
Jake said, ‘That’s the spirit, Jer. I was pretty damned sure you’d see the practical side. And listen, bubeleh, I’m sorry you had to sweat it up to the post office, particularly on that antiquated machine.’
‘No harm done, laddie,’ Jerry replied with geniality, his good humour completely restored.
‘Well, you two, I’ve got to push off, I’m afraid. See you later,’ Terry announced and edged in the direction of the steps.
‘Righto, old boy,’ Jerry said, and Jake added, ‘Take it easy, Terrence.’ He put his arm around Massingham’s shoulders and went on, ‘I need to talk to you about a couple of production matters.’
Terry left them with their heads lowered, huddled together near the car, and bounded up the front steps. Inside the lobby he stopped at the desk to inquire if there were any messages, and then took the lift to the second floor. He peered at his watch as he went down the corridor, saw that he was late. Katharine wouldn’t mind, he was sure of that. She had said she was going to study her scenes until he arrived.
He rapped on the door and she opened it almost immediately. ‘Hello, Puss,’ he said.
‘Terry darling!’ she exclaimed. Her eyes swept over him. ‘Don’t you look gorgeous,’ she added, opened the door wider and led him into her suite.
‘Thanks, and I must return the compliment. Night shooting appears to agree with you, from the way you look.’
‘Merci, monsieur,’ Katharine laughed. ‘Come and sit here, it’s lovely and sunny. I just ordered fresh tea, and this funny peppery sort of cake that I simply adore.’
Terry joined her, glanced at the chunks of moist brown cake on the plate and grinned down at her. ‘That’s parkin, Katharine. One of my favourite treats when I was a kid. And it’s ginger you can taste, you silly girl, not pepper. I think I will have a piece, and milk please, not lemon, in the tea.’ He lowered himself into a chair, and announced, ‘I just bumped into Jake. And get this! Victor’s leaving us today.’
‘Yes, I know,’ Katharine replied blithely, lifting the milk jug. ‘He was here a little while ago—to say goodbye.’
‘Naturally.’ Terry chuckled knowingly, a sardonic gleam in his eyes.
Katharine’s dark head flew up and she frowned at him. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘Teacher’s pet… of course he wouldn’t leave without taking his fond farewells.’
‘For what it’s worth, he also stopped off to take his fond farewell of you,’ she retorted in an airy tone. ‘But you were out. So he told me to give you his best, and you’re to “sock it to ’em next week”, quote unquote.’
‘I see.’
‘Oh stop teasing me about Victor, Terry,’ Katharine exclaimed, sounding impatient; but there was fondness in her expression and her turquoise eyes danced with merriment. ‘Victor doesn’t pay much more attention to me than he does to anyone else in the film.’ She smiled dismissively.
‘Oh come on Katharine!’ Terry spluttered. ‘How can you say that! You have lunch with him practically every day, sit next to him on the set, or with him in his trailer here on location, and he never takes his eagle eyes off you.’
‘But I’m under personal contract to him, or rather, to Bellissima Productions, and anyway I’ve never made a film before. You have. He’s only trying to help me,’ she protested. ‘Besides, you’ve had lunch with him a lot too, and you’ve also been ensconced in the trailer with hi—’
‘Playing poker, Puss.’ Terry’s look was full of speculation. ‘What do you two do in his trailer?’ he asked with a suggestive smirk.
‘Terry! That’s enough! I don’t like the implication, particularly since you know very well I’m dating Kim Cunningham.’
‘Don’t get your knickers in a twist, Puss. I’m only pulling your leg. How is Kim, by the way? I thought he looked awfully morose last night.’
‘He’s all right—I suppose,’ Katharine sighed, her face becoming sombre. ‘I think he feels a bit neglected. He’s made it very difficult for me in some ways. He thought we’d be seeing each other every night while we were shooting in Yorkshire, but that’s been impossible. You know what it’s like at the end of the day. Frankly, I’m drained, and I’ve had my new scenes to concentrate on at night, and my preparations for the next day. Mark’s such a stickler about every single detail, as we’ve all found out. And Victor’s been on my back about getting lots of rest.’ She made a small moue. ‘I haven’t had a great deal of spare time for poor Kim, and I guess he resents it.’
‘The work does come first with you, doesn’t it, love?’
