Part Five   "Actors"

 
 
Friday 4th September
 

"So you can do my car on Monday? Not before?"

"Sorry Miss, Monday's the best I can do. You're fortunate that we had a can of the touch up spray for you car from the last time you had an accident."

"This wasn't an accident, it was criminal damage."

"Nine o'clock Monday."

"Okay, thanks."

Tammy put the phone down, she needed her car over the weekend and wasn't looking forward to the questions that would come once her friends saw the damage. The previous evening her insurance company had agreed it was primarily a matter for the ship's insurers, however this was a moot point as the damage had been caused by a former employee.

"But she was allowed on board by a serving officer who did nothing to prevent this."

"I'm sorry, Miss Smart, that's their argument and not our position. Once we know whether there will be criminal charges, and what form those charges will take, we will be able to finalise the claim."

"In the meantime my lovely car remains damaged."

"We'd have to get it assessed by the nearest main dealer."

"That's probably Aberdeen, four hours from here. Forget it, I'll have my local garage handle it again."

"Again?"

"It'll be on your screen, a randy ram took exception to the passenger door three months ago."

"I see. Do you wish to discontinue the claim?"

"No, but do you have any objections if I have a cosmetic cover up in the meantime?"

"That's fine, but we'll expect detailed photographs."

"Thank you."

Tammy drove around to collect Cathy, who had an appointment with Kelly Masters, her solicitor.

"It's strange being back in the house, Michael's with his boyfriend and mum's out of the country. That means I'm rattling around in there with no-one to talk to. How about a sleepover this weekend?"

"It's tempting, who did you have in mind?"

"Julie for one."

"That could get awkward."

"She's been my friend since school, and you said she wasn't at fault."

"No, it was her sister, Leanne, but Julie felt some guilt and walked because of it."

"So why is it awkward? Your dad gave her good references so she could get another job easily."

"We didn't have anything in common when she worked for us so I have no idea what to talk to her about."

"I guess so, but we're girls so that kind of problem doesn't last for long."

"Okay, can I ask a friend too?"

"Sure."

Tammy parked in the large carpark near the quay as it was more convenient for the solicitor's office. Despite assurances that this would simply be a meeting to start the divorce process, Cathy asked Tammy to stay with her for reassurance; apparently the counter claim had been received from her soon-to-be-ex husband's solicitor. First, Cathy sorted out a name change and reverted to her maiden name, then the main business started.

"Miss Smart, anything you hear in here is subject to client confidentiality and not for dissemination outside this room, do I make myself clear?"

"Plainly."

"Good, sorry about that but it means I can chuck so-called supporters out of the room when they start to interfere."

"Oh, that's understandable."

"I understand Mrs Small has remarried?"

"She's now my mum."

"Congratulations."

"Thanks, but we're here about Cathy!"

"Of course."

An hour later, Cathy had been through the mill, David's solicitor was claiming infidelity and had sent a list of those who had apparently enjoyed carnal relationships with Cathy. Kelly Masters went through the list one at a time, it was insufficient for Cathy to deny all the allegations en bloc.

"The last one is Tom Smart."

"You're joking?"

"No Miss Smart, oh."

"Oh, indeed. Did you know I was a bridesmaid at Cathy's wedding?"

"Did you ever...?"

"NO!" The pair responded in unison.

"I see, I'm sorry if this is difficult but we need to address each point, regardless of how ..."

"... vexatious it is?"

"Yes, Miss Smart."

"Well, Miss Masters, I can see the hand of Yvonne Stewart up David's back; she's making a mockery of the legal process."

"It's his statement, no-one else's."

"And it has her handiwork all over it."

"Can you prove that?"

"Not right now, but he can't prove a single one of those allegations, can he?"

"He doesn't need to."

"That's ridiculous. If the allegation against me isn't withdrawn I will engage my own solicitor."

"Unfortunately you shouldn't even be aware of this and you've heard it due to privileged access."

"Damn."

"Right, if Ms McPherson and I can continue?"

"Of course."

The discussions continued for another hour, by which time Tammy and Cathy were mentally exhausted. A counter-counter claim would go back to David's solicitor demanding evidence of any extramarital affair, as well as the return of Cathy's car.

