There is Nothing like a Dame A novel by Bronwen Welsh Copyright© 2017 & 2018 Bronwen Welsh A sequel to 'The Might-Have-Been Girl' and 'All the World's a Stage'

Chapter 45   Return to Stratford.

Gladys started and nearly dropped her knife and fork: “What was that?” she gasped

I toyed with the idea of making something up, but realising that the Captain was bound to make an announcement in a few minutes, I thought the truth was best.

“I think there's a problem with one of the engines,” I said. “I'm sure the crew have it in hand and we do have three more working perfectly well.” I mentally crossed my fingers.

“Oh dear, and on my very first flight too,” said Gladys, but it seemed my apparent calmness reassured her.

Then the Captain's voice came over the loudspeakers. I don't know if they're taught to do this at pilot school, but they always sound so calm, whatever the crisis. After all, since our lives were in the Captain's hands, if he sounded scared, panic might ensue.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. As some of you are aware, we have a technical problem with one of our four engines which has had to be shut down. This aircraft can fly perfectly well on three engines, but as a precaution, we have been diverted to Shannon Airport in Ireland where we should land in about thirty minutes. You will be transferred to another aircraft to complete your journey to Manchester. We apologise for any inconvenience. Please continue to enjoy your breakfast.”

As a professional actress, I could have said it was a good act, but it seemed to work and the passengers stayed calm. I did some checking later and discovered that a 747 can fly perfectly well on only two engines and can even stay in the air on one, although it can't maintain its height and gradually descends. That really would be a problem. There have been a couple of famous cases of 747s flying into a volcanic ash cloud which caused all four engines to shut down. Fortunately, the crew were able to restart them and land safely. The 747 must be one of the safest aircraft ever built. However, nowadays planes are diverted well away from any active volcanoes.

I looked out of the porthole again and was pleased to see that flames were no longer visible, so I did the only thing I could do and continued to eat my breakfast. My apparent lack of concern seemed to rub off on Gladys. I'm only human, and that thirty minutes seemed to last a very long time. Eventually, the plane started to descent, and the captain announced that we would be landing in about ten minutes. We descended lower and lower and now we could see the country below us which was a great relief. There was the usual thump when the wheels were lowered and I had to explain to Gladys what was happening. A few minutes later we saw the airport buildings, then the sound of the wheels hitting the runway and the remaining engines going into reverse thrust mode to slow us down. I think there was a collective sigh of relief from all the passengers, whom I'm sure had all been holding their breath for the last few seconds, I know I had.. The aircraft slowed right down and swung off the main runway to taxi towards the terminal.

We were told that we would be escorted into a departure lounge and telephones made available to those without a mobile phone so that they could speak to anyone waiting for them in Manchester. I rang Reggie who was on his way to the airport, explaining what had happened and saying I would ring again when I had an idea of what time we would arrive.

“You sound remarkably calm for someone who's been through a crisis,” he said.

“Well, there's no point in panicking when there's absolutely nothing you can do but sit there and rely on the skill of the flight crew,” I replied.

Reggie laughed. “The unflappable Harriet Stow,” he said.

Gladys's nephew was coming to pick her up in Manchester but of course, she had no idea what his mobile phone number was.

“Never mind. I'm sure there will be an announcement at the airport, so he won't be worrying,” I said.

About an hour later we boarded another 747 which had been sent to pick us up. Gladys had asked to sit next to me again; it seemed I gave her confidence. The very short flight from Shannon to Manchester passed without incident and soon we were touching down again. I stayed with Gladys as we passed through Immigration, although we were separated for a while since I was a Briton returning home whereas she was an American visitor.

We found our luggage and went out into the Arrivals Hall. I saw Reggie immediately and after a big hug, introduced him to Gladys. Her nephew proved a bit harder to locate as he really didn't know what she looked like apart from the occasional photograph. Eventually, when the crowds thinned out a bit, we found him and I said goodbye to Gladys for the time being, promising to contact her again when I came down to Stratford in a week or so.

As we walked towards the terminal exit, two of the airport 'paparazzi' raced up to take our picture and asked how my trip had been. It seemed I was now famous enough to be recognised by newspaper reporters. I wasn't sure that was a good thing, but I supposed it came with the territory.

It was wonderful to be back in York with my husband again, and as you can imagine, we made up for lost time. The following morning he left early for the university leaving me to sleep in!

I haven't mentioned Thomas for a while, but all the time I was in America I kept in regular contact with Emma as well as Reggie, and I was pleased to hear that Thomas was responding very well to treatment. That morning I drove to Bridchester to visit Emma, Aunt Peggy and the children. I had bought small gifts for everyone and as Thomas had lost his hair due to the chemo, he was very pleased to get a Miami Dolphins Football Team cap. When I was passing through Boston previously, I had bought him a New England Patriots cap and I'd promised to buy him one wherever I went in America. Children never forget promises, something we adults sometimes forget. The other children weren't left out with dolls for Stella and Elizabeth, and a charm bracelet for Penny.

It was good to see Aunt Peggy again. Now that Thomas was on the mend, she was preparing to return to Australia and her family. I thanked her once again for her kindness in coming to help us in our hour of need.

“No worries,” she replied. “I'm always glad to help out, you know that. So when are you coming to Australia again?”

“My agent has organised my appearance for a month in Melbourne in about six months' time. I'll be playing Juliet for the very last time as I'm getting too old for the part. I confess, I'm going to miss it. When I'm an old lady, I'll put on the video recording and think to myself 'Was I ever really that young?'” I said laughing.