‘Yes,’ she agreed emphatically, and hesitated. ‘But—’ Katharine leaned back, and changing the subject, she said, ‘You sounded so mysterious on the ’phone. I’ve been dying to know why you wanted to see me this morning. Come on, my darling, tell me what this is all about.’
He looked at her carefully, a small smile trickling across his mouth. ‘It seems as though I never stop thanking you these days, Puss darling. That’s why I’m here. To thank you again for another good deed.’
‘What do you mean—’ She stopped abruptly. Her eyes filled with happiness, and she clapped her hands. ‘Oh goody! Hilly Steed! It worked, didn’t it, Terry?’ He nodded, excitement bubbling over in him. ‘Yes. And how! He offered me a three-picture deal with Monarch. The contracts arrived yesterday from my agent. I signed them this morning and posted them a little while ago. It looks as if we’re going to be in Hollywood together, Katharine. I start my first picture under the contract in October, when you’re starting yours. I’ve read the script and it’s bloody marvellous. A superb drama. I’ve got the second male lead, but after the first film I’ll be playing only leading men. So Hilly promised me. He’s got great plans, wants to build me.’ Terry reached out and patted her hand. ‘Anyway, I owe my good fortune to you, love. You started the ball rolling with Hillard, and whatever you said to him obviously made the right impression.’
‘Oh how wonderful, darling! I’m so excited for you, and thrilled,’ Katharine cried, her pleasure and sincerity genuine. ‘And I didn’t do much, Terry. You did it yourself really. You’re marvellous in the picture. Hilly was ecstatic about the rushes—’
‘What did you say to him?’
‘Do you really want to know?’ She did not wait for a reply. ‘I was quite clever really. That day I had lunch with Hilly at Shepperton he was raving about you, and I told him Victor felt the same way. Then I said, “In fact, I think Victor’s going to sign Terry to a personal contract with Bellissima. He believes Terry is going to be very big after Wuthering Heights is released.” I let that sink in, and I could see Hilly was turning rather green with envy. He’s very competitive with Victor, as a producer I mean. Then I delivered my punch line. I sighed, a bit sadly, patted Hilly’s arm in commiseration and said, “What a pity you didn’t think of signing Terrence Ogden first, Hilly. After all, you just missed getting me by a hair’s breadth. It looks as if Victor is about to steal another march on you. Certainly he’s cornering the market on new young talent.” Poor Hilly, he couldn’t finish his lunch. Awfully upset, poor thing. I do believe I ruined his day,’ she laughed. ‘I could see his mind ticking over. He asked me a few questions, also whether you had actually signed with Victor nor not. Naturally I was suitably vague. I suggested he call you.’ Katharine sat back, looking sweetly innocent and gratified with herself.
‘You’re incorrigible, Katharine.’ Terry shook his head.
‘Pooh, I know I am.’ She smiled at him prettily, for all the world like a mischievous child. ‘But sometimes it’s fun to be incorrigible. And I did get the desired results, didn’t I?’
‘Yes. And what if Hillard had spoken to Victor first? Then where would you have been?’
Katharine gave him the benefit of a withering look and said, her tone scathing, ‘You don’t know Hilly Street very well. He would never tip his hand like that. I was positive he would approach you immediately, that he would try to cut Victor out, and he was true to form.’ She shrugged. ‘Elementary psychology, my dear Watson.’
‘Quite so, Holmes, quite so,’ Terry responded, taking her cue, amusement tugging at his mouth. He lit a cigarette, observing her through slightly narrowed eyes. There were those who might consider that Katharine had been cunning and conniving. He preferred to think of her dealings with Hillard Steed in less derogatory terms, attributing them to an inveterate shrewdness rather than any form of devious-ness. Although this was not the first occasion she had displayed her inimitable brand of astuteness, again he was startled, as he had been in the past. Perhaps this was because her looks belied her intelligence, which he knew to be considerable, as did her air of childlike naïveté, never more pronounced than it was this morning.
Katharine filled the teapot with hot water, and asked, ‘Another cup, Terry?’
