There is Nothing like a Dame A novel by Bronwen Welsh Copyright© 2017, 2018 & 2019 Bronwen Welsh A sequel to 'The Might-Have-Been Girl' and 'All the World's a Stage'

Chapter 46   A big surprise

As Frank brought the tea to the table he looked at the expression on my face.

“What's wrong Harriet?” he asked.

“Well, when you say you want to discuss something personal, all sorts of things are entering my head, none of them very nice.”

“Such as?”

“I'm worried you and Dale have decided to move out, or worse still that you've decided to split up.”

F,rank laughed. “No, it's nothing like that. Let me explain.” He sat down and offered me the plate of biscuits which I declined. “When Dale and I were married, the celebrant said 'I now pronounce you husband and husband', and it just didn't sound right to me. You've always known that I took on the rôle of 'wife' in our relationship, and for a while, that was all I needed. Now I feel I need more. I kept quiet for a long while because I love Dale dearly and I didn't know how he would react; he's very perceptive for a man. (I thought to myself, 'that's more the sort of thing one woman would say to another') Eventually, he asked me what was wrong and I'm ashamed to say I burst into tears which of course really concerned him. He hugged me and like a dam breaching it all spilled out. I don't just want to take the rôle of a wife, I want to be Dale's wife.”

“You mean?”

“Yes, I want to become a woman in every way I can, just like you.”

I was shocked and relieved at the same time.

“How did Dale take it?”

“Remarkably well. You see he loves me too, and he said that anything I need to do to fulfill myself is fine by him; after all, I'll still be the same person inside, I'll just look different on the outside.”

“I hope you don't mind me asking, but how far do you want to take transitioning?” I asked.

“All the way, including surgery,” Frank replied. “I want to become 'Frances', the woman I now realise I was always meant to be. I've already been to my doctor who referred me to a specialist. He sent me for some tests and as soon as the results come back, I hope to start on hormones. I don't know why I'm telling you all this, you know it already,” said Frank, or should I now say, Frances?

“Have you already taken the first steps?” I asked.

“Oh yes. I've been dressing as a woman full time for a few weeks. You've seen me dress as a woman a few times before, but that was for a bit of fun, at least that's what I told myself. The only reason I dressed as a man today was because I didn't want to give you a shock.”

I had indeed seen Frank dressed and made up as a woman and a very pretty one he had looked. He was nervous now, clasping and unclasping his hands and I suddenly realised that he was wearing clear nail polish and how beautifully manicured his nails were. Frances noticed where I was looking and smiled. “I decided to leave my nail polish on; I do use colours too of course.”

“May I ask how they feel about this where you work?”

“They've been wonderful about it. The manager said that he had hired me for the quality of my work, not how I looked, and he would be very happy for Frances to continue to work for them. I broke the news to my workmates and they are all very supportive. I'm gradually getting them used to the idea by wearing trouser suits to work, minimal makeup and low-heeled shoes. The last thing I want to do is look like a drag queen. When they are more used to me, then I will graduate to dresses and high heels. It's fortunate that I'm doing this now when people are starting to realised the difference between transgender and transvestites.”

“Well, I'm very relieved, and of course I will help you in any way that I can. In fact, if you'd feel more comfortable wearing something more feminine now that you've told me, please don't let me stop you changing.”

Frank smiled. “I don't need to change right now, but the next time you see me, I'll be Frances.”

“Well, I have to go to the theatre to see the CEO, Duncan Morgan before I start rehearsing tomorrow, so maybe I'll see Frances when I return?”

Frank smiled. “You can count on it.”

When the 'Boss' asks to see you, it can be a bit intimidating, but I had no reason to believe that Duncan had any bad news for me. Before leaving for the theatre, I went to my bedroom and changed into a dress and heels. There was a chance that people would recognise me at the theatre and I always followed Dame Emily's advice that I should present myself the way the public expected to see me.

I parked at the theatre and entered through the front doors and yes, I was aware that some eyes were upon me. I went up to the Admin Suite and greeted Duncan's secretary Penny Lane.

“Hi Harriet! I hear you were a big star in America,” she said mischievously, reaching into a drawer in her desk and producing a print of the billboards in Florida. “Can I have your autograph, miss?”