“So how does it feel to be a star?” said Emma, mischievously. She was looking so much better than when I last saw her. Thanks to Thomas's improving health, she looked more like her normal self. I blushed at her question as she had known I would, but I didn't really mind. Instead of denying it, I replied as follows -

“It was quite a shock to see my name above the title, and that huge picture of me on the billboards. They certainly do things differently over there. Actually, it's a huge responsibility. I was acutely aware that all those people were paying a lot of money to watch me perform, and they expected to get their money's worth. Thank goodness nobody booed, so I assume that they were not disappointed.”

“I'm sure you did give value for money. All jokes aside, you're a better actor than I'll ever be,” said Emma, which was very kind of her.

“And you're a better mother than I would have been,” I said, trying to deflect attention from myself.

-

On Saturday we had a farewell lunch for Aunt Peggy at Emma and David's home. The children were asking why she had to go and it was explained to them that Aunt Peggy had her own family in Australia who wanted to see her again. I don't think the children were convinced!

The following Monday, Aunt Peggy was flying out from Manchester. It was agreed that I would take her to the airport and then continue on to Stratford. I wasn't due to start rehearsing until the following day, but I hadn't been there for so long, I wanted to catch up with Dale and Frank and possibly do a little shopping. By sleeping at Stratford, I would get to the rehearsal room at ten o'clock without having to set out from York while it was still dark.

There were plenty of tears when Aunt Peggy's suitcases were loaded into my car and the final hugs and kisses exchanged. It was only when Aunt Peggy promised to come back and see the children again one day that they appeared a little molified. Then we both got into the car and I drove off, with Aunt Peggy dabbing her eyes. Saying goodbye is always hard.

As we drove to Manchester we chatted, mainly about the family and my career. I wanted her advice about Stella, asking if she thought we'd done the right thing about having her brought up in Emma and David's family.

“I know it's the best thing for her, but when she grows up will she be cross that her father and stepmother effectively palmed her off, even if it was with another branch of the family?”

“I think you worry too much, my dear,” said Aunt Peggy. “You are right, it would never have worked for you and Reggie to try and bring her up, when you are away so much and Reggie is away at University each day. She would spend half her time being baby-sat and getting very insecure. When she is older, she will understand. In the meantime, she is obviously very happy in a warm family environment.”

I was very relieved by this assessment from someone whose opinion I really respected.

“Now, what about you? Your career seems to be going from strength to strength,” she said.

“I've been very fortunate,” I responded. “When I get to Stratfrd I will be rehearsing for 'The Taming of the Shrew'. It will be nice to perform in a comedy for a change, even though I've really enjoyed playing Juliet. I'm looking forward to going to Australia as well; it's only a few months off.”

“This time I hope you will have a couple of days free so that you can visit us at home in Yack.”

“I do hope so, I'll really look forward to that. You must be so keen to get home again. You mentioned that Ron Junior wants to be a farmer like his dad, and Flora wants to be a nurse?”

“Oh yes, they've both got their heads screwed on and are quite determined on their choice of career. That's a good thing, since so many young people don't really know what they want to do. Young Ron will probably stay on the farm but we are encouraging him to keep studying as farming is becoming more complex than it once was. Flora will have to go to nursing school which will probably mean going to live in Melbourne for a awhile, but she won't be too far away.”

“Nursing is a great career for a young woman – they are in demand all round the world. It's much more secure than what I do.”

Aunt Peggy laughed “Well you seem to be doing alright!” I had to laugh with her.

We parked at Manchester Airport and it was time to say goodbye for now. At least I knew that I would be seeing her and the rest of her family in a few month's time. We were early, so after she had checked in, coming back to me wide-eyed and saying “They've upgraded me to First Class!” I had mentioned that if she looked smartly dressed there was always a chance of that happening, but of course it always depended on how full the sections were.

We had a cup of coffee and then it was time for her to board the aircraft. We hugged and kissed, and then she was off, through the double doors. I didn't wait to see the aircraft take off, since she couldn't see me and I couldn't see her, so I retrieved my car and took the road for Stratford. I had contacted Dale and Frank as a courtesy to let them know I was arriving that day. It wasn't to give them a chance to clean up since I knew that the apartment would be in perfect order, largely due to Frank.

I charged Dale and Frank a rent which any estate agent in Stratford would have told me was crazily low, but there was method in my madness. I didn't want them to leave, so, in the immortal quote from 'The Godfather', I 'made them an offer they couldn't refuse'. Where else would I find a couple who would look after the place so well, especially since I was away so often? Every so often, Dale and Frank told me they thought the rent should be raised and in paying so little they were taking advantage of me, but I assured them that I was very happy with things the way they were, and that they made up for the low rent by all the work they put into keeping the apartment in such good order.

When I pulled up outside the apartment I was surprised to see Frank's car was there. As soon as I went through the front door, he rushed up to greet me with a hug and a big kiss on the cheek.

“You're looking great Harriet! What a success you had in America! I read all the reviews, and I so wish I could have been there to see you perform!”

I laughed. “I wasn't expecting to see you here Frank.”

In turn he laughed. “Well it's my rostered day off and I thought I should clean up before you arrived.”

“Clean up? If I see a speck of dust it will be lonely,” I replied.

Frank's expression changed. “Actually, there's another reason I'm here; there's something I want to talk to you about. It's rather personal. Shall I make a cup of tea so we can sit down and chat?”

This was a shock to me and thoughts flashed through my brain. Were he and Dale splitting up? Or had they decided to move out after all? I sat at the kitchen table and waited while Frank made two cups of tea and put some biscuits on a plate, although I had suddenly lost my appetite.

To be continued.

Author's note – I would like to wish all my readers the Compliments of the Season. Thank you so much for your support during the year, your kudos and especially your comments on each chapter. Harriet's story will continue early in the New Year – sorry to end this year on a cliffhanger again but I'm sure you'll forgive me! Bronwen