‘Yes, thanks.’ He watched her closely, his eyes evaluating. She was wearing a tailored white shirt of fine cotton voile and a navy blue cotton skirt. Both were simple, demure, could only be described as schoolgirl clothes. In point of fact, she did not look much older than sixteen at this moment. A line of Petruchio’s flew into his mind: Yet sweet as springtime flowers. Yes, that was the impression she made today, with her chestnut hair falling in tumbling waves to her shoulders, her eloquent face sparkling fresh, entirely devoid of makeup except for the bright red lipstick she generally favoured, and her eyes so brilliantly alive. A bonny Kate indeed, the prettiest Kate in Christendom, Kate of Kate Hall, my super-dainty Kate, he thought, borrowing from Shakespeare again. But no shrew was she. Just the opposite, for there was a vulnerability about her, a poignancy in her that always tugged at his heartstrings. Yet he knew she had a will of iron, a terrifying self-sufficiency and great tenacity. Perhaps this duality in her personality was the secret of her extraordinary appeal, for it gave her an elusive quality that was intriguing. Once, months back, he had seriously toyed with the idea of sweeping her off the stage, off her feet—both literally and figuratively—and into his bed smartly. But suddenly he had wavered and ultimately he had changed his mind. He was not sure why he had done so, and the moment had passed and he had never felt the impulse again. It no longer mattered. Hilary, his own true love, had come back to him, bringing him priceless gifts of adoration and understanding and belief, making him a whole and complete man once more. Giving meaning to his life.
‘You’re looking terribly serious. Is something wrong, Terrence?’
‘No, Puss.’ A gentle smile, and then, ‘Just wool-gathering, that’s all.’
Katharine returning his smile, took a sip of her tea, put the cup down and said slowly, ‘What about… Hilary?’
How much had she guessed? He felt himself stiffening but he asked casually enough, ‘What about Hilary?’
‘How did she react when she heard about your contract and that you’re leaving for California shortly?’
‘She was overjoyed. She believes that only by going to Hollywood can one truly become an international movie star. And you know Hilary, she only ever wants the best for her friends.’
‘Yes, she’s a lovely person.’ Katharine shifted in the chair, and glanced out of the window. She had been about to remark that Hilary would miss him, but she swallowed these words. Despite their new closeness, there were still some lines she was afraid to cross. There was an imperious-ness in Terry, an aloofness that sprang from his natural reserve, held him apart, forbade familiarity of a certain nature. As an actor he was nonpareil, particularly with his brilliant and stunning interpretations of Shakespearean roles, and she was for ever conscious of his prominence and standing in the English theatre, of the reverence in which he was held by his peers, and not unnaturally these considerations served as a further restraint. After a second, Katharine swung her gaze back to him, and asked, ‘And Norman? What did he say?’
‘Aha! Good old Norman! He’s on top of the world for me, of course. And very excited. I’m taking him with me to California, and Penny too; they’re so devoted and loyal, I couldn’t leave them behind. They’re going to be looking after me in their usual loving way. Apart from continuing to be my dresser, Norman’s also agreed to try his hand at being my secretary, and he’ll do a bit of driving. I suppose you could say he’ll be my major domo, or general factotum, whatever,’ Terry grinned. ‘Penny will run the house, a sort of unofficial housekeeper. You see, I’ve decided to rent a place for a couple of years. Hilly thinks Monarch will be able to find something suitable for me, either in Beverly Hills or Bel-Air.’ He stubbed out his cigarette and finished, with a lilt in his voice, ‘I’m really looking forward to this move across the Atlantic. The timing is exactly right, in more ways than one. Do you know where you’ll be camping out, Puss?’
‘Originally Victor was thinking of a bungalow at the Beverly Hills Hotel for me. But then he changed his mind. I think I’ll be staying at the Bel-Air Hotel. He seems to prefer that. I’m not sure why.’ Katharine bent closer. ‘Oh darling, it’s going to be great fun being there together. We will have some fun, won’t we?’ she cried.
‘Yes, course we will, love.’ Terry was thoughtful for a moment, then he remarked, ‘He’s awfully deceptive, isn’t he?’
‘Who is?’ she asked with a tiny frown. ‘Victor Mason.’
‘I’m not sure I know what you mean.’
‘On the surface he seems to be very easygoing, but he’s not really. Victor runs a tight ship, and he’s tough. Bloody hard-headed actually. Lately I’ve seen him lock horns with Mark Pierce more than once, and it’s not always about the spiralling costs, or the budget, even though money does preoccupy him. He wants things done his way. I suspect there’s a bit of the tyrant in Victor, in spite of his lazy, effortless charm.’
‘You’re right,’ Katharine said, ‘but let’s not forget that he’s the producer, as well as the star. He’s only being professional.’
