Den of Thieves by Julia Golding Read Free Book Online Page A

concern.
    â€˜Oh, I’ll be fine, Caleb,’ I said brightly. ‘I’m hoping my name will be on that list – and if not, well, I’ll cross that bridge when . . . if it comes.’ I was not encouraged to see that he looked doubtful. There was no immediate riposte of ‘Of course you’ll be on it, Cat.’ He for one thought I was not indispensable to the company.
    â€˜It’s here. The list’s here!’ Long Tom, a stagehand, bellowed from the Green Room. There was a stampede of feet from all directions, screams and cries as actors, dancers, stage crew, labourers, scene painters, carpenters and front of house staff all converged backstage. I sat for a moment – too terrified to look, yet knowing I had to.
    â€˜Do you want me to find out for you?’ askedCaleb gently. He must think me a coward for hesitating so long.
    â€˜No, no, I’ll do it, thanks.’ I patted his gnarled hand and stood up. Feeling as if time had slowed down to crawling pace, I made my way to the Green Room.
    â€˜I’m in!’ shouted Long Tom, slapping me on the back as I passed.
    â€˜What about me?’ I asked huskily.
    He frowned. ‘Sorry, Cat, I didn’t notice,’ and he went off to celebrate the good news with the others who had also been chosen.
    I couldn’t get to see the list at first: the crowd was so thick. Two dancers were weeping on each other’s shoulders. Mr Salter, the prompt and box office manager, looked self-righteously pleased with himself. I overheard Mrs Reid talking to her assistant, Sarah Bowers.
    â€˜I’m sorry, Sarah, the only way I could manage it was to make a cut in your wages. We’re going to be so hard-pressed. The budget’s been slashed; we’ve got to transport the costumes, put others in store. I did my best.’
    Sarah nodded miserably. ‘I understand, Mrs Reid. At least I’ve still got me job. I appreciate all you’ve done for me.’ Her eyes fell on me and she flushed scarlet. ‘I’m not complainin’, really I’m not.’
    By now my heart was pounding, my throat dry. Had Mrs Reid cut Sarah’s wages so that she could do something for me? Was that what Sarah’s look meant? I wormed my way to the front of the crowd and scanned the list pinned to the wall. All the names were familiar, people I’d known since I was a baby. It took a moment to work out who hadn’t made it into the lifeboat. Two-thirds of the stagehands were going, most of the set painters, half the front of house staff. No carpenters – they’d been transferred to building the new theatre. No doorman as Caleb had predicted. And no Cat.
    It couldn’t be! I started at the top again. Catherine Royal. I had to be there. I looked under Wardrobe – just Mrs Reid and Sarah. I searched under Messengers – no one was being taken. I even checked under Actors as I had once appeared briefly on the stage. Nothing. I turned to ask MrsReid if there was some mistake but her expression told me everything.
    â€˜I’m sorry, Cat, but I couldn’t squeeze you in. I’ve already had to reduce Sarah’s wages, poor girl, and she’s got a sick mother to support.’ Mrs Reid led me out of the Green Room and into the corridor. She lowered her voice. ‘I had to choose between you and Sarah – it’s been a very difficult decision. But, as I told myself last night, now you’ve got those fine friends of yours in Grosvenor Square, I feel sure you’ll get by. They’ll see you all right, won’t they?’
    I nodded dumbly. I didn’t know what else to do. My strongest desire just then was to be on my own.
    â€˜Cheer up, Cat. When we get back here, I’m sure I’ll find something for you to do if you still need the work.’
    In two years’ time she meant.
    â€˜But you’ll have to do something about that sewing of yours,’ she said with a