“Oh goodness! Has everyone seen that?” I cried.

“Well if they haven't, it's not for want of me trying,” she said, laughing, and I had to laugh too.

“They're different in America, nice but different; they like to have 'stars' in their shows. For want of someone better they decided to choose me.”

“You're too modest,” she replied. “Duncan is with Sir John Richardson but he shouldn't be much longer.”

“Sir John? I thought he was retiring,” I said.

Penny laughed. “Pretend I didn't say anything. I've probably said too much already.”

Just then, Duncan's door opened and Sir John appeared. I had seen him before and he had nodded to me in that way people do when they don't actually know who you are. This time was different, he stopped to talk to me.

“Ah, Miss Stow. I understand you had a very successful season in America,” he said.

For a moment I was struck dumb and then, finding my voice said. “Yes, Sir John, it went quite well.”

“More than 'quite well' from what I've heard,” he replied. “I look forward to working with you soon.”

Not having a clue what he was talking about, the best I could come up with was “It will be an honour, Sir John.”

He smiled, nodded, and then he was gone. I noticed Duncan was standing at the open door to his office taking it all in, so I stood and walked over to where he was waiting for me.

“Come in, Harriet, and take a seat. Welcome back to Stratford. Sir John was right, your season in Florida was a great success from all my reports. In fact it went so well, they are now making inquiries about us sending a full cast over there to play Shakespeare, and of course, they insist that you are included.”

“Well, that's very flattering,” I said. “But something puzzled me just now, Sir John said something about looking forward to working with me. Do you know what he was talking about?”

Duncan smiled. “Perhaps he jumped the gun a little. Sir John is proposing to retire from the stage soon, but he wants to have one final season of 'King Lear', which has become one of his most famous rôles, a bit like you with 'Juliet'. He wants it to be presented in Stratford and of course, we are delighted to accommodate him. I've been discussing the other major rôles with Gwynneth, our Artistic Director and she suggested that you would be perfect for the part of 'Cordelia'. I know it's one of the smaller major parts, but would you like to read for it?”

I gasped. “That would be wonderful,” I said. As the youngest of Lear's three daughters, it was the obvious part for me to play.

“Excellent,” said Duncan. “It would fit in nicely after you return from the season of 'Romeo and Juliet' in Melbourne, speaking of which, there's one more project which I hope you'll be interested in; one of our major film studios is proposing to make another film of 'Romeo and Juliet', not a filmed stage version, but a proper film with the exteriors and some if not all interiors shot in Italy. I know there have been more than thirty filmed versions of the play, but they still feel there's a market for a new one, especially since the stage productions featuring you and Richard have been so successful. Keep this under your hat, for now, not all proposed film projects come to fruition, but if it does, they want you and Richard Jenkins to play the title rôles.”

I was stunned by all these projects coming up. “When would they shoot it?” I asked.

“It could be a year off, even longer, one never quite knows with films. Even when they are announced they still sometimes don't get off the ground, financing falls through, that sort of thing.”

'Goodness me. If I felt the weight of responsibility in Florida, that will be nothing compared to a film that would cost some millions of pounds to produce and is relying partly on me for its success,' I thought.

Out loud I said “Well I would be very interested in that, particularly if I get the chance to act with Richard again. I hope they don't take too long making up their minds or I will definitely look too old for the part.”

Duncan smiled. “You two certainly had great chemistry,” he said, and stupidly I found myself blushing. Richard and I had history of course, but he didn't know that, and anyway it was before I got married. If Duncan noticed, he was too diplomatic to say anything.

“Well, it's been good to see you again Harriet. I understand you are starting rehearsals for 'The Taming of the Shrew' tomorrow, so I won't keep you, but I wanted to get you up to speed on what is happening, or at least, what we hope will be happening.”

My interview was obviously at an end, so I stood up. “Thank you, Mr Duncan. I will, of course, keep quiet about the proposed film.”

Duncan stood up too and smiled. “Well I hope it happens, it will be a feather in our caps and give you the international recognition you richly deserve. You can tell your husband of course, but impress on him the need to keep quiet about it.”