Neither were in the mood for socialising so they returned to Elsie's house for lunch. Richard had suggested to Tammy that she keep out of the way as the new member of staff, Zara, was starting that morning after a successful interview. The girls settled in the conservatory.

"What's your plan for the weekend, Tammy?"

"We're holding auditions at the theatre tomorrow morning so that could take hours. Fancy a part in Guys and Dolls?"

"Not for me, I have enough trouble organising the nativity play at school."

"How are you going to manage getting there on Monday, and weren't you supposed to be back today?"

"The Head gave me a few days, I'm handling the reception class this year and they don't start until next Wednesday. I hope I'll have my car back by then."

"Yeah, how long did Kelly say before it would be returned?"

"She didn't, David could play difficult."

"So you report it stolen?"

"I don't want to stir things, it'll be bad enough later without any muck raking at this stage."

Tammy sighed, "I just hope I never end up in a divorce."

"Look, I never imagined it either, but do you remember Lady Di saying 'There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded.'?"

"Before my time, sorry."

"Well, that's how it started to feel when Yvonne was moved up this way."

"I thought she was in prison down south, on remand?"

"She was moved in July to HMP Cornton Vale in Stirling and that was close enough for David to start visiting her instead of the odd phone call."

"Oh, so what do you think happened?"

"He would go there on a Friday night and get back on Sunday morning, but I have no idea what they said. He used to have an open mind and he used to ask how you were doing, but recently he changed his view on most things."

"That's sad."

"Yeah, I really didn't know if it was David or Yvonne speaking at first, but by the end it was almost all Yvonne. That's why I had to get out."

"I don't blame you there, I guess that many women would stand by their husbands regardless?

"That may have been the case twenty years ago but I really don't think many women, or men, would accept domestic abuse whether it's physical or emotional?"

Tammy sat and considered this, having been closeted inside that school all news was third-hand through court reports or scandal sheets. Where this subject was concerned, the only wife, or former wife, Tammy had ever sat with had been Joan.

"So you were left with no option?"

"No, he was trying to mould me into the kind of woman his sister would accept. I wouldn't accept that from him, or anyone."

Thomas brought a tray of sandwiches but closed the door to the sitting room as he left.

"So, Cathy, what was David like before all this happened? I mean the first time I met him was at your wedding and then only a few times since."

"He was sweet, thoughtful, loving and respectful. That's why I fell in love with him, he knew when I needed a hug, when to stop what he was doing, when to do little things for me."

"I'm no good at this, I've never had a relationship like that."

"You're just nineteen and only now are you exploring the world. Now, what did you do in the summer?"

Tammy left out plenty of detail, but her days with Daniel, especially one particular day, were pulled apart."

"So, Miss Smart, you described Daniel as sweet and considerate, despite not having any yardstick with which to compare him."

"Oh."

"It's in your genes, you see, it's something that all girls know. When you meet the right boy, you'll know. Until then, feel free to experiment and play, it's all part of the learning experience."

"What about sex?"

"Sex can be fun, but it can never be the sole reason for a relationship. If the other elements aren't there then neither should there be any sex on offer."

"Good, as I don't want to throw myself around."

"You would get a reputation in no time, believe me!"

"Thing is, there are some here who knew me when I was Tom, so I don't think I can have a boyfriend."

"Who knew you, Tammy? Last year's Upper Sixth have gone, flown from the roost. I bet there's many lower sixth who only ever met Tammy, you only did eight weeks of last year as Tommy?"

"Something like that."

"Kids' memories fade fast. I'd bet they don't venture into town much so they wouldn't be a problem anyway. You didn't spend any time in town when you were Tom, either?"

"No, most of that time was as Tammy, even before I changed."

"You didn't change, dear, you're the same person, just an upgraded version!"

"Yeah, but I didn't cost six million dollars!"

The girls decided a swim was a good idea but Tammy didn't have a cossie.

"Never mind, I don't think it'll be a problem even though I didn't pack one either!"

 
Saturday 5th September
 

"Welcome everyone, I'm pleased so many had turned up this morning. My name is Tammy Smart and I'll be directing this show. With me are Hilary Bull who is a trustee of the theatre and Sandy Franklin who is the musical director and is sat at the piano.

Tammy paused.

"How many of you are familiar with the play?"

