An Angel in the Pantry
Rachael wasn't the only one to seek refuge in 'The Pantry' there was only one unoccupied table. Next week the small coffee shop would close. Like many other businesses it had suffered from the awful summer.
"May I join you?"
Rachael glanced up at the grey haired man standing before her table. She nodded grumpily although she would have preferred to refuse. If only? Still he was just being polite.
He placed his coffee on the table and sat opposite her. "Awful weather."
Oh lord he was going to make conversation. She turned her head to the window she knew only too well what she would see, rain streaming down the glass, on a sunny day one could watch the shoppers hurrying by. Rachael liked watching people, surveying their clothes- the way they walked was important to her.
"Shall I move?"
Shame brought a faint blush to her cheek. It wasn't like her to be rude or unkind. "No of course not. Do forgive me I was miles away."
"Something is troubling you. Can I help?"
Rachael shrugged and shook her long black hair showering the table with rainwater. Hastily she wiped the drips with her napkin. The man laughed. He had a pleasant deep chuckle.
"Tell me, you never know."
Rachael sighed. Why should he help her even if he could? She was just one of a million others about to lose her job a job that meant more to her than anything else in the world. She finished her coffee and took her mac from the back of her chair. To her embarrassment he stood up and held the mac for her. In a sudden impulse she opened her handbag and took out a theatre ticket.
"Can you use this? It's for tonight."
Without waiting for his reply she hurried from the café appalled by her action. Suppose he misinterpreted it? Oh well it was too late for regret and if he was, as she surmised, lonely then he might appreciate a night at the theatre and it was no loss if it wasn't used. It was a complimentary ticket she had wheedled from Max for John her boy friend but he had flatly refused to go.
"Why should I waste my time watching a play that is going to fold," he sneered.
If he didn't know she wasn't about to tell him.
That night her eyes were drawn to the first row of the orchestra stalls, the man was there. She hoped he would enjoy the play. It had to be better than sitting at home alone.
The audience applauded enthusiastically but the auditorium was by no means full. Would John be at home she wondered as she removed her makeup after the curtain fell.
It was gone eleven when she finally left. A man came out of the shadows he lifted his hat with an old world courtesy she remembered seeing on black and white television films.
"May I give you a lift I am parked nearby."
It seemed silly to refuse after all she had invited him to the theatre. No doubt he felt he owed her.
"I am lodging near enough to walk but thank you."
"You do well to be cautious but please trust me."
For a moment she hesitated. "I do but really my flat is only a ten minute walk away."
"Then let me buy you supper and I will walk you home. My name by the way is Graham- Graham Prentice."
The name seemed familiar and yet she couldn't place it. Well why not? John would not have anything ready for her. Indeed he may well expect her to bring supper home. There are people one instinctively feel able to trust. Graham Prentice was such a man.
He took her to a small Italian restaurant where the waiter greeted him by name. She saw the question in his eyes and wondered could Graham be a stage door Johnny after all?
"You seem well known him," she said.
He smiled his eyes crinkling at the corners,
"Yes I bring all my young ladies here."
While they were eating he asked her a great many questions about her career, how long she had been in the theatre and where she had played. She found herself telling him everything about herself. How her father had wanted her to have a nice office job and how she had run away to join her Aunt who had got her a part in the chorus of a pantomime.
"You have had a fair amount of experience for one so young."
"I am not so young but I must be boring you silly. I have rattled on about myself now it's your turn".
"Another day. It is time I got you home."
The wind had picked up and rain swept the pavements, the gutters overflowed as they left the restaurant. Graham took her arm and guided her back inside. He signalled the waiter. "A brandy please," he ordered. "Now you wait there while I fetch the car."
She began to protest but he left so quickly her words hung on the air. While she waited she asked the waiter if he had known Mr Prentice long.
He began immediately to sing his praises concluding, "You must know he is an angel."
The reply sent a frison of alarm through her that she immediately dismissed. Graham Prentice had probably given the man a generous tip.
The following night, back stage awaiting their cues, Sarah, one of the newest members of the rep. remarked, "It looks as if you've scored with that poor old man. Not that he looks very poor more like a sugar daddy. If you ask me."
Rachael had inadvisably told her she had given John's complimentary ticket to an elderly man.
"I don't remember saying he was poor, just lonely."
"So that is why he is back again tonight." She pointed out Graham seated centre stalls.
He was waiting at the stage door when she left the theatre and so was John.
"Listen you old lecher. Rachael is mine hop it. If I see you hanging round her again I'll flatten you."
"You are mistaken young man. Let me explain I'm an Angel"
"What! You're nuts. Get lost or I'll call the police."
This had gone far enough. Rachael took Graham's arm.
"Shut up John and you get lost. You don't own me and you are insulting my friend."
The whole situation was her fault and she must explain to Graham that it must stop but she would do it gently.
John flounced off calling her all the foul names he could think of.
Graham was so upset he wanted to take her home and explain but Rachael was determined to finish with John. Anyway he wouldn't listen. She was afraid he might attack first and listen later.
Rachael was not in a hurry to get home nor could she bring herself to tell Graham she could not see him anymore. After all, she reasoned the repertory company would close at the end of the week. They should have been going on tour but money had run out. Audiences were down. Not surprisingly when no one knew how long they would have a job and elderly people were afraid to go out at night.
The run came to an end and the cast gathered as always in 'The Spread Eagle' to drink to the next performance but this time it was to say goodbye. She had explained to Graham that this end of show drink was a ritual she couldn't miss.
Max, the producer was standing at the bar by his side stood Graham. Rachael felt a surge of annoyance. He had no right to barge in. She must definitely give him his marching orders tonight.
Max called for everyone to charge their glasses. "I have an important announcement to make."
"One we would rather not hear." Sarah murmured.
Rachael ordered a Gin and tonic. She felt she needed fortifying if she wasn't to burst into tears.
"Right," called Max. "I want to introduce you to the man who has saved our company. Meet Graham Prentice our Angel."
Rachael felt such a fool. Why hadn't she realised that when the waiter told her Graham was an Angel he had meant a backer of shows?
Sarah dug her in the ribs. "You're a dark horse. Why didn't you tell me? No wonder John was mad. Let's hope you can keep Graham Prentice sweet for a long, long time."
Was that it? Would Graham expect favours from her for saving the company? If he did what could she do? There was more than her own livelihood at stake. Perhaps she could leave unnoticed.
She had reach the door when Max called her back. She shook with anger. It was one thing to land herself in this predicament but quite another for Max to collude with the man. Taking deep breaths she turned back.
"Rachael" Max said putting his arm around her shoulders. "You have done a splendid service to the company. I have been trying to persuade Max to invest in us for some weeks but until he met you in the coffee shop he was doubtful whether the company had a sufficiently dedicated caste to make it. Your enthusiasm convinced him."
Rachael smiled weakly.
Graham held out his hand, "Goodbye my dear. I hope to come and see your next performance. Max will keep me informed."
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