I smiled and left his office. I was thrilled to have all this work coming up. One thing an actor can never rely on is a constant supply of work. Perhaps the only exception is someone acting in one of the American television soaps which seem to go on forever, but who would want to get stuck in one of those?

I walked to my car and drove back to the flat. It was no surprise to me when I was met at the door by Frances. She was wearing a pretty cotton dress, stockings and heels; her makeup was perfect and her hair brushed until it shone. She now wore red nail polish which matched the colour of her lipstick. I was very impressed.

“Hi, Frances, you look gorgeous!” I exclaimed.

Frances beamed and also blushed. “Do you really think so?” she asked.

“I really do; is Dale taking you out tonight?”

Frances laughed. “No, this is just a practice run for me, I wanted to get your opinion of how passable I looked.”

“Quite honestly, you look amazing. In fact, you're dressed exactly how a young woman would dress to go out on a date, or a night out with her husband. I think you should ring Dale and suggest he does just that.”

“That sounds wonderful but would you come with us? I still feel a bit nervous about going out as a woman.”

“Well, so long as it doesn't look like I'm 'playing gooseberry'? Alright, I'll ring Dale if you like, and I'll even make it my treat.”

I rang Dale and explained that two very pretty women were waiting to be taken out to dinner that evening and only needed a handsome man to escort them.

“Hmm. Who would they be?” asked Dale. Two can play that game.

“Well I was offering to pay for three people, but if you're not interested, we'll just have to go on our own. It's not the nineteenth century after all.”

Dale conceded defeat. “I can be there in an hour, is that alright?”

“Fine, I'll book a table now.”

I rang 'The Opposition' restaurant, or 'Oppos' to those familiar with it, which includes many in the theatrical world because it it located quite close to our main theatre. It also had the advantage of them knowing me quite well by now, so when I rang and spoke to the receptionist she immediately said: “Certainly, Miss Stow, I'll book you a table for three at seven o'clock.”

While we waited for Dale, Frances said to me “I know I've dressed appropriately for going out tonight, but can you give me some advice on the sort of clothes I should normally wear and not stand out in the crowd?”

“Well, I suppose the most obvious advice is to look at what other young women are wearing and copy them. Unfortunately, not so many are wearing skirts and dresses during the day, which I'm sure you would prefer to wear. Many women dress for comfort rather than style, and wear jeans or trousers, though why they want to copy men beats me. One exception is the classic business suit which is often a charcoal grey knee-length skirt and a jacket over a white silk blouse. You can wear that with stockings and low heels, maybe three inches at most, and people will just take you for a businesswoman, which of course you are. Daytime makeup is toned down from what you are wearing now, but you don't need me to tell you that. I'm very impressed with your makeup skills, where did you learn them?”

Frances blushed; I hadn't seen her do that much while she was Frank, but it seemed to come rather naturally now. “I went to a Transformation Service miles from here and explained what I was about to do, and they gave me lessons. I'm glad you think I've learned to do makeup well.

“I notice that you wear skirts or dresses almost all the time, even though, as you say, it might make you stand out in a crowd. Can you tell me why that is, please?”

“I transitioned so long ago that no-one is going to think that I mightn't be a woman; I also have the advantage of being an actress which means that I have to dress up because that's how the public expects me to be.”

Frances smiled. “Yes, that makes sense. I hope you didn't think I was being rude asking you that?”

“Not at all. After what I said about the way young women dress, you could say I'm the exception that proves the rule!”

Frances sighed. “You know, my favourite era was back in the fifties and sixties before I was born of course but when you see films of that era, all the women are wearing skirts and dresses with masses of petticoats. They all wore corsets and slips, stockings, not tights, and high heels. Most of them wore their hair long. They looked so feminine.” She sounded a bit wistful. She was right of course, but fashions change and women's wardrobes have to change with them.

“I'd better go and check my makeup before Dale wants to use the bathroom,” she said. I nearly commented that she didn't need to do a thing to it since it looked perfect, but realised in time that she wanted an excuse to check how she looked and make minor adjustments, so I said nothing. For 'new women', everything feminine is a great pleasure.

Dale was as good as his word and arrived within the hour. “Goodness me! You weren't wrong about the two pretty ladies. I was thinking of wearing my jeans and a tee shirt, but I think I'd better put on a suit.”