‘I know that, love, and I wasn’t being critical. I was merely making a few observations, and anyone who underestimates him is a downright fool. Victor’s a damn sight smarter than one expects him to be. And I like him; he’s been pretty decent to me on the picture. Incidentally, talking about your admirers, how does his lordship feel about your impending departure for distant shores?’
Ignoring the innuendo, Katharine said, ‘Kim was a little startled when I first told him, but he’s accepted it now, and I’ll only be gone a few months.’
‘Oh,’ Terry said, taken aback. ‘I hadn’t realized that. I thought Victor would have another film lined up for you, after the Beau Stanton comedy’s finished.’
‘He hasn’t mentioned anything, so I’m sure there’s nothing special on the horizon.’
Terry looked at his watch. ‘I’ve got to be leaving, Puss. I have an interview with Estelle Morgan in about ten minutes, and afterwards I’m obliged to take her to lunch. That’s another reason I popped in to see you. I’d like you to join us.’
‘Oh dear, I don’t think I should, Terry. I know Estelle wouldn’t like it. I’m sure she’ll want to be alone with you.’
‘But I don’t want to be alone with her,’ Terry declared. ‘That’s the problem. She makes me frightfully nervous. I keep thinking she’s going to pounce on me at any moment.’ He grimaced and rolled his eyes. ‘A very predatory lady, our Estelle. Be a good sport, say yes. Please, Puss.’
Katharine’s laughter filled the room and she regarded him through merry eyes. ‘Don’t be such a scaredy cat. She’s harmless, and anyway, you’re perfectly capable of looking after yourself.’ But noting the plea on his face, she capitulated. ‘Oh, all right, I’ll come and protect you. But I don’t want to be there for the interview. Now that she would regard
as an intrusion. She doesn’t like an audience when she’s interviewing a subject, and I have to respect her point of view. She’s right really. Shall we say one o’clock?’
Terry exhaled a sigh of relief. ‘Thanks, Puss. And one o’clock’s fine. In the bar. That’s where we’re doing the interview, so I’ll—’ Terry paused, his eyes swivelling to the shrilling telephone.
Katharine ran to answer it. ‘Hello, Norman,’ she cried. ‘Yes, he’s here. Just a minute, love.’ She turned to Terry, beckoned to him. He strode over and took the telephone from her, and Katharine returned to her chair. Leaning back, she closed her eyes, listening. Terry had one of the greatest voices on the English stage today, and distinctively his. How many actors had tried to imitate it and failed miserably? Hundreds.
Her lids lifted and she looked more closely at that refined face and at the light blue eyes, so open and guileless. A shiver ran through her and gooseflesh speckled her arms. Terry was such easy prey for the unscrupulous. She was glad Norman and Penny were going with him to Hollywood. They would give him protection. Her gaze pulled back a fraction, and then roved over him swiftly. He was wearing dark grey slacks, a navy blue blazer and a white turtle neck sweater. Tall and lean, he looked casually elegant and debonair. The matinée idol personified, she thought. He would be a sensation in the States, of that there was no doubt in her mind.
Terry said goodbye, dropped the receiver in the cradle, and asked, ‘Why the long stares, Puss? Don’t I look all right for the interview? Should I change, put on a tie?’
Katharine shook her head. ‘Don’t be silly, your clothes are perfect. And I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sit here and scrutinize you like an insect under a microscope. Actually, I was thinking of the impact you’ll have in Hollywood. You’re going to bowl them over with your talent and your looks. As Victor would say, you’re the whole enchilada, my darling.’
Terry laughed. ‘And as Hamlet would say, “season your admiration for a while”. I’m glad you like my togs. Hilary thinks I look like a German U-boat commander in them!’ He stepped to the door, swung around. ‘I’m going to give a small luncheon tomorrow, at the Red Lion in South Stainley, the marvellous old inn I was telling you about. I’ve invited a few of my close chums in the cast. None of them know about the Monarch contract, but it’s bound to leak out in a few days. So, I thought I’d tell them myself, and it’s a good excuse for a little celebration. We’ll have a real English Sunday lunch, the kind I’ve been promising you since we’ve been here. You know, Yorkshire pud, roast beef and horseradish, roast potatoes and brussels sprouts, the lot. And trifle afterwards. Will you come, Puss? With Kim, of course. And look, bring Francesca along if you want.’