A few hands went up. Tammy took the opportunity to scan the room for a few familiar faces, finding Lori, Jeri and Josie. There was no sign of Angela, Yusuf, Tanya, John or many of the cast of Macbeth.

"Okay, I hope everyone realises that this is a musical and that every part has at least one song, although some are choruses not solos. The lead actors will all have solo parts to sing so we need to concentrate on that for now."

Tammy went first for the girls who might make a reasonable Sister Sarah Brown or Miss Adelaide. A queue formed by the piano as Sandy ran through some sample lyrics. Hilary made a note of names and whether they had made the short-list.

This was repeated for the lead male roles, by which time John and Tanya had arrived. Tammy knew John could sing so sent him straight to Sandy.

"Why are you so late, Tanya?"

"I had my driving test."

"And?"

"I passed!"

"Third time lucky then!"

"Hey, how do you know .....?"

"Never mind, are you still on for tonight?"

"Maybe."

"Come over for dinner at six, the McPhersons place."

"Okay."

"So, do you want to try for one of the lead roles?"

"No, I just came along with John."

Whilst Sandy, and Hilary, were sorting out the actors' voices, Tammy went to speak to Jeri and Lori.

"We haven't decided if we'll put a band on the stage for the nightclub scenes."

"You should."

"I know, but Sandy and I haven't had a chance to discuss it."

"Okay, we've discovered that Josie is a drummer."

"Oh?"

"She came to the school as she might board and saw the keyboard in my room, and the guitars in Jeri's room. So, we got talking."

"That's excellent," Tammy looked around, "where did she go?"

"The loo, girl issues."

"She wasn't planning on practising in the dorm was she?"

"No! I wasn't!"

Tammy spun around, she'd last seen Josie during Macbeth but the girl was a little taller and certainly had gained an inch or two elsewhere.

"I though you lived in the town, why would you board?"

"My father's got a contract in Aberdeen and mum's going with him."

"Oh, sorry to hear that."

"It's not a problem for me, I get to look after dad's drum kit and they keep my irksome little brother out of my hair."

"Well, in that case, I think we have a band. I suspect the school music library will have a full script and all the music, or at least can get them."

Tammy headed over to the piano and passed on that news, although according to the script, the band was all male. The minor actors were being processed as well as nominating understudies for the main roles. Tanya, against her better judgement, agreed to understudy the girl playing Sister Sarah.

By half past twelve all those who remained had roles, or understudy parts, assigned to them. Lori had taken over from Sandy at the piano and was playing a few show tunes, just for the hell of it. Hilary had obtained full contact details for everyone, Tammy wondered if there was an ulterior motive.

"Not at all, Tammy, I'll email a link to you and Sandy, then you'll be able to access a spreadsheet that will include how often they turn up for rehearsals as well as telephone numbers and email addresses."

"Did get signatures as well?"

"Of course."

"Are any under sixteen?"

"None, there are six under eighteen so I gave them parental consent forms."

"I'd forgotten about the forms."

"I hadn't, so no problem."

As had been the tradition, many of the group met for lunch in the Castletown Hotel's lounge. For a few it was a new experience, especially when they didn't even have five pounds on them.

Tammy decided to take command. "As it's the first time many of us have got together, I'll pay for a round of drinks, non-alcoholic only." A couple of the boys made excuses and left, Frances came over and took the orders for the remaining girls and boys.

The lead female actors were Katie, a writer and graphic artist who wanted to try something different, plus Samantha who was doing a teacher training degree at the University.

Between them, Tammy, Sandy, John, Tanya and Lori tried to describe how the past productions had gone and what the new girls could expect. Sam had read about the incident the previous December.

"I was pulled off stage by that horrible man."

"Who was he?"

"A school teacher who hated girls it seemed." Tanya was stretching things a little.

"What happened to him?"

"He passed away before he could be prosecuted."

"Oh, why did he do it?"

"We'll never know."

The group split soon after, Tammy hadn't managed to talk to the boys so would try to do that next week at the first rehearsal. Lori was driving Jeri to a car dealership where, hopefully, she could buy her first car. John was taking Tanya home and perhaps might join the others for the sleepover.

Tammy had almost reached her car when she received a call from Cathy.

"Kelly just called, my car's been found burnt out in Wick."