“That's a very good idea,” I said, and Frances and I both laughed.

“Give me fifteen minutes,” said Dale as he hurried into their bedroom.

Men have a certain advantage over women in that their wardrobes are quite restricted. I happened to know that Dale had two suits, so he didn't have to take much time in choosing one. Compare this to a woman who opens her wardrobe and has twenty or more dresses to chose from. It's no wonder she takes longer to dress. In addition, while men may need to shave their faces, they certainly don't need to shave elsewhere. They only have to run a brush through their hair and don't have makeup to think about. It was no wonder that Dale appeared at the doorway in fifteen minutes flat, in his suit, hair brushed, black shoes gleaming.

“Right, ladies, shall we go?” He had his Jaguar parked outside, so Frances and I sat in the back like two ladies being driven by a chauffeur.

'Oppos' was busy as usual, but we had a very nice table reserved for us and I think we caused a bit of a stir as we entered the dining room. The meal was excellent, as it always is, so there is really no need for me to describe it. We enjoyed catching up after my trip away, and Frances and Dale wanted to know all about my trip to America.

“They really see you as a star over there,” said Frances.

“Maybe, but I don't see myself as one,” I replied. “I still have so much to learn from the real stars that I'm privileged to perform with, people like Dame Emily and Sir John Richardson to name just a couple. It seems I'm going to be performing with him in 'King Lear' in about six months.”

I took pains to divert the conversation to what Dale and Frances had been doing, instead of having it all about me.

Dale's big news was that his father was very unwell and as a result, he had asked Dale to officially take over the business. Dale had been doing most of its running and organising for some time, so this was really only making officially what was already happening.

Frances's big news I'd already discussed with her and it really wasn't a topic to discuss in a restaurant in case someone overheard her. As Frank, she had a light tenor voice, and she was already sounding quite like a woman, but she still had work to do in that area.

What I will mention is something that happened as we were drinking our coffee towards the conclusion of the meal. A tall distinguished looking gentleman came up to our table.

“Excuse me interrupting you; my name is Cyrus Oppenheimer and I'm from the States,” he said. “My wife is convinced you are the Miss Harriet Stow we saw in a brilliant performance of 'Romeo and Juliet' in Florida a few weeks back.”

I agreed that I was indeed Harriet Stow.

“It was a truly great performance, absolutely mesmerising. Might I inquire if we will have the opportunity to see you perform while we are here?”

“I'm just about to start rehearsals for 'The Taming of the Shrew', but the season doesn't start for another three weeks,” I said. “Will you still be in England then?”

“We're due to leave England and spend a week in France before going on to Italy, but maybe we could fly back for a day; when you live in the States, everywhere here seems very close together,” he replied.

“The Company is currently performing 'A Winter's Tale' and 'Two Gentlemen of Verona',” I said. “I'm not performing in either of those. However, the box office is already open for 'The Shrew' if you wish to book tickets.”

“I'l speak to my wife,” Cyrus replied. “I think seeing you perform again would be the icing on the cake of our trip. Might I ask which rôle you are playing?”

“It's 'Katherine', the 'shrew' of the play,” I replied with a smile. “It will be a pleasure to play in a comedy for a change”

“In that case, we really must come back to see you perform, My apologies again for interrupting your meal,” he said, smiling at all three of us.

After he was out of earshot, Dale said: “ I don't know how you can be so nice to people when they invade your privacy like that.”

“It comes with the territory,” I replied. “He and many other people pay my wages, so it would be foolish to insult them; they would tell all their friends who would tell all of theirs. As it is, he will now give a good report of me and maybe those friends will buy some tickets to see me perform. Lest that sounds cynical, I confess I do still find it very flattering that people recognise me. It's not like I'm internationally famous.”

Dale laughed. “Well, I think he's an even bigger fan of yours than before he came over to speak to you.”

We didn't stay too long in the restaurant. While I had promised to pay, there is still an expectation that if there is a man present, he will be the one to pick up the bill, so it was placed in front of Dale. After checking the amount, I discreetly slipped him the money to cover the bill and the expected tip.

Then we headed back to the apartment, as all three of us had to work the next day.

